Today’s reading is Romans 3
“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:21-25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/rom.3.21-25.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul’s says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”. Wow! Jesus knows we fall short, but because of His grace, He redeems us. We don’t have to redeem ourselves. We do need to surrender through faith to Jesus though for Him to redeem us. Please pray that we and our friends are grateful this week for Christ redeeming us. Please pray for the families in Kenya to get clean water through missions this next year. You can help by texting FILTER to 91999 or visit prumc.org/cleanwater 

Todays reading is Acts 28:16-31
“But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭28:19-22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.28.19-22.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” If you have the cure for cancer, you want everyone to know it right? Paul loves his fellow Jews and wanted them to see what he saw. However, the very people he wanted to help thought that he was trying to hurt them. Is there anyone in your life that is trying to help you, but you think they are trying to hurt you? Are they challenging you to put down your idol in a part of your life? Please pray that we and our friends open our eyes to God’s gentle nudges today. Please pray for CLC National(Hal, Craig, Hank, Jay, Debi, Debra). 

Today’s reading is Acts 28:1-15
“Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭28:7-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.28.7-10.esv
All,
This stands out because Luke says, “the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured”. I love how God has a purpose in everything. Do you think these people were thankful that Paul’s ship wrecked? Or that he was on the boat to Rome because his own people wanted to kill him? God turns all things to His purpose. We never know if our trial is someone else’s blessing. If we keep a eternal perspective, it’s easier to see that perspective. Please pray that we and our friends “be joyful always”(1 Thes 5:16) all day today. Please pray that you can be a blessing to someone today. 
Please consider CLC-Atlanta as you pray over your end of the year donations. 
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Today’s reading is Acts 27:26-44
“And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭27:30-32‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.27.30-32.esv
All,
This stands out because Luke says, “Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.” How does Paul, as a prisoner, have this much influence over the centurion and the soldiers? The sailors were the experienced people in this situation. Why didn’t the centurion and the soldiers follow the sailors lead? Do we ever sense that we should speak up when we see the leaders leading people to a bad ending? How do we know when to speak up and when to follow along? Jesus says we must abide in Him. Without abiding in Him, we have no idea what He wants us to do. Please pray that we and our friends abide in Jesus today. Please pray for Scott Lohr as he was just let go from his job. 

Today’s reading is Acts 27:1-25
“Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭27:21-25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.27.21-25.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.” Consequences brought on by our own bad decisions are tough to deal with as are consequences brought on by others that involve us. However, God has a plan and a purpose in a situations. Please pray that we and our friends “take heart” and “do not be afraid” as we seek God in all our circumstances today. Please pray for Andrew as he is building his group. 

Today’s reading is Acts 26
“And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭26:15-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.26.15-18.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God”. Has a friend ever “opened your eyes” to a reality you didn’t notice before? Has hearing the Word of God ever opened your eyes? God loves us very much and knows we can be persuaded away from Him without realizing we are being lead away. C.S. Lewis said in Screwtape letters, “Indeed the safest road to hell is the gradual one-the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” Please pray that we and our friends ask God to open our eyes today either by prayer, reading the Word or a conversation with a friend in Christ. Please pray for all the people that are spending their first Christmas without a loved one that has passed over the last year. 

Today’s reading is Acts 23:12-35
“When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭23:12-15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.23.12-15.esv
All,
This stands out because some Jews said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.” Has religion become a idol for these men? Are they really willing to sin under their law for religious purposes? Does God ever ask us to deny part of His law in order to carry out other parts of it? No. However it’s tempting to obey the parts of the law that we like and dismiss the ones that don’t fit our lifestyle. God would never ask us to do something or not do something without it being consistent with His Word. Please pray that we and our friends seek God in ALL our decisions today. Please pray for Sean Doughtie as he is building his group. 

Today’s reading is Acts 23:1-11
“And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭23:1-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.23.1-3.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” We loath Hypocrisy! It’s very easy to see in other people and pretty impossible to see within ourselves. It’s said that we judge other people by their actions, but we judge ourselves by our intentions. Would a non-Christian see you as hypocritical in any way? Would a Christian? “We may be the only Bible someone reads today”. Please pray that we and our friends live out our faith and trust in God today in integrity. Please pray for Wes and Brian as they are building their group. 

Today’s reading is Acts 22
“”When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ “”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭22:17-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.22.17-21.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.” God has a plan and a purpose in everything. Why Paul? Why is he using a former persecutor of Christians to spread the word to the gentiles? Why did Paul have to kill so many followers of the way first? We now know God’s purpose for Paul, but it took a LOT of trust then. Please pray that we and our friends keep our focus on God when the crucible feels the hottest. Please pray for the orphans who need a family of their own.

Today’s reading is Acts 21:15-40
“When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭21:17-22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.21.17-22.esv
All,
This stands out because the brothers said, “you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses”. Paul understood the law as well as any Jewish Pharisee. He also had a relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul had just spent years reasoning with Jews throughout the region explaining to them how the law foretold Jesus. There was tension between a culture and a relationship with Christ. All sides thought they were obeying God. God allows tension like when He told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. God knows we have to come to a point of total surrender to Him and trust His purpose and outcome before we can go any further. Please pray that we and our friends trust and obey God today knowing He will bring clarity when there is tension. Please pray for all the women involved in sex trafficking.