“Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.””

Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV

http://bible.com/59/jer.9.23-24.esv

All,

This stands out because the Lord says, “but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me”. This came from Saturday’s reading, but I like it so much I wanted to write about it today. Do we see knowing God as something to boast? Where do we get wisdom, might and riches? Our relationship with God enables us to be a part of His plan and He gives us what we need to be a part of His plan. Please pray that we and our friends understand and know God today. Please pray for Doug as he is building his group.

“”How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us’? But behold, the lying pen of the scribes has made it into a lie. The wise men shall be put to shame; they shall be dismayed and taken; behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord, so what wisdom is in them?”

Jeremiah 8:8-9 ESV

http://bible.com/59/jer.8.8-9.esv

All,

This stands out because Jeremiah says, “they have rejected the word of the Lord, so what wisdom is in them?” Do we want God’s wisdom or the wisdom of the world? Sometimes the world’s seems more real until it doesn’t and that comes quickly and usually without peace. Please pray that we and our friends seek the wisdom of God today. Please pray for little Harper.

“”Behold, you trust in deceptive words to no avail. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—only to go on doing all these abominations? Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the Lord.”

Jeremiah 7:8-11 ESV

http://bible.com/59/jer.7.8-11.esv

All,

This stands out because the Lord says, “Behold, I myself have seen it”. In a world that increasingly says that “truth is relative”, sin is being redefined daily or not at all. However, the world “likes” Jesus because of His grace. Do we ask why grace is needed if they do not think one has sinned? Does God not “see it” because a person says it’s ok? Please pray that we and our friends repent when we do sin and appreciate His grace. Please pray for Drew and Nita.

“”With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Micah 6:6-8 ESV

http://bible.com/59/mic.6.6-8.esv

All,

This stands out because Micah says, “the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” We all know this CLC memory verse. Does God want us to do 1 of the 3? How about 2 of the 3. The balance of Truth and Love requires all three legs and falls without one. Please pray that we and our friends favor all the requirements today. Please pray for Harper Aplin.

“From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart. The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. In them the birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the fir trees.”

Psalms 104:13-17 ESV

http://bible.com/59/psa.104.13-17.esv

All,

This stands out because the psalmist says, “You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate”. Work can seem hard and tiring at times, but we are also thankful that we get to be good stewards of what God has provided for us. God knows the joy we feel when we get to be a part of something worthwhile and he gives us this opportunity daily. Please pray that we and our friends are grateful for the many opportunities we have today to be a part of His purpose. Please pray for Wes as he builds his group.

“”If you return, O Israel, declares the Lord, to me you should return. If you remove your detestable things from my presence, and do not waver, and if you swear, ‘As the Lord lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.” For thus says the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: “Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.”

Jeremiah 4:1-3 ESV

http://bible.com/59/jer.4.1-3.esv

All,

This stands out because the Lord says, “Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.” Are there areas of your life that are fallow? Are they there, but not really producing any fruit? Please pray that we and our friends give our fallow ground to God and what what he does with it. Please pray for Rabun and Burke as they build a group.

“Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.””

Jeremiah 1:4-8 ESV

http://bible.com/59/jer.1.4-8.esv

All,

This stands out because the Lord says, “you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you”. Do we trust God will be with us when we get the nudge to something? Is that how faith grows in us? Can you recall a time when you put yourself out there in faith and God wasn’t with you? Please pray that we and our friends trust God with our lives today in ALL decisions. Please pray for John Roney.

“The King in his might loves justice. You have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!”

Psalms 99:4-5 ESV

http://bible.com/59/psa.99.4-5.esv

All,

This stands out because the psalmist says, “Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool!” Are you concerned about a outcome today? Have you praised God and asked Him about your situation? Do you trust in His plan? Please pray that we and our friends see God in all our situations today and pray for His wisdom. Please pray for our CLC leadership, staff and board.

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord! Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!”

Psalms 98:4-7 ESV

http://bible.com/59/psa.98.4-7.esv

All,

This stands out because the psalmist says, “break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” For what are you grateful today? It’s ok if the list is similar to yesterday’s list. It’s also ok if the only thing you can think of is the fact that Christ gives us the opportunity to live with Him eternally. Please pray that we and our friends chose to be grateful today. Please pray for Rabun and Burke as they are building their group.

“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.”

Psalms 97:1-6 ESV

http://bible.com/59/psa.97.1-6.esv

All,

This stands out because the psalmist says, “The heavens proclaim his righteousness”. For what are you grateful today? God’s blessings are all around us, but they are hard to see without grateful eyes. Please pray that we and our friends think that which we are grateful today as soon as we are tempted to dwell on something negative. Please pray for Antionette, Eva, Kirsten, Erica and Christopher and their Husband and father passed away over the weekend.