Today’s reading is Acts 10:24-48
“And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:39-43‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.10.39-43.esv
All,
This stands out because Peter says, “God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses.” “Not to all people”. I never picked up on that before that Jesus wasn’t seen by all people. You would think Jesus would go to the Pharisees and to Pilot and show Himself to them. However, He chose to embody the disciples with the Holy Spirit to witness to the people. Is it God’s plan for some people to know Him because a friend testified about their relationship with Jesus? Could that friend be you? Please pray that we and our friends follow God’s nudges today. Please pray for the Cobb County breakfast this morning at 7:15. 

Today’s reading is Acts 10:1-23
“At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:1-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.10.1-8.esv
All,
This stands out because Luke says, “Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God”. How did a Italian military leader know about God? So much so that his whole family believed and he gave alms. He sought God and God sent a angel. C.S. Lewis said we all have a God shaped hole in us that only God can fill. We know God, but are we looking to Him to fill that hole or other worldly things? Please pray that we and our friends PURSUE God today. Please pray for the Cobb County breakfast gathering tomorrow for Cobb guys who want to introduce their friends to CLC. 

“Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.”‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:32-35‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.9.32-35.esv
All,
This stands out because Peter says, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” I can’t imagine healing someone like Peter did. I’m pretty sure Pride would get to me quickly and I would think I am more special than most in the Kingdom of God. However, Peter had already dealt with pride after denying Christ. Here Peter confidently obeys God by making an accountable statement and making Christ at the center of it. He doesn’t say he heals him, but Jesus Christ. Please pray that we and our friends trust And obey God today And glorify Jesus while doing it. Please pray for the Cobb county breakfast gathering this Friday at Marietta Diner. 

Today’s reading is Acts 9:1-22
“But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:13-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.9.13-17.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” Paul was a chosen instrument. Why would Jesus chose Paul and not one of His disciples or Stephen? Jesus chose the very man that was persecuting Christians. Do you ever feel like you are unworthy to be a part of God’s plan? Do you think you can’t be used because you don’t have certain talents? We don’t know why Jesus chose Paul, but if He can use Paul for His purpose, He can use anyone. Please pray that we and our friends trust God’s plan for our lives today. Please pray for the Cobb county breakfast gathering this Friday at Marietta Diner at 7:15. 

Today’s reading is Acts 8:26-40. 
“And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭8:27-32‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.8.27-32.esv
All,
This stands out because the court official says, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” Philip is being led by the Holy Spirit to do the purpose of God. Here a court official is reading Isaiah 53, but he needs help understanding what he is reading. Does someone in your life desire to know more about Christ? Are you available to them? Do you have a relationship where they feel comfortable asking for your help? Please pray that we and our friends see the opportunities today that God wants us to see. Please pray for the Cobb county breakfast gathering this Friday at Marietta Diner at 7:15. 

Today’s reading is Acts 7:20-43. Below is what stands out from that reading. 
“At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons. “Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord: ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭7:29-32‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.7.29-32.esv
All,
This stands out because Stephen says, “Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai”. 40 years!!! Moses thought he could “lead” his people when he was 40, but it didn’t work out and now it’s 40 years later. I love how some times God has to humble His best servants so they can be true leaders that serve Him while leading. There are many times I think I have blown something forever and I let God down. I’m sure others feel the same. What if God is preparing us for a greater purpose if we let Him and obey Him. Please pray that we and our friends surrender to God today all our successes and failures and let Him guide where we go next. Please pray for the Beloved fundraiser this Saturday night. 

Today’s reading is Acts 7:1-19
“”And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. And Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, seventy-five persons in all. And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭7:9-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.7.9-16.esv
All,
This stands out because Stephen says, “on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers.” I love the story of Joseph. It reminds me how God can work any “bad” circumstance into good and all for His purpose. Sometimes we are like Joseph being sold by his loved ones, but other times, we may be the ruler. Either way, God asks us to glorify Him in all we do and trust in His plan. Please pray that we and our friends trust Him at all times today. Please pray for the Cobb County breakfast next Friday for Cobb guys to introduce their friends to CLC. 

Today’s reading is Acts 6
“And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭6:8-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.6.8-10.esv
All,
This stands out because Luke says, “But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” The Holy Spirit enabled Stephen to speak wisdom beyond dispute. The Holy Spirit also enabled Stephen to be about God’s purpose no matter the outcome. Please pray that we and our friends depend on the Holy Spirit to guide our words today. Please pray for our country today as many people are happy, but many others are fearful. 

Today’s reading is Acts 5:17-42
“When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice,”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭5:33-39‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.5.33-39.esv
All,
This stands out because Gamaliel says, “if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them”. Do we have the same conviction today? If God has called you to a purpose, it will not fail. However, if we are about our own undertaking, it will fail eventually. Are you leaning on your own power today or the power of the Holy Spirit? Is God wringing His hands in anticipation of the outcome of the election today? He has a purpose and His purpose will be done. Please pray that we and our friends spend our energies about God’s purpose. Please pray for the Cobb Breakfast on November 18th. 

Today’s reading is Acts 5:1-16
“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭5:1-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.5.1-5.esv
All,
This stands out because Peter says, “Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” The Bible is full of examples of people caring more about how things look than what’s in the heart and it never ends well. Our world is consumed with how things look and it’s tempting everyday to fall into the traps. However, God knows our hearts. Please pray that we and our friends “Ask the Holy Spirit to search our heart and reveal any area of unconfessed sins”(Ken Boa). Please pray for Sean Doughtie as he is building his group.