Today’s reading is 1 Timothy 6
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:17-19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1ti.6.17-19.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy”. Does God provide or does your job provide? We are tempted to think our job provides, but do we ask how we got the ability to do our job? Did we decide to be born in the U.S. during this generation that has this job? Did we determine our parents and lifestyle they provided? Do we realize that everyone who gets this email is unbelievably rich compared to today’s world standards. We are called to be good stewards of ALL that God has provided us. Are you grateful for what God has provided you? He has richly provided for us all. Please pray that we and our friends notice His provisions today. Please pray for the Beloved house move today. 

Today’s reading is 1 Timothy 5
“But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. For some have already strayed after Satan. If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5:11-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1ti.5.11-16.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not”. While it’s tempting to be idlers at times, we know it’s outside of God’s purpose. God wants to give us “life to the full” and He has given us certain abilities and talents to be a part of His purpose. He has plans for us that are much greater than being idle. Please pray that we and our friends spend ALL our time “glorifying God and enjoying Him forever”. Please pray for the Beloved House as they need volunteers to help them move tomorrow. 

Today’s reading is 1 Timothy 2
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2:1-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1ti.2.1-5.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth”. The C.S. Lewis quote keeps coming to my mind that “we have never met a mere mortal”. Do we see everyone how God sees them? God loves all of us and wants us to spend eternity with Him and has given us that opportunity through Jesus Christ. God will never force this on anyone, but it is available to us all. Do we have a friend that would benefit from trusting Christ more today? Please pray that we and our friends give this day to God and ask Him what His purpose is for us today. Please pray for the Beloved house as they need help moving on 3/14. 

Today’s reading is 1 Timothy 1
“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1:12-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1ti.1.12-16.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” Do your non-Christian or “kinda”-Christian friends see Christianity as judging? Do you come across as judging or condemning? How do we express Christ’s love for sinners without using the Bible to define what behavior is sinful? We must build relationships that are open and honest and allow each other to read the Bible for guidance and to correct each other in love. Please pray that we and our friends prioritize relationships today. Please pray for volunteers to help the Beloved house move their furniture on 3/14. 

Today’s reading is 2 Thessalonians 3
“Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:1-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2th.3.1-5.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” Do you direct your hearts to God or does God do it? We have many choices through out the day to follow God’s prompting or a different prompting. As Chris said this morning, we usually know the route to take, but still chose to go another route instead. Please pray that we and our friends chose God’s lead today. Please pray for Kim Shepherd’s surgery today. 

Today’s reading is 2 Thessalonians 2
“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:8-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2th.2.8-12.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false”. I have a 13-year old that thinks 99% in the short term. He wants to believe what he wants to believe so he can have a sense of control over his life and get the outcomes that he thinks these things will provide him. Do we know any adults like that? If certain “enlightened” leaders say that black is white or down is up, they would feel enlightened also when repeating the same lie. Do we ever doubt God or truth because we want a certain outcome or “feel” a certain way? Please pray that we and our friends seek truth today. Please pray for Kim Shepherd as he has heart surgery tomorrow. 

Today’s reading is 2 Thessalonians 1
“when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:10-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2th.1.10-12.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power”. Who makes us worthy? Whose power do we place our faith? God wants to do for us what we are trying to do for Him. He will do it, but it takes surrender on our part. We can’t worship God and the world. Please pray that we and our friends chose to obey God today when the world differs. Please pray for Bob Yarbrough as he has surgery today. 

Today’s reading is 1 Thessalonians 3
“For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:4-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1th.3.4-6.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain”. Paul cares deeply about them, but he also knows that Satan conversely wants to destroy them. When we start to trust in Christ and be a part of His purpose, Satan takes notice and will attempt to derail us. Have you noticed how odd things happen when you decide to spend time w God every morning? Kids get sick. You don’t sleep well. Work project gets bumped up. It only takes a couple days of those events and the resolution is gone. We must keep on pushing and lean on God especially during those moments. Please pray the we and our friends persevere during the rough moments by leaning on God. Please pray for the Cobb CLC breakfast this morning at Marietta Diner from 7:15-8:30. 

Today’s reading is 1 Thessalonians 2
“But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:2-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1th.2.2-4.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” How often are you tempted to please the person in front of you over God? Pleasing man is a moving target at best. We know what pleases God. He doesn’t change. Man may tell you that if you love someone, you need to take out parts of the Bible. God divinely inspired to whole Bible to help us through our temptations. He wants to transform us into a abundant life. Please pray that we and our friends seek to please God today when we have to chose between man and God. Please pray for the Cobb CLC breakfast on Friday at the Marietta Diner from 7:15-8:30. 

Today’s reading is 1 Thessalonians 1
“For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:8-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1th.1.8-10.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything”. What a compliment! Can the same be said about us? Is our faith in God our first priority today. Do we see today through a faith lens? We are constantly tempted to put our faith in worldly things, but only God can give us what we truly need and desire. Please pray that we and our friends put our faith in God and nothing else today. Please pray for the Cobb breakfast this Friday at Marietta Diner from 7:15-8:30.