Posted on August 26, 2017
Seek First Project: Stay Away From Them (Day 76)
And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. – Romans 16:17
Do you get drawn in by arguments like this? Social media is a breeding ground for this type of thing. I used to get drawn in, usually doing my best to defend our God.
But no one has ever had a heart change during an argument, have they? All it really does is ramp up our stress factors, both emotionally and physically. And we certainly aren’t very loving when this happens.
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” – Jesus (John 13:35)
Today I want you to do as the Holy Spirit suggests… stay away from them. I’m not talking about those truly seeking the Truth. But those who seek only to cause divisions and upset faith… stay away from them.
Perhaps there are those you need to unfriend, unfollow, distance yourself from in other ways. Today is the day.
Holy Lord, give us discernment. Grant us courage and strength. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Posted on August 25, 2017
Seek First Project: Does He See You? (Day 75)
Photo by Infomastern 
But Noah found favor with the Lord. – Genesis 6:8
Does God see me? Does He really look down at this tiny blue marble with billions of souls on it, and focus in on me? Is it possible that He can find me anywhere, even when I feel hidden?
And here’s the kicker: what does that mean about my worries, if He does?
In the midst of the worst time in human history, the time that broke God’s heart, the time He grieved ever making us to begin with… Noah was seen by Him.
Not only was Noah and his family seen. Those eight, in all of the world, were the reason we’re all here. Because God found it worth continuing.
Because of Noah.
Your worries do not pass by unaware. Your fears are seen and He cares. Your anxiety is something that is noticed and He longs to help.
God sees you. He sees me.
I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—
but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you. – Psalm 139:7-12
Today I am thinking of the things that being seen means. I’m writing them in my journal, so that I will remember that God always sees me, because He loves me. Here’s a few to get you started:
*I love you
*you’re never alone
*you can be yourself
*you matter
*I know you best
*I accept you
*you’re worth my time
Loving God, thank You for seeing me. It means more than I can ever say. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
Photo by Infomastern
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on August 24, 2017
Seek First Project: Drink Deeply (Day 74)
But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life. – John 4:14
Today, let’s do a checkup of our smiling place. Do you have something from nature there? Is there something fresh you can bring from outside to inside? Let’s do it!
Next, find a scripture for each natural item in your special spot. Write it on a pretty post-it or index card. Color it if you wish, and place it somewhere in your smiling place.
Drink the water.
Let it wash away all worry from your life.
Never be thirsty again.
Jesus, Thank You for offering us the living water that flows only from You. In Your Precious Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Posted on August 23, 2017
Seek First Project: Don’t Be Afraid (Day 73)
Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.” – Matthew 28:10
It’s okay to leave on your journey. Fear will not overtake you.
Don’t be afraid! We will see Him there.
Today, enjoy a fresh taste of the season. While you’re doing that, imagine what it will be like to see Jesus. Your imagination won’t do it justice, but imagine anyway. And let the peaceful smile form.
Father God, thank You for the promise of what is to come. I can’t wait. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on August 23, 2017
Seek First Project: Does the Worry Drive You? (Day 72)
Photo by Storeyland
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. – 1 Corinthians 4:8
I’m ashamed to say that, despite what I feel are my good intentions, most days the worry is the one behind the wheel. Fear puts the pedal to the metal, racing at break-neck speeds down the curviest of highways. Anxiety turns the radio up as loud as it can go, drowning out the voice of my Father.
Today I am going for a long drive. If you need to, I bet you can find someone to drive you. Get out and see the sights. Breathe the fresh air.
Because in our life, if we are Christians, Jesus is the one behind the wheel. He makes our paths straight, leading us beside still waters. The Spirit sings over us, a joyful and calming tune.
Though we’re pressed and perplexed, let’s not be driven to despair.
Dear God, take the wheel. Wrest it from our terrified grasp. Calm our fears and remind us who is really in charge when we surrender. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
Photo by Storeyland
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Posted on August 21, 2017
Seek First Project: The Light That Can Never Be Eclipsed (Day 71)
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. – John 1:5
Today the world is enthralled as the moon passes between the earth and the sun, causing a total eclipse that only happens once in a century. It’s pretty amazing.
The eclipse got me to thinking. While an eclipse of the sun is possible, even if infrequently, an eclipse of the Son is impossible.
Are you remembering this as you put on your solar glasses and make your pinhole viewers?
Stand in awe of what God’s creation can accomplish. Then stand in awe of His mighty light that is never dimmed.
Not by worry. Not by anxiety. Not by all of our fears stacked up together!
For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. – 2 Corinthians 4:6
Today in my journal, I have sketched a picture of the total eclipse. Under that, I have written my favorite scriptures about the light of God.
God, Your creation just amazes us! How wondrous are Your works, we know this full well! Thank You for the light that You shine, for making us light, as well! In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Posted on August 20, 2017
Seek First Project: Never Waver (Day 70)
Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. – Romans 4:20
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Posted on August 19, 2017
Seek First Project: Something Soothing (Day 69)
The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. – Luke 8:24
Today I made a “soothing jar”. It’s beautiful.
I want you to make one, too!
This jar can be shaken up, just like your life can be! Watching the slow swirling and settling, the shimmers as the glitter floats and turns… it’s, well, soothing.
God can sooth our fears and worries, too. Doesn’t mean we won’t be shaken up… just means that eventually, things will settle.
I like to use my jar to pray as I watch the swirling. Carissa often takes it into her room. She can stare at it for the longest time, just breathing and relaxing.
Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. – Matthew 8:26
Instructions for making a “soothing jar”:
What you will need:
Clear Jar (this can be as small as you like, and can even be a plastic water bottle!, just adjust recipe)
Clear Elmer’s Glue (or a glitter glue)
Hot Water
Glitter
Food Coloring
Super Glue
Directions:
Find a jar. I used a glass one. Mix 1 tablespoon clear Elmer’s glue (I estimated), with every cup of hot water. Add a couple drops of food coloring. You don’t need too much, you don’t want the water too dark. Then add glitter. Since glitter can be considered a little girly, I used blue and green to make it a little more boy friendly. After I was done, I super glued the lid on.
There you go! Voila, something soothing!
Dear Lord, You are the Master over everything. You alone are Mighty and Good. Thank You for soothing our fears and being so patient with our recurring struggles. In Your Name we pray, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Posted on August 18, 2017
Seek First Project: Remember When (Day 68)
I trust in you for salvation, O Lord! – Genesis 49:18
For me, it was when I was much younger. Maybe for you, it was last week, or last year, or yesterday.
When was the moment that you trusted God, accepted His gift of grace, put Christ on in baptism?
Have you ever stopped to think, really think, about that moment? Do you know that you handed over your salvation? You trusted completely in God for your eternity. You placed your soul in the hands of Jesus.
Why is it much simpler to trust in that one moment that carries into forever, than it is to give Him my daily petty worries? I mean, really, it makes no sense, does it?
Today I want you to make a video, telling your salvation story. Be specific about what it was that caused you to know that you could completely trust your Savior. I want you to be able to go back to this over and over. Relive that moment each morning.
You have trusted Him with the only thing that matters. You can trust Him with today.
In that day the people will proclaim, “This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!” – Isaiah 25:9
Trustworthy God, help my unbelief!! I trust You with eternity. I trust You with today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
If you have not yet trusted God for Your salvation, I hope you will reach out today. Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father. Salvation is a free gift of grace. Will you accept it?
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Posted on August 17, 2017
Seek First Project: O Land (Day 67)
Don’t be afraid, O land.
Be glad now and rejoice,
for the Lord has done great things. – Joel 2:21
So much is happening in the world right now. Frightening things. Distressing things. Horrible, awful things.
Tonight it comforted me to see what God had to say about it.
Would you spend some time with me, right now, praying for our world, our leaders, our brothers and sisters?
Let’s turn our fear into praise, our worry into worship, and our anxiety into remembrance of all the good things the Lord has done.
The Lord will reign forever. He will be your God, O Jerusalem, throughout the generations. Praise the Lord! – Psalm 146:10
O Lord, we come together tonight to remember Your goodness. We reach out to You while the world around us goes darker and darker. You are the only light. Help us to soak in that light, and reflect it to the world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
