Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment
“And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.””
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:9-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/rev.5.9-10.esv

All,

This sticks out because Christ is the only one who can open the seals because He was slain. I wish I completely understood Revelation, but I don’t. However, I can understand that without Christ sacrificial death on the cross, we would not be saved. Please pray that we and our friends are grateful for Christ today. Please pray for Jonnell, Cedric and Devon’s group. 

Challenge group:
Revelation 6 for tomorrow. 

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment
“the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.””
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4:10-11‬ ‭ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/rev.4.10-11.esv

All,

This sticks out because the elders are worshipping God. They aren’t playing a harp on a cloud, but are enjoying being in the presence of God and honoring Him. Please pray that we and our friends draw closer to God today and just enjoy His presence. Please pray for Gary and Jeremy’s group. 

Challenge
Read Revelation 5 tomorrow 

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment
“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:19-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/rev.3.19-20.esv

All,

This sticks out because it points out our free will. It’s totally our choice to let Jesus in our lives. He will not force it on anybody. We also invite Him to reprove and discipline us by inviting Him in. Again, it’s our choice. Please pray that we and our friends chose to worship God today and not something of this world or ourselves. Please pray for Doug and Brandon’s group. 

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment
“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/rev.1.17.esv

All,

This sticks out because Christ tells John, “Fear not”. We have been discussing in a Thursday Bible study how we are really “bulletproof” in a sense. I let fears of many things control my actions, when all fear is is a distrust of God. If we trust God completely, what do we have to fear?   As soon as something comes up today that creates worry or anxiety, remember, “fear not”, are you about the purpose of God, then He’s got it. Please pray that we and our friends “seek first the Kingdom of God…”  Please pray for Ryan and Chris’s group. 

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment
“But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”
‭‭Jude‬ ‭1:17-23‬ ‭ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/jud.1.17-23.esv

All,

This sticks out because we have much division now and Jude says for us to keep ourselves in the love of Christ…, have mercy on those who doubt. Jude also makes a distinction between the “people who doubt” and the “scoffers”. Please pray that we and our friends stay in the love of Christ and have mercy on the “doubters” while calling out the “scoffers” who cause divisions. Please pray for Cheever and Steven’s group. 

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment
“For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
‭‭3 John‬ ‭1:3-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/3jn.1.3-4.esv

All,

This sticks out because John says he has, “no greater joy” than for his friends to know Christ. When I think of my own children, I would rather they trust Christ than anything the world can offer like money, fame, etc. This seems so easy for me to say about my children, so why is it difficult for me to do?  Please pray that we and our friends walk in the truth today. Please pray for John Coates. 

Challenge:
Jude is tomorrow 

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment
“Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”
‭‭2 John‬ ‭1:9-11‬ ‭ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/2jn.1.9-11.esv

All,

This sticks out because at first it seems to not be hospitable to non-Christians. However, I read another commentary and it concerns people who are promoting ideas that are not Biblical. We’ve seen our society grow away from seeing God as the authority and it seems that this verse is stating to not give these people credibility by having them in our house or be yoked with them. This doesn’t mean we are not to associate with them, just not to be yoked. Please pray that we and our friends live a balance of truth and love. Please pray for the guys that are considering being a co-facilitator. 

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭5:21‬ ‭ESV‬‬
http://bible.com/59/1jn.5.21.esv

All,

This sticks out because it’s such a short verse at the end of 1 John and it’s so powerful.  If idols didn’t tempt us there wouldn’t be a need to say it. Money is mentioned more than prayer in the Bible. God knows we are and will be tempted by idols. We also know how idols can turn from a “nice-to-have” to a “need-to-have” and the problem with that is they can take the place of authority in our lives over God. Please pray that we and our friends close the door on any idol in our lives before they begin to take root. Please pray for Jonnell, Cedric and Devon’s group.  

Challenge:
For the people accepting the challenge we will read 2 John 1 tomorrow. 

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment
“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” (‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ ESV)

All,

This sticks out because if someone believes that Jesus is the Son of God, his life is completely changed. The only people who truly know whether one believes Jesus is the person and God. If we believe Jesus is who He says He is, we will want to do everything He says because He is God. If we doubt, then other things can be our priority and the Word of God will not be THE Authority in our lives. Please pray we and our friends believe Jesus is THE Authority in our lives. Please pray for Brandon and Doug’s group. 

Challenge:
I encourage you to read the rest of the New Testament with me over the next 35 days. If you follow along this commentary, you have probably realized that I basically read a chapter a day. I challenge you to read it with me. After this, we will read through the New Testament over the year following the reading plan on the “you version” app of the Bible. Please let me know if you want to do this and if you have any questions. 

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭1-2‬ ESV)

All,

This sticks out because John acknowledges sinful behavior, but also explains how Christ died for our sins and enables us to not stay in sinful behavior. Christ wants to give us “life to the full” here and for eternity. Please pray that we and our friends are grateful for what Christ HAS done and also what He does in our lives. Please pray for Ryan and Chris’s group.