Today’s reading is John 1:1-28
“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:9-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/jhn.1.9-13.esv
All,
This stands out because John says, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” Not the “will of the flesh or the will of man, but of God”. So we can’t live this Christian life by our own will? I can’t. It’s only by the power of the Holy Spirit that God gives us. God empowers us because He loves us. However, we can chose to worship something else. He “gives light to everyone”, but doesn’t force us to worship Him. Please pray that we and our friends chose to worship God and receive the power that enables us to trust Him. Please pray for Darren Short as he is building his group. 

Today’s reading is Luke 24:36-53
“Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:44-45‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.24.44-45.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” It’s amazing how Jesus is all throughout the Old Testament. The Bible is so cohesively written to point to Jesus. Do you have the opportunity to read the whole Bible with a disciple of Jesus? God’s purpose has to involve knowing His Word. Please pray that we and our friends seek ways to read and understand the whole Bible this year. Please pray for Debbie, Makenna and Kole. 

Today’s reading is Luke 24:1-35
“and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:9-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.24.9-12.esv
All,
This stands out because Luke says, “But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.” I’m surprised that Peter was with the apostles. He had denied Christ publicly and seen his leader for three years crucified by the government he hoped to take over. Did Peter have a reason to play the victim? Do we ever get down because we didn’t do something we should have done or things didn’t work out as we thought they should? At those moments, do we listen to our feelings or to the promises of God? When we know who we are in Christ, even these events will not derail our hope. Please pray that we and our friends seek and know the promises of God. Please pray for Stewart Bruce as he is recovering from major surgery. 

Today’s reading is Luke 23:39-56
“Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:50-52‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.23.50-52.esv
All,
This stands out because Luke says, “he was looking for the kingdom of God.” There are so many important characters in the Bible whose name we do not know, but Joseph of Arimathea is not one of those people. He is identified. Is it because he gave a tomb for Jesus? He was a member of the council? He was good and righteous? He could have felt guilty for not changing the mind of the council? He could have given up after Jesus died. However, he was looking for the Kingdom of God and obeyed the nudge God gave him. We don’t know where we fit into God’s purpose today. Please pray that we and our friends seek His kingdom and follow His nudges today. Please pray for Lynn Schuessler as she is still recovering from her stroke. 

Today’s reading is Luke 23:27-38
“And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:35-37‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.23.35-37.esv
All,
This stands out because the rulers said, “He saved others; let him save himself”. We know it was God’s purpose for Jesus to die on the cross. The rulers didn’t know God’s purpose so it appeared to them as if Christ wasn’t in control. Are we willing to be a part of God’s purpose even if we are mocked by the “rulers” of the day? Does God have a great plan and purpose for all of us? Jeremiah 29:11? I know I often chose the comfortable way instead to my own detriment. Please pray that we and our friends seek God’s purpose for today and follow the nudges He gives us. Please pray for Sean Doughtie as he is forming his group. Please pray for Michelle, Nichole, Torrie and Annie. 

Today’s reading is Luke 22:31-53
“And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:40-44‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.22.40-44.esv
All,
This stands out because Luke says, “And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.” Did Jesus need strength to get through this? Did this strength come from a angel? The writer of Hebrews says we have a “great cloud of witnesses” stirring us on. Jesus knows we will be tempted. Jesus himself was tempted. He promises to give us a way out of the temptation. What was the temptation here? Pity? Self-centeredness? Doing our will as opposed to God’s will? We will have many choices today to do our will or God’s. Please pray that we and our friends know we are strengthened at all times to do God’s will if we chose. Please pray for Debbie, Makenna and Kole. 

Today’s reading is Luke 22:1-30
“A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:24-27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.22.24-27.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.” We hear this all the time and it seems noble to say it, but who really lives it. I thought about Coach Bill Curry when I read this. He is a leader of men and has many adorning fans. However, he has chosen to serve the disadvantaged and the slighted in many ways everyday. Coach Curry serves the Lord and seeks opportunities to serve Him more. Are we serving where God wants us? We know the joy that comes when we serve. Please pray that we and our friends serve those around us with the nudges that God gives us today. Please pray for John and Brack as they are building their group. 

Today’s reading is Luke 21:20-38
“”But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21:34-36‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.21.34-36.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.” Jesus was speaking to the crowds about the end of days. However, whether it’s the end of days for everyone or the end of our days, we can chose to seek hope in the things of this world or in Christ. If we put our hope in the things of this world, we will be weighed down with those things. Whereas when we put our hope in Christ, we can hold onto to Him knowing He lasts forever. Please pray that we and our friends put our hope in Christ. Please pray for Stephen and Hunter as they are building their group. 

Today’s reading is Luke 21:1-19
“You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21:16-19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.21.16-19.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.” Wow! As I read this growing up, it seemed impossible. However, I see it playing out in subtle forms now. Our world still likes the meek Jesus that was a good teacher. However, they do not like the Jesus that is exclusively God’s son. The world wants Christians to say that all religions worship the same God, but Christians know that Jesus is the only way. As Christians, we want to the best for our loved ones and friends. Therefore we would only hurt them by saying any other god is the true God. Please pray that we and our friends pray for our loved ones to have a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ today. Please pray for Jonathan and Thomas as they are building their group. 

Today’s reading is Luke 20:27-47
“But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” For they no longer dared to ask him any question.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭20:37-40‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.20.37-40.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” We all live to God. Everyone will keep on living either with God or without God. C.S. Lewis said we have never met a mere mortal. Do we see this life as temporary as it is? Are we more concerned today about something we will not even remember next year or are we concerned about what God will say when we meet Him. The good thing is that not only will focusing on God benefit us then, it also gives us peace now. We know He has a plan. Please pray that we and our friends ask God what His purpose is for today. Please pray for Debbie, Makenna and Kole.