“And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.””

Mark 4:30-32 ESV

http://bible.com/59/mrk.4.30-32.esv

All,

This stands out because Jesus says, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth”. When we start walking with Christ, He plays a bit part in our decisions, but we know it’s good. As we keep walking, He transforms us into realizing He is in every part and our best decision is to have faith in Him. We wouldn’t dare want to walk a path without Him. Please pray that we and our friends spend time with God knowing He will transform us more and more each day. Please pray for Jim as he is looking for a job.

“The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.””

Mark 4:14-20 ESV

http://bible.com/59/mrk.4.14-20.esv

All,

This stands out because Jesus says, “And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” I would think that most Christians in the U.S. are most susceptible to being this soil. I know I am. I’m amazed at the things that “choke” out the Word before I “wake up” and realize what has happened. Please pray that we and our friends seek First the Kingdom today. Please pray for Danelle.

“And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.””

Mark 3:31-35 ESV

http://bible.com/59/mrk.3.31-35.esv

All,

This stands out because Jesus says, “For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” How great is it to have friends in Christ? It may sound odd to non-christians because you discuss how something was “God’s plan” or how you feel “led” to make a certain decision. It’s very fulfilling to me to have Christ centered conversation with friends because we talk about weighty issues that would otherwise cause me stress or anxiety. Please pray that we and our friends are thankful for our community of believers. Please pray for the Pritchard family.

“Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.”

Mark 3:7-12 ESV

http://bible.com/59/mrk.3.7-12.esv

All,

This stands out because Mark says, “And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”” Have you noticed how passionate groups are now when they are about a godless cause? Its noticeable because there are so many causes that truly help the oppressed, yet certain groups will be passionate about a cause that actually hurt the oppressed and they are convinced they are doing good. Please pray that we and our friends are about God’s purpose today. Please pray for Hunter and David’s group.

“And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.””

Mark 2:15-17 ESV

http://bible.com/59/mrk.2.15-17.esv

All,

This stands out because Jesus says, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” God’s grace enables us to follow Jesus. How often to you reflect and become grateful for His grace? I need grace bountifully and I’m very thankful. Please pray that we and our friends thank God for grace today. Please pray for Bill Pritchard’s family as he passed away Saturday night.

“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

Matthew 28:16-20 ESV

http://bible.com/59/mat.28.16-20.esv

All,

This stands out because Jesus says, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Is there a difference between telling someone to do something and teaching someone to do something? Teaching takes a relationship. It takes time and effort. Are you willing to spend time with someone and teach them? Please pray that we and our friends say yes to the opportunities that Christ gives us today. Please pray for a man that would be a good CLC co-facilitator.

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!””

Matthew 27:50-54 ESV

http://bible.com/59/mat.27.50-54.esv

All,

This stands out because the centurion says, “Truly this was the Son of God!” These would have to be some of the same guards who mocked him and put thorns on His head. The good news is that Jesus died for them also. We’ve seen Judas pay the ultimate price for not accepting forgiveness and we will see Peter leading the church because He did accept forgiveness. All this is possible because Jesus died on the cross. Please pray that we and our friends are thankful for Jesus today. Please pray for Danelle.

“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.”

Matthew 27:27-31 ESV

http://bible.com/59/mat.27.27-31.esv

All,

This stands out because Matthew says, “And kneeling before him, they mocked him”. Do you ever notice how no curse words contain Buddha or other religions? There is something about Jesus that compels people to either worship Him or mock Him. Remember evil spirits recognized Him immediately. Please pray that we and our friends glorify Jesus with all our words today. Please pray for Bill Pritchard.

“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.”

Matthew 26:69-75 ESV

http://bible.com/59/mat.26.69-75.esv

All,

This stands out because Matthew says, “And he went out and wept bitterly.” Have you basically denied Christ by not obeying Him or letting someone falsely accuse Him? Did you repent? Have you forgiven yourself? We have all let Christ down and He knows we are human. He also wants us to come back to Him because only He can transform us. We can’t transform ourselves. Please pray that we and our friends accept forgiveness. Please pray for Jeff.

“”For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?”

Matthew 25:14-15, 23-26 ESV

http://bible.com/59/mat.25.14-15,23-26.esv

All,

This stands out because Jesus says, “to each according to his ability.” Do you ever think God doesn’t have a purpose for you because you may not speak like Billy Graham? God has created each of us with certain talents and abilities for His purpose. It’s doesn’t end well for the person that hides his ability or doesn’t put it towards Gods purpose. Please pray that we and our friends seek God’s purpose today. Please be with Tom’s dad, Bill Pritchard.