“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:2-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1jn.3.2-8.esv

All,

This stands out because John says, “You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.”  Do we ask Jesus to take away our sins?  Do we allow Him to clean the closet in “My heart, Christ’s home”?  Is it a matter of Him taking them away or you wanting Him to take them?  Please pray that we and our friends chose to abide in Christ all day, every day. Please pray for Frank and Anil’s group. 

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:15-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1jn.2.15-17.esv

All,

This stands out because John says, “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”  How do we live in the world, but not of the world?  It’s ok to enjoy things of the world, but how many of those things do you put above God?  For all of us, there is typically a couple things that compete with God for our attention. Is there a reason you haven’t had a regular quiet time?  What distracted you?  Please pray that we and our friends ask God what things compete with Him. Please pray for Newt’s group. 

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:5-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1jn.1.5-10.esv

All,

This stands out because John says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  How liberating is it to confess a sin?  It frees you from the sin. It bonds you with a trusted friend and it’s gives you a community to help you walk through it. Do you have any sins that needs confessing?  Please pray that we and our friends ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of unconfessed sin(taken from Ken Boa’s Morning Affirmations). Please pray for Phil’s group. 

“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:8-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/2pe.3.8-10.esv

All,

This stands out because Peter says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”  Do you have any loved ones that haven’t “reached repentance”?  Is God nudging you to say anything or do anything?  God loves all His children, even the person with whom you completely disagree. Please pray that we and our friends will have a opportunity to help the unrepentant friends. Please pray for Connor and Knox’s group. 

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:7-11‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1pe.4.7-11.esv

All,

This stands out because Peter says, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”  No one knows when the actual last day will be, but we all know it will be within 60 years for us. Does that make a difference? For some of us, it could be this year. I’m sure you know where you will be, but do you know where the people you love will be?  Should you pray for the ones in which you’re concerned?  Should you walk along side them in their troubles?  Please pray that we and our friends rejoice in today and THAT day. Please pray for Frank and Anil. 

“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:13-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1pe.3.13-17.esv

All,

This stands out because Peter says, “always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect”.  Is this how Christians are perceived?  Why not?  Are you perceived in this way?  Would someone know you are a Christian if they asked you your reason?  Do people avoid you because you are quick to tell them what they are doing wrong?  The key parts here are “asks” and gentleness and respect”. Please pray that we and our friends serve God’s purpose when asked about our hope. Please pray for Newt’s group. 

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:11-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1pe.2.11-12.esv

All,

This stands out because Peter says, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”  Do people look down on you because you try to obey the Bible?  Is it tempting to treat them with disrespect?  I love how Peter says to be honorable. He also gives us our motivation in helping them with eternal plans. Please pray that we and our friends are honorable today if/when chastised for our belief in Jesus. Please pray for the Young Life fundraiser today. 

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
‭‭James‬ ‭3:13-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/jas.3.13-18.esv

All,

This stands out because James says, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”  The Westminster Catechism says that the chief end of man is to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” If we have selfish ambition, can we glorify God?  God likes hard work and effort, but is that selfish ambition?  Please pray that we and our friend seek the wisdom from above today. Please pray for Friday Morning Men’s Fellowship in Buckhead this morning as they hear about CLC. 

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:14-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/jas.2.14-17.esv

All,

This stands out because James says, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?”  We may not see people who lack daily food, but we certainly see people who lack spiritual bread. Do we say, “Go in peace” and carry on or do we try to “feed” them?  It takes time to feed spiritually. It takes relationship. Who do you know that needs some spiritual bread now? Please pray that we and our friends are attune to our friends spiritual needs. Please pray for my friend getting a biopsy today. 

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:15-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/heb.13.15-17.esv

All,

This stands out because the writer of Hebrews says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.”  Do you think about leaders giving a account for who they led and how they led?  Are you a leader?  Do you seek God’s counsel when leading or giving theological opinions?  Please pray that we and our friends submit to God’s leadership so we can lead accordingly. Please pray victims of sex trafficking.