“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:14-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2ti.3.14-17.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” I would love for everyone to spend time in the Bible everyday. God is able to give us His wisdom through the Bible in unexplainable ways. It always seems to have perfect timing also. Please pray that we and our friends will spend time in the Bible this week and meditate on the parts that “stand” out to us. Please pray for the men considering CLC. 
I would love for you to read along with me through the rest of the New Testament. Email me and I will explain how to get the Bible app and sign up for this particular plan so we will be on the same day going forward. 

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,”‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2ti.1.7-9.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” There are many instances where life seems to knock us on our heels, but God gives us the ability to walk through them. It’s better to walk through those times on “offense instead of defense”. Playing defense means you are looking around every corner wondering when something else will happen, but playing offense gives us a game plan than enables us to walk through those times. Please pray that we and our friends believe God and rely on the Spirit to give us “power, love and self-control”. Please pray for the men considering CLC. 

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:6-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1ti.6.6-10.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain”. A CLC co-facilitator, Jeremy Garlington loves the quote, “Comparison is the enemy of contentment”. We can waste a lot of life pursuing riches that do not provide joy. Could there be a “sweet spot” where God knows you will be content? Too much and we forget Him, but too little and we are tempted to steal(paraphrase of Proverb 30). Please pray that we and our friends are thankful for the “sweet spot” God has us in and not be tempted to compare. Please pray for the men considering CLC. 

“Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.”‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1ti.5.1-2.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “but encourage him”. Encouraging is a lot more fulfilling than rebuking. The Bible has times where we need to rebuke, but it seems to lead to encouragement first. Encouragement comes from a love for the person and a desire for him to grow in their relationship with Christ. Can we also encourage in our thinking? I’m tempted to rebuke people in my mind and pass judgement on them but why not take that opportunity to encourage them? Please pray that we and our friends take the opportunities to provide encouragement today when they are presented. Please pray for the men considering CLC. 

“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:7-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1ti.4.7-10.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” What is godliness? I like to think of it as God-centered. Being God-centered changes the perspective of the day. We see events as His purpose as opposed to how they effect us. Since we trust Him, He knows all and He loves us, we can have hope in “the present life and also for the life to come.” Please pray that we and our friends see today as God-centered. Please pray for the men contemplating CLC.

“Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭3:2-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1ti.3.2-5.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul gives Timothy a general description of the type of person that would be a good leader in the church. When we look for leadership in any arena, what qualities do we look for? Please pray that we and our friends pray for our leaders and our FUTURE leaders today. Please pray for men considering CLC. 

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2:1-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1ti.2.1-4.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions”. Are we praying for our leaders? I rarely pray for our leaders, but they need more prayers than anyone. They are influencing millions of people and they are also under constant attack because of their role. They need the wisdom and discernment that only comes from God, yet they get tons of worldly advice all day long. Please pray that we and our friends pray for our leaders today. Please pray for the men considering CLC. 

“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.”‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2th.3.6.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness”. We all know the saying that idleness is the devil’s workshop. However, we also know that God wants us to rest and spend time with Him. Where is the balance between working too hard and and being idle? When I’m out of balance, I usually ask myself what I’m trusting in. Am I trusting in work? Am I trusting in leisure? Am I seeking God’s purpose in every situation? There is also a season for everything and God has a purpose for every season when we are focused on Him. Please pray that we and our friends follow the nudges God gives us today. Please pray for the men considering CLC. 

“The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:9-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2th.2.9-12.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” The Bible also says that only God knows what is in someone’s heart, so I don’t want this to be about other people, but be about ourselves. I’m constantly second guessing God and his commands when it doesn’t suit me. Many times it’s a struggle to obey God and sometimes I fail. Temptation will always be there to lean on our own understanding in contrast to God’s Word, but when we do, we are putting ourselves in a position to be deceived. Please pray that we and our friends seek the truth in every decision today. Please pray for the men that are considering CLC. 

“We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.”‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2th.1.3.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.” This is the third day where “love for one another” is part of Paul’s message to the Thessalonians. I need to hear this more than anyone as I tend to be too busy to stop and just love people. I act like God isn’t in control and He needs me to do everything instead of loving someone. Please pray that we and our friends take time today to love our neighbor. Please pray for the men considering CLC.