“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:1-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/heb.12.1-3.esv

All,

This stands out because the writer of Hebrews says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses”. Do you think of a “great cloud of witnesses” around you now?  Is it comforting to think of all the celebrations when we are about the purpose of God?  Please pray that we and our friends are about God’s purpose today. Please pray for Connor and Knox’s group. 

“But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:32-36‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/heb.10.32-36.esv

All,

This stands out because the writer of Hebrews says, “after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings”.  Has this happened to you?  Once you live by truth, it’s tough to go along with the world sometimes and you suffer. However, when we suffer, we draw closer to Jesus and truly appreciate Him and what He has done for us on the cross. Please pray that we and our friends draw closer to Jesus today as we deal with hardships. Please pray for a friends granddaughter who feels shame and unforgiveness. 

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:19-23‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/heb.10.19-23.esv

All,

This stands out because the writer of Hebrews says, “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith”.  Is your faith in God pure because of your deeds or His?  Jesus has enabled us to walk in a full assurance of faith. Do we trust in him when it gets tough?  Please pray that we and our friends abide in Christ during the trials today. Please pray for a family that just lost their baby in the womb. 

“For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9:24-26‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/heb.9.24-26.esv

All,

This stands out because the writer of Hebrews says, “But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”  Are we making a sacrifice to walk with Christ or did He make the sacrifice?  I often think selfishly how much I’m “sacrificing”, but what cold be further than the truth.  We get to abide in Christ because of His sacrifice. He only asks us to not focus on the things that aren’t eternal. Please pray that we and our friends realize the gift we have today because of His sacrifice. Please pray for a dear friend who was given a life-altering diagnosis yesterday. 

“For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭7:26-27‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/heb.7.26-27.esv

All,

This stands out because the writer of Hebrews says, “since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.”  Easter has more and more meaning for me every year. I think I realize the amount I depend on Jesus more and more every year that makes His sacrifice more and more meaningful. Please pray that we and our friends carry Easter forward everyday this year. Please pray for Phil’s group. 

“As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.'” Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3:11-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/heb.3.11-14.esv

All,

This stands out because the writer of Hebrews says, “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”  How grateful are you for the friends and loved ones that love you so much that they will exhort you to keep faith?  We never know when we need encouragement or when we will be the encourager. Stop and thank God for those people right now. Please pray that we and our friends appreciate those friends and loved ones. Please pray for Kent and Jody Tucker’s uncle who is having a VERY difficult surgery to remove a tumor from his neck tomorrow. 

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2:14-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/heb.2.14-18.esv

All,

This stands out because the writer of Hebrews says, “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”  Are you ever tempted?  I should ask how often per hour or per minute are you tempted?  Do we fight the temptation with discipline and self control?  How long does that work?  He wants us to call on Him. Satan is more powerful than us, but Christ is more powerful than Satan. Please pray that we and our friends call on Christ with EVERY temptation. Please pray for my friend during this legal trial. 

“And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.” And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1:10-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/heb.1.10-14.esv

All,

This stands out because the writer of Hebrews says, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?”  Do we think about angels being sent to help us?  Would we act differently if we saw the multitude of angels ministering to us throughout the day?  Do we ask?  Please pray that we and our friends know the peace of depending on God today. Please pray for my friend with legal issues. 

“I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”
‭‭Philemon‬ ‭1:4-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/phm.1.4-7.esv

All,

This stands out because Paul says, “For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love”.  Did someone come to your mind when you read this?  Have you told them lately or written a note?  When Christ binds you together, it’s a joyful friendship that grows every year. Please pray that we and our friends appreciate our loved ones. Please pray for my Mother-in-law(Tinka) who is having a tumor removed this morning. 

“To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”
‭‭Titus‬ ‭1:15-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/tit.1.15-16.esv

All,

This stands out because Paul says, “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works.”  Would other people say you know God or deny God by your works?  Is there a trusting relationship or a earning relationship. Is there love behind the obedience or grit behind the obedience?  Please pray that we and our friends seek a pure relationship with Jesus. Please pray for a friend going through a legal battle. Please pray for Jeremy Garlington as he recovers from hip surgery.