“For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.”‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6:13-15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/heb.6.13-15.esv
All,
This stands out because the writer of Hebrews says, “having patiently waited”. Patience is a Fruit of the Spirit. My buddy Steve thinks it’s so important that he always puts it first. Patience is very difficult for me and I’m sure most of you. We live in a world where there is little need to wait on anything. In fact, it’s looked down upon if you wait for something instead of just making it happen. I know God has His timing…., but I think He loves Patience even more because He wants us in a place to know Him and it’s nearly impossible to do that when we are “doing”. Please pray that we and our friends seek Gods purpose today, spend time with Him and patiently wait for Him to fulfill His promises. Please pray for the men considering CLC. Happy Birthday Mom!

“About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5:11-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/heb.5.11-14.esv
All,
This stands out because the writer of Hebrews says, “for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” This made me think of a great coach who see things in a player and who knows the game so well that he can discern things about the movements that most others aren’t even aware of. The Holy Spirit gives us that instruction daily, but it’s up to us to hear Him and obey Him and read His Word. Please pray that we and our friends get silent before God, read His Word and follow His nudges today.

“Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:11-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/heb.4.11-13.esv
All,
This stands out because the writer of Hebrews says, “For the word of God is….discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” There is something that happens when we read the Word of God that is unexplainable. It speaks to us in every circumstance and seems to answer us if we are willing to look for it and also obey. Please pray that we and our friends seek life in the Word today and step out in Faith to obey the nudges God gives us. Please pray for the men considering CLC. 

“And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.”‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3:18-19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/heb.3.18-19.esv
All,
I love how the writer of Hebrews says, “enter His rest”. When I read about God giving rest, it hits me quickly and clearly. Typically, my mind is always thinking about something. Trying to solve a issue or deal with a problem. I cannot find rest without God and usually I don’t realize I’m not in rest. It usually starts with taking control of something instead of seeking God’s plan and being a part of His plan. Even though my intentions may be good, the fact that I think I’m in control takes rest away. It’s so subtle I don’t realize it’s happening. At the end of the day isn’t that disobedience and unbelief? Please pray that we and our friends surrender all our concerns to God and seek His kingdom(Matt 6:33). Please pray for the men considering CLC. 

“Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2:17-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/heb.2.17-18.esv
All,
This stands out because it says, “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” When Jesus was tempted in the desert, He answered with the Word of God every time. When we are going through temptation, Jesus is there to help us and will remind us of the promises in the Bible. The Word is a sword that cuts temptation to its knees. Please pray that we and our friends stop and ask Jesus for help each time we are tempted today. Please pray for the men considering CLC. 

“no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.”‭‭Philemon‬ ‭1:16-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/phm.1.16-17.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother”. I can’t stand to hear that people thought the Bible ever condoned slavery. If a Christian reads the WHOLE Bible, it’s clear that slavery isn’t condoned. Also, it was Christians that lead the charge in abolishing slavery(Wilberforce). There are many other misconceptions that people get if they don’t read the WHOLE Bible. Either they “feel” that God wouldn’t do something or they just don’t won’t to surrender in some way. Please pray that we and our friends grow in our relationship with God by reading His Word daily and letting it transform us. Please pray for the men considering CLC. 
Let me know if you want to read along with me through the New Testament. It takes about 5 min a day and comes out to about a chapter a day. This plan will be finished in May and we will restart the plan over then. 

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”‭‭Titus‬ ‭3:4-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/tit.3.4-7.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” His Grace enables us to have eternal life. Can any bad news stand up to that good news? We have 2 things:1) this present moment and 2)a relationship w Jesus Christ. If we feel entitled to ANYTHING else, we may not be grateful for the Hope that we actually have. Please pray that we and our friends are grateful for the Grace that Christ has given us. Please pray for the men considering CLC. 

“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.”‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/tit.2.1-2.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul continues to write about teaching sound doctrine. How can we know sound doctrine if we do not study the Bible on a regular basis. We need to know the whole Bible in order to know how to read certain parts that can be read anyway the person wants. How can we understand the Bible without being in a community of people who are also studying the Bible. God loves us and wants to the best for us, but how do we know what that is if we don’t read His Word. Please pray that we and our friends will continue to be in the Word daily. Please pray for the men considering CLC. 
Let me know if you want to join me in reading through the New Testament. 

“For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”‭‭Titus‬ ‭1:7-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/tit.1.7-9.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” How do we lovingly rebuke a person of sin if the person thinks their actions are not sinful? First, are we rebuking because we care deeply about the person or because we like to judge? Do we have a relationship with the person? Why not build on that relationship by studying the Word together and praying over the disputed sin? At the end of the day, Jesus is the one who judges us and we should want our loved ones to be aware of how the Bible says that He judges. Please pray that we and our friends love our neighbor and let God do the condemning. Please pray for the men considering CLC. 

“preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:2-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2ti.4.2-5.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” It seems like he points out to be patient because people are tempted to hear what they want to hear and turn away from hearing the truth. The only way for us to know what the Bible says is to study it and soak it in. How else can it guide us if we don’t know it. How else can we help our friends if we are not patient in their understanding as others were with us. Please pray that we and our friends study the Bible and speak the truth in love and “complete patience”. Please pray for all Christians to read the Bible daily. 
Let me know if you want to read the New Testament along with me and I’ll send you the plan I’m reading from the Holy Bible app.