“Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name." – Daniel 9:18-19

Thomas Tarrants was a Ku Klux Klansman and was imprisoned for bomb-making, escaping custody, and other acts of violence.

It was during his second sentence in prison that he came to Christ. Thomas remembers: “As I read the Gospels in my prison cell, my eyes were opened in a way that went beyond simply understanding the words on the page. As the true meaning of God’s Word became clearer, so did its relevance to my life. I had been blind to spiritual reality all my life and was now beginning to see.

As this process unfolded, my sins came to mind, one after another. Conviction grew, and with it tears of repentance. I needed God’s forgiveness. And I knew it came only through trusting Jesus, who had given his life to pay for my sins. One night I knelt on the concrete floor of my cell and prayed a simple prayer, confessing my sins and asking Jesus to forgive me, take over my life, and do whatever he wanted to with it.

The next morning, I awoke with a deep hunger for Scripture and a desire to pray and to live for God. As I read the Bible daily, a whole new world opened up to me, and I couldn’t get enough! Early on, God delivered me from hate, and I began to grow in love for others. Friendships developed with black inmates and others who were very different from me.

After serving eight years in prison, an extraordinary—some would say miraculous—turn of events resulted in a parole grant to attend university. That set in motion a series of developments that, over the next 40 years, led me first into campus ministry, then pastoral ministry in a racially mixed church.

I marvel at his continuing patience in my life. Truly, with God, there is no sin too great to forgive, no bondage too hard to break, and no pit so deep that his love isn’t deeper still.”

Of all of the qualities of God, mercy is the one we need most. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is merciful.

“The only haven of safety is in the mercy of God, a manifested in Christ, in whom every part of our salvation is complete.” – John Calvin

God’s Word: “For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.” – Deuteronomy 4:31

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL †

“He said: "I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end.” – Daniel 8:19

In October 1994, after spending 11 years and $8 billion searching for ways to keep the Government running after a sustained nuclear attack on Washington, the Pentagon shelved the “Doomsday Project”. It was a plan as an antique of the cold war, military officials familiar with the program say. The Doomsday Project sought to create an unbreakable chain of command for military and civilian leaders that would withstand a six-month nuclear war, which was regarded as a plausible length for a controlled conflict. "That was the requirement: six months," said Bruce Blair, a former Strategic Air Command officer assigned to analyze nuclear war plans in the early 1980s. "And at the end, we had to have a cohesive chain of command, with control over our remaining nuclear forces, that would give us leverage over the Soviets."

With the demise of the project, Blair said: “They are realizing these requirements are throwbacks to the cold war. They are not relevant to today's world.”

Time will eventually end and an eternity with the Lord will arrive. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is coming and we will spend eternity with Him.

“The message of the entire Bible is that God has been working throughout history to redeem creation….That plan is spelled out throughout the Old and New Testaments until the Bible finally ends in the book of Revelation with a redeemed society dwelling on a new earth that has been purged of all evil, with God dwelling in the midst of his people. This is the goal of history; this is God’s great plan.” – Keith Manry

God’s Word: “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” – Habakkuk 2:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL  †

“‘I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.’ For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.” – Daniel 6:26

Pastor Joe Wittwer of Spokane Foursquare Church penned the following about the hymn “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” written by Elisha Hoffman:

“When I was a young Christian, we used to sing the hymn, ‘Leaning on the everlasting arms.’

‘What a fellowship, what a joy divine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms,

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.’

That song comes from this verse: “underneath are the everlasting arms.”

If God were temporary, here today and gone tomorrow, you’d never know if He was going to be there for you. Others come and go, but you can count on Him because He is the eternal God, and underneath you are the everlasting arms.”

Unlike earthly kingdoms and earthly kings, Jesus Christ reigns forever. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that His reign and Kingdom lasts forever.

“Forever, God is faithful Forever, God is strong Forever, God is with us Forever, forever.” – Chris Tomlin

God’s Word: “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations, and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” – Daniel 7:14

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL  †

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” – Daniel 4:37

Dr. Fred Andrea told the following story in the Eastern Hills Baptist Church Messenger:

“A big car with an out-of-town license plate stopped in front of the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia.  A man in the car got out, camera in hand, to take a picture of the church where former President Jimmy Carter is a member.  A fellow in overalls and baseball cap was mowing the church lawn. He happened to be in the way of the picture the tourist wanted so the visitor asked the man mowing the lawn to move so that he could take the picture.  Without saying a word the workman smiled and pushed his mower out of the way.

A little later the visitor was bragging about his picture at one of the gift shops in Plains.  He spoke about how pleased he was to get a picture of the church where the former President is a member.  The store owner asked if there had not been a fellow cutting the grass when he was there.  The visitor said yes, there was but he was kind enough to get out of the way for him to take the picture.  "What a shame," the storeowner exclaimed, "your picture would have been a real prize with the man and the lawnmower in it.  You see, that was President Carter cutting the grass.”

The Lord desires for us to be humble in all of our ways. Today in prayer, confess any sin of pride and seek to be humble in all that you do.

“He that is down needs fear no fall,

He that is low, no pride;

He that is humble ever shall

Have God to be his guide.” - John Bunyan

God’s Word: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL  †

“All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’” – Daniel 4:35

In his book “Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God”, author J.I. Packer wrote:

“In prayer, you ask for things and give thanks for things. Why? Because you recognize that God is the author and source of all the good that you have had already, and all the good that you hoped for in the future. This is the fundamental philosophy of Christian prayer. The prayer of a Christian is not an attempt to force God's hand, but a humble acknowledgment of helplessness and dependence. When we are on our knees, we know that it is not we who control the world; it is not in our power, therefore, to supply our needs by our own independent efforts; every good thing that we desire for ourselves and for others must be sought from God, and will come, if it comes at all, as a gift from his hands... In effect, therefore, what we do every time we pray is to confess our own impotence and God's sovereignty. The very fact that a Christian prays is thus proof positive that he believes in the Lordship of his God.”

We are not masters of our own fate. The Lord is the King of heaven and earth and He is in control. Today in prayer, praise Christ that He is Lord of all and He alone holds the future.

“No one can contemplate the great facts of astronomy without feeling his own littleness and the wonderful sweep of the power and providence of God.” – John Bradley

God’s Word: “Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.” – Psalm 115:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL †

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” – Daniel 3:16-18

Author Charles Colson relates the following: “It turned out to be one of England’s finest hours–and oddly enough, a telling illustration of the urgent need for Christian apologetics in our day.

The time was June 1940 and the place was Dunkirk. The British Expeditionary Force, sent to stem the Nazi advance into Belgium and France, had been pushed steadily back to the sea.

A pall fell over England. Hitler’s armies were poised to destroy the cornered Allied army. But as the British people waited anxiously, a three-word message was transmitted from the army at Dunkirk: “And if not.”

The British people instantly recognized what the message meant: “Even if we are not rescued from Hitler’s army, we will stand strong.” “And if not” was found in the Book of Daniel, where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego defied Nebuchadnezzar, putting their trust in God.

The message galvanized the British people. Thousands of boats set out across the Channel in a gallant bid to rescue their army. And they succeeded. Nearly 350,000 troops were saved.

The British people were so steeped in Christian understanding that they immediately grasped the meaning of a cryptic biblical allusion.”

We will all be tested in our faith, but Christ is faithful and He will be with us during our trials. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He is a loving God and pray for those who are currently facing extreme trials.

“Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering. The love of God did not protect His own Son. He will not necessarily protect us – not from anything that makes us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process.” – Elisabeth Elliot

God’s Word: “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings” – Psalm 17:8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL  †

“and said: "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.” – Daniel 2:20

Timothy Keller, in his book “Hope In Times Of Fear,” writes: “Let's do a thought experiment. Assemble some business and political consultants who have gone to all the best schools and have worked for the best companies and campaigns and whose clients have seen the most success. Bring them together and pose this question: "I have a goal. My long-term goal is to be the most influential and famous person who ever lived. Centuries from now I want to have whole civilizations built on my teachings, and I want to be at the center of the lives of hundreds of millions of people. What should I do to accomplish this?"

Assuming the world's greatest consultants took you seriously, what would they say? Would it be anything like this? "Be born in obscurity. Avoid ever getting involved in any of the powerful political or economic or academic networks. Be tragically killed in your early thirties, before you ever write a book." Of course, they would not give that counsel. But that’s how Jesus did it, and he makes foolish the wisdom of the world.

And consider how greatly he would have failed if he had followed the world's advice for becoming successful. What if he had come as a philosopher with a great intellectual system of thought? Then the only people helped by him would have been the intellectuals. What if he had led a powerful movement of moral teaching with himself as the living example? Then only the people strong, able, and accomplished enough to imitate him would have benefitted.

But across both history and the nations of the world, we have seen people from all classes and conditions finding peace and power in the gospel of Jesus. Poor people do not gather in homes to discuss Plato or Aristotle, but they do to study and talk about the message of Jesus, and their lives are changed by it. Jesus did not come and say, “I’m strong and brilliant. Now pull yourself together and you can be like me.” Jesus Christ exchanged places with you. He came to live the life you should have lived and die the death you should have died so you could be reconciled to God, forgiven, and remade.

This is why the gospel message is good for everyone and its transforming power continues to grow across the face of the earth. It's not just for the moral, the strong, the brilliant. It doesn't matter who you are or what you’ve done.”

Our Lord God, the Creator of the Universe; His power is overwhelming. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is all-powerful and ask Him to work powerfully through you this day.

“The greatest single distinguishing feature of the omnipotence of God is that our imagination gets lost thinking about it.” – Blaise Pascal

God’s Word: “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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL  †

“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.” – Daniel 1:8

On February 28, 2022, Maia Mikhaluk of Kyiv, Ukraine told what it was like on the fifth day of the war. On her Facebook post, she tells of her concern for her daughter, who is expecting.

“As Sasha starts the 39th week of pregnancy we are eagerly awaiting a miracle of new life. On the other hand, our joy is mixed, with anxious uncertainty about the possible logistics of getting Sasha to the hospital when the time comes. We try but it’s hard not to go in our minds into ‘what if’ mode.

As the night descends and darkness encroaches from all sides, the warnings of rocket strikes push us into bomb shelters again. But ‘God’s Word is a lamp to my feet.’ – Psalm 119:105. We focus on that light and it helps us not be swallowed by the darkness of fear and danger. ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.’ – John 1:5. ‘For You have been my refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy.’ – Psalm 61:3. Over the past five days, we learned what it means to trust God on a whole new level! We have experienced His presence like never before!”

No matter where life may lead, the Lord asks us to remain resolved in our faith in Him. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He died for your sins and seek to remain true to your faith in Christ.

“Resolved: that every man should live to the glory of God. Resolved second: that whether others do this or not I will.” – Martin Luther

God’s Word: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL  †

“And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.'” – Ezekiel 38:23

In the fall of 2003, Mike Wild, his wife Libby, and their three sons moved to Southeast Asia.  Mike started a survey to determine which tribal people would accept us to live with them and learn the tribal culture and language. The province had more than 250 distinct language groups, most of them never having had any missionaries among them. Mike remembers: “I surveyed three different tribes, and the Lord finally opened the doors for us to serve the people group we are still working with today.”

In 2006, they moved into the tribe with our tribal missions partners, built simple houses, and began to study the tribal language. They were the first outsiders to do a detailed study of the language and culture, and we worked very hard since we knew that we had an important message to share with them!

It took Mike about 2.5 years to master the tribal language.  Within a year, he had tribal people completing a literacy class.

Mike started the first evangelism class in 2010. Mike said: “After three months of consistent teaching, there were many tears of joy as about 60 dear tribal friends put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!”

Today, the small church walks for two weeks to reach isolated villages with the gospel.

The Lord continually shows His greatness and Holiness. Around the world, people are turning to Jesus Christ knowing that in His righteousness we can have salvation. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He is righteous and praise Him for His holiness.

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” – Edward Mote

God’s Word: “For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.” – Psalm 11:7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL †

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” – John 20:19-20

In Peggy Noonan’s book, When Character Was King, she tells about a meeting between President George W. Bush and President Vladimir Putin of Russia. It was their first meeting as world leaders and Bush wanted to be sure they connected-- that they looked for depth of soul and character, not simply had a political meeting.

Bush brought up a story he had read about Putin. His mother had given him a Christian cross that Putin had had blessed while in Jerusalem. Bush had been touched by the story.

Putin told a story in response. He had taken to wearing the cross, and one day had set it down in a house he had been visiting. Strangely, the house had burned down, and all Putin could think about was that his cross was lost in the ruble. He motioned for a worker to come to him, so he could ask him to look for the cross. The worker walked over to Putin, stretched out his hand, and showed him the already recovered cross.

Putin told Bush “It was as if something meant for me to have the cross,” inferring that he believed in a higher power.

Bush said, “Mr. Putin, President Putin, that’s what it’s all about—that’s the story of the cross.”

The story of the cross is that God intended it just for you.

The brightest day in human history is the first Easter! Today in prayer, praise the Lord that death could not hold Him!

“Belief in the Resurrection is not an appendage to the Christian faith; it is the Christian faith.” – John S. Whale

God’s Word: “While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.’” – Luke 24:36-39

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS FOR GOOD Easter †

“It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last.” – Luke 23:44-46

In Martin Hengel’s book “Crucifixion in the Ancient World and the Folly of the Message of the Cross”, he quotes Melito who lived just over 100 years after Jesus and was the Bishop of Sardis:

“He who hung the earth [in its place] hangs there, he who fixed the heavens is fixed there, he who made all things fast is made fast upon the tree, the Master has been insulted, God has been murdered, the King of Israel has been slain by an Israelitish hand. O strange murder, strange crime! The Master has been treated in unseemly fashion, his body naked, and not even deemed worthy of a covering, that [his nakedness] might not be seen. Therefore the lights [of heaven] turned away, and the day darkened, that it might hide him who was stripped upon the cross.”

If the story ended on Friday, it would have been the worst day in the history of the world. But the story did not end on Friday. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord that through His death and resurrection you have eternal life.

“One thief was converted in his last hour that none might despair. But only one was converted that none might presume.” – J.C. Ryle

God’s Word: “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.” – Matthew 27:50

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS FOR GOOD FRIDAY  †

“As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.” – Ezekiel 34:12

In 2020, Grace Leake changed careers. She went from marketing into agriculture – specifically, she began raising Dorper Sheep. She started Harmony Farms located in East Texas, just outside of Dallas. She chronicles her new venture on YouTube and tells it like it is to be a shepherdess. She has said: “When I became a shepherdess I did so with the understanding that these sheep will require more of me than any other animal I probably could have chosen. If I were to retain any other expectations, I would quit.

As I remind myself of that commitment, frustration fades into a sense of duty.  I am sure that time and experience will smooth out some of the bumps, but, by the grace of God, I am committed.”

The Lord knows each of us and is committed to watching over us. Today in prayer, give praise to the Lord that even when we were not walking with Him, He knows where we are and He can rescue us.

“Too many leaders act as if the sheep... their people... are there for the benefit of the shepherd, not that the shepherd has responsibility for the sheep.” – Ken Blanchard

God’s Word: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” – John 10:27-28

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL  †

“Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?'” – Ezekiel 33:11

On Palm Sunday, March 28, 1920, a storm was about to hit the greater Chicago area. With “great suddenness” around 12:30 p.m., the skies darkened. At the First Congregational Church in Elgin, Pastor J.W. Welch had just closed the morning service with the words, “Be prepared, for you know not when you will be called,” when heavy rain and high winds commenced. Most parishioners sheltered in place within the building as plaster and debris rained on them. Minutes later, they heard a “terrific roar,” and the church’s tower fell through the roof, killing two adults and one child. The neighboring Baptist church was also severely damaged, but curiously a mortuary that stood between the two churches was unaffected.

One lady remarked to the town’s mortician “the Lord knew you would be needed, so spared your building.”

The Lord calls upon us to repent of our sins and to turn to Him. Today in prayer, with brokenness, repent of any sin in your life and turn to Jesus.

“With the words “turn, turn,” the Holy Spirit is calling to you saying, “I want you back! Jesus died for you too, and I have forgiven your sins.” – Joel Pankow

God’s Word: “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” – 1 Timothy 2:3-4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL †

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.” – Ezekiel 33:7

On January 4, 2010, a landslide struck northern Pakistan’s Hunza Valley, destroying a village and blocking the Hunza River. As water backed up behind the earthen dam, the rising lake forced locals to flee their homes. It also cut off overland access to the outside world by submerging a bridge. Engineers and army laborers carved a spillway through the dam, and water finally began flowing through it in late May 2010.

Nine months before a massive landslide killed 20 people and destroyed dozens of homes in the Hunza River Valley, a humanitarian aid group warned local officials about the growing risk of landslides in the region. “Much of the losses and damages, if not avoided, could have been reduced had the government promptly responded and got mountain communities and their cattle evacuated to safer grounds,” Salmanuddin Shah, a disaster management specialist at Focus Humanitarian Assistance. Shah and other experts said the landslide marked one of several disasters in the region that took place after officials had received warnings but "failed to act."

When we hear a warning from the Lord, we need to heed it and not dismiss it. God gives the warning to protect us and to provide for us. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you a ready ear and a sensitive heart to hear His warnings and to follow them.

“If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning.” – Catherine Aird

God’s Word: “Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.” – Psalm 119:33-36

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL  †

“So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.” – Ezekiel 24:18

Taiwo Odukoya is a Nigerian Pentecostal pastor. He is the senior pastor of The Fountain of Life Church in Lagos with a membership of over 8,000 people. In 1980, Pastor Taiwo met Bimbo Williams at the University of Ibadan and the two struck a relationship that led to their marriage in 1984. The marriage produced three children. On 10 December 2005, Bimbo, along with 102 other people, died on the crashed Sosoliso Airlines Flight 1145.

Pastor Taiwo continued to minister to others.

On 5 January 2010, five years later, Pastor Taiwo got married again to Rosemary Simangele Zulu from South Africa. The marriage produced two children.

In November 2021, Pastor Taiwo lost his second wife to cancer. The pastor announced the death of his wife on 9 November, saying that the South African "battled cancer for the better part of two years." Pastor Taiwo continues to minister to others after the loss of his second wife.

The Lord leads us throughout our life, through the joy and sunlight and in the sorrows and darkness. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord that He is our Rock. Take His hand as He walks you through eternity.  

“How sweet the sound of Jesus sounds In a believer’s ear. It soothes his sorrow, heals his wounds, And drives away his fears.” – John Newton

God’s Word: “Sorrow is better than laughter because a sad face is good for the heart.” – Ecclesiastes 7:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL  †

“I am the LORD your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” – Ezekiel 20:19

The Billy Graham Library has published “10 Guidelines for Christian Living”. Those guidelines are:

1. Read your Bible daily. Do not be content to skim through a chapter merely to satisfy your conscience. Hide the Word of God in your heart. It comforts, guides, corrects, encourages – all we need is there.

2. Learn the secret of prayer. Prayer is communicating. Every prayer that you pray will be answered. Sometimes that answer may be “Yes” and sometimes “No,” and sometimes it is “Wait,” but nevertheless it will be answered.

3. Rely constantly on the Holy Spirit. We know that the Holy Spirit prays for us (Romans 8), and what a comfort that should be to the weakest of us. Stand aside and let Him take over all the choices and decisions of your life.

4. Attend church regularly. The visible church is Christ’s organization upon the earth. Christians need one another, we need to gather together to worship God and nothing can take the place of church attendance.

5. Be a witnessing Christian. We witness in two ways: by life and by word – and the two, where possible, should go hand in hand.

6. Let love be the ruling principle of your life. Jesus said to those who followed Him, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). The greatest demonstration of the fact that we are Christians is that we love one another.

7. Be an obedient Christian. Let Christ have first place in all the choices of your life.

8. Learn how to meet temptation. Temptation is not sin. It is yielding that is sin. Let Christ through the Holy Spirit do the fighting for you.

9. Be a wholesome Christian. Our lives and appearance should commend the Gospel and make it attractive to others.

10. Live above your circumstances. Don’t let your circumstances get you down. Learn to live graciously within them, realizing the Lord Himself is with you.

As Christians, following God’s laws and decrees bring us into a deeper relationship with Him.  Today in prayer, seek to follow the Bible and live for Christ in all that you do.

“I feel that, if I could live a thousand lives, I would like to live them all for Christ, and even then, I would feel that they were all too little a return for His great love to me.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

God’s Word: “‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’” – Matthew 4:19

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL  †

“Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel?” – Ezekiel 18:31

Wil Myers is an outfielder for the San Diego Padres. He was labeled as a “can’t miss” prospect in the minor leagues and it was during that period of time he got serious about Jesus Christ. Wil remembers: “Yeah, I’ve been a real believer since 2012. I grew up in the church but didn’t really take my faith serious, was able to be roommates in Triple-A with a guy named Terry Evans who’s now the chaplain for the Braves. He took me under his wing and showed me what it was like to be a true believer not one of those guys that kind of just claims it and doesn’t live for it. It’s a lifestyle now and you go out and live every single day for Him.  Jesus is your Lord and Savior. He’s the one who died for your sins. He’s the guide to make disciples of all nations for Him. You go out there and every time you get that voice in your head to talk about Him you just got to do it! It is tough to be a believer because you go through those times God’s asking you to do something and you’re very hesitant to do it but it’s just one of those things you just got to suck it up and do it because that’s what you’re called to do.”    

Nothing can replace a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, thank your Heavenly Father for a new life in Christ and the new heart and spirit He has given you.

“You will never be happy till you are converted.” – J.C. Ryle

God’s Word: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:26

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL  †

“'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” – Ezekiel 16:49

Helen Keller was an American author, disability rights advocate, political activist and lecturer. Born in West Tuscumbia, Alabama, Helen lost her sight and her hearing after a bout of illness, possibly scarlet fever, at the age of 19 months. She then communicated primarily using home signs until the age of seven when she met her first teacher and life-long companion Anne Sullivan, who taught her language, including reading and writing; Anne's first lessons involved spelling words on Helen's hand to show her the names of objects around her. She also learned how to speak and to understand other people's speech. After an education at both specialist and mainstream schools, she attended Radcliffe College of Harvard University and became the first deaf and blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. She worked for the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) from 1924 until 1968, during which time she toured the United States and traveled to 35 countries around the globe advocating for those with vision loss.

She said the following about the senses: “I found that of the senses, the eye is the most superficial, the ear the most arrogant, smell the most voluptuous, taste the most superstitious and fickle, touch the most profound and the most philosophical.”

The Lord desires us to be humble, not arrogant and prideful. Today in prayer, confess any sin of pride and arrogance and humbly seek the Lord with all of your heart.

"We have become an arrogant people, and we must understand our un-deservedness, and that without Him we can do nothing.  Holy Spirit, bring us to a point of absolute repentance and confession and revival.” – Frank Page

God’s Word: “The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.” – Psalm 5:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL  †

"Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: 'Hear the word of the LORD!” – Ezekiel 13:2

Josephus, a Jewish historian wrote an eyewitness account of the events that led to the destruction of Jerusalem in 66 CE. He reports that leading to the Jewish revolt, numerous bandits fomented rebellion against Rome in ways that suggest they had messianic pretensions: one false prophet gathered mobs in the wilderness and led them to the Mount of Olives, promising to breach the city walls.

More poignantly, Josephus narrates the final hours of the Jerusalem temple before it was burned to the ground, when thousands of common people, including women and children, gathered in the temple cloisters because a false prophet had predicted that God would deliver them from there. In language choked with emotion, Josephus describes the foolish waste of life that day due to false hopes in divine intercession.

True prophecy of the Lord can be found in the Bible. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for giving us His Word in the Bible and spend some extra time studying it today.

“It behooves Christians to keep close to the word of God, and in everything to seek the teaching of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew Henry

God’s Word: “Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. They say, "The LORD declares," when the LORD has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled.” – Ezekiel 13:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL  †

“But if you do warn the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning, and you will have saved yourself.” – Ezekiel 3:21

Operation Barbarossa, Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union, began on June 22, 1941, and left 775,000 German soldiers and at least 800,000 Soviet soldiers dead. It also marked the entry of the Soviet Union into World War II. Germany’s assault was so swift and surprising that the Germans almost captured Moscow and were only stopped by the deadly Soviet winter, which changed the tide in favor of the Soviets. Swift or not, the attack shouldn’t have been surprising, since Josef Stalin received more than 100 warnings about Germany’s intention to attack.

Stalin was aware that Germany had been massing troops at Soviet borders but had been assured by Hitler that the troops were massed there to protect them against British bombing, although it was well known that Germany was winning the war. The head of Soviet intelligence who also warned Stalin of Germany’s intention to invade, but he ended up shot. Several Soviet spies also had their warnings ignored.

During the final 10 days before the invasion, Soviet intelligence issued Stalin 47 warnings and even predicted the day of the assault. Soviet sentries at the border also captured hundreds of German spies, who confessed that Germany would attack the Soviet Union on June 22. Yet Stalin did nothing.

Throughout the Bible, the Lord gives us warnings on how to live a holy life. Are you heeding His warnings? Today in prayer, confess any sin in your life and seek to follow the Lord as you read His Word.

“The Bible give us a list of human stories on both sides of the ledger. On list of human stories is used examples -- do what these people did. Another list of human stories is used as warnings -- don't do what these people did. So if your story ever gets in one of these books, make sure they use it as an example, not a warning.” – Jim Rohn

God’s Word: “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” – 1 Corinthians 10:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL  †

“You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.” – Ezekiel 2:7

Michael McClymond is a graduate of Northwestern University and Yale Divinity School. In a scholarly article entitled “How Universalism, ‘the Opiate of the Theologians,’ Went Mainstream”, Michael reveals a personal factor that made him write the paper critiquing universalism:

"[One] factor is a dream that I had about a dozen years ago. Without going into too much detail, this was an unnerving encounter in which I saw God’s coming judgment arriving in the form of an overpowering storm; people in the path of the storm were pleasantly chit-chatting when they ought to have been seeking cover. The dream left a lasting impression. It suggested to me that we’re unprepared—both inside and outside of the church—for the return of Christ."

Wherever the Lord has you today, faithfully be His witness. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is a great God and share the love of Jesus Christ with someone.

“Never, for fear of feeble man, restrain your witness.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

God’s Word: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL  †