“Then all the commanders of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest, came near and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Let our plea for mercy come before you, and pray to the Lord your God for us, for all this remnant—because we are left with but a few, as your eyes see us— that the Lord your God may show us the way we should go, and the thing that we should do.” Jeremiah the prophet said to them, “I have heard you. Behold, I will pray to the Lord your God according to your request, and whatever the Lord answers you I will tell you. I will keep nothing back from you.” Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the word with which the Lord your God sends you to us. Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God.””
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭42:1-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/jer.42.1-6.esv
All,This stands out because the people said, “that the Lord your God may show us the way we should go, and the thing that we should do.” These people are a remnant that is left after the exile out of Judah and are understandably concerned about their safety and hunger. They want God to say go to Egypt, but God says stay put. We want God to tell us to do what we want to do, but what happens when He doesn’t? Do we trust Him? Do we remember that He knows the future. That He knows what’s in the minds of all the parties at play? That He knows about potential issues like viruses? Please pray that we and our friends seek God’s direction today and obey. Please pray for all those who do not know Jesus today.

“On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased. All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth, and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭138:3-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/psa.138.3-8.esv
All,This stands out because the psalmist says, “On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.” Are you calling on God to strengthen you today? He will. It’s amazing how our perspective changes when we acknowledge all things coming from God instead of us. Once that perspective changes, He gives bountifully what we need. Especially the Fruit of the Spirit(love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control). Please pray that we and our friends be about God’s purpose today. Please pray for the people who don’t have a relationship with God to open the door to Him.

“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭131:1-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/psa.131.1-3.esv
All,This stands out because the psalmist says, “I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.”  There are so many uncertainties right now in our circumstances that it is overwhelming to occupy our minds with all the possible outcomes. In the lesson yesterday, I referenced:

“And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?””

Matthew 14:28-31 ESV
Peter walked on water when he focused on Jesus, but then sank when he focused on his circumstances. We think we are most in control when we focus on our circumstances, but we actually are able to walk through the circumstances in the best way when we focus on Jesus. We need His wisdom and guidance during trials and not lean on our own understanding. Please pray that we and our friends focus on Jesus today. Please pray for our leaders receive the wisdom and guidance from above and not the world.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭127:1-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/psa.127.1-5.esv
All,This stands out because Solomon says, “ Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”. I don’t think a day has gone by in years when I don’t say that verse in one instance or another. It’s so comforting to know that God is either behind something or He isn’t. If He is, then my responsibility is to do His purpose and my best. If He isn’t, I shouldn’t be either. It also says He gives us rest, not circumstances. Please pray that we and our friends find our rest in Him today. Please pray for all the medical workers, especially Allie McLemore.

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭105:1-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/psa.105.1-5.esv
All,This stands out because the psalmist says, “seek his presence continually!” John 15:5 says we will bear fruit when we abide in Him. Is it a challenge to abide or seek His presence continually? Yes! We are in the world with a zillion things to draw our attention away from God. Please pray that we and our friends are intentional today about seeking His presence. Especially when we do not since the fruit of the Spirit in us, stop and seek Him. Please pray for Devon and Jonnell’s group.

“May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works, who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke! I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭104:31-35‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/psa.104.31-35.esv
All,This stands out because the psalmist says, “May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.” Are you in awe of the Lord? How grateful are you this morning? It’s tempting to rejoice in His gifts and forget He gave them. It’s tempting to forget His power in whatever situation we are in. Please pray that we and our friends meditate on just who is our God. Please pray for Ransom and Dougs group.

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭90:12-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/psa.90.12-17.esv
All,This stands out because Moses says, “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Do we appreciate God’s steadfast love every morning? Is it up to us or to Him to appreciate His love? Does the knowledge of His love enable joy and gladness? If it doesn’t, ask what does and it may reveal a idol that will never bring lasting joy. Please pray that we and our friends rejoice in God’s grace and love today. Please pray for Jon and Teddy’s group.

“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭84:10-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/psa.84.10-12.esv
All,This stands out because the psalmist says, “blessed is the one who trusts in you!” There are many things in which we put our trusts. Job, reputation, money, abilities are common things. Does anxiety come when we put our trust in these? That can all fly away quickly. God has promised to be with us eternally. Only trusting in God brings us true peace. Please pray that we and our friends put our trust in God today. Please pray for Jonnell and Devon’s group.

“Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.”
‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭6:1-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/neh.6.1-9.esv
All,This stands out because Nehemiah says, “But now, O God, strengthen my hands.” It seems every time that I’m very clear of God’s purpose, something will pop up to try and derail the plans. It’s typically something subtle or caring too much about a persons‘ opinion. Either way, it’s our duty to stay focused on God and His power. Please pray that we and our friends focus on Jesus in times of temptation today. Please pray for Ransom and Doug’s group.