Generosity

 

Because of the generosity and support of Southern Baptists, through the Lottie Moon Christmas offering, God's word is being spread all over the globe.
     Our missionaries who have been able to stay abroad through the pandemic are especially thankful for the support they've received from the U.S. so that they can continue to share the gospel. They've come up with creative means during the past 9-10 months to keep the mission work moving forward even during times of isolation. Read their stories of thankfulness by clicking here.

Prayer requests:

PRAISE GOD for the continued work of Southern Baptists who have remained committed to reaching the lost for more than 175 years.
ASK GOD to send more individuals and churches who will be committed to the vision of reaching all nations and all peoples with the gospel.
THANK GOD for sustaining the work of missionaries through all circumstances, including the most recent global pandemic.

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 ESV

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Please join me for a Week of Prayer for International Missions. Check back each day for information on who we're praying for specifically and to learn more about them.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #intercession #petition #missionary #peoplegroup #unengaged #unreached #ministry

In memoriam

 

Pray for the safety of the men, women, and children who serve as missionaries. Let's also pray for those who have lost their lives while serving the Lord; their families and friends who mourn.

At Missions College, there is a wall of names listing everyone who has died while in the field. It's very sobering. They sacrifice so much, as it is. Please take a few minutes to read today's topic (click here), and/or watch the video, then pray with me.

Prayer requests:

THANK GOD for the men and women who, with their children, have traveled to the ends of the earth to share the gospel with those who have never heard.

THANK GOD for the uninterrupted witness of Southern Baptists among the nations for 175 years.

ASK GOD to continue to protect missionaries and their families serving in cross-cultural and often difficult areas around the globe.

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

John 15:13 NKJV

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Please join me for a Week of Prayer for International Missions. Check back each day for information on who we're praying for specifically and to learn more about them.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #intercession #petition #missionary #peoplegroup #unengaged #unreached #ministry

Pray for a medical team in Thailand

 

Today we're praying for Doug Derbyshire and his wife, Cheryl as they use their mobile clinic to heal the physical needs of their patients in Baan Po, Thailand. They, along with medical teams from the U.S. are able to use that opportunity to share the gospel with those they help thereby healing the individuals' spiritual needs as well. For more information, click here.

Prayer requests:

PRAY none of the new Christians would fall away from the faith.

PRAY those who have yet to decide will choose to commit their lives to Christ.

PRAY for the formation of healthy churches in Baan Po.

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise

Jeremiah 17:14 ESV

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Please join me for a Week of Prayer for International Missions. Check back each day for information on who we're praying for specifically and to learn more about them.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #intercession #petition #missionary #peoplegroup #unengaged #unreached #ministry

Pray for a radio station in Croatia

 

This week of prayer may look a little different than normal. I'm an IMB Prayer Champion which simply means that I've volunteered to try to inspire my church and others to pray for missionaries, the unengaged and the unreached people groups of the world. Starting yesterday, November 29th through next Sunday, December 6th, is the Week of Prayer for International Missions. IMB has put together a wonderful collection of resources for this event, including a sheet that highlights one missionary, staff, and people group each day. That sheet includes a written version of their story, photos and a video. I'll share some information each day about the missionary/people group, their prayer requests, and the video, as well as the link to the sheet so that you can dig deeper if you like.
     Paul Chitwood, director of IMB wrote, "Please join me in praying that our missional reach might expand, as we await a multitude too great to number; a great multitude + you."

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Today we're praying for missionary Eric Maroney, his wife, Julie, and their team in Zagreb, Croatia, where they've developed a radio ministry. Click here for the full sheet of information.

Day 2: Gospel Fills the Airwaves from IMB on Vimeo.

Prayer requests:

PRAY that more national partners will choose to be a part of sharing the gospel across Croatia.

PRAY that more church plants will result from the radio broadcast ministry.

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Revelation 7:9-10 NKJV

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Please join me for a Week of Prayer for International Missions. Check back each day for information on who we're praying for specifically and to learn more about them.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #intercession #petition #missionary #peoplegroup #unengaged #unreached #ministry

Proclaim the Gospel

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Mark 16:15 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for our missionaries. Pray for their safety and for their ministry needs. Pray also for the people they are ministering to and those who are still unreached and unengaged.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible  #missionary #GreatCommission #laborers #faith

Help wanted

 

From IMB's website, there are 11,727 people groups (approx. 7.8 billion people).

Of those, 7,067 are "unreached" people groups (approx. 4.6 billion people) and 3,018 are "unengaged" people groups (approx. 274 million people).

Their definition of "unreached" is when less than 2% of the population of the people group are evangelical Christians.

Their definition of "unengaged" is when there are no church planting efforts among that people group.

According to Missionary Portal's website:

"It’s estimated one missionary is needed for every 50,000 unreached person. As a result, we need 66,547 more missionaries to serve these people."

And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

Luke 10:2 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for our missionaries. Pray for their safety and for their ministry needs. Pray also for the people they are ministering to and those who are still unreached and unengaged.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible  #salvation #missionary #GreatCommission #laborers

Power

 

I feel like I need to explain because I don't think I've missed one day in over two years, although technically, I didn't miss today because it's still today, just 14+ hours later than usual ... I woke up at 5:30 this morning to the sound of silence. It's amazing how quiet everything is when the electricity goes out. That sudden shut-down of constant noise is jarring to me, especially when I'm sleeping because it's noise that helps me sleep. I have a sound machine that plays ocean sounds all night, plus two fans during the summer. And, for the first hour, while I'm falling asleep, I have an app on my phone that plays 1.5 Hz binaural beats for sleep.  Maybe it's to cover up the tinnitus that drives me crazy at times, or maybe it's a psychological attempt to drown out the world. Whatever the reason, when it's gone, I feel strange. And none of that has anything to do with anything. Except that, it's how my day started and it completely messed up my morning routine and to-do list. Plus, there was no coffee.

     Can you imagine waking up someplace where there wasn't any electricity ever? No coffee? No routine? It takes a very special person to give up everything they've known their entire life and move to another country, learn a new language, a new culture, build relationships and trust in order to take the Gospel to people who have never even heard of Jesus. But, when God calls His children to go "to the end of the earth", He gives them the power and trust and encouragement to do so. 

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

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Please join me this week in praying for our missionaries. Pray for their safety and for their ministry needs. Pray also for the people they are ministering to and those who are still unreached and unengaged.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible  #salvation #power #missionary #GreatCommission

Commissioned by God

 

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:14-17

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Please join me this week in praying for our missionaries. Pray for their safety and for their ministry needs. Pray also for the people they are ministering to and those who are still unreached and unengaged.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible  #salvation #intercession #petition #prayer #missionary #GreatCommission

Pray for missionaries

 

I have a heart for missionaries. They make sacrifices in order to spread the Gospel to unreached people. They leave behind friends and family sometimes traveling to places where they don't speak the language, where they don't have the comforts of home. Some live in danger because they're sharing the Good News in places where it's forbidden. Some have been jailed in inhumane living conditions and others have been killed for sharing their faith. Yet they go willingly, joyfully, knowing that this is what God has called them to do. I am in awe of them.

     The organization that our church helps to support is IMB (International Missions Board). I'm proud to be their "Prayer Champion" to our local church. What that means is I encourage others in the church to pray for our missionaries and the unreached and unengaged people groups. We have among us some prayer warriors who pray daily for the needs of those in the field.

     If you have an interest in praying for the needs of these missionaries, you can go to imb.org/pray. There you'll see 175 Days of Prayer celebrating IMB's 175 years of ministry. This is a special daily prayer request. At the top of the page, you'll see where you can download the prayer app.  You'll also see "Monthly Prayer" which is a flyer about a select people group that has a daily prayer request also. (If you go to my church, you can pick up the monthly flyer at the Welcome Center desk).

     You can pray for these people as it fits into your schedule and know that you're doing God's will and actively participating in the Great Commission.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for our missionaries. Pray for their safety and for their ministry needs. Pray also for the people they are ministering to and those who are still unreached and unengaged.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible  #salvation #intercession #petition #prayer #missionary #GreatCommission

Longing for you

These bible verses mean so much more to me now after speaking to missionaries who have returned. I could listen to their stories all day long. They form this seemingly instant bond with those they minister to; they love them as if they had been friends for years. I imagine Paul going on his trips and knowing that he couldn't return to see all of them, and probably longing to visit many more that he couldn't get to. You can just tell from his letters how much he loved these people and desired to be back with them.
     If you feel called to mission work, I encourage you to pray about it and see where God will take you. It takes a special person to do this kind of work, but if you are called, you can begin the process to see if there are opportunities where God will use you to do His will.

So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the 

gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.  

For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; 

for laboring night and day, that we might 

not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:8-9 (NKJV)

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Please join me this week in praying for our missionaries. Pray for their safety and pray that they may bring others to Christ.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Glad tidings

 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

  “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,

Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Romans 10:14-15 NKJV

4th Quarter

A man at our church has started a mission of sorts; it's a mission for those of us who have entered the 4th quarter of our lives and it's one that everyone can participate in. Basically, it's a ministry to encourage older adults to "finish strong for Jesus." As we age we may feel that we can't do as much as we used to do or that no one will want our help or that it's time for the younger people to take over. Those are all just excuses. Whether you're working or retired, in good physical (and/or mental) shape or not, financially set or struggling there is something that you can do to leave behind a legacy of your faith.
     God has bestowed on you at least one spiritual gift and it's your responsibility to figure out what that gift is and how you can use it (or you can simply pray for God to reveal all of that to you; that's what I did). It's possible that your spiritual gift is slightly different than it used to be, but it is the gift you need in order to do God's will.
Some suggestions:
- become a prayer warrior
- donate money, time, or materials to a Christian organization/charity
- disciple someone who's new to the faith
- share the gospel
- encourage and inspire others
- visit someone who's ill or grieving

     He started a 4th Quarter group at our church and I believe everyone has gotten involved in at least one way. The founder is James Dickey and it's his hope (and our entire group's hope) that this ministry spread to other churches. He even wrote a book explaining the different strategies one can use to apply their gifts and talents, to share their faith, plant seeds, and fill the Kingdom with saints.

     The book is available on Amazon if you would like to check it out.* If you're interested in learning more about the ministry, visit his website at 4thq.org.

*As always, I do not receive any commission from anything I recommend. It's just my desire to share quality books that will help spread the gospel. After all, I too would like to "finish my race with joy," and I do that by submitting to God's will for my life.

But none of these things move me; 

nor do I count my life dear to myself, 

so that I may finish my race with joy, 

and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, 

to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20:24 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for our missionaries. Pray for their safety and pray that they may bring others to Christ.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

I chose you

You did not choose Me, but I chose you 

and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and 

that your fruit should remain, 

that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

John 15:16

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Please join me this week in praying for our missionaries. Pray for their safety and pray that they may bring others to Christ.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Laborers for the harvest

During my time at missions training, one of the bible verses that came up often was Luke 10:2 (NKJV):

Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, 

but the laborers are few; 

therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

     I met so many people who have a missionary's heart and longed to go out into the field but their calling was instead here, in the U.S. Many of them had already dedicated a number of years living abroad but for one reason or another had to return home. They did so without complaining and they understood their role and how they were better serving the missionary work by staying put. Some of them organize mission trips, others raise money, still others train the next generation of missionaries. In a real sense, they are sending out many missionaries who will be able to save many unreached people groups instead of being an individual overseas who would be able to save a few. We as the church still need many, many more laborers to go out into the harvest, but we also need those at home who support those abroad.
     Personally, I long to go out on a mission but realize now that it isn't my calling. I'm aware of my spiritual gifts and am focused on using them as God directs me. I'll continue to serve at Target Dayton and hopefully, in the near future, will learn some skills and become more confident at sharing the gospel with strangers. Maybe at that time, God will send me out, but until then I'm here, praying for the unreached people, for the missionaries who serve them, and for those who haven't yet answered their calling to open their minds and hearts to where Jesus is sending them.

Do all things without complaining and disputing, 

Philippians 2:14 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for our missionaries. Pray for their safety and pray that they may bring others to Christ.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

The enemy

We don't spend nearly enough time talking about Satan. He is constantly in our midst, trying to reel us in. Yes, we're saved and he cannot take that away from us, but he can meddle in our lives and deter us from doing God's work. The more I grow in my faith and my commitment to focus only on Jesus, the more Satan seems to be a factor in my life. He deceives me, distracts me. He meddles in my relationships with others, especially the unsaved.
     I have felt so exhausted lately and there doesn't seem to be nearly enough hours in the day to do everything I've committed to. This keeps me from my devotionals, and even my prayer time. Sometimes it takes me a few days to realize what's going on, but then I'm able to re-focus and pray fervently for help against the enemy.
     This isn't exactly related to mission work, but it could be in that sometimes when we're called to serve, Satan fills us with self-doubt about our abilities to serve, time available, resources, whatever it takes to keep us from answering God's calling. Be aware of what he's capable of. Suit up with the full armor of God,* and then press on.
*Ephesians 6:10-18

And let us not grow weary while doing good, 

for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 

Therefore, as we have opportunity, 

let us do good to all, 

especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:9-10 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for our missionaries. Pray for their safety and pray that they may bring others to Christ.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Where will you serve?

This past weekend I had a couple of opportunities to serve; once for Let's Eat (formerly Feed Brookville) and the other at Target Dayton. Both experiences were humbling and energizing and I really felt God's presence among us as we served and socialized with one another.
     Our church has a group of missionaries answering the call to help out in the Dominican Republic this week. They've been sending back pictures the past several days and it's just so wonderful to see the joy on everyone's faces; those serving and those being served. Yesterday they went shopping and delivered groceries to those in need. They'll be helping with construction and sewing projects throughout the week.
     As Christians, we know our purpose in this life is to "...Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV. Whether you do this here at home, (at work, social events, while running errands), locally (community, city, state, country) or abroad doesn't matter. It's wherever God is calling you to serve. Just be sure to answer the call. If you're uncomfortable sharing one on one (as I often am), then pray about that. Pray for words and courage and wisdom. God will answer and will guide you if you let Him.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, 

but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for our missionaries. Pray for their safety and pray that they may bring others to Christ.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power