"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." - Ephesians 6:18

Dr. Ray Pritchard is the president of Keep Believing Ministries, an Internet-based ministry serving Christians in 225 countries. In his article “When You Pray, Never Give Up,” Dr. Pritchard wrote:

“Once when I pastored a church in Garland, Texas, we decided to have an all-night prayer meeting. Josh couldn’t have been more than six or seven years old at the time. At about 10:30 PM I was speaking to the group just before a time of prayer when Josh came into the room, walked to me, asked me a question, and then walked off. After I finished my remarks a man came up to me and said, “Did you realize what just happened?” I had no idea what he was talking about. “While you were speaking, Josh came up to talk to you. You stopped, turned to him, answered his question, and then you continued your talk as if nothing had happened.” I didn’t even remember it.

Because he is my son, Josh knew he could talk to me whenever he wanted.

Because I am his father, I will listen whenever he wants to talk to me.

I think that explains why Jesus used this unusual illustration. If persistence wins over an unjust man, think what it does with my Father in heaven who cares for me.

Persistence works on earth.

It works even more in heaven.”

The Lord desires to hear our prayers at anytime, in anyplace. Today in prayer, remember to seek Jesus in all things and to pray.

"We must remember God more often than we draw breath." - Gregory of Nazianzus

God's Word: "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." - Luke 18:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place” – Ephesians 6:14

Between November 28 and December 1, 2016, a survey involving 3,015 U.S. adults was conducted on fake news.  The survey was carried out by showing respondents a random selection of six election-related headlines (three true and three false) and were asked if they recalled the story in question.

The poll revealed the following:

·       Nearly 33 percent recalled seeing at least one of the fake news headlines, while 57 percent said they had seen at least one of the real news headlines.

·       Of those who saw a fake headline, 75 percent said they thought those headlines were "somewhat" or "very" accurate.

·       Of those who saw a real news headline, 83 percent said they were "somewhat" or "very" accurate.

Dartmouth Prof. Brendan Nyhan, who does research on political misinformation, said: "it's especially striking that both Democrats and Republicans think the stories are accurate in many cases.

Even partisan motivated reasoning, which we might expect to make people question fake news that is harmful to their candidate, does not appear to protect people from believing in it."

Stand firm in the Truth in all that you do. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that when we stand in the Truth that we are at peace with Him.

“We are either in the process of resisting God's truth or in the process of being shaped and molded by his truth.” - Charles Stanley

God’s Word: “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” – Psalm 25:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." - Ephesians 6:10

Jane Austen is the well-known author of “Sense and Sensibility” and “Pride and Prejudice.” Contrary to the surface understanding of her novels as being in the romance genre and only enjoyable by women, they are actually thought-provoking, honest, and often witty depictions of everyday life in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. 

Austen critiques the failings and blindsides of the Church, class, gender roles, and society in general, while still maintaining a reverence for the true and beautiful.

In her personal life, Austen was the daughter of a rector, and her two brothers were also clergymen. Through her letters, her faith played a central role in her life.

She is credited as writing, "Incline us oh God! to think humbly of ourselves, to be severe only in the examination of our own conduct, to consider our fellow-creatures with kindness, and to judge of all they say and do with that charity which we would desire from them ourselves.”

In all that we do, we need to be strong faith in the Lord. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for His love toward you and look to Him to strengthen your faith.

"The way to grow strong in Christ is to become weak in yourself." - C.S. Lewis

God's Word: "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." - 1 Corinthians 16:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men" - Ephesians 6:7

Arthur Tappan Pierson was an American Presbyterian pastor, Christian leader, missionary, and writer who preached over 13,000 sermons, and wrote over fifty books.

In his book “The Truth,” Pastor Pierson wrote the following on service:

“The supreme test of service is this: 'For whom am I doing this?' Much that we call service to Christ is not such at all....If we are doing this for Christ, we shall not care for human reward or even recognition. Our work must again be tested by three propositions: Is it work from God, as given us to do from Him; for God, as finding in Him its secret of power; and with God, as only a part of His work in which we engage as co-workers with Him."

We are to wholeheartedly serve the Lord. Today in prayer, thank Christ that He has called you to serve Him and serve Him with all of your heart.

"Do not be ashamed to serve others for the love of Jesus Christ and to seem poor in this world." - Thomas a Kempis

God's Word: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" - Colossians 3:23

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." - Ephesians 6:4

Gina L. Smith is the author of “Grace Gifts – Practical Ways to Help Your Children Understand God’s Grace.”

She gives the following summary on how to raise children in the Lord:

“No parenting program can guarantee our children’s godliness.  Our children’s greatest need is to hear and receive the gospel, and nothing we “do” can make them God-followers.  But as we faithfully obey the Lord’s calling, He will use us in the lives of our children. We will honor Him, guide our children to the one true God, and ultimately create a place where they can grow in their relationship with Him. You can be faithful to point them in the right direction and be a living example of God’s grace!”

Parents, love your children and bring them up to know the Lord by following Jesus in all that you do. Today in prayer, praise Christ for all of the fathers who are teaching their children to love and follow Jesus.

"What a father says to his children is not heard by the world, but it will be heard by posterity." - Jean Paul Richter

God's Word: "Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged." - Colossians 3:21

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" - Ephesians 5:25

Jonathan Edwards was a preacher and theologian who was one of the sparks of the “Great Awakening” spiritual revival in America. 

On July 28, 1727, Jonathan Edwards and Sarah Pierrepont were married. She was the match Jonathan needed. She was the love of his life and she loved him with all of her heart. A biographer of the time wrote that she built a home “of order and neatness, of peace and comfort, of harmony and love.”

When Jonathan Edwards died at age 55, Sarah wrote a letter to their daughter. She said, “Oh my very dear child, what shall I say? A holy and good God has covered us with a dark cloud. Oh, that we may all kiss the rod and lay our hands on our mouths for the Lord has done it and God has made me adore His goodness, that we had your father so long. But my God lives and He has my heart. Oh what a legacy my husband and your father have left for us.”

Biographer George Marsden noted "the Edwards family produced scores of clergymen, thirteen presidents of higher learning, sixty-five professors, and many other persons of notable achievements.”

Husbands love your wives as Christ loves you. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for your spouse. Then tell your spouse how much you love her or him.

"A man and a woman should choose each other for life for the simple reason that a long life is barely enough time for a man and woman to understand each other-and to understand is to love." - George Truett

God's Word: "In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself." - Ephesians 5:28

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." - Ephesians 5:21

Pastor Stephen P. Beck wrote the following:

“Driving down a country road, I came to a very narrow bridge. In front of the bridge, a sign was posted: "YIELD." Seeing no oncoming cars, I continued across the bridge and to my destination. On my way back, I came to the same one-lane bridge, now from the other direction. To my surprise, I saw another YIELD sign posted. Curious, I thought, "I'm sure there was one posted on the other side." When I reached the other side of the bridge I looked back. Sure enough, yield signs had been placed at both ends of the bridge. Drivers from both directions were requested to give right of way. It was a reasonable and gracious way of preventing a head-on collision. When the Bible commands Christians to "be subject to one another" (Ephesians 5:21) it is simply a reasonable and gracious command to let the other have the right of way and avoid interpersonal head-on collisions.”

Submitting to one another is a sign of maturity in Christ. Today in prayer, consider how can you submit to someone out of reverence for Christ. 

"A Christian.is the most free lord of all and subject to no one; a Christian.is the most dutiful servant to all and subject to everyone." – Martin Luther

God's Word: "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." - Galatians 5:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16

In his book “The Book of Gratitudes: An Encounter between Life and Faith,” Pastor Pablo Andinach tells the following: “A man was travelling through the desert.  He was hungry, thirsty and tired when he found a tree that provided abundant shade, delicious fruit, and a spring ran under it.

The man ate of the fruit, drank of the water and rested in the shade.

When he was ready to resume his journey he turned toward the tree and said:

“Tree, how shall I bless you? Shall I bless you with sweet fruit? Your fruit is already sweet. Shall I bless you with abundant shade? Your shade is already abundant. Shall I ask for a spring to run under you?  A spring is already running under you. There is one thing with which I can bless you: May it be God’s will for all the trees that come from your seed to be like you.”

Godly wisdom starts with God and His Word. Today in prayer, thank Jesus that we can obtain wisdom as we look to Him and to the Bible to guide us in all situations.

"The truly wise are those whose souls are in Christ." - Ambrose of Milan

God's Word: "Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: 'He catches the wise in their craftiness'" - 1 Corinthians 3:18-19

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." - Ephesians 5:11

In 1993, Sherron Watkins joined the Enron Corporation as a financial auditor. Enron was an American energy, commodities, and services company based in Houston, Texas and recognized as one of the world’s most innovative companies.

In August 2001, she was able to ascertain that Enron's reported financial condition was sustained by institutionalized, systematic, and creatively planned accounting fraud. Many of Enron's recorded assets and profits were inflated or even wholly fraudulent and nonexistent.

She warned Enron's then-CEO Kenneth Lay about the fraud, but he did not take any action.

The company filed for bankruptcy a few months later. At the beginning of 2002, Sherron testified before committees of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, primarily about her warnings to Lay about accounting irregularities, lies and fraud in the financial statements.

We must expose sin any time we discover it. Today in prayer, ask Jesus to show you where sin may be in your own life, confess it and turn away from it, and have the courage to walk in the light of our Savior.

"Sin is not a monster to be mused on, but rather an impotence to be got rid of." - Martin Luther

God's Word: "The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." - Romans 13:12

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32

Dr. Leo Buscaglia was a best-selling author and motivational speaker. He was also known as "Dr. Love" and was a professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Southern California.  

Dr. Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a 4-year-old child whose next-door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who recently had lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry.”

We need to show the heart of Jesus and to be compassionate to others. Today in prayer, thank Christ for His compassion toward you and seek to show His love to others.

“Let all find compassion in you.” – John of the Cross

God's Word: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." - Colossians 3:12

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

""In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry" - Ephesians 4:26

On September 17, 2018, 32-year-old Natasha Ciara Joyner was angry with her ex-boyfriend. She was so furious she started a fire in the three-story apartment complex in Maryland. It took firefighters two hours to get a handle on the three-alarm blaze. No residents or firefighters were injured, but it displaced 132 of the complex’s residents and caused $2.2 million in damages. The American Red Cross administered water, bedding, and toiletries to residents who needed them.

Joyner was arrested and charged with arson, malicious burning, malicious destruction of property, and reckless endangerment for allegedly starting the fire. Additional charges are to be determined. Joyner admitted in a written statement that she lit bed sheets with a lighter because she was upset with her then-boyfriend, according to police charging documents. Her father said “She was a model kid,” and could not understand what had led to her anger.

We can only control our anger when we give our hurt and anger to Jesus. Today in prayer, confess any sin of anger to the Lord and receive His peace.

"It is he who is in the wrong who first gets angry." – William Penn

God's Word: "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." - James 1:19-20

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." - Ephesians 4:11-13

In 1893, Dr. Robert Wiedersheim published a list of 86 human organs that had, in his words, "lost their original physiological significance". Theorizing that they were vestiges of evolution, he called them "vestigial". Since his time, the function of some of these structures has been discovered, while other anatomical vestiges have been unearthed, making the list primarily of interest as a record of the knowledge of human anatomy at the time. Later versions of Wiedersheim's list were expanded to as many as 180 human "vestigial organs". This is why the zoologist Dr. Horatio Newman stated as an expert witness in the Scopes Monkey Trial that "There are, according to Wiedersheim, no less than 180 vestigial structures in the human body, sufficient to make of a man a veritable walking museum of antiquities."

Today we understand better. That list has shrunk to almost zero. Even the mysterious appendix is now known to help produce antibodies and prevent bacteria in the colon reaching the blood stream. No human body part is useless. The same goes for the church, all members are important.

The church is the body of Christ and every believer needs to belong to a local church. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for your church. If you do not belong to a church, ask Jesus for wisdom to bring you to a church where you can grow in Him.

"In spite of all its flaws and shortcomings, I still believe that the church is filled, for the most part, with decent and caring people who will be there when you need them." – Tony Campolo

God's Word: "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues." - 1 Corinthians 12:27-28

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." - Ephesians 4:2

Jamie Nieto is a two time Olympic high jumper. On April 23, 2016, Jamie was coaching high jumpers at Azusa Pacific University. To show his pupils he still had spring in his step at age 39, he attempted a backflip, but caught his foot on liftoff and landed on his head.

"We were doing backflips, he said “And my foot slipped and I basically went from my feet to my head and the disk in my neck slipped and bruised my spinal cord, and that left me paralyzed from my chest down. I couldn't move."

He recalled lying on the ground, gasping for breath. As Jamie waited for an ambulance, he asked another athlete to pray for him. That athlete also went to grab a Bible from his car and placed a hand on it as he shouted prayers to the Lord.

After surgery, Jamie “a powerful and successful athlete” faced an uphill recovery battle. Keeping positive and forging on wasn't easy, especially as he experienced paralysis. Jamie said he had to rely on "a lot of faith, a lot of prayer, a lot of hard work" to make it through.

Today, more than two years after his devastating injury, he walks with forearm crutches and is able to move every part of his body. The recovery process is ongoing, but Jamie is positive about his stunning improvements.

"Never give up, never lose that faith," he said. "You need to pray and God will see you through some of the most toughest and hardest times in your life."

Jamie still struggles with impatience. He wants to jump up and run now.

"I want to be better yesterday," he said. "I've just got to be patient, stay faithful, keep praying."

We are called to develop patience. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His patience towards you and seek to be humble and patient in all that you do.

"True patience grows with the growth of love. – Gregory the Great

God's Word: "Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near." - James 5:7-8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" - Ephesians 3:20

David M. Howard relates the following: “He arrived at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, during my junior year, 1947-48. A German who had spent time as a prisoner of war, he was now working as a janitor, sweeping the halls and cleaning the restrooms of Blanchard Hall.

Many of my fellow students had served in World War II; some had even been prisoners of war themselves. We heard that this man had served in the German military forces, but we knew nothing else about him. Had he been a Nazi himself? Or was he one of those young men who were obligated to serve their country regardless of political opinions? We did not know. And since he spoke almost no English, we could not communicate well with him.

The janitor had a pleasant smile, and we enjoyed greeting him in the hallways as he carried out his duties. As far as we knew, he was not a Christian, so Jim Elliot (who would later be martyred, along with four other missionaries in Ecuador) got the vision to start praying for him. Jim rounded up several more of us and challenged us to pray that this young man would give his heart to Christ. We would get together from time to time and pray especially for this German, who remained a mystery to us.

After a time, he left Wheaton and we lost track of him. We only hoped that somehow the Lord would be working in his heart to bring him to salvation. After a while he faded from our thoughts and memories.”

In 1978, David was invited by the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization to help organize and direct a consultation on world evangelization. The leadership committee met in Hamilton, Bermuda.

One afternoon David was standing at the waterfront of Hamilton with another committee member as they looked at some of the ships tied up in port. David continues his story: “One was a large British submarine. My companion, who was from Germany, looked at the submarine and commented, ‘I served in Hitler's submarine corps.’ I was fascinated, so I asked for more details.

He said, ‘Toward the end of the war, as the Allies were sweeping across Europe and crossing the Rhine River into Germany, Hitler pulled most of us off the submarines and naval vessels, which were no longer of much use to Germany, and put us in the front lines as infantry.

I was on the front lines in Holland, where I was wounded. This was the best thing that ever happened to me, as I was abandoned by our troops in retreat and was captured by the British. They sent me to a hospital in England. The rest of my contingent retreated eastward and was captured by the Russians. Most of them were never heard from again.’

He went on to explain that he had gone from England to the United States for a period of time. He said his name was Peter Schneider, and he was the chairman of the board of directors of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Germany. He spoke perfect English, and so served as Billy Graham's interpreter whenever Mr. Graham preached in Germany.

Suddenly my mind began to spin, dredging up memories of 30 years earlier. Peter Schneider? That was the name of the janitor in Blanchard Hall for whom we had prayed!

I asked, ‘Peter, were you ever at Wheaton College in Illinois?’

‘Why yes,’ he replied. ‘I worked there as a janitor, sweeping the halls and cleaning the restrooms in the main administration building.’

My heart leapt with joy. I burst out, ‘Peter, were you a Christian at that time?’

‘No,’ he said. ‘I became a Christian later, at a YMCA camp in Wisconsin. When I was at Wheaton I knew almost nothing of the Gospel.’

My excitement continued: ‘Peter, you would have no way of knowing this, but I must tell you what happened during your time at Wheaton. Jim Elliot got a vision to pray for your salvation. He organized several other students, including me, to pray that you would come to know the Lord. We could not witness to you, because we spoke no German and you apparently had learned almost no English yet. But we prayed faithfully for you in those days. We used to greet you in the hallways, and you always responded with a pleasant smile and a nod.’

My exhilaration knew no bounds. Here I was, standing at the waterfront in Bermuda with a key evangelical leader from Germany who was committed to proclaiming the Gospel to the world—and for whose salvation I had prayed!

As my mind harked back to 30 years earlier and the prayer meetings we used to have asking God for the salvation of Peter Schneider, I could only bow in humble thankfulness for the way God had so abundantly answered those prayers. We never could have dreamed where this young janitor and former prisoner of war would end up.”

Our Lord is a God of miracles and He provides for us in countless ways beyond what we can imagine. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He does immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

"He can give only according to His might; therefore He always gives more than we ask for." - Martin Luther

God's Word: "The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice." -Psalms 97:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory." - Ephesians 3:13

Many years ago a young Midwestern lawyer suffered such deep depression that his friends thought it wise to keep all knives and razors from him.

His problems began when he was 7 years old, his family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them. When he was 9 years old, his mother died. When he was 22 years old, a business he owned failed. When he was 23 years old, he ran for the state legislature and lost. That same year he lost his job and was unable to get into law school.

When he was 24 years old, he borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.

When he was 26 years old, he was engaged to be married, but his sweetheart died and his heart was broken.

So at 27 years old, he had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.

During this time he wrote, “I am now the most miserable man living. Whether I shall ever be better, I cannot tell. I awfully forebode I shall not.” He was wrong. He did recover and went up to become one of America’s most-loved presidents, Abraham Lincoln.

Do not become discouraged during difficult times; the Lord is with you. Today in prayer, do not let anything discourage in your faith in Jesus.

“Too often, discouragement, depression, and disappointment grabs a hold of us with what seems like a death grip. This seems to happen even more after we commit to a consistent and deeper walk with the Lord.” - Troy Dewey

God's Word: "Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." - Romans 8:17-18

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." - Ephesians 3:12

In January 1656 during a voyage by ‘t Nachtglas ("the night glass"), a Dutch ship under the command of Jan Jacobszoon, sighted an island halfway between South America and Africa. Captain Jacobszoon originally named it "Nachtglas" island.

Soon the island became known as "Inaccessible" island, because of the sheer cliffs at its beaches, numerous crews were unable to access the interior of the island.

Only two men have ever lived on the island. The Stoltenhoff brothers, who arrived on Inaccessible from Germany in 1871, stayed there for two years intending to sell wares to traders. The one thing they did not take into account is how infrequent ships passed by the island. They almost died due to the scarcity of food, until a British research ship rescued them in 1873.

Today, no one lives on the island, and it remains just as inaccessible as it always has been.

The Lord is not far away, in a remote, inaccessible land. He is omnipresent and approachable, desiring all to come into a relationship with Him. Today in prayer, give thanks Jesus that He we can approach Him in confidence knowing that He hears our prayers.

"On the ground of our own goodness we cannot expect to have our prayers answered. But Jesus is worthy, and for His sake we may have our prayers answered. But if we trust in Christ, if we hide in Him, if we put Him forward and ourselves in the background, depend on Him and plead His name, we may expect to have our prayers answered." - George Muller

God's Word: "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." - Hebrews 4:16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." - Ephesians 2:19-20

The island nation of Malta lies in the Mediterranean Sea, just south of Italy. It is one of the world's smallest countries with only 122 square miles. It is also one of the most densely populated countries with a population of about 475,000. It was on Malta that the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked (Acts 28:1).

Once a British colony, today Malta is an independent republic.

As a member of the European Union, Malta is trying to attract rich investors. One way they are doing this is by selling citizenship. It costs $1.57 million for one person to become a citizen. In 2013, Malta originally announced it would sell citizenship for $865,000, but they raised the price after citizen opposition protests. The outrage also led to other requirements and limitations: Future Malta citizens now need to reside on the island, and the program is capped at 1,800 passports.

As Christians, we are citizens in God’s family. He paid the price for our citizenship and there is no cap on how many people He accepts. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He has adopted you into His family and given you a new home in Heaven.

"Socrates, being asked what countryman he was, answered 'I am a citizen of the whole world.' But ask a Christian what countryman he is, and he will answer, 'A citizen of heaven.'" - William Secker

God's Word: "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" - Philippians 3:20

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility" - Ephesians 2:14

Pastor Arthur Blessit has carried a large wooden cross through every country in the world. In an article entitled “Blessed are the Peacemakers,” he wrote:

“After having walked with the cross through twenty wars in the world in places as divergent as Nicaragua and Chad from Northern Ireland to Beirut and so on and having been in jail twenty times, been beaten, stoned, been before a firing squad to be shot. Had the cross stolen, broken and spit upon. I’ve seen tribes fighting with spears in Papua, New Guinea and planes dive-bombing in Lebanon and having eaten, slept and walked among army troops and guerrilla fighters all over the world. I have some observations that I feel are relevant to the root of the conflicts of our time.”

Arthur summarizes his observations saying:

“At the cross the worst of man met the best of God. For at the cross all people can gather together, injustices can be laid aside. Hatred and prejudices can be cleansed and we can become new, for the cross not only was a place of death but through the resurrection of Christ has become the place of hope. As Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Yet peace must begin with a person becoming right with God, then one can find peace with their family or husband or wife or children and their neighbors, then their community and world. Dear friend, if you don’t have peace in your own heart, how can you have peace in the world?”

Only Jesus can reconcile us to our Heavenly Father and bring peace. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord that He is our peace.

“Christ alone can bring lasting peace - peace with God - peace among men and nations - and peace within our hearts.” - Billy Graham

God's Word: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - John 14:27

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

In his book “No Wonder They Call Him The Savior,” Max Lucado gives the following example of grace:

“Longing to leave her poor Brazilian neighborhood, Christina wanted to see the world. Discontent with a home having only a pallet on the floor, a washbasin, and a wood-burning stove, she dreamed of a better life in the city. One morning she slipped away, breaking her mother's heart. Knowing what life on the streets would be like for her young, attractive daughter, Maria hurriedly packed to go find her. On her way to the bus stop she entered a drugstore to get one last thing. Pictures. She sat in the photograph booth, closed the curtain, and spent all she could on pictures of herself. With her purse full of small black-and-white photos, she boarded the next bus to Rio de Janiero. Maria knew Christina had no way of earning money. She also knew that her daughter was too stubborn to give up. When pride meets hunger, a human will do things that were before unthinkable. Knowing this, Maria began her search. Bars, hotels, nightclubs, any place with the reputation for streetwalkers or prostitutes. She went to them all. And at each place she left her picture--taped on a bathroom mirror, tacked to a hotel bulletin board, fastened to a corner phone booth. And on the back of each photo she wrote a note. It wasn't too long before both the money and the pictures ran out, and Maria had to go home. The weary mother wept as the bus began its long journey back to her small village. 

It was a few weeks later that young Christina descended the hotel stairs. Her young face was tired. Her brown eyes no longer danced with youth but spoke of pain and fear. Her laughter was broken. Her dream had become a nightmare. A thousand times over she had longed to trade these countless beds for her secure pallet. Yet the little village was, in too many ways, too far away. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, her eyes noticed a familiar face. She looked again, and there on the lobby mirror was a small picture of her mother. Christina's eyes burned and her throat tightened as she walked across the room and removed the small photo. Written on the back was this compelling invitation. ‘Whatever you have done, whatever you have become, it doesn't matter. Please come home.’ She did.”

Our God loves us and it is by His abundant grace we are saved. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for His grace.

"Saving grace makes a man as willing to leave his lusts as a slave is willing to leave his galley, or a prisoner his dungeon, or a thief his bolts, or a beggar his rags." - Thomas Brooks

God's Word: "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved." - Ephesians 2:4-5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." - Ephesians 1:22-23

In “The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ,” Dr. Norman Geisler wrote the following:

“Unique in the Resurrection. The crowning miracle of Jesus’ earthly mission was the resurrection. It was not only predicted in the Old Testament (Psalms 2, 16), but Jesus himself predicted it from the very beginning of his ministry: He said, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’ ... But the temple he had spoken of was his body' (John 2:19, 21; Matthew 12:40-42; 17:9). Jesus demonstrated the reality of his resurrection in twelve appearances over forty days to more than 500 people.

Unique in the Ascension. Just like his entrance into this world, Jesus’ departure was also miraculous. After commissioning his disciples, 'he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them' (Acts 1:10). Contrary to the view of some, this was not a 'parable' but a literal bodily ascension into heaven from which he will return in the same literal body to reign in this world (Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7, 19-20). The great Christian creeds clearly emphasize the miraculous bodily ascension of Christ.”

Jesus stands alone; no one is like Him. Today in prayer, give thanks to Christ that He is Lord of all.

"If ever man was God or God man, Jesus Christ was both." - Lord Byron

God's Word: "And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him" - Colossians 1:18-19

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." - Ephesians 1:15

Christian author Roberta Messner of Huntington, West Virginia had been prescribed Oxycontin for 28 years for a genetic condition that causes invasive, noncancerous tumors. When her physician prescribed another medication, Roberta suffered withdrawal. “I shook with chills. My skin felt as if insects were crawling all over it. I couldn’t keep anything down. Worst of all, my mind buzzed with bad voices. They taunted me endlessly,” she said. A piece of advice someone had told her came to mind: “It’s the friends you can call at 4 a.m. who really matter.”

Roberta decided to stay at a friend’s guest bedroom until her withdrawal had subsided and she felt great again.

Roberta wrote: “After 10 days at Sue’s, I was well enough to return home. As I rejoined the living, I finally listened to my voice mails, read my e-mail and col­lected the big stack of colorful en­velopes and packages from my mailbox. I hadn’t told a single soul, out­side my inner circle, what I was going through. And yet dozens—many dozens—of people had prayed for me anyway.

‘I sensed you’re in crisis, Rober­ta,’ one friend wrote. ‘I’m praying for swift healing.’

‘I felt moved to pray for new pain relief for you,’ another e-mailed.

‘It’s the friends you can call at 4 a.m....’ the advice went.

I had called. The greatest friend of all—and his network of followers—had answered.”

Prayer makes a difference because our Heavenly Father answers prayer. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for the privilege of prayer and pray for the needs of others.

“Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons; but they are helpless against our prayers.” – J. Sidlow Baxter

God's Word: "After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." - Job 42:10

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace" - Ephesians 1:7

In 2001, Didier, was an 11 year-old boy living in Medellin, Columbia. He witnessed the murder of his mother. She was a street vendor and she was killed with 38 bullets. Dider was next to his mom when he saw her drop dead. 

As a reaction to his mom's killing, Didier went down a self-destructive path and embraced a life of drugs, alcohol, and crime for four years. “In drugs and alcohol I looked for the love that was taken away from me with the assassination of my mother,” he said.

In those years, Didier was also thinking about retaliation and vengeance. Planning his vengeance, Didier started collecting guns and even two grenades in his room. At night he would cry and think of how he would kill his mother’s assassin, but he never found the courage to do so.

The opportunity for change arrived when a friend, belonging to a Christian church, approached Didier. He was skeptical and dismissive at first but eventually accepted the words and the invitation of his friend. As he was realizing that the hatred he was harboring in his heart was consuming his soul and was killing him, he found the strength and the courage to forgive the man who killed his mom.

For the past few years, Didier has been helping other youth who are facing trouble and problems. “If I was able to change and to forgive, then others can do so as well,” Didier said.

God has forgiveness us for the death of His Son to all who place their faith in Him. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His forgiveness of your sins and seek to forgive others for the wrongs they have done to you.

"The man who is truly forgiven and knows it, is a man who forgives." – Martyn Lloyd-Jones

God's Word: "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you." - Matthew 6:14

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS

"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will" - Ephesians 1:4-5

In 1864, George Washington Carver was born into slavery in Diamond, Missouri.  His master, Moses Carver, was a German-American immigrant who had purchased George's parents, Mary and Giles.

When George was only a week old, night raiders from Arkansas kidnapped him, a sister, and his mother.  Moses could only locate the infant George. Moses negotiated with the raiders to gain the boy's return. A year later, after slavery was abolished, Moses Carver and his wife Susan adopted George and his older brother James and raised them as their own children. They encouraged George to continue his intellectual pursuits, and "Aunt Susan" taught him the basics of reading and writing.

George became a Christian when he was 10 years old. He would go on to be an inventor, chemist and botanist. He established Tuskegee Institute and developed techniques to improve soils depleted by repeated plantings of cotton.

He went from an orphaned slave to one of America’s greatest inventors because a loving couple opened their hearts to him.

In a similar way, God has opened His heart to adopt us into His family. Today in prayer, praise your Heavenly Father for His love and making you a son or daughter through Jesus Christ.

"The moment we were born again, we were placed in an adoptive state as heirs, as sons of God." - Jon Courson

God's Word: "Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." - Romans 8:23

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN EPHESIANS