Peace of God

 

Every so often I like to ask, "what's your go-to Bible verse or passage in times of dispair?" One of mine is Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV):

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

     This life is trying. Accepting Christ as our Savior doesn't mean that we'll have an easy time of it, but it does mean that we'll carry with us the peace of the Holy Spirit and the hope of eternal life with our Father. He created us for the express purpose of bringing glory to Himself and to share His love with one another during our time on Earth. We're here to love and serve one another and to build relationships. He doesn't want us to walk this journey alone.

     Reach out to others. Be there for each other. Love one another, as Christ loves us.

You may also like:

- "Compassion and Grief" about when my dad passed away. I was able to rejoice in knowing that I'll see him again in Heaven.

- "Walk the Walk" 

- "Don't be anxious about anything" has an image with the Philippians 4:6 verse that you can share with someone who needs to see it today.

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Please join me this week in praying for those who need help but don't ask for it. Pray that they see the benefits of allowing others to help them. Pray that they have good experiences as a result of opening up to others. Pray that they are served by Christians who show Christ to them. Let's also pray for those who refuse to help, for whatever reason. Pray that God softens their hearts and minds, that he give them servants' hearts so that they may know the joy in working together as one body of Christ and the reward of knowing they are doing God's will.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #help #ask #need #independant #strong #prayer #relationship #anxiety #isolated #lonely #peace #hope #salvation

When you ask but do not receive

I was reminded yesterday by a friend that not everyone is willing to help others. She wrote:

 In the past, I was always made to feel guilty asking for help. I go to the Lord with EVERYTHING but with people? Anytime I tried, I was made to feel bad. So...kept it at the throne.

- Elizabeth B.

It honestly didn't occur to me until after I posted that not everyone wants to help others. Elizabeth's post confirmed it. 

- Unfortunately, those people are perfectly fine with living out their lives, wrapped up in just themselves. Of course, the day will come when they'll need help and at that point may find themselves up a creek without a paddle.

- Still, others are too busy to help (I shamefully find myself in that category a little too often).

- There are people who believe that we should each be self-sufficient and therefore won't help anyone out of principle, so to speak. 

- There are those who expect something in return.

     Yeah, the more I think about it, I can understand why some people don't ask for help. So, I guess we should pray for the unhelpful people, too. Pray that God softens their hearts and minds; that He gives them servants' hearts and show them that that's how He wants us to interact with each other, as loving, caring brothers and sisters.

     I didn't use to have a servant's heart until a true servant of Christ set me straight. I'm so thankful to her. She changed how I thought about serving and it's made a huge impact on my walk with Christ. I hope you can take a couple of minutes to read that post: "Acquiring a servant's heart" where I talk about the experience.

     Like Elizabeth wrote, she keeps "it at the throne." At least there, we can always find help and strength.

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:2 ESV

     Please do ask for help when you need it. Ask God to send you fellow Christians who will lift you up in your needs. Ask Him to help you through the valleys.

You may also like:

- "Help others help themselves" about supporting small businesses

- "Will you be my neighbor?" a lesson from Fred Rogers that everyone is our neighbor

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Please join me this week in praying for those who need help but don't ask for it. Pray that they see the benefits of allowing others to help them. Pray that they have good experiences as a result of opening up to others. Pray that they are served by Christians who show Christ to them. Let's also pray for those who refuse to help, for whatever reason. Pray that God softens their hearts and minds, that he give them servants' hearts so that they may know the joy in working together as one body of Christ and the reward of knowing they are doing God's will.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #help #ask #need #independant #strong #prayer #relationship #anxiety #isolated #lonely

 

Ask for help

 

Do you know someone who never asks for help? And maybe that someone raised you to never ask for help, either? They taught you to be "independant," "strong." I want to assure you (and by you, I mean the person who doesn't ask for help), it is NOT a sign of weakness to ask for help. In fact, the people around you would probably appreciate knowing what you need, when you need it, instead of trying to guess.

     Yesterday was Father's Day, and my nephews spent the day with their dad putting together an above-ground pool. My brother said it was the best father's day he could remember. Having his sons there, working together on a project that was important to him, ran a lot deeper than his need for help installing the pool. He also had a need to spend time with them.

     Sometimes I feel drawn to reach out to someone, but beyond that prompting by the Holy Spirit, I'm often in the dark as to what the people around me need.

     Of course, there are people who just flat out refuse help, and I have to honor those requests, but in their desire to not appear needy, they're inadvertently adding stress to my life because there's nothing I can do about any of it.

Since I was raised to be "independent," it's hard for me to ask for help as well. As a manager, I can delegate responsibility to different people, but I feel awkward about even asking in my day-to-day life. 

The same is true in my spiritual life. Until a few years ago, I felt funny asking the Lord for things for me. I didn't consider asking for guidance, answers, encouragement. God wants us to come to Him with our needs and even our wants. We pray for others, but we're also constantly building a relationship with Him by being in conversation (which includes listening to Him). So the topic of ourselves is going to come up.

I just see so much stress, anxiety, and loneliness in the world. How awesome would it be to just be able to share what's going on with each of us to deal with each other honestly; that would get rid of the need to wonder or worry. We wouldn't have to feel guilty for not doing something we didn't even know that we should be doing. (I know that sentence will make sense to a few of you).

This may just be a crazy ramble, but I'll try to break it down throughout the week. I guess it's my plea to those in my life who don't ask for help when they need it.

The Bible speaks about asking for God's help instead of each other, but I believe the Bible verses can be applied to both scenarios.

You desire and do not have, so you murder.* You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

James 4:2 ESV

*Remember "murder" is also defined as "anger" (see Matthew 5:21-22)

You may also like:

- "I’ve had a bad day" from January 7, 2013

- "If you need Someone to lean on" from July 27, 2014

- "Disappointment" from June 18, 2015

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Please join me this week in praying for those who need help but don't ask for it. Pray that they see the benefits of allowing others to help them. Pray that they have good experiences as a result of opening up to others. Pray that they are served by Christians who show Christ to them.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #help #ask #need #independant #strong #prayer #relationship #anxiety

Anger toward a brother

 

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Matthew 18:15–20 ESV

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Matthew 5:21-26 ESV

Bible verses from this week:

Romans 14:10-12 

Psalm 133:1 

Proverbs 17:17

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Please join me this week in praying for siblings. Pray that any siblings who are alienated from one another find a means to heal and repair their relationships.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #siblings #brother #sister #relationship #forgiveness #trust #healing #reconcile

Proverbs 17:17

 

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity."

Proverbs 17:17

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Please join me this week in praying for siblings. Pray that any siblings who are alienated from one another find a means to heal and repair their relationships.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #siblings #brother #sister #relationship #forgiveness #trust #healing #reconcile

Am I my brother's keeper?

 

I was thinking about this yesterday, how we ask the question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" compared to how Cain asked it. I think nowadays, we ask the question in search of an answer. To what extent are we to take care of our brothers and sisters? But when Cain asked the question, he was backtalking to God. Can you imagine?! He just killed his brother and then was flip with God when asked about Abel. The question was pure callousness (IMO).

John MacArthur wrote: "Cain's sarcasm was a play on words, based on the fact that Abel was the "keeper" of sheep."*

*MacArthur, John (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible, New King James version.

     Thomas Nelson, Inc. Nashville, TN. 

Charles Spurgeon wrote: “The cool impudence of Cain is an indication of the state of heart which led up to his murdering his brother; and it was also a part of the result of his having committed that terrible crime. He would not have proceeded to the cruel deed of bloodshed if he had not first cast off the fear of God and been ready to defy his Maker.”

Yet, when God imparts His judgment, suddenly Cain is upset. In verse 13 he said, “My punishment is greater than I can bear." and another translation reads "My guilt is too great to bear," but seriously, there's nothing to indicate to me that Cain felt guilty for what he did. He had to have known that God sees all, knows all. Cain also had to have known that it was wrong. 

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 

Genesis 4:9-14 ESV

     Today we need to be our brother's (and sister's) keeper. "See something. Say something." Be an advocate for those who can't or won't speak for themselves. When we take on that nurturing role, our hearts can't help but be filled with love for one another.

     I remember when I was a teenager, at least 16-years-old, my parents went on vacation and left my brother, Kevin, and me home alone for the first time ever. Kevin developed some weird something on the roof of his mouth. I about freaked out. I didn't know what to do. My concern was for my little brother and making him well; I didn't want to contact my parents because I wanted to show them that we could take care of each other on our own. There also may have been a tiny bit of worry that I fed him something wrong that caused this condition.

     After calming down, I thought, "What would mom do?" and I called the doctor. They got us in right away (probably because of my panicky voice). It turned out it was the result of too much sugar and it would go away in a few days. My point is, as much as my little brother and I argued, when it came down to him needing me, I was all in. This isn't to boast, this is to point out that no matter what you have going on with your siblings (or anyone), you are responsible to try to help them, and you should want to, as a Christian, and a member of the human race. Some people cannot, will not be helped, but if that's the case, give it up to God.

     To be fully transparent, I write this even as I know my heart is turned against certain people who give me so much grief. It's something I'm constantly working on. I used to think I couldn't talk about something unless I overcame that something, but I don't think like that anymore. We should share our struggles as well as our triumphs. In this way, we let others who are struggling know that they're not alone. Social media makes people think that everyone else has it all figured out, that everyone else is happy. My goal is to show the opposite, in a way. I want people to know that I'm just like them with the same issues and worries. I slip and fall, then get back up over and over again. I don't have it all figured out and I never will, but that's okay.

You may also like:

"The Good Samaritan" from April 16, 2021

"To die unto one's self" from January 6, 2020

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Please join me this week in praying for siblings. Pray that any siblings who are alienated from one another find a means to heal and repair their relationships.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #siblings #brother #sister #relationship #forgiveness #trust #healing #reconcile

Psalm 133:1

 

A Song of Ascents. Of David. 

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Psalm 133:1 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for siblings. Pray that any siblings who are alienated from one another find a means to heal and repair their relationships.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #siblings #brother #sister #relationship #forgiveness #trust #healing #reconcile

Love one another

 

Update - not necessarily on topic, but it may circle around as it often does (thank you, Jesus)...I had four moles removed from my face, and one from my neck late Monday. The last time I had this done was twenty years ago, and it was just two from my face. I remember that I still went to work, still went to school, and still took care of my daughters, the house, etc...and so assumed it would be the same this time. Nope. 

     Either because of where they were removed from, or five versus two, or being older, (or maybe I'm just not remembering last time very well), this time seems a lot different. Granted, it's only the morning of day 3, but still--my face hurts and is interfering with my 'to-do' list.

     I'm not sharing all of this for sympathy but to share God's sovereignty. If I weren't in pain, I'd be jamming in as much as possible into each day instead of taking it easy like I need to in order to heal.

     Once I realized this, I quit grumbling and started thanking God for taking care of me (which I should have been doing anyway). He is so good to me, and to all of us. We are His children. He loves us, unconditionally. He wants us to love one another, and live in unity. Everyone is your brother and your sister. Love one another accordingly.

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:10 ESV

You may also like:

"Let go of the past" from June 20, 2019

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Please join me this week in praying for siblings. Pray that any siblings who are alienated from one another find a means to heal and repair their relationships.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #siblings #brother #sister #relationship #forgiveness #trust #healing #reconcile #surgery #moles #face #healing #resting

Romans 14:10-12

 

Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Romans 14:10-12 ESV 

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Please join me this week in praying for siblings. Pray that any siblings who are alienated from one another find a means to heal and repair their relationships.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #siblings #brother #sister #relationship #forgiveness #trust #healing #reconcile

Pray for siblings

 

I heard a story this weekend of a family torn apart. I don't know the details and couldn't share them even if I did. What I do know is a family that was once close is now alienated from each other and it all began with an event between two siblings.

     It's hard for me to look at my brother, a hard-working responsible adult who gives me hugs and says, "I love you, Sis," and see the emotional, sometimes angry, sometimes messed-up kid who I grew up with. But every once in a while he'll giggle like he used to as a child, or get emotional or angry and it takes me back. We have a history together that I don't have with anyone else. We share secrets, memories. It's a special bond that holds us together. 

     We disagree on many things which is okay. We disagreed on many things as children, too. We've hardly seen each other through the pandemic, but when we did, we picked up right where we left off. I can't imagine a situation where either of us would do something that the other one would want to completely break ties. Yet it happens to families all the time.

     I am so blessed and so thankful for my family. It breaks my heart to hear of division among others. Let's pray for this special relationship this week. If you're an only child, think of someone close who you grew up with; a neighbor or a cousin, maybe. Someone who knows the real you.

I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother's sons.

Psalm 69:8 ESV

You may also like:

- "Encouragement for the new year" from December 18, 2018 (It's still relevant today.)

- "The power of words" from February 25, 2019

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Please join me this week in praying for siblings. Pray that any siblings who are alienated from one another find a means to heal and repair their relationships.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #bibleverse #bible #siblings #brother #sister #relationship #forgiveness #trust #healing #reconcile

Family is a blessing

 

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; 

your children will be like olive shoots around your table.

Psalm 128:3 ESV

"The interesting thing about these two images, vines and olive plants, is that they are biblical symbols of the abundant life. They are not food staples like wheat or corn. They symbolize rich blessing.” (James Montgomery Boice, 1968)

“The vine and the olive are two of the best fruits…both together implying that a great part of a man’s temporal happiness consisteth in having a good wife and children.” (John Trapp, 1600s)

Words aren't coming to me this morning, but I came across this Bible verse which stated perfectly what is on my heart. Any of us who have family are truly blessed. What we do, how we handle those relationships is entirely up to us.

Please continue to pray for Donnie and Amanda. Their daughter wrote this prayer yesterday:

Lord, we come to you with open hearts and hands- Lord please remove the toxins and swelling from Dad's body. Lord, you’re the ultimate healer and he is here to fight this battle. Lord, please give him the strength to fight this through and move this almighty mountain. Allow him to return home to us for these grandbabies, his children, his wife, and our community. Lord, allow him to be rebuilt from the inside out and do your work on this earth longer. If anyone can heal him lord it’s you. Amen.

You may also like: "Updates" from July 30, 2017 

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Please join me this week in praying for family. Pray that relationships will be strengthened. Also, pray that families will work out any differences that they have and that they will build a bond that can withstand any tribulation.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @7DegreesOfMe
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #family #love #honor #relationship #children #wife #husband

A crown to the aged

 

Please continue to pray for the healing of family members and their relationships. Please pray specifically:

- that daughter R soften her heart toward her mother.

- that daughter J reach out to her father.

- that daughter R not feel alone in a house filled with family.

- that relationships are strengthened in the M household, and mended in the G household. 

- for peace and comfort for everyone who has lost a family member this past year.

- that a married couple becomes "one flesh" as promised in Genesis. The wife feels they are more like roommates than soulmates. Her husband, C is either unable or unwilling to show her love.

- please pray for D and family.

- pray for mother S and daughter R that their relationship is strengthened.

- that relationships in the P family and R families are strengthened.

- pray for better family communication between D and her daughter S.

- please pray for C.O. and family who just lost a brother to covid, and M.G. and family who just lost an aunt to covid. Also, pray for wife C who has just been hospitalized with covid and her husband who has it also and is home alone recuperating.

"Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children."

Proverbs 17:6

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Please join me this week in praying for families and for healing between family members. Pray that relationships will be mended this holiday season and that families will be united.  Pray for comfort and peace for those families who have lost loved ones this year.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #family #relationship #unity #forgiveness #love #reconcile

Inherit only wind

 

Whoever brings ruin on their family 

will inherit only wind, and the

 fool will be servant to the wise.

Proverbs 11:29

Please continue to pray for the healing of family relationships this week, whether it's a need for reconciliation, forgiveness, healing, grieving. If you know of anyone specifically for us to pray for, let me know their first initials, or just their relationship, so that we can pray for them also.

Please pray 

- that daughter R soften her heart toward her mother.

- that daughter J reach out to her father.

- that daughter R not feel alone in a house filled with family.

- that relationships are strengthened in the M household, and mended in the G household. 

- for peace and comfort for everyone who has lost a family member this past year.

- that a married couple becomes "one flesh" as promised in Genesis. The wife feels they are more like roommates than soulmates. Her husband, C is either unable or unwilling to show her love.

- please pray for D and family.

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Please join me this week in praying for families and for healing between family members. Pray that relationships will be mended this holiday season and that families will be united.  Pray for comfort and peace for those families who have lost loved ones this year.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #family #relationship #unity #forgiveness #love #reconcile

Fervent love

 

We're praying for the healing of family relationships this week, whether it's a need for reconciliation, forgiveness, healing, grieving. If you know of anyone specifically for us to pray for, let me know their first initials, or just their relationship, so that we can pray for them also.

Please pray 

- that daughter R soften her heart toward her mother.

- that daughter J reach out to her father.

- that daughter R not feel alone in a house filled with family.

- that relationships are strengthened in the M household, and mended in the G household. 

- for peace and comfort for everyone who has lost a family member this past year.

- that a married couple becomes "one flesh" as promised in Genesis. The wife feels they are more like roommates than soulmates. Her husband, C is either unable or unwilling to show her love.

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 

1 Peter 4:7-9 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for families and for healing between family members. Pray that relationships will be mended this holiday season and that families will be united.  Pray for comfort and peace for those families who have lost loved ones this year.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #family #relationship #unity #forgiveness #love #reconcile

Pray for widows & widowers

 

The number of people at our church who have lost loved ones this year is just overwhelming. I can't help but think and empathize with what they're going through right now, spending their first Christmas without a spouse, parent, sibling, friend.
     Please remember them this holiday season. Even though we can't necessarily visit in person, there are so many ways in which we can reach out and let them know they are loved. Be creative if you can. If you can't, that's fine, too. A phone call, card, text, IM, email, would go a long way in making a difference this year.
     Also, be in prayer for the countless families dealing with loved ones who are sick or hospitalized right now. And for those people who can't get together this year because of Covid.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 147:3 ESV

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows* in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

James 1:27 ESV

She who is truly a widow* left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,

1 Timothy 5:5 ESV

*I would add, widowers as well

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Please join me this week in praying for families and for healing between family members. Pray that relationships will be mended this holiday season and that families will be united.  Pray for comfort and peace for those families who have lost loved ones this year.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #family #relationship #alone #widow #love #widower #death

Pray for family relationships

 

During the holidays I'm more aware of friends' family situations...the neighbor who's estranged from his children, the friend who's daughter seems to always be angry at her, the relative who's immediate family just isn't able to get into the spirit of the season this year. On top of all of that, having to be extra careful this year when and if we do gather is putting a strain on some families.
     I would like for us to pray for all of them this week, that their hearts and the hearts of their family members be softened so they can reconcile. If you know of anyone specifically, let me know their first initial, and/or their relationship, so that we can pray for them also.

Please pray:

- that daughter R soften her heart toward her mother.
- that daughter J reach out to her father.
- that daughter R does not feel alone in a house filled with family.
- that relationships are strengthened in the M household, and mended in the G household.

Bearing with one another and, 

if one has a complaint against another, 

forgiving each other; 

as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Colossians 3:13 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for families and for healing between family members. Pray that relationships will be mended this holiday season and that families will be united. 

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #family #relationship #unity #forgiveness #love #reconcile

Let go of the past

Just as your parents raised you and saw to your needs and loved you, you are called to reciprocate. I've known parents who made a lot of terrible, seemingly unforgivable mistakes (not mine; mine are awesome and my brother and I both feel super blessed to have been born to them).
     Events, situations, experiences of the past may still weigh on your heart and you feel incapable of forgiving the offending family member, but you do have the capacity to do so. You just need to find the way.
        - Pray about it. Ask God to soften your heart.
        - Talk about it. It's difficult to talk openly about something that causes you pain, so find someone you can trust completely, even if they only listen. It's a chance to unburden your heart. Talk to your Pastor, counselor, friend or relative.
        - Write about it. I personally have done a lot of journaling to work out ancient history that I was unwilling to let go of.

Don't let the past destroy your present with those who should be closest to you.

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, 

and especially for members of his household, 

he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for our parents. This could be anyone who raised you: biological parents, adoptive parents, grandparents, aunt and uncle, step-mom, step-dad; those who are living and/or those who have passed.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Like mother like daughter

I never knew this saying came from the Bible. Did you?

“Behold, everyone who uses proverbs 

will use this proverb about you: 

‘Like mother, like daughter.’

Ezekiel 16:44 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for our parents. This could be anyone who raised you: biological parents, adoptive parents, grandparents, aunt and uncle, step-mom, step-dad; those who are living and/or those who have passed.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Honor your parents

There are several bible verses that reiterate "honor your father and your mother." (See Deut 5:16 & 27:16, Ep 6:1-3, Ex 20:12, and Matt 15:4). In the old testament, the punishment for those who didn't was death.
     It sickens me when I hear people speak disrespectfully to their parents. I can't know how that parent treated the person while they were growing up, and maybe that plays a part in it, but to always be mean and rude to the parent, even after the child has grown up and moved out, just seems revengeful and unnecessary. If there are old wounds, communicate with your parents and work things out. It's time to heal.
     One person, in particular, we'll call him Mike, is 30 years old. Whenever he's on the phone with his mom, he sounds irritated and he's rude to her. He clearly has no respect for her.
     Mike's dad knows what's going on and does nothing about it. He told Mike not to come around anymore, but that was about the extent of his involvement, and Mike, of course, disregarded what his father told him and goes over to visit anyway. Mike's dad caters to him and allows Mike to speak disrespectfully to him, also. This isn't just minor rudeness; this is obviously a lifetime of the child being spoiled, forever getting everything he wanted. Even though his parents have catered to him his whole life, he doesn't see it that way. He sees it like he's owed their respect and support, but he doesn't need to reciprocate. I couldn't even imagine feeling like that. When people are around Mike and see how he treats his parents, they lose respect for him because it emits such a sickening feeling; you just don't treat your parents that way. It is so wrong. If you are like Mike, please consider making amends with your parents before it's too late. Honor your father and your mother.

For anyone who curses his father or his mother 

shall surely be put to death; 

he has cursed his father or his mother; 

his blood is upon him.

Leviticus 20:9 ESV

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Please join me this week in praying for our parents. This could be anyone who raised you: biological parents, adoptive parents, grandparents, aunt and uncle, step-mom, step-dad; those who are living and/or those who have passed.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power