“Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” – Daniel 12:2

Billy Graham told of a meeting he had with German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, former mayor of Cologne who was imprisoned by Hitler for opposing the Nazi regime. In 1949 he came chancellor of the West German Federal Republic and held that position for 14 years. He was the first leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), a Christian Democratic party that under his leadership became, and has since usually been, the most influential party in the country. Adenauer truly deserves the title of "statesman" as he picked up the broken pieces of his country and helped to rebuild it in a fractured world. On this occasion, he looked the evangelist in the eye and said, "Mr. Graham, do you believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead?" Graham, somewhat surprised by his question answered, "Of course I do." Replied Chancellor Adenauer, "Mr. Graham, outside of the resurrection of Jesus, I do not know of any other hope for this world."

Jesus is our only hope for everlasting life. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that in Him we have eternal life.

“The seed dies into new life and so does man.” – Gordon Macdonald

God’s Word: “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” – 1 Corinthians 15:21-22

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2016, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL

“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

The Greco-Turkish War lasted began in 1919 when Greek forces invaded the city of Smyrna. For three years the Greeks held the city until Turkish forces regained control of the city on September 9, 1922, effectively ending the war in the field.

Then four days later, on September 13, a fire ignited within the city. For two weeks the blaze raged completely wiping out the Greek and Armenian quarters of the city. More than 55,000 were destroyed. Turkish troops and irregulars had started committing massacres and atrocities against the Greek and Armenian population in the city before the outbreak of the fire.

Some 200,000 Greek and Armenian refugees crammed the waterfront to escape the fire and the Turkish army. They were forced to remain there under harsh conditions for nearly two weeks. Foreign warships were in the harbor, but did nothing citing “neutrality” in the conflict.

In that midst of the calamity stood Asa Jenning. Asa was a quiet, humble Methodist pastor who had compassion on the refugees. Asa convinced the captains of the American, British, Italian and French fleets to be merciful on the refugees. He organized a large-scale evacuation of the refugees saving them from certain annihilation.

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 2016, 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

J.C. Ryle was an Anglican writer, pastor and an evangelical preacher. He said the following: “The second coming of Christ shall be utterly unlike the first. He came the first time in weakness, a tender infant, born of a poor woman in the manger at Bethlehem, unnoticed, unhonored, and scarcely known. He shall come the second time in royal dignity, with the armies of heaven around Him, to be known, recognized and feared, by all the tribes of the earth.

He came the first time to suffer – to bear our sins, to be reckoned a curse, to be despised, rejected, unjustly condemned and slain. He shall come the second time to reign – to put down every enemy beneath His feet, to take the kingdom of this world for His inheritance, to rule them with righteousness, to judge all men and to live forever.

How vast the difference! How mighty the contrast!”

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 2016, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL

“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

The European Union (EU) is a unique economic and political partnership among 28 diverse democracies united in their commitment to peace, democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.

EU Member States have transferred part of their sovereignty to EU institutions, with many decisions made at the EU level. The legal foundation of the EU is built on a complex system of treaties among its members, which have been adapted over the years to meet the needs of a changing world and an evolving and expanding EU.

The EU executive branch is called the European Commission. It proposes legislation, manages the Union’s day-to-day business and budget, enforces the rules, and negotiates international trade agreements on behalf of the EU.

In November 2014, Jean-Claude Juncker was elected President of the European Commission. He is the former Prime Minister of Luxembourg.

As President of the European Commission, Mr. Juncker is the most powerful officeholder in the EU and is responsible for policy agenda and all the legislative proposals it produces. But his authority is limited; this position cannot determine foreign policy, command troops or raise taxes.

The President of the European Commission is elected to a renewable five-year term. He or she may be removed from office by a vote of censure from European Parliament.

Jesus Christ has been given all authority throughout eternity. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that His dominion is an everlasting dominion.

“But the coming kingdom is altogether different. It will never be destroyed. It will not be succeeded by another, but will endure for ever. Its universality in space is thus paralleled by its universality in time and as such reflects the very nature of God himself.” – D.S. Russell

God’s Word: “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church” – Ephesians 1:22

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2016, 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

Lippe was a historical state in Germany located between the Weser River and the southeast part of the Teutoburg forest. It was established in 1123 when Lothar Röttgering III, Holy Roman Emperor and King of the Germans granted Bernhard I approximately 100 square miles for his kingdom.

Europe’s longest reigning nobleman was Bernard VII of Lippe. He ascended to be the Lordship of Lippe before his first birthday. During the 84 years of his reign, Bernard VII became known as “the Bellicose” because of the many bloody feuds in which he was involved against various enemies, with shifting alliances. Bernard VII finally died of old age on April 2, 1511. His line of succession died out on July 20, 1895.

The Principality of Lippe would survive until the twentieth century. Then in 1947, Lippe merged into the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, ending its establishment as an independent state.  

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

“Live close to God, and so all things will appear to you little in comparison with eternal realities.” – Robert Murray McCheyne

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 2016, 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

In 1935 Germany, Hessy Levinson Taft, then six months old, won a photo contest for the face of the perfect Aryan baby. It is said that out of hundreds of photos, hers was chosen personally by the Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels, thus making her the poster child for the rise of the Nazi Party. Her image soon appeared on the cover of the Nazi family magazine “Sun in the House”, not to mention on posters and placards, and even postcards.

Ironically, Hessy wasn’t Aryan at all! Her parents were Latvian Jews.

So how was her photo even submitted to the contest?

It turned out that the photographer who took the photo later admitted that he had, in fact, submitted the it to the beauty contest, hoping to mock the Nazi’s prideful racial supremacy theory. “He succeeded,” said the The Holocaust Chronicle, “beyond his wildest dreams.”

The truth of the deception has been known for decades, but it made headlines in 2014 as Hessy, now 80 years old, recently donated a copy of the magazine cover to Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. “I feel a little revenge,” she said. “Something like satisfaction.”

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 2016, 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 1982, Richard and Geneva Culp received notice from the farm credit company that their farm was going to be repossessed.

They cried together as they realized everything they had worked a lifetime to acquire was gone. On top of that, they still owed $100,000 even after all their assets were seized. Richard was 50 years old and had been farming all his life. Two of their eight children were still at home, and they had no money to start over.

Even so, Richard said, "In spite of the overwhelming loss and grief, I knew that God was in control of our situation. I remembered the Bible story of Joseph. Even as a slave and prisoner, that young man was part of God's glorious plan. As for me, I knew that God must have something better for our future too."

Richard and Geneva were trusting the Lord, but that didn't make things better. In fact, things got worse. Two weeks after the creditors took their farm, Richard lost his job as a ranch foreman. Their family moved into a compact rental unit, and they began working a series of minimum wage jobs, including a stint at a fast food restaurant. There were many times they didn't have money for groceries and living expenses, but God provided for them through their family, their friends, and their church.

A year-and-a-half later, Richard and Geneva were offered a management position at an exclusive, 2,600-acre waterfowl hunting club in northern California. The club catered to wealthy clients. Richard said, "As we served at the club in numerous ways, we realized again and again that money and possessions cannot bring happiness. We had lost everything, yet we had joy in our lives."

Then after they had been at the club for about a year, Richard received a call from the head of the credit company that had taken their farm. He wanted to talk with them and insisted on making the hour's drive out to the hunting club.

As they sat together, the head of the credit company said, "I want to ask you something personal. A friend of mine recently lost everything he owned. His wife just committed suicide. We at the office have noticed that you two are handling this crisis differently than most people do. Can you tell me what your secret is?"

Richard was happy to explain. "We believe in the God of the Bible," he said. "He is sovereign over our lives, and he is in control. Even though the pain is real, we are confident of this: God has proven sufficient and able to take care of us."

Geneva added, "God's Word promises, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"

It was absolutely true. Throughout the entire ordeal, Richard said, "We never felt alone for a single moment." Later, as the head of the credit company rose to leave, he thanked Richard and Geneva. "You've given me a lot to think about," he said quietly.

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 2016, 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

One of the harshest places on earth is Bulgaria’s Belene Prison. From 1949 until the 1990’s, Evangelical Christian pastors in particular were targeted by the communists as "enemies of the State" and sent to Belene. In 1949, the infamous "Pastors' Trial" was conducted, trying 15 Protestant pastors as "spies". The men received sentences of varying lengths.

One incident at the prison that occurred in the 1960’s involved Trofim Dimitrov. He was stripped naked and led to a pit where rabid dogs awaited him in a pit to tear him apart. He could hear the dogs barking long before he reached the pit. One the way, he prayed fervently for his enemies, the guards, who then threw him down, naked to the hungry dogs. Immediately, a great howling was heard. When the officers looked down into the pit, they saw Trofim kneeling in prayer and the dogs in panic. Barking widly, the dogs were trying to jump the walls in order to save themselves from the strange power emanating from him!

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 2016, 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

Nikola Tesla was a Serbian American inventor best remembered for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system.

One of Tesla’s inventive failures was the Wardenclyffe Tower. In 1900, with $150,000 Tesla began planning the Wardenclyffe Tower facility. The goal was to produce wireless electrical power on a massive scale.

Over a period of several years a 187-foot-tall tower was constructed, resembling a water tower. Atop his tower was perched a fifty-five ton dome of conductive metals, and beneath it stretched an iron root system that penetrated more than 300 feet into the Earth’s crust. “In this system that I have invented, it is necessary for the machine to get a grip of the earth,” he explained, “otherwise it cannot shake the earth. It has to have a grip… so that the whole of this globe can quiver.”

Yes, Tesla believed he could generate enough power from his tower to shake the earth. After more than a decade of failure, he abandoned his tower of power invention.

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 2016, 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 August 21, 2013, prior to being ordered to report to prison, 31-year old Ebrahim Firouzi was arrested along with two other Christians in Karaj, Iran.  Firouzi is one of the leaders of the Christian house church movement in Iran.

In April 2016, from his prison cell, Firouzi sent out a message exhorting Iranian Christians to expect persecution but to continue proclaiming Christ.

“If you are courageous in God’s way, God’s grace will be with you,” he said. “Do not fear what you are doing, and raise the banner of Jesus in the name of God.”

Paraphrasing encouragements by New Testament writers, Firouzi asked, “If you want to do good to others, who can harm you? … Keep your conscience clean so that people will be ashamed if they cause you harm. If it is God’s will that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing good.”

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 2016, 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 1949, the Hawkins brothers, three brothers from Texas, became missionaries to the Wai Wai tribe in Brazil. The Wai Wai usually greeted the strangers with smiles, yet poisoned their drinks and clubbed them to death. But the tribe found that Neill, Bob and Rader Hawkins were kind and they brought gifts: fish hooks, knives, and steel axes.

Soon the brothers began learning the language. They began to talk about God, the Creator, who made the trees, the rocks, the sun—the entire world. He had a son—Chisusu (Jesus)—who died to take away all men’s badness, because he loved everyone, including the Wai Wai.

Elka, the chief and witchdoctor of the tribe, pondered the brother’s message. He understood the evil of man and decided to help Bob with the translation of the Bible into Wai Wai. One day he helped to translate the following verse: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:18)

This struck a chord within Elka and he became a Christian. Soon the entire gave their lives to the Lord. And soon they forsook their evil ways and followed Christ.

Elka and the elders then felt a great burden from the Lord to reach other tribes with the message they had found. In their sermons, they stressed how the other tribes lived as they used to—fearful of evil spirits, suspicious, killing by club or sorcery. Elka stressed how missionaries had come so far to reach them, and that Jesus himself had come from his home to save them. “Jesus came far. So let us go far, too. He died for us. We haven’t yet died for him. Let us die for Jesus.”

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 2016, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL

“Then he said to me: "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.'" - Ezekiel 37:11-14

From 1938 until May 1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators killed an estimated six million Jews. This genocide, known as “The Holocaust,” from the Greek meaning "whole" and "burnt", claimed the lives of 1.5 million children. The total number that died represented about two-thirds of the nine million Jews who had resided in Europe.

In 1981, 36 years after this horrific period, the first Convention of Holocaust survivors met in Israel. More than 10,000 survivors of the Holocaust from all over the world convened in Jerusalem to remember and to give thanks that there was now a state of Israel.

To commemorate the event, a gold medal was struck for the survivors.  On one side it stated "World Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, Israel -June 1981". But on the opposite side was a fading Star of David, imprisoned behind bars, The word "Jude" on the bars resembles the badge of shame imposed by the Nazis on the Jews. Above the bars, a clear Star of David, symbolizing national revival. Around, the legend reads: "From holocaust to rebirth" in Hebrew, Yiddish and English.

God’s Word through Ezekiel came true, that from the dead bones of the Holocaust came the rebirth of the Jewish nation. The Lord keeps His promises and gives us a hope. That hope is in Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that His prophesies and promises are true and you can trust in Him.

“Jesus is the yes to every promise of God.” – William Barclay

God’s Word: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:20

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2016, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL

“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 August 2015, a lost overgrown merino sheep was found in the scrublands near Canberra Australia. Judging from the amount of wool on the sheep it was not shorn for more than 5 years. The sheep was named “Chris” after a sheep in an Australian television comedy series. Chris could barely walk when found and was taken to an animal shelter. The shelter contacted a champion sheep shearer who clipped 89 pounds of wool from the sheep. A normal merino sheep that is bred for wool only produces 11 pounds of wool when it is shorn. Chris set a new record for the amount of wool produced by a single sheep. The newly clipped Chris now weighed only 97 pounds.

The sheep’s wool had become so overgrown that its life was endangered.

Once cleared by a veterinarian, the animal shelter plans to give Chris to a local rancher to look after the sheep.

The Lord knows each of us and we never escape His eye. Today in prayer, give praise to the Lord that even when we were not walking with Him, He knew where we were and came to our rescue.

“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 2016, 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

In the spring of 2015, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulator tested the drinking water in Flint, Michigan and found extremely high levels of lead. Lead has a damaging effect on growth in children and 10,000 children were exposed to elevated levels of lead in the drinking water. An official EPA memo was written in June 2015 outlining the crisis and how to solve it. For the next six months both federal and state agencies did nothing but dismiss the expert scientific advice and bicker with each other on the problem.

In January 2016, Keith Creagh, the newly appointed director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, said apologetically: “When government finally responded to the public outcry, thanks to the relentless efforts of independent scientists whose warnings turned out to be correct – our tone was combative and dismissive.”

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 2016, 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

In 2008, Danny Gokey was a 28-year old part-time church music director while also driving a semi tractor-trailer truck for a local logistics company. His high school sweetheart and wife Sofia encouraged him to pursue his first love, music.  He signed up to audition for the television show American Idol. Then four weeks before his audition, Sofia died unexpectedly during a routine heart surgery.

"It caused me to question everything, because you're taught in church that, you know, God is this - he's a healer, he's a helper, he's a refuge," said Danny.

"And then I go, and I pray and I believe God, and she's praying and I'm praying that God would heal her, and that doesn't happen. And so, it called everything that I believed into question."

Everything in his heart said don’t audition, but Danny was obedient to God’s calling.

Danny believes the "grace of God" that delivered him through the pain. Taking to the "American Idol" stage four short weeks after his wife's death, he captured hearts with his story and progressed through the bulk of the competition, finishing in third place.

Danny is now a full time Christian musician sharing the love of God through his songs.

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 and we can ask Him to continually take our hand throughout 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 2016, 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

Agnostic author A.J. Jacobs wrote the book “The Year of Living Biblically.” For one year he read the Bible and tried to keep all of the commandments and rules. He came away with a reverence and awe for God and the Bible. He became a more thoughtful and thankful person. He said: “I’ve carried over a lot of thinking and behavior from my Year of Living Biblically. Even if you aren’t particularly religious (in fact, even if you’re a diehard atheist), I believe there are lessons to be learned from the Bible and a biblical lifestyle.”

Jacobs summarized his thoughts of the Bible, “The whole bible is the working out of the relationship between God and man. God is not a dictator barking out orders and demanding silent obedience. Were it so, there would be no relationship at all. No real relationship goes just one way. There are always two active parties. We must have reverence and awe for God, and honor for the chain of tradition.”

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 2016, 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

Kirsten Powers recalls: “From my early 20s on, I would waver between atheism and agnosticism, never coming close to considering that God could be real.

After college I worked as an appointee in the Clinton administration from 1992 to 1998. The White House surrounded me with intellectual people who, if they had any deep faith in God, never expressed it. Later, when I moved to New York, where I worked in Democratic politics, my world became aggressively secular. Everyone I knew was politically left-leaning, and my group of friends was overwhelmingly atheist.”

In 2005, she was challenged by a Christian she met to “keep an open mind” and to visit a church. Though she was initially guarded, she liked the pastor’s sermon. During the next few months, she began visiting the church regularly.

She eventually got involved in a Bible study and asked Christ into her life.

Kristen remembers, “I'll never forget standing outside that apartment on the Upper East Side and saying to myself, ‘It's true. It's completely true." The world looked entirely different, like a veil had been lifted off it. I had not an iota of doubt. I was filled with indescribable joy.

The horror of the prospect of being a devout Christian crept back in almost immediately. I spent the next few months doing my best to wrestle away from God. It was pointless. Everywhere I turned, there he was. Slowly there was less fear and more joy. The Hound of Heaven had pursued me and caught me—whether I liked it or not.”

Kirsten Powers now works as a contributor to USA Today and is a columnist for Newsweek/The Daily Beast. She is a Democratic commentator at Fox News.

Nothing can replace a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, thank your Heavenly Father for 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 2016, 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

Prior to the disastrous maiden voyage of the Titanic in 1912, there were several arguments on ship design between the Irish shipbuilder Thomas Andrews and the client J. Bruce Ismay, Director of the White Star Line.

Thomas stated that some of the design changes jeopardized the safety of the ship and “let the truth be known, no ship is unsinkable.”

Ismay countered: “Mr. Andrews, the White Star provides the greatest luxury to its passengers, but, one luxury we do not have is to become alarmist. Your design suggestions will imply to our fine passengers that White Star ships are somewhat flawed.” 

Angrily Thomas replied: “They will be if you don’t follow my suggestions, Sir.” Thomas then spotted Ismay’s notation to reduce the number of lifeboats to 16. “Most certainly, you will have to answer to God without enough little boats.”

Ismay arrogantly snapped: “Control your Irish passions, Thomas. Your uncle here tells me you proposed 64 lifeboats and he had to pull your arm to get you down to 32. Now, I will remind you just as I reminded him--these are my ships. And, according to our contract, I have final say on the design. I'll not have so many little boats as you call them, cluttering up my decks and putting fear into the passengers.”

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 2016, 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

Elizabeth Clare Prophet was the spiritual head of the Church Universal and Triumphant. Prophet was called "Guru Ma" by her followers, who believe she received "dictations" from such "ascended masters" as Jesus, Buddha and St. Germaine. At the height of the organization there were 50,000 followers.

In the 1980’s she predicted the end of the world. She convinced 2,000 others that a nuclear war between the U.S. and Russia would start on April 23, 1990.

The church bought a Montana ranch near Yellowstone National Park and members spent millions of dollars and volunteered many man-hours to build several large underground shelters. One shelter held more than 700 people. They stocked these shelters with provisions to last more than a year.

After the date came and went, most of the followers left the Church Universal and Triumphant. In 2009, Prophet died of Alzheimer's disease.

True prophesy 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 every thing 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 2016, 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

Avianca Airlines flight 011 was an international passenger flight from Frankfurt via Paris, Madrid, and Caracas to Bogotá that crashed on November 27, 1983. The Boeing 747 jet crashed in the mountains of Spain.

During the descent into Madrid, the airplane touched a hill, then a second one, before hitting the ground and disintegrating. All 19 crewmembers, as well as 162 out of 173 passengers, were killed.

Investigators reviewing the incident made a startling discovery. Recordings from the black box revealed that several minutes prior to impact, a computer-synthesized voice from the plane's automatic warning system told the flight crew on repeated occasion to 'Pull up!' The pilot, evidently thinking that the system was not functioning properly, ignored the warning and switched the system off. Minutes later the aircraft crashed.

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 2016, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL

All - today marks 20 years since the beginning of Devotional Email. May Jesus Christ receive all the glory! In Christ, Peter Kennedy

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

In 1946, Dr. Paul Brand moved to India where he was a medical missionary for 19 years. It was a tumultuous time in India after they received independence from Great Britain in 1947. There was religious intolerance and the Christians were a minority in the country.

Dr. Brand spoke to a medical college in India saying: "Let your light so shine before men that they may behold your good works and glorify your Father." In front of the lectern was an oil lamp, with its cotton wick burning from the shallow dish of oil. As he preached, the lamp ran out of oil, the wick burned dry, and the smoke made him cough. He immediately used the opportunity. "Some of us here are like this wick," he said. "We're trying to shine for the glory of God, but we stink. That's what happens when we use ourselves as the fuel of our witness rather than the Holy Spirit. "Wicks can last indefinitely, burning brightly and without irritating smoke, if the fuel, the Holy "Spirit, is in constant supply." 

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 2016, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZEKIEL AND DANIEL