“And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭13:15-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/rev.13.15-18.esv

All,

This stands out because John says, “to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark”.  Do any of us or do any businesses where a mark that shows we are for something that’s unbiblical?  Does it allow us free access to worldly commerce or conversation without being harassed?  This verse seems so far fetched, but it also points out where our devotion is. We are all meant to worship and if we don’t worship God, we will fill that hole with something else. Please pray that we and our friends recognize if we are “wearing a mark”. Please pray for George Mori. 

“And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭10:5-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/rev.10.5-7.esv

All,

This stands out because John says, “but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.”  Is God mysterious?  Many people are baffled by Him and have a need to understand Him before they can worship Him or trust Him. I think that’s a human condition. We lose control if we trust something we don’t fully understand or do we?  As I’m writing, I realize we trust our cars, planes, bodies and most of us can’t thoroughly explain those, but we can touch them. Is that why faith is like a muscle?  Please pray that we and our friends embrace the mysteries of God and build the muscle of faith as we trust Him. Please pray for George Mori. 

“By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulfur coming out of their mouths. For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails, for their tails are like serpents with heads, and by means of them they wound. The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk,”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭9:18-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/rev.9.18-20.esv

This stands out because John says, “The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands”.  Why?  Why wouldn’t the rest repent at this point?  What about us?  Is there a reason we don’t repent of a certain sin?  Do we hang on to something because we really don’t trust God there or we trust our instincts more?  Please pray that we and our friends repent today in that area God has pointed out to us. Please pray for George Mori. 

“Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭8:6-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/rev.8.6-10.esv

All,

This stands out because John says, “And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.”  This will be a tough time to be on the earth and yet it says some people will still resist God’s love. It seems impossible, but yet we question God and we have many ways that he has shown Himself to us. Please pray that we and our friends seek his will today. Please pray for George Mori. 

“”And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 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 ‭3:14-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/rev.3.14-20.esv

All,

This stands out because Jesus says, “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself”.  Do we look to God for provision or to ourselves?  Have you ever chased fools gold before?  I have and the world is full of it. It’s seems paradoxical to think only Jesus can provide us our needs in this world when we see so many tangible things around us. Just because it’s in the world doesn’t mean it’s bad, but we can ask if it’s of God though. Jesus wants us to enjoy Him and he gives us the things that actually accomplished that. Please pray that we and our friends seek Jesus’s plan today. Please pray for the veterans over this Memorial Day weekend. 

“”And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:18-22‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/rev.2.18-22.esv

All,

This stands out because John says, “I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.”  Sexual immorality seems to be the biggest divide between what the world sees as ok and what God forbids. The world claims it gives you freedom and control. God sees people in slavery to it. Andy Stanley makes a good point that sexual sins affect people the most.  God doesn’t want us hurt. Sexual sin is a huge lie that continues to hurt many people. Please pray that we and our friends ask God to point out any sexual immorality in our lives and take it away. Please pray for my friend and his wife to find peace during the time of chaos with kids. 

“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, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:17-19‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/rev.1.17-19.esv

All,

This stands out because John says, “But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one.”  How often do we have a realization of who Jesus actually is?  Do we feel unworthy of His sacrifice?  Do we feel like we don’t measure up?  Do we realize we left some opportunities on the table?  He knows us and loves us and says, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one.”  He gives us a choice to put ALL our trust in Him or in ourselves. Please pray that we and our friends put all our trust in Him. Please pray for a friend and wife who are struggling with all that comes with raising young kids. 

“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.”
‭‭Jude‬ ‭1:3-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/jud.1.3-7.esv

All,

This stands out because Jude says, “For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”  People who detect counterfeit money do so by knowing the real thing well as opposed to learning all the tricks of the counterfeiters. Are you prepared to know the difference of a counterfeit person?  Can they hurt a relationship that a loved one has with Jesus?  Can they hurt yours?  Should they continue hurting themselves?  Please pray that we and our friends know Christ so well that we sense perversion when we are near it. Please pray for Wes and David’s group. 

“The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 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 ‭1:1-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/3jn.1.1-4.esv

All,

This stands out because John says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”  Do people seek truth or validation of their thoughts?  There are some in both camps. Jesus says the truth will set us free. Whether they are our literal children or people we have influenced, what’s better then them seeking truth?  It will lead them confidently to Jesus. Please pray that we and our friends seek truth. Please pray for the Gately family. 

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:18-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1jn.4.18-21.esv

All,

This stands out because John says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.”  Do you fear anything?  Is God bigger than that thing?  Are we to oattached to a outcome?  Do you believe God has a plan?  Please pray that we and our friends play to an audience of one today. Please pray for Race for Grace 5k tomorrow.