Today’s reading is Acts 3
“While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭3:11-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.3.11-13.esv
All,
This stands out because Peter says, “why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?” Peter knows the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s not something he second guesses at this point. However, it was a long walk for him and it’s a long walk for the viewers. Peter knows the power of Christ and now he wants everyone else to know the glory of God. Please pray that we and our friends acknowledge God’s glory in all that we are able to do today. Please pray for Hunter and Stephen as they are building their group. 

Today’s reading is Acts 2:14-47
“Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:37-40‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.2.37-40.esv
All,
This stands out because Peter says, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Why do you think Peter started off with “Repent”? Jesus and John the Baptist started with “Repent”. Why Repent? Jesus also says we must deny ourselves and pick up our cross before we can follow Him. Repentance is a acknowledgement of our humanness and helplessness. If we do not desire to repent, we still hold some idol higher than God. Please pray that we lay ourselves before God and surrender all to Him. Please pray for our group tonight as we have our overnight. 

Today’s reading is Acts 2:1-13
“Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:5-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.2.5-8.esv
All,
This stands out because the people say, “And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?” Jesus said many times, “for those who have ears to hear, let them hear”. I love this example of how people that are lead by the Holy Spirit can come together as one in a moment. They can hear what God wants them to hear. Please pray that we and our friends seek God first and follow His nudges today. Please pray for Scott and John as they are building their group. 

Today’s reading is Acts 1
“He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:3-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/act.1.3-5.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” The Holy Spirit enabled Peter to go from denying Christ to proclaiming Christ in the streets days later. Do we realize the power the Holy Spirit has in our lives? He enables us to be about God’s purpose. Please pray that we and our friends rely on the Holy Spirit today. Please pray for Wes and Brian as they are building their group. 

Today’s reading is John 21
“Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!””

‭‭John‬ ‭21:20-22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/jhn.21.20-22.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” Do you compare yourself to other people? Jesus asks Peter what John has to do with him and then said “follow me”. Ken Boa says that comparison is the enemy of contentment. Please pray that we and our friends are concerned with following Jesus instead of comparing ourselves to other people. Please pray for Hunter and Stephen as they are building their group. 

Today’s reading is John 19:1-22
“When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid.”

‭‭John‬ ‭19:6-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/jhn.19.6-8.esv
All,
This stands out because John says, “When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid.” When people realize who Jesus really is, they understand the magnitude of their decisions. Satan wants people to be too busy to think about the implications of their decisions. Please pray that we and our friends ask if our decisions please Jesus. Please pray for Wes and Brian as they are building a group. 

Today’s reading is John 18:24-40
“So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.”

‭‭John‬ ‭18:29-32‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/jhn.18.29-32.esv
All,
This stands out because John says, “The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” Why did the Jewish leaders not deal with Jesus within their own law? The Jewish leaders manipulated the Torah so they could use it to their advantage when needed. This is the reason Jesus was always talking down to the Jewish leaders. He saw them as being leaders so people would look up to them or be in control as opposed to glorifying God and building faith in His people. Please pray that we and our friends “work unto the Lord, not men”. Please pray for Brad and Jeff’s group as they are just under way. 

Today’s reading is John 18:1-23
“The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?””

‭‭John‬ ‭18:19-23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/jhn.18.19-23.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” We are in a age of “personal truth”. If we hold the Bible as the standard for our behavior, we are likely to be labeled as hateful. I don’t think anyone thinks that Jesus is hateful, but He was persecuted. Do we expect any different? Jesus loves all His children and because of that love, He doesn’t want any of them to suffer in sin. He wants to free us from our sin, but that offends the world sometimes. Please pray that we and our friends are concerned with pleasing Jesus more than pleasing the world. Please pray for Hunter and Stephen as they are building their group. 

Today’s reading is John 17
“”I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭17:20-23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/jhn.17.20-23.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one”. Is it possible for followers of Jesus to be “perfectly one”? “Perfectly one” implies being Jesus centered as opposed to self-centered or worldly-centered. How difficult is it to be perfectly one if we don’t spend time with Jesus or read the Bible? Will good intentions make us perfectly one? How about church attendance? Time with Jesus and the Bible are imperative if we want to be perfectly one. Please pray that we and our friends prioritize this day around Jesus. Please pray for John and Brack as they are building their group. 

Today’s reading is John 16:16-33
“Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

‭‭John‬ ‭16:31-33‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/jhn.16.31-33.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.” We are meant to abide in Christ. Worldly things can give us temporary happiness, but only God can give us peace. Please pray that we and our friends abide in Christ all day today and enjoy the peace that comes. Please pray for Wes and Brian as they are building their group.