Monday, May 6, 2019

Seek the things above

Image by Constance Kowalik from Pixabay
If then you have been raised with Christ, 
seek the things that are above, 
where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 
Set your minds on things that are above, 
not on things that are on earth. 
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 
When Christ who is your life appears, 
then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4 ESV

Serve God first and everything else in this life will work itself out.
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Let's pray for guidance to serve God first in our lives. Ask Him how you can best serve Him. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Sunday, May 5, 2019

Chronological Reading Plan Week 26

Chronological Reading Plan
Week 26
176. 1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 13-16
177. 1 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 17
178. 1 Kings 17-19
179. 1 Kings 20-21
180. 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18
181. 2 Chronicles 19-23
182. Obadiah; Psalm 82-83

Thru prayer and supplication

Do not be anxious about anything, 
but in everything by prayer and supplication 
with thanksgiving 
let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6 ESV

Saturday, May 4, 2019

Plans for you

For I know the plans I have for you, 
declares the Lord, 
plans for welfare and not for evil, 
to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

Friday, May 3, 2019

Be patient in tribulation


Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12 ESV

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Reward for patience

Image by Ondřej Šponiar from Pixabay
This verse is so full of imagery! I should tape this to my monitor at work. How often I pray for strength and/or guidance in a situation but then don't have the patience to wait for an answer. Those situations often end badly. Patience is so difficult but so necessary. It keeps us from saying something out of anger and instead allows us to discuss calmly. It keeps us from making stupid mistakes and acting irrationally. It allows us to hold onto hope. Be patient. The rewards are worth it.

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; 
they shall mount up with wings like eagles; 
they shall run and not be weary; 
they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 ESV

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Let's pray for someone we know who lacks patience (this may mean including yourself in your prayer). I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

A life free of trouble

Image by ejaugsburg from Pixabay
Our inheritance
It often seems like when one thing goes wrong, that it creates an avalanche of trouble. We might get through the first incident thinking it was an inconvenience or just bad timing; we may even be able to see the silver lining. But then, something else goes wrong. It brings us down a little more, and then something else goes wrong and it just does us in. Even if it's minor, the compounding of "bad" things happening makes us feel like there's a thunderstorm hanging over our head, following us around. It affects our mood, disposition, how we treat other people. It's especially difficult to get through these times when we see people who aren't Christians, who don't do anything for anyone, who are self-indulging narcissists yet they're the ones who seem to float through life without a care in the world. They even prosper. I know a couple of people like that and sometimes I can't help but be jealous of how everything always works out for them.

Today's bible verse reminded me of that, which reminded me of Job. Whenever I feel particularly beat up, I think of him and the tragedies he endured. He lost everything but he never lost faith.
I think a really good explanation of those people who waltz through life is a quote from "God's Not Dead": "Sometimes the devil allows people to live a life free of trouble, cause he doesn't want them turning to God."

Wait patiently for God, no matter what you're going through, He's there with you, and He will see you through the good times and the bad. Continue in prayer through all of it. Sometimes we only think to pray when things are going badly, but God would like to hear from us when things are going well, too. Do you have a friend or relative who only ever calls you when something's wrong or they need to vent? You see their name on your phone and you actually roll your eyes, or even cringe thinking, "not now." How do you think God would feel if we only called on Him to complain or to ask for stuff? Be in constant prayer.

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.
For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
They shall inherit the earth.
Psalm 37:7-9 NKJV

It will be worth the wait!

*****
Let's pray for someone we know who lacks patience (this may mean including yourself in your prayer). I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power