Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment
“But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” (‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ ESV)

All,

This sticks out because of “belief in the truth” at the end. I read and hear a lot of distortions of the truth. I’ve been guilty of rationalizing sinful behavior in selfishness, but I knew deep down that  the rationalization wouldn’t pass with Christ on the judgement seat. I have great concern for friends that are manipulated by people that distort the truth. Since I’m not the judge of all truth, I can’t make a determination, but I can be concerned and bring it up in love. Please pray that we and our friends walk with our friends to seek truth. Please pray for the Buckhead social on March 19th. 

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment
“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,” (‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬ ESV)

All,

This sticks out because it’s God that makes us worthy, not us. I’m the type that mainly needs to “yield” to God as opposed to “doing” something for God. My nature is to “do” something, but God seems to nudge me to “yield” more than “do”. This verse seems to validate that notion. Please pray that we and our friends yield to God and commit this day to Him. Please pray for Jeremy and Gary’s group as it is forming. 

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment
“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)

All,

This sticks out because it’s my favorite verse and I love to point it out (sorry Jeremy). It doesn’t mean we will not have tough times, but it tells me that we always have something to rejoice in and that’s the fact that Christ died for our sins and we have eternal life period. No “bad” thing can trump that. It also ends in “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”. That tells me it’s PRETTY important. The Bible doesn’t make that statement much. Please pray that we see every moment today and give thanks. Please pray for Doug and Brandon’s group as they are forming. 

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment
“for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.” (‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬ ESV)

All,

This sticks out because of the care Paul has for his friends in Thessalonica. Like a parent cares for a child, Paul walked with them to grow their faith and now he is comforted by their growing faith in Christ. I’m so thankful for all the “Paul’s” in my life who have walked with me and the joy they have given me. Please pray that we appreciate the “Paul’s” in our life and hopefully to be someone’s “Paul”. Please pray for Jonnell, Cedric and Devon’s group as they are forming. 

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment

“For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.” (‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭19-20‬ ESV)

All,

This sticks out because other people are Paul’s crown. Paul is not only concerned about his salvation. He receives great joy in knowing that other people see Christ as their Lord. We have been called to be Christians and we have also been called to “help” other people see what we see. Like if we had the cure for cancer, we would want everyone to know about it. Please pray that we “help” our friends today who don’t have a relationship with Christ to know Him. Please pray for Cheever and Stephen’s group as they are forming.

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment

“remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ESV)

All,

This sticks out because of the “steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”. We gave up complaining as a family for lent and it’s been a eye-opening experience to see how often I would have complained. Most of the time I can just think about something else, but the tough ones require hope in Christ. Please pray that we and our friends put our hope in Christ all day today. Please pray for Jeremy and Gary’s group as they are forming.

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭5-6‬ ESV)

All,

This sticks out because of how important “outsiders” are. It’s fun and easy to talk about our faith in Christ among our Christian friends. With “outsiders”, Paul says to walk in wisdom, let our speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt. I’m guilty of lumping every “outsider” with the protester that is singled out in the news. I should be thinking about my friend that hasn’t really had a chance to walk with a Christian. Please pray that we and our friends walk with the “outsider” we are thinking of right now. Please pray for Jonnell, Cedric and Devon’s group as they are forming.

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”(‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭14-15‬ ESV)

All,

This sticks out because of love. This is love for Christ, which in turn produces love for man. If love doesn’t start with Christ first, we may be tempted to please man and water down the truth. In this verse, since love starts with Christ, it brings harmony and one body. Please pray that our love starts with Christ first and then to others, not just to others. Please pray for Cheever and Stephen’s information meeting this morning.

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority”. (‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭8-10‬ ESV)

All,

This sticks out because of the “takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit”. We had a good conversation this morning in CLC about secular v. Christian worldview and how many Christians really haven’t given it much thought. If they examined themselves they may fall into the secular camp more than they would like. Please pray for us and our friends and walk with them so that we and them might examine our thoughts and be filled with Christ. Please pray for Jeremy and Gary’s group meeting.

Daily CLC Prayer verse

~ Neal Creech ~ Leave a comment

“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.” (‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4-6‬ ESV)

All,

This sticks out because of the first line, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” I confess that I complain a lot and my kids have started to complain also. This verse is very convicting because it says rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. Paul then states to not be anxious about ANYTHING. Wow. Is that possible? It is when I am focused on Christ and not me. Please pray that we focus and rejoice in God all day today. Please pray for Cheever and Stephen’s commitment meeting this Tuesday.