“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,”‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/php.1.27.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit”. How do we stand firm in one Spirit when we emphasize the differences so much? Do we build relationships on what we have in common and then pray about the issues where we differ? Can we see everyone one as a child of God whether they realize it or not? Bill Curry inspired us yesterday to spread the love of Christ especially to the people that are “different” from us. How else will they know the love of Christ? It doesn’t mean that we will agree or condone every action that they take, but we can walk with them and pray with them and seek a relationship with Christ together in hopes we will both know Christ better. Please pray that we and our friends see every one as a child of God today and especially pray for the ones we who don’t know Christ. Please pray for the CLC men to follow the nudge today to speak to their friend about CLC. 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/eph.6.10-20.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one”. Is Christianity about being this perfect person or is it about being able to have a relationship with Christ who loves us more than we can ever know. Like a parent, He never wants us to be weary of Satan’s schemes to create fear in our lives. He wants us to rely on Him through Faith and let Him fight the spiritual forces of evil that create anxiety and fear in our lives. Please pray that we and our friends take up the armour God has given us today and live abundantly. Please pray for the CLC Prayer and Fundraising breakfast with Bill Curry this morning. Pray for safe travel for the men to get there. Pray that they hear what God wants them to hear to do God’s purpose for their lives. 

“In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:28-29‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/eph.5.28-29.esv
All,
This stands out because it helped me see Bonni in a totally different light when we first went through CLC. You’ve heard the saying, “We judge other people by their actions, but we judge ourselves by our intentions”. When we see our wives as part of us, we view intentions as actions differently. We are a unit that enjoys the good and walks through the bad. Please pray that we and our friends see our wives as ourselves today. Please pray for the CLC Prayer and fundraising breakfast with Bill Curry tomorrow. 

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:11-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/eph.4.11-12.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “for building up the body of Christ,”. When we memorized the NIV version of this verse, it’s spoke to me profoundly and encouraged me to be the CLC City Director for Atlanta. CLC does a great job of training the leaders in the Body of Christ. These leaders are not better or worse than any other part of the body, but they will serve their roles as leaders which the body of Christ needs. We can’t put all that responsibility on the clergy. We must lead where our passion meets God’s purpose. Please pray that we and our friends seek God for the strength and wisdom to lead in our particular leadership roles today. Please pray for Bill Curry today as he is getting ready for our breakfast on Thursday. 

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:14-19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/eph.3.14-19.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith”. It’s mysterious how this happens, but it does. Faith in Christ enables us to walk in His power. Faith in me does nothing but create anxiety, but we have the opportunity to put our faith in Christ today. Please pray that we and our friends put our faith in Christ in ALL things today. Please pray for the CLC Prayer and fundraising breakfast with Bill Curry this Thursday. Spiritual warfare is real and wants to prevent men from being at this breakfast, so they need your prayers. 

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:7-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/eph.1.7-10.esv
All,
This stands out because Pauls says, “according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us”. I love this vision of lavishing grace upon us. Just like a grandparent lavishes a child with love, Christ loves us and loves to forgive us. Angels praise when a lost soul repents and receives forgiveness. We jump for joy when a friend “sees the light”. How great is that day! Please pray that we and our friends express this desire of Christ to one of our unbelieving friends this week. Please pray for the CLC Prayer and fundraising breakfast with Bill Curry this Thursday. Thank you for your prayers as we are at capacity!

“Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:6-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/gal.6.6-8.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “for whatever one sows, that will he also reap”. It makes me think of “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28. When we stand in moments of weakness and put all our trust in God, we are sowing to the Spirit. We may think it’s futile, but nothing is futile if it focuses us on Christ. Please pray that we and our friends use every moment today to notice God in the moment and thank Him. Please pray for the CLC Prayer and fundraising breakfast with Bill Curry on Thursday. We are at capacity now. Thanks for your prayers. 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22-24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/gal.5.22-24.esv
All,
This stands out because the Fruit of the Spirit is the abundant life here on earth. Can it get better than to have these fruit all day everyday? What if you could have these fruit in EVERY situation you encounter? We don’t get these Fruit from anything but the Holy Spirit. We may get a diminished version of some of them in certain situations, but it doesn’t last unless it’s from the Spirit. Please pray that we and our friends enjoy the fruit of the Spirit today while we put our complete trust in Christ. Please pray for the CLC Prayer and fundraising breakfast with Bill Curry on Thursday. There are less then 10 seats left now. 

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4:4-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/gal.4.4-7.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts”. The transformation and sanctification of the heart is an amazing thing. The heart can and will be transformed from what the flesh desires into what the Spirit desires. Please pray that we and our friends are thankful for the Spirit of the Son in our hearts. Please pray for the CLC Prayer and fundraising breakfast with Bill Curry next Thursday. There are only 25 spots left. 

“for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:26-29‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/gal.3.26-29.esv
All,
This stands out because Pauls says, “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith”. How important is Faith in Christ? How else do we grow in a relationship with Christ? We are tempted to grow by works, but faith means we believe we are already sons. If we believe we are already sons, wouldn’t works come naturally out of gratitude. What if we are tempted to believe we are not already sons? To not forgive ourselves? Would we strive to earn it? Please pray that we and our friends pray over these Words of Paul over and over and ask God for guidance. Please pray for the CLC Prayer and fundraising breakfast with Bill Curry next Thursday.