Today’s reading is Galatians 5
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:16-24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/gal.5.16-24.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience…”. Would you rather have the fruit of the Spirit or the “fruit” of the flesh. The world will tell you that money, sex and power will lead to love, joy and peace. However, they are good servants, but horrible masters. Only the Spirit can give us the Fruit of the Spirit. It’s our choice which “dog we feed”. Please pray that we and our friends chose and enjoy the fruit of the Spirit today. Please pray for Carla Miles. She needs a car. Please let me know if you can help. 

Today’s reading is Galatians 2
“We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2:15-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/gal.2.15-16.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ”. What does “faith in Jesus Christ” mean to you? How does it apply to your daily life? Do you make your most important decisions based on your “faith in Christ”? How do you know which decision is the “faithful” decision? Is faith trusting and obeying Jesus no matter what we think the outcome will be? It wouldn’t be faith if we knew the outcome. How do you know what He wants you to do? Please pray that we and our friends seek first the kingdom of God and obey Christ in faith today. Please pray for Scott Lohr and others looking for employment. 

Today’s reading is Galatians 1
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭1:6-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/gal.1.6-10.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?” Is it possible to get the approval of man? People’s opinion of me matters a great deal and can tempt me want approval from them over God’s. Also, people can be moody and they are flawed. Trying to please man over God is fruitless. We know God. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He reveals Himself to us through the Bible and prayer. Please pray that we and our friends seek God in all we do today. Please pray for Tyson’s group as its building. 

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 13
“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭13:11-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2co.13.11-14.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul’s says, “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another”. There it is again. Paul says to “rejoice”. What if you made those the actions your goal for today? Rejoice, restore and comfort. Would God be in the business deal your are in or the tough conversation with a colleague? How about a important decision? Rejoice, restore and comfort. Please pray that we and our friends put first things first today. Please pray for Scott Lohr as he is looking for a job. 

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 12
“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:7-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2co.12.7-10.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Doesn’t God need us to be all powerful in all our dealings? Is He trying to make us into perfect China dolls or is He transforming us through faith? If we had the power, we wouldn’t need faith. Faith allows us to be a part of His purpose today. Please pray that we and our friends faithfully follow God today even in areas of our weaknesses. Please pray for Wes and Bryan as they are building their group. 

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
“Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11:24-30‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2co.11.24-30.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” God does wonderful things in the areas where we are weak. It’s easier for me to get out of my own way and see what God does without me. Please pray that we and our friends seek God’s power today. Please pray for Joe Clamon. 

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 9
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.””

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:6-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2co.9.6-9.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart”. God knows it’s very tempting for us to rely on money instead of Him. Obviously God doesn’t need our money, but I think He likes to see where our heart is. Not from a duty perspective, but from a trust perspective. Do we trust God more than money or money more than God? Only you can answer that in your heart. We can’t serve two masters. Choosing God as a master will be the highest, choicest, sweetest decision ever. Money isn’t bad in itself, God just doesn’t want you to trust it more than Him. Please pray that we and our friends truly ask ourselves which one is higher in our hearts. Please pray for Peyton Gully. 

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 8
“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8:1-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2co.8.1-4.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part”. It’s amazing how a “abundance of joy” will come out of affliction. There are times when we are broken to the point that we are willing to give it all up. At those moments, we realize we don’t have the power to endure our situation and give ALL of ourselves to God. God doesn’t necessarily give us a outcome we desired, but He gives us a peace to endure and a joy from His presence that is beyond measure. Please pray that we and our friends always seek God with ALL of our hearts. Please pray for Dave Sawyer’s family. He passed away on Wednesday from lung cancer. The funeral is 11:00 at JFBC. 

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 7
“For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭7:8-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2co.7.8-10.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul’s says, “I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting”. Grieving is not fun, but it’s inevitable due to our human condition. Because of Jesus, we can repent at any moment. We have the choice of making a 180 degree turn and ask Jesus to enable us to do so. I have many friends that feel the need to be perfect before they talk to Jesus, but He wants to do IN us what we try to do FOR Him. Please pray that we and our friends see where we are separated from God and decide to repent and ask Jesus to transform us. Please pray for Joe Clamon. 

“as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.”‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:10-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2co.6.10-13.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing”. I love it when the Bible speaks about “always rejoicing” or to “be joyful always”. My friend Jeremy is laughing right now. I haven’t counted, but “rejoice always” is commanded in the Bible several times. Do we only rejoice when things are going well all the time? Most of the time? Occasionally? When all of our loved ones are healthy? When we have plenty of money? Our clients love us? No matter our circumstance, we can rejoice in the fact that Christ died for us and our loved ones and we get to spend eternity with Him and them period. Please pray that we and our friends seek the joy in every situation today. Please pray for Carla Miles as she speaks at the CLC lunch today from 12-1 at the Lodge in Ptree Pres.