“As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mat.13.22.esv
All,
This sticks out because of the seed being unfruitful. It is very tough to live in Atlanta and not fall prey to the “cares of the world”. This seed “hears” the Word, but there isn’t any “fruit”. Remember Jesus cursed the fig tree that was blooming but had no fruit. It seems the fruit in both cases can be another word for faith in Jesus. Please pray that we and our friends grow in faith in Christ today by making decisions based on obedience to His Word. Please pray for David Bianconi as he leads CLC in Knoxville. 

““When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.””‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:43-45‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mat.12.43-45.esv
All,
This sticks out every time because it calls me out pretty good. I like order and rules A LOT! So much so that it drives Bonni crazy at times. However, I like this verse because it seems to say that even if we get our lives in order, but do not have Christ, then evil can overtake us just as easily. However, if we allow Christ in our house and He creates the order, we will be ok. Please pray that we and our friends let Christ dictate the order in our lives. Please pray for Craig Fry. Sorry to alarm some of you on Saturday when I asked for Prayers for Hal. Nothing is wrong (kind of:-)) with either one of them. I just wanted prayer for our leaders. 

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mat.11.28-30.esv
All,
This sticks out because only God can give us rest. I am tempted to find rest in performance, accomplishment, worry, but only God can give us rest. Only when we take ALL our issues to him and truly desire to do His will in those issues, will He give us rest. Please pray that we and our friends desire what God desires. Please pray for Hal Hadden. 

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10:37-39‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mat.10.37-39.esv
All,
This sticks out because God loves families. I can’t imagine He would ever do anything to hurt a family unit, but He knows we are tempted to consider our family’s welfare, friends welfare or our welfare over obeying Him. He knows that is where true trust comes in like Abraham and Isaac. Please pray that we and our friends put God above every relationship and trust Him for the outcomes. Please pray for Robert and Jim’s group. 

“And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10:14-15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mat.10.14-15.esv
All,
This sticks out because Jesus wants us to be truthful. There are many times I am tempted to hold back a certain truth of the Bible. I will rationalize that it’s not the right moment. Jesus seems to say that we need to speak the truth (in love) and let God do the judging. If we don’t speak the truth, the judgement is on our heads, but if we speak the truth and it’s not obeyed, it’s on their heads. Please pray that we and our friends speak the truth in love. Please pray for Cedric, Jonnell and Devon’s overnight on June 12. 

“And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.””‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:27-29‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mat.9.27-29.esv
All,
This sticks out because they said they believed He could heal them. This seems like a confident faith and not a desperate faith. I know I’m tempted to use Jesus as a hedge sometimes while also putting “faith” in other things. Jesus seems to be asking them if they put ALL their trust in Him. Please pray that we and our friends put ALL our trust and faith in Jesus. Please pray for Jonnell, Cedric and Devon’s information meeting tonight. 

Neal Creech

CLC-Atlanta, City Director

ncreech@clchq.org

Christianleadershipconcepts.org

404-217-4465
Sign up for “Daily CLC Prayer verse” emails at nealcreech.com

“And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.””‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:10-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mat.9.10-13.esv
All,
This sticks out because Jesus says He came to heal the sinners. He compares Himself to a physician healing the sick. The Pharisees didn’t see themselves as sick. Our society seems to be ok with Jesus being around, but doesn’t want Him to heal or transform those that are sick. Please pray that we and our friends recognize sin and seek healing. Please pray for Brandon and Doug’s group. 

“And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8:24-26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mat.8.24-26.esv
All,
This sticks out because Matthew says Jesus was asleep. Jesus is not phased at all with what seems like tragedies to us. He is about God’s purpose always. Please pray that we and our friends trust God’s plans during the storm. Please pray for all our veterans today and thank them.  

““Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mat.6.25.esv
All,
This sticks out because I think of my kids when I read this. Can you imagine your kids worrying if they were going to be able to eat tonight or have a roof? Now, in some circumstances, it could be a genuine concern, but kids of people reading this email should probably not be concerned. However, can you imagine how it would change their enjoyment of today if they didn’t trust that you would provide that for them. Do you think God feels the same way when we don’t trust Him? Please pray that we and our friends trust God with ALL our issues today and do His purpose in those issues. Please pray for Steven and Cheever’s group. 

All,
Please see the below from Len Sykes. I’m sorry I’m now just sending out, but it is very good and worth looking at during this long weekend. 
Neal Creech

CLC-Atlanta, City Director

ncreech@clchq.org

Christianleadershipconcepts.org

404-217-4465

Pray with us from May 15-23! See daily prayers and teaching videos from Anne and Joel Rosenberg on end times from the book of Joel.

Is God’s Judgment Coming?

Exodus 8:22–23 seems to imply that there was no distinction between Israel and the Egyptians until the fourth plague. Thus as Anne says in her teaching we (as Christians, the church) may experience a time of distress and trouble before the rapture. This is already happening across the world to our brothers and sisters in Christ and the implication from Anne is that things may get a lot worse here in America before the rapture of the church. We need to get spiritually ready.

 

“If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” Jeremiah 12:5
Wishing you God’s grace and peace

Len

http://lensykes.com

770 868 9993