Posted on September 24, 2017
Seek First Project: My Soul Knows (Day 101)
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
– Psalm 139:14
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Shelly
Posted on September 23, 2017
Seek First Project: God’s Mighty Weapons – Prayer (Day 100)
We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. – 2 Corinthians 10:4
I know I talk about prayer all the time, but seriously, its power cannot be stressed enough! It’s my go-to any time the stresses and worries of life gather around me.
Like any good weapon, prayer can be used for both offense:
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. – James 5:16
and defense:
But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. – Jude 20-21
Prayer is our vehicle for praise. Our avenue for support. The way we build relationship with God. The time when the Holy Spirit intercedes.
Prayer changes things.
Spend some time today, alone, communicating with your Father. Tell. Ask. Thank. Plead. Present. Wield prayer like the weapon it is. You won’t be disappointed.
Dear God, thank You for this weapon. May we never let it rust. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on September 22, 2017
Seek First Project: God’s Mighty Weapons – The Word (Day 99)
We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. – 2 Corinthians 10:4
I don’t know about you, but when I think of God’s mighty weapons, I always think of the Bible first.
Maybe this is why:
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:17
How often do we wield this weapon against worry, fear or anxiety? Not nearly often enough, in my case. It’s the best, the sharpest, the most lethal weapon we have at our disposal.
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12
Don’t leave it sheathed.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; – 2 Timothy 3:16
I’m dragging my journal out again today. I’m looking at that list I made yesterday, of the weapons I usually go to. Today I’m writing what the Bible says about each weapon I’ve chosen. What I’m finding is that I’m not a very good chooser.
Thank You, God, for the weapon of Your God-Breathed Scripture. Help me to make better choices when I’m needing a weapon against my fear. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Posted on September 21, 2017
Seek First Project: God’s Mighty Weapons (Day 98)
We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. – 2 Corinthians 10:4
I’ve been using worldly weapons to fight anxiety for so many years now, it’s just instinct. Reasoning is my weapon. Logic. Tricks and tips I hear along the way. Most days I even consider worry to be one of the best weapons in my arsenal.
How warped is that?
Let’s talk for a few days about the weapons we should be using – God’s mighty weapons. What are they? How do we access them? How can we wield them against fear?
Today, I’m preparing myself for this study by journaling about what worldly weapons I find myself using. I’m writing the name of the weapon, how I wield it, and how I think that’s working in my life.
Heavenly Father, please help us to prepare not only our minds, but our hearts and our hands, for what You have to teach us in the coming days. Thank You for Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Posted on September 20, 2017
Seek First Project: Be Grounded (Day 97)
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. – Ephesians 3:15-19
We are to be rooted and grounded in love.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. – 1 John 4:18
Today, recite these verses as you sit up straight and tall. Place your feet flat on the floor and relax your shoulders. Feel the floor under your feet as you breathe in and repeat these soothing truths.
Sweet Lord, help us as we seek to be grounded and rooted in true love… Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Posted on September 19, 2017
Seek First Project: The Race (Day 96)
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. – Philippians 3:14
Our Christian life is often compared to a race. But I have to admit, sometimes it feels like running in place, especially when the troubled times seem to stretch on and on.
Am I the only one?
Sometimes the longer the problems go on, the more pressure we feel to “fix it”. We worry and mull and stress and do and do and do and do. I think that’s probably why Jesus said this:
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? – Matthew 6:27
Today I’m doing an activity that I know will remind me that slow is better. I want to be reminded to press in. And I want to preserve the beautiful things about my life.
I’m making a portable flower press and putting it to use today. If you’d like to, here is the site with the directions.
We can trust God’s timing, even when the race doesn’t feel like a race.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. – Romans 8:28
God, I pray that today we will all feel the peace of knowing that You can use roadblocks, sidelines and detours to fulfill Your plan for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Posted on September 18, 2017
Seek First Project: Not Just a Break (Day 95)
Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. – Hebrews 13:15
My body and my mind have become accustomed to this feeling of constant stress. I hate it.
Sometimes, I get a little break, usually in prayer or in worship service, or even in these posts. But I want my body to know what it feels like to have a new normal, one that is free of the constant worry and fear. I want my mind to become accustomed to freedom from anxiety.
I’m starting small. I’m shooting for a day. That’s my goal. One whole day where I just refuse to fall back into that rut of stress.
Whatever makes you dwell on Christ the most, immerse yourself in that today. The whole day.
Maybe it’s writing. Scripture reading. Music, your garden, time with family. Maybe it’s being out in nature, or spending time in prayer. Art, running, photography, fishing… the list could go on and on.
Whatever it is, give yourself a full day of it. Journal at the end of the day about how different your mind and body feel after this day of focusing on Who is really in control.
May this bless you.
Heavenly Father, we dedicate this day to You. Show us today how different our lives can be when we focus on being with You and praising You, not just for a moment, but for good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5jjKLlFvXQ
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Shelly
Updated on September 16, 2017
Seek First Project: Look Up (Day 94)
Photo by kafoster27 
Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.
– Isaiah 40:26
Photo by kafoster27
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Shelly
Updated on September 15, 2017
Seek First Project: The Captives (Day 93)
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ – 2 Corinthians 10:5
To be honest, I often feel like a captive. I’m a prisoner of worry. Anxiety is my jailer, and he’s a mean one. Fear is my shackles.
It’s time to turn the tables.
Today, let’s take our wayward, worrisome thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.
I’m drawing in my journal today.
Join me?
Lord, set us free. Help us to be the jailers. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
Updated on September 14, 2017
Seek First Project: What God Knows About Loneliness (Day 92)
“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” – Hebrews 4:15
Loneliness is one of most bitter parts of chronic illness. For some, it’s the most gut-wrenching thing about life in general.
It gives me great comfort to see, plain as day, that Jesus understands.
Jesus knows what it’s like to be rejected and ridiculed by family.
And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.
Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” – Matthew 13:57
Jesus has felt the sting of friends’ desertion.
On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ – Matthew 26:31
Jesus wasn’t the life of the party. He wasn’t pleasing to look upon and had nothing about His person that would draw people to Him.
There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,
nothing to attract us to him.
He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care. – Isaiah 53:2b-3
The very last conversation that Jesus had with His disciples, this was what was on His mind:
“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20b
The Holy Spirit made sure this promise reached across the centuries to us. Because when Jesus said it, He wasn’t just mentioning it in passing, with a wink and a shrug.
No, Jesus was looking directly into eyes of loneliness. He was grasping shoulders, squeezing for emphasis. Can you feel Him doing the same for you?
Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Journal today about how loneliness affects you, mentally. How does it sap your strength, spiritually? How does it mar your health, physically?
Find and copy scriptures about each thing you write in your journal. Fear is always less when we’re not alone. Worry is more manageable.
Jesus, You really get it, don’t You? That brings me more comfort than anything else I can think of, and I thank You for leaving us with Your insights and Your promises. Be with all today who are lonely. Let them feel Your presence. In Your Name I pray, Amen…
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Shelly
