“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1th.5.16-18.esv
All,
This stands out because it’s one of my favorite verses in the Bible. I like it because it seems impossible at first. Who can rejoice ALWAYS? Who can pray WITHOUT ceasing? Who can give thanks in ALL circumstances? 99% of always is not always. It’s followed by “for this is the will of God”. So not only is there no wiggle room, but it’s followed by “for this is the will of God”. I think God is serious about this one. Oddly, this verse helps in very discouraging times because it’s such a challenge then. However it forces me to think of how I can rejoice, then to pray, then what can I be thankful for? There is ALWAYS a answer to those three when we look to Christ. We always have two things:1) Our relationship with Christ and 2) this moment. Please pray that we and our friends live this verse ALL day today. Please pray for the men considering CLC. 

“Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4:9-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1th.4.9-12.esv
All,
This stands out because Pauls says, “for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.” How many issues go away when we love one another? Do we expect to agree on everything with everybody and then love or can we love one another and still disagree? What if God is convicting me on a specific item because of a purpose He has for my life and a friend is convicted of a different thought and doesn’t wrestle with my issue at all? At the end of the day, we can still chose to love because to love our neighbor is something we can all agree on. Please pray that we and our friends see all our neighbors as a child of God today. Please pray for the men that are considering CLC. 

“Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:11-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1th.3.11-13.esv
All,
This stands out because Pauls says, “may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all”. If our thoughts are on other people, they will probably not be on ourselves. How joyful is it when we are loving other people? It’s seems arduous before we do it, but once we take the first step and actually be in relationship, our perspective changes and we want the best for them. Loving others also takes our mind off ourselves. My mind gets me in trouble when I’m self-centered and it rarely leads to joy. Please pray that we and our friends love the people that are in our path today. Please pray for the men that are considering CLC. 

“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:4-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1th.1.4-5.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction”. I’ve heard that Satan gives people a general guilt, but the Holy Spirit convicts on something specific. While I don’t like being convicted at the time, I always appreciate it later because it helped me see a part of life that I have never seen before. Conviction definitely gives us life to the full. Please pray that we and our friends ask and listen when the Holy Spirit is convicting us of something and realize it will lead us to life here and eternally. Please pray for your friends that don’t seem to have a relationship with Christ right now. 

“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/col.4.12.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” Apparently Epaphras cared very deeply about his loved ones that he struggled in his prayers. You hear parents make these assertions about wayward kids and you can see their torment. Are you struggling over a loved one today who doesn’t “stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.”? Is there a kid out there that needs a dad who will, “stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” You will probably see one of those dads today. Please pray that we and our friends reach out to our friends today and invite them to walk with us in a CLC group. Please pray for those men willing to step out of their comfort zone and speak to that dad. 

“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.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/col.3.1-2.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “Set your minds on things that are above”. It seems so Pollyanna and not a real way to live, but I love verses like this because it makes me pray about what it means. How many thoughts are running through your mind right now that are earthly matters? Are you worried about them? God knows we have these concerns and wants us to do our best in His power, but He wants us concerned more about Him. When I’m able to “set my mind on things that are above”, I can put these earthy matters into perspective and peace walks in the door. Please pray that we and our friends set our minds on Christ today especially when we think we are most in control. Please pray for the men who are considering CLC. 

“that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:2-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/col.2.2-3.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” For the longest time, I really never understood why people would say, “just believe in Christ”. I don’t know that I fully understand now, but I do know it has taken on more meaning to everyday life. There are many times now when I just stop and either give the issue to Christ or ask Him to transform me in some way and then something will happen. I can’t explain it or control it, but the presence of Christ in every second is needed more and more as I grow closer to Him. Please pray that we and our friends enjoy the presence of Christ today. Please pray for the men considering CLC. 

“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/col.1.27.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Are we going to rely on our own power today or enjoy the fact that Christ’s power is in us to do His purpose? In any moment of discouragement, we can remember that if God is in it, it will be according to His purpose. If God isn’t it it, should we pursue it? Please pray that we and our friends trust in God today during the difficult turns. Please pray for the men considering CLC. 

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:4-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/php.4.4-7.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The peace of God will GUARD our hearts. So we know that those anxious, worrisome, bad thoughts are still trying to get into our hearts and minds, but both are being guarded. Please pray that we and our friends trust in God today, give Him our anxieties and trust Him to guard our hearts and minds. Please pray for the men considering CLC. 

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:12-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/php.2.12-13.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” I find it very comforting that God works in us for His good pleasure. Please pray that we and our friends relish that God is working within us for His purpose. Please pray for the men that are considering CLC.