True contentment

 

Take a moment to think about your own level of contentment. Do you have all that you need? Do you have the basics of life (not the extras that we can all live without)? Do they bring you contentment? Satisfaction?
     It's okay if the answer is 'no.' We're human, and it's our human nature, or rather our sinful nature that keeps us wanting more. Or is it?
     The poorest people of Lima, Peru live in what we would consider squalor. Their houses are built out of whatever materials they can find. They don't have clean drinking water. There's trash everywhere. Yet, they're happy and content. If you were to tell them they're poor, they wouldn't know what you're talking about. They may covet their neighbor's electricity (and may take it upon themselves to tap into it), but that's the extent of their "want."*
     Every time I think about them, I feel ashamed of my own occasional dissatisfaction with life. I have God in my life; I don't need anything or anyone else. But, there are times I find myself longing for this or that. Sometimes the longing is over a relationship, or having time, or needing direction and I take all of those types of things to God. Sometimes it's more materialistic like escaping to a foreign country. That I just keep to myself because I realize it's not a need.
     Whatever is keeping you from contentment, examine it and then let it go. Count your blessings. Praise God for His mercy, love, and grace.

The Bible verse of the day just popped up on my phone, and how fitting:
   Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 ESV

I absolutely love what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians. It really stops me in my tracks and makes me realize how difficult his life was, yet he said time and time again that he considered his life gain. Dwell on verse 10 below.

6 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,
          “In a favorable time I listened to you,
               and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
2 Corinthians 6:1-10 ESV

*This description is from what I've learned from Missionaries who've been in Lima and from the photos I saw of the area where they were serving.

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Please join me this week in praying for contentment for ourselves and others. May we rest in the hope of Jesus Christ. Pray that those who do not have a personal relationship with Christ come to know Him. Pray that we recognize the daily blessings that God bestows on us. He provides for all of our needs. Let us be thankful for having food, water, shelter, and clothing. Praise God for His unfailing love and grace.

I'll post daily reminders on:

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#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #contentment #peace #hope #prayer #faith #love #sufficient #needs #ChristAlone #poor #humannature #Corinthians #GospelOfMark #want #covet

Willingness to work

 

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for the unemployed, those seeking work, or those who have given up looking. Pray that they turn to the Lord for guidance and encouragement and strength. Let's also pray that God opens doors for them and that they recognize those opportunities.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

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Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #unemployed #jobseekers #encouragment #poor #poverty #work #depression #blessing

 

Soul of the diligent

 

The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; 

but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

Proverbs 13:4

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Please join me this week in praying for the unemployed, those seeking work, or those who have given up looking. Pray that they turn to the Lord for guidance and encouragement and strength. Let's also pray that God opens doors for them and that they recognize those opportunities.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

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Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #unemployed #jobseekers #encouragment #poor #poverty #work #depression #blessing

 

Ask and receive

 

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, 

because we keep His commandments and 

do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

1 John 3:22

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Please join me this week in praying for the unemployed, those seeking work, or those who have given up looking. Pray that they turn to the Lord for guidance and encouragement and strength. Let's also pray that God opens doors for them and that they recognize those opportunities.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe <--- recently changed
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #unemployed #jobseekers #encouragment #poor #poverty #work #depression #blessing

 

Work heartily

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

Colossians 3:23 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for the unemployed, those seeking work, or those who have given up looking. Pray that they turn to the Lord for guidance and encouragement and strength. Let's also pray that God opens doors for them and that they recognize those opportunities.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe <--- recently changed
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #unemployed #jobseekers #encouragment #poor #poverty #work #depression #blessing

 

Share your blessings

 

I was going to share a different verse today but accidentally came to this one and thought it was very appropriate for our prayers this week. 

     Those of us who are blessed need to share our blessings with the less fortunate as we are led by God to do so.

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,

    for he shares his bread with the poor.

Proverbs 22:9 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for the unemployed, those seeking work, or those who have given up looking. Pray that they turn to the Lord for guidance and encouragement and strength. Let's also pray that God opens doors for them and that they recognize those opportunities.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe <--- recently changed
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #unemployed #jobseekers #encouragment #poor #poverty #work #depression #blessing #charity

Motivation during job search

 

By the time I went back to work in May, my unemployment finally went through and I was able to replace the savings and pay off the credit card I used during the shut-down.
     I didn't spend any money during that time except as needed for groceries, and even while shopping for food, I was more frugal than before.
     Fortunately, my husband was still working so we were blessed to have an income, but that didn't diminish the anxiety of me being out of work. When you depend on two incomes, it's a struggle when you lose even one of them.
     From talking to different people, I know we get these perceptions of those who have been out of work for a long period of time. (I'm only talking about able-bodied people who normally would have a job - not those on disability, or with other extenuating circumstances). Maybe their industry isn't up to full capacity and so jobs are scarce right now. Maybe they're just worn out from rejection. We don't know their individual circumstances, and we don't need to know. 
     It would be Christlike of us to pray for them and to ask how we can help. Pray that they feel the desire and motivation to keep searching for a job and that the opportunity that God provides for them will be accepted.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, 

that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

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Please join me this week in praying for the unemployed, those seeking work, or those who have given up looking. Pray that they turn to the Lord for guidance and encouragement and strength. Let's also pray that God opens doors for them and that they recognize those opportunities.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

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Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #unemployed #jobseekers #encouragment #poor #poverty #work #depression

Pray for the unemployed

A year ago I was unemployed because of the pandemic. It was the first time I had been out of a job since the 1980s recession. Even though I knew it was temporary, it affected me deeply. I didn't realize how important it was, beyond finances, for me to work.
     At first, it was like my identity was taken away from me. I felt lost and without purpose. The depression was overwhelming and it was difficult for me to do anything.
     For the first month, dealing with the Unemployment office became my full-time job, but that wore on me, too because of the perceived futility in all of it.
     The second month I finally got around to turning to God. He lifted me up and helped me to relax and make the most of this time. I got to where I enjoyed being home. When everything reopened, I found myself deeply depressed again having to give up the freedom and peace I discovered while being off. But we work in order to pay the bills, so I had to adjust my feelings and attitudes once again.
     The whole experience was so draining. It really gave me a renewed appreciation for the unemployed and what they go through in order to navigate the system. They have to deal with the unemployment office, look for a job, fend off debt collectors and cope with the strain of not having an income. It's a lot.
     So this week, I'd like for us to pray for them. My main prayer is that they turn to God like I finally did, and allow Him to guide them through this situation.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying for the unemployed, those seeking work, or those who have given up looking. Pray that they turn to the Lord for guidance and encouragement and strength. Let's also pray that God opens doors for them and that they recognize those opportunities.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe <--- recently changed
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #unemployed #jobseekers #encouragment #poor #poverty #work #depression

Advocate

When I went back to college around 2011, my professors were very big on advocating for others. I was always one for believing in and rooting for the underdog in almost any situation, but this took it a step further. This involved actually speaking up for those who need a voice. It's one thing to cheer a person, or group of people, on, but it's another to speak up and give an opinion that might encourage others to take action in helping a group of people.

     Our speech has a very real power of influencing others. It can promote actions to help or to hurt; it's up to us. Some people can't defend themselves. Either they don't feel comfortable doing that, or they feel like it's pointless, or maybe, they don't even realize they need help.

     As our country reopens, please continue to do what you can for the needy. Food banks still need food. There are people who are still waiting for unemployment benefits. There are people who can't go back to work because they're high risk. 

     People all over the world have been without income these last several months and risk dying of starvation. There are organizations and missionary groups that try to help them and get food to them that we can support and spread the word about.

     Maybe I'm rambling here; I just have so much on my heart and the words aren't conveying it heavily enough, I'm afraid. Just please, do anything you can to help those less fortunate than us. Pray. Donate. Spread the word.

 

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:8-9 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for guidance as to what we can do, either individually, or collectively, to help those who are less fortunate than we are. Let's pray for God to show us someone in need who we can help.

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

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Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Share the bounty

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, 

yet closes his heart against him, 

how does God's love abide in him?

1 John 3:17 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for guidance as to what we can do, either individually, or collectively, to help those who are less fortunate than we are. Let's pray for God to show us someone in need who we can help.

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

God created all of us

The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.

Proverbs 22:2 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for guidance as to what we can do, either individually, or collectively, to help those who are less fortunate than we are. Let's pray for God to show us someone in need who we can help.

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

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Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

How can I help?

During this time, many people and businesses need help. Depending on a person's situation or level of pride, they may not ask for help, though. So, I was wondering how do I find those who are suffering in silence? Then, I remembered, "Oh yeah, pray about it." I can't believe that isn't my first response to everything I do, think, wonder about, dwell on, ... I'm working on it; I want to take everything to the Lord. We don't have to go through anything alone. We can take everything to Him in prayer.

     Last week I wrote about some of the sad and scary aspects of what's going on in our country, so this week, I want to talk about the good. So many people are reaching out to help others. The mask-making is an incredible example of people seeing a need and taking it upon themselves to fulfill that need.

     Another selfless act that seemed to spread was all of the people who gave away their stimulus money to those who were in need or had a greater need. 

Facebook groups formed just to share information about navigating unemployment, or receiving stimulus money, or finding a job. Other groups formed to offer emotional support for similar situations like being quarantined alone. Even though everything we've been going through is completely new to all of us, we have pulled together, identified problems, and come up with solutions. We're working together while separated. We're loving and sharing and reaching out using whatever tools we have, and if we don't have the right tools, then we repurpose the old ones or invent brand new ones. We could have let this destroy us, but we didn't. We're survivors!

     It warms my heart to see so many do so much for others. I'm so inspired by my mom. She doesn't consider herself someone who is vulnerable. She seems to think that one's mental age takes precedence over one's physical age, therefore she is not "old" and she's only a "senior" when discounts are concerned. When the stay-at-home order first went into effect she was thinking of every possible scenario and how she could help others. 

     I'm praying for people and their specific needs and for people I don't know in more of a generic prayer, like, those who have been unemployed and haven't received unemployment yet; those who were self-employed and have had no income this whole time, etc. This is something we can all be doing and I'm sure all of you are. Some needs that I'm aware of:

- donations to food pantries/banks

- most charities have seen a drop in donations, so if you're able to give monetarily, consider that

- support local small businesses, restaurants, etc. You can buy gift certificates from most of them, especially if they aren't open to the public yet or are only open with limited services

- Target Dayton needs volunteers to deliver meals

- Handivan (Brookville, Ohio) needs volunteers to drive people to doctor's appointments

- contact neighbors, church family, etc. to see if they need anything, or just call to say 'hi', especially those who live alone.

- make cards for nursing home residents

- pray for God to guide you to someone who needs help, or who needs companionship, and/or someone with who you can share the gospel

‘If one of your brethren becomes poor, 

and falls into poverty among you, 

then you shall help him, like a stranger or a Sojourner, 

that he may live with you.

Leviticus 25:35 ESV 

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Please join me this week in praying for guidance as to what we can do, either individually, or collectively, to help those who are less fortunate than we are. Let's pray for God to show us someone in need who we can help.

 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

When we're kind to the needy

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,

    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

Proverbs 14:31 NIV

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Please join me this week in praying for the poor. Ask God what you can do to help and to make a difference in the life of someone in need.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Instagram @archadia27
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Remember the poor

All they asked was that we should 

continue to remember the poor, 

the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

Galatians 2:10 NIV

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Please join me this week in praying for the poor. Ask God what you can do to help and to make a difference in the life of someone in need.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Instagram @archadia27
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Take your inheritance

A woman in one of my bible study groups said that during her adult life, she sat with three different people as they died and pointed out that when the time came, the only thing they took with them was the spirit they had chosen.
     I thought that was so profound and a wonderful illustration of what is truly most important in this temporary life. Do God's work while you're here and profess Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Your eternal inheritance will be more magnificent than anything you could possibly store up on Earth.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, 

‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; 

take your inheritance, 

the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

Matthew 25:34 NIV

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Please join me this week in praying for the poor. Ask God what you can do to help and to make a difference in the life of someone in need.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Instagram @archadia27
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Light in the darkness

If you pour yourself out for the hungry 

and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, 

then shall your light rise in the darkness 

and your gloom be as the noonday.

Isaiah 58:10 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for the poor. Ask God what you can do to help and to make a difference in the life of someone in need.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Instagram @archadia27
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Share the gifts

Give, and it will be given to you. 

Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, 

running over, will be put into your lap. 

For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Luke 6:38 ESV

You can test God on this...not to sound like the for-profit "ministers" who preach "prosperity gospel" on television, though.* God isn't rewarding us but rather He gives back to those who give so that we can and will give even more. I believe He wants us to be active in taking care of His children in need.

*Honestly, these people scare me. They twist the gospel and extort money from those who don't have it to lose. Beware of these types of so-called Pastors. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 says: For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 
     Doesn't that just send chills down your spine?! That's exactly what's happening! We're here to build relationships, help one another, spread the Gospel, and to bring glory to the Lord. 1. Love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. 2. Love your neighbor as you love yourself/do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (paraphrasing).

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Please join me this week in praying for the poor. Ask God what you can do to help and to make a difference in the life of someone in need.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Instagram @archadia27
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

What can I do?

We all know (hopefully) that it's better to give than to receive, so why is there so much want in the world? Are we all doing our best, giving joyfully and selflessly as Jesus taught us?
     This time of year, we maybe think about it more than we do the rest of the year, which is fine, but it's my prayer that we start a momentum that carries on into 2020.
     I really love my church. Just this past weekend, we held our annual car clinic where church members worked on cars for those in our community who maybe can't afford an oil change and are unable to take care of their vehicles themselves. We check windshield wiper fluid, tire pressure, turn signal bulbs, etc. and the youth vacuum the cars and clean the windows. While people wait for their cars they have the opportunity to find some gently used items for themselves or others. We provide food and haircuts and nail painting while the people wait on their cars. We minister to these people and talk to them, get to know them, and love on them. It's an amazing experience for everyone, those giving and those receiving.
     We're also collecting food to give the needy for a Thanksgiving meal, coats and other items for Target Dayton, filling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. We're sending out missionaries to Peru and the Dominican Republic.
     I don't say all of this to boast but rather to show that there is so much each of us can do to touch the lives of those who are less fortunate. We can't all be missionaries, but we can reach out to someone and simply listen to their story, have a cup of coffee with them, say a prayer with them. If you can't give financially, maybe you can donate items that you no longer need. If you have no time, money, or anything like that, you can become a prayer warrior for those in need. There's always something that needs to be done, someone who needs help. Look around you and see what you can do. It will warm your heart and leave a positive impact on those you touch.

In all things I have shown you that by working hard 

in this way we must help the weak and 

remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 

‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Acts 20:35 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for the poor. Ask God what you can do to help and to make a difference in the life of someone in need.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Instagram @archadia27
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

A loving gift

Have you ever been truly poor? I have. We did well to just get by. Looking back there are a few places we could have cut back and other places where we made bad decisions. We robbed Peter to pay Paul and used credit cards to get us through particularly bad months (which just made things worse). We spent $20 a week on groceries.
     I wasn't accustomed or prepared to be so poor and honestly didn't know how we would ever survive, but we did, of course, often due to the kindness and generosity of others. Since I've been there, I can empathize with those I meet who are in need. This time of year is especially difficult. You want to be as "normal" as possible for your children and have a big meal for Thanksgiving and gifts under a tree for Christmas.
     One Christmas I had been saving change in order to be able to buy a Christmas tree. A live tree at that time was $20 (the equivalent of a whole week of groceries) so we were making sacrifices here and there in order to buy one.
     One day my brother and his wife drove up with a Christmas tree on the roof of their car. It took a moment to sink in what they were doing as they loosened the rope. My heart felt like it could have burst at that moment. I have never felt so loved. That was such a thoughtful gift, purchased with love, and given freely.
     Jesus has given all of us the ultimate gift. The price was paid with His blood and it is given freely to anyone who accepts Him. Those of us who've accepted this gift should be sharing the Good News of it to those in need. One way to reach out to people is to give freely of ourselves and help wherever we can. Be generous. Think outside the box and do something that shows Christ lives in you.

For there will never cease to be poor in the land. 

Therefore I command you, ‘

You shall open wide your hand to your brother, 

to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’

Deuteronomy 15:11 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for the poor. Ask God what you can do to help and to make a difference in the life of someone in need.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Instagram @archadia27
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Rich rule over the poor

“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”

Proverbs 22:7

I hope to write more on this tomorrow.