“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’”

Luke 14:27-30 ESV

http://bible.com/59/luk.14.27-30.esv

All,

This stands out because Jesus says, “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Is there anything you are not willing to sacrifice to God? Any habit, thought life, relationship that isn’t under the authority of Christ will lead us away from Him if we hang on to it. Ask God to enable you to loose affection for it and grow in affection for Him. Please pray that we and our friends love Jesus more than anything else. Please pray for Katherine Gooding.

“He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.””

Luke 13:18-19 ESV

http://bible.com/59/luk.13.18-19.esv

All,

This stands out because Jesus says, “and it grew and became a tree”. Do you notice a tree growing each day? Do you notice growth or lack of growth of tree over a year? How about over several years? It’s great to see how Jesus transforms some friends and you really notice the difference over several years. Please pray that we and our friends submit to Jesus today so He can transform us. Please pray Doug and Michael’s group.

“”I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.””

Luke 12:49-53 ESV

http://bible.com/59/luk.12.49-53.esv

All,

This stands out because Jesus says, “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” If a Christian stands by their beliefs, the world will grow very divided around them. Notice, with every strife, there is a element of man wanting to be in control and man wanting God to be in control. Please pray that we and our friends are about God being in control of us. Please pray for the victims of Hurricane Florence.

“While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.”

Luke 11:37-41 ESV

http://bible.com/59/luk.11.37-41.esv

All,

This stands out because Jesus says, “but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.” Everyone reading this has a human fault that only Jesus can transform. The question isn’t whether we have faults, but whether we think we do. Do we need a savior or does He need us? It seems silly to even write it, but how often do we live like that? Please pray that we and our friends thank Jesus for His transformation in our lives. Please pray for the areas of Hurricane Florence as the waters have yet to crest.

“But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Luke 11:20-23 ESV

http://bible.com/59/luk.11.20-23.esv

All,

This stands out because Jesus says, “but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him”. Are we ever strong enough to defend ourselves in spiritual warfare? I’m not. I know that satan will win every argument or temptation if I don’t ask the Holy Spirit to intervene. Satan is stronger then me, but he is no match for the Holy Spirit. Please pray that we and our friends pray for God’s help during times of trial. Please pray for the areas that are now flooding due to Hurricane Florence.

“As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.””

Luke 9:57-62 ESV

http://bible.com/59/luk.9.57-62.esv

All,

This stands out because Jesus says, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Do you rationalize with God that you will obey Him as soon as you do something else? I know I do. He has heard every great excuse and I’m sure we are actually very good things, but it’s not God’s purpose at that moment. If a loved one died today, would you be concerned about their eternity? Have you “proclaimed the kingdom of God” to them? Please pray that we and our friends will prioritize our day around God’s priories for our day. Please pray for all those in the path of Hurricane Florence.

“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.””

Luke 9:23-27 ESV

http://bible.com/59/luk.9.23-27.esv

All,

This stands out because Jesus says, “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Do you think Peter remembered these words after he denied Christ three times? Do you think about these words when you don’t speak about Jesus when the opportunity happens? Jesus forgave Peter by asking Peter if he loves Him? Do you love him more then anything? Please pray that we and our friends love Jesus more than anything. Please pray for those in the path of Hurricane Florence.

“When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.”

Luke 8:34-39 ESV

http://bible.com/59/luk.8.34-39.

All,

This stands out because Luke says, “sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind”. He was so appreciative of Jesus that he wanted to sit at His feet and never leave Him. Has Jesus transformed you in any way? Do you take it for granted now or are you appreciative everyday? I know I start thinking I’ve done something on my own, but it’s always costly when I have that mindset. Please pray that we and our friends thank Jesus for all He has done for us. Please pray for all the people in Hurricane Florence’s path.

“Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.””

Luke 8:19-21 ESV

http://bible.com/59/luk.8.19-21.esv

All,

This stands out because Jesus says, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” The key part of this is the end, “and do it.” How often do we hear the Word of God and know what we SHOULD do, but don’t? Do we do some? Why does God want us to obey Him? He loves us and wants the best for us now and eternally. He has a purpose for us today. Will we be a part of it? Please pray that we and our friends will obey today. Please pray for Hunter and David’s group.

“”A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.””

Luke 7:41-47 ESV

http://bible.com/59/luk.7.41-47.esv

All,

This stands out because Simon says, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” How big of a debt has Christ cancelled for you? How often do we ponder what He has ultimately done for us? How about the freedom of forgiveness after repentance? Please pray that we and our friends are grateful for Jesus. Please pray for Hunter and David’s group.