Today’s reading is Colossians 3
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:14-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/col.3.14-16.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom”. The Word is such a blessing to us. It gives us wisdom when needed and also encouragement in tough times. God gave us the Bible to help us, not to make us legalistic. He knows the more we soak it in, the more life we will have in Him. Please pray that we and our friends spend time in the Bible today and let God bless us. Please pray for the Cobb quarterly breakfast this Friday at Marietta Diner at 7:15. 

Today’s reading is Philippians 4
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/php.4.6-7.esv
All,
This stands out because I can’t read this verse without it having so much meaning. It’s like a dear friend now because I have leaned on it so many times when I am worried or anxious. Just last night, I woke up worried and couldn’t get it off my mind. So I made my requests to God to give me peace and rest and started quoting the verse. Only His peace can comfort in certain times. What a blessing. Please pray that we and our friends lean on God’s promises and enjoy Him. Please pray for Chris and Ryan’s group. 

Today’s reading is Philippians 3
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:7-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/php.3.7-9.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith”. Do you depend on yourself to do what God wants you to do? Is it hard work to do the “right” thing? What is the “right” thing anyway? Christ wants to lead us to righteousness, but it takes Faith in Him. Faith to give Him the outcomes of today. Faith to obey Him when our own understanding tells us not to. Only Jesus leads us to righteousness, not us. Please pray that we and our friends trust Christ today, especially when you feel the nudge to do so. Please pray for Scott Lohr as a company calls him back for a third interview. 

Today’s reading is Philippians 2
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:1-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/php.2.1-3.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” The world says that selfish ambition is good. It also says that most actions are ok if you get paid enough. God knows we are tempted to put ourselves first, but He knows what is best for us. Lasting joy comes when we put others first and when we are unified in our worship of Christ. C.S. Lewis said we have never met a mere mortal. Please pray that we see everyone today as their true eternal selves. Please pray for Brad and Jeff’s group. 

Today’s reading is Philippians 1
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:9-11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/php.1.9-11.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent”. “And the greatest of these is love” 1 Cor 13. As love for Christ grows, He enables us to be in His will and our love for others grows. He also gives us knowledge and discernment to seek the excellent. Please pray that we and our friends grow in love for Christ today. Please pray for Forrest and Dusty’s group. 

Today’s reading is Ephesians 6
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/eph.6.10-13.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil”. God loves us very much. Satan just wants to steal, kill and destroy. Satan is more crafty than us, but God is more powerful than Satan. If we rely on ourselves, we will be defeated, but we can rely on God. We can chose to live in the Spirit and let God fight the battle. Please pray that we and our friends chose to live in the Spirit today. Please pray for Wes and Brian as they build their group. 

Today’s reading is Ephesians 3
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:14-19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/eph.3.14-19.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Does your head allow you to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge? Is this a sense of Peace that only Christ can give. Is it surrendering our understanding to the promises of God? Trusting in God allows us to be filled with His fullness. Please pray that we and our friends receive the Love of Christ today and know His fullness. Please pray for Darren and Bruce’s group as they had their overnight retreat last night. 

Today’s reading is Ephesians 2
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:1-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/eph.2.1-10.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” Does it take work to have Faith? Is Faith revealed in decisions. Can we create more faith for ourselves or is it given to us by God as we ask and need it? Only you know where you truly put your faith. Is it in yourself or God? Please pray that we and our friends appreciate the grace given to us and make decisions based on the promises of the Word and not our emotions. Please pray for Carla Miles as she is in need of a car. 

Today’s reading is Ephesians 1
“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:17-19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/eph.1.17-19.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him”. Jesus gives us the ability to know Him. It’s been His plan forever. He will give it to us and our friends. Sometimes we don’t want the knowledge because then we will be forced to chose between what the flesh wants and what the Spirit wants. The flesh will steal, kill and destroy however Jesus wants to give us life to the full (paraphrased John 10:10). Please pray that we and our friends receive what Jesus has given us and grow in Him. Please pray for Chris Means as he learns more about a cancer diagnosis. 

Today’s reading is Galatians 6
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:1-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/gal.6.1-5.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” How do we restore in gentleness? How do we want to be restored? I like someone to walk with me through it and I think that’s pretty common. I also like spending time with God so He can restore me. God loves all of us and knows we will transgress, but He also loves us very much and stands waiting to forgive us when we repent. Please pray that we and our friends restore and be restored after our transgressions. Please pray for Amy Coates as she walks through family health issues.