"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9

In the autumn of 1943, a group of 23 Jews who survived the Nazi extermination of the Jewish community in Polgraitza, Ukraine found their way to the farm of cousins Roman and Julian Bilecki. Sima Weissman, who was one of those in the group, now lives in Israel.

The Bilecki family took the group in. And, as Weissman wrote, they “not only hid us, but spent time with us, reading the Bible and praying for our salvation.”

They built a bunker in a cave in the woods and camouflage it with leaves and branches.

Julian Bilecki being a young, agile and very brave boy, would jump from tree to tree to deliver food to his Jewish friends in order to avoid leaving tracks in the snow.

Once a week, someone from the family would come to sing hymns to the Jews and share news from the outside world.

“Three times it was necessary to change hiding places, so that nearby villagers would suspect nothing. It’s impossible to describe what these people did for us, “wrote Weissman. “No family member would have done more than they did.” They never tired doing good.

The Lord wants us to be people of action, always doing good to help others and to bring glory to God. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He is our greatest example of doing good and seek to do good in all that you do.

"When you are able to do good, do not defer it." - Polycarp

God's Word: "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." - 1 Timothy 6:18

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." - Galatians 6:1

A man fell into a pit and couldn’t get himself out.

A subjective person came along and said, "I feel for you down there."

An objective person walked by and said, "It’s logical that someone would fall down there."

A Pharisee said, "Only bad people fall into pits."

A mathematician calculated how deep the pit was.

A news reporter wanted the exclusive story on the pit.

An IRS agent asked if he was paying taxes on the pit.

A self-pitying person said, "You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen my pit."

A fire-and-brimstone preacher said, "You deserve your pit."

A Christian Scientist observed, "The pit is just in your mind."

A psychologist noted, "Your mother and father are to blame for your being in that pit."

A self-esteem therapist said, "Believe in yourself and you can get out of that pit."

An optimist said, "Things could be worse."

A pessimist claimed, "Things couldn’t be worse."

"Jesus, seeing the man, took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit."

Everyone needs forgiveness from his or her sins. It is important to gently restore those caught up in sin. Today in prayer, do not shrink away from rebuking sin in others’ lives, but seek to gently restore them to faith in Christ.

"This perfection is the restoration of man to the state of holiness from which he fell, by creating him anew in Christ Jesus, and restoring to him that image and likeness of God which he has lost." - Adam Clark

God's Word: "Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved." - Psalm 80:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." - Galatians 5:26

In November 1972, singer Carly Simon released the hit song "You're So Vain." The song is a critical profile of a self-absorbed lover about whom Simon asserts "You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you."

For more than 38 years, the subject of the song was known only to Carly. Many thought that one of her former lovers, such as Mick Jagger, Kris Kristofferson, Cat Stevens and Warren Beatty were “this song is about you.”

All of them possessed a conceit that fit the lyrics. Warren Beatty was convinced it was written about him.

As it turned out, all of those guesses were proved wrong.

In February 2010, Carly revealed the real inspiration behind her hit song wasn't a boyfriend at all - it was record producer David Geffen. Geffen was the head of her Elektra record label.

It is thought she was inspired to write the critical lyrics after Geffen put all his time and energy into promoting her rival, Joni Mitchell, over her.

Listeners love “You’re So Vain” because it ridicules those who are vain and conceited.

Conceit is a sin - be on your guard against it! Today in prayer, confess any sin of conceit in your life and seek to walk humbly with the Lord.

“Conceit, more rich in matter than in words, brags of his substance: they are but beggars who can count their worth.” – William Shakespeare

God's Word: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23

During the sixteenth century, Hugo Grotius was a Dutch Jurist and scholar. Along with Alberico Gentili and Francisco de Vitoria, Grotius laid the foundations for international law, based on natural law.

He was one of the first to define expressly the idea of one society of states, governed not by force or warfare but by actual laws and mutual agreement to enforce those laws.

Grotius may be considered the intellectual father of the Peace of Westphalia, which is the first general peace settlement of modern times.

Grotius said, "A man cannot govern a nation if he cannot govern a city, he cannot govern a city if he cannot govern himself, and he cannot govern himself unless his passions are subject to reason."

The Lord has called us to be self-controlled in all that we do. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for His example of self-control.

"I have been able to conquer an empire, but I have not been able to conquer myself." – Peter the Great

God's Word: “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” – Proverbs 25:28

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

 “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Galatians 5:19-21

In 1994, Wheatley High School junior Adam Joseph Martin, 18, gave haircuts to neighborhood kids to earn enough to buy his new $125 Nike athletic shoes.

Adam and his friend Gregory Pennamon, 20, were walking in north Houston, Texas on a Sunday night when a car pulled over. The two men inside, who were envious of their possessions, demanded their shoes, jackets, caps and Pennamon’s portable radio. One of the men was armed with a 9mm pistol. After robbing Adam and Gregory, the man shot them.  Adam died at the scene.

“He was proud of those shoes, bless his soul, but he gave them to them (the robbers), and they still shot him," said his aunt, Pearlie Lewis. "You give it to them, and they still kill you."

Envy is an abhorrent sin and one that leads to many other sins. Today in prayer, confess any sin of envy to the Lord and seek to rejoice in other’s successes as you follow Christ.

“Envy is the diabolical sin.” – Augustine

God’s Word: “Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. – Job 5:2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Galatians 5:14

Sir William Shackleton, the famous Arctic explorer, was once asked to recount his most difficult experience. He described how, one night, in an emergency hut, he and his men were trying to sleep. They had just rationed out the last biscuits - there was nothing left. Every man appeared to be asleep. Shackleton sensed a movement and saw one of his men turning to see how the others were going. He obviously thought that the others were asleep, so he stretched over the next man and took his biscuit bag. Then he removed the biscuit. Shackleton was dumfounded. He thought he could have trusted this man with his life. Now he was stealing a man's last biscuit. Had the pressure turned him into a thief and a betrayer? Then he saw him move again. He removed the biscuit from his own bag, put both biscuits into the other man's bag, and quietly returned the bag to his sleeping friend's side. Shackleton said, "I dare not tell you that man's name. I felt that act was a secret between himself and God."

Do you love others as Jesus loves you? Today in prayer, seek to love your neighbor for Jesus' glory.

"Love is an act of endless forgiveness" - Peter Ustinov

God's Word: ""The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."" - Mark 12:29-31

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"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

Samuel D. Proctor was an African American minister, educator, and humanitarian. He was active in the African-American Civil Rights Movement and is perhaps best known as a mentor and friend of Martin Luther King, Jr.

From 1963-1964, he served as associate director of the newly established Peace Corps chapter in Africa. Reflecting on that time, Samuel said the following:

“I learned a significant lesson during my brief tour as associate director of the Peace Corps. We set high standards for volunteers, but to our surprise we could have filled all of our available positions with volunteers from Los Angeles and New York alone. The finest college graduates in the country wanted a chance to engage in hard work on another continent in a developing country without modern conveniences among persons of another culture, sharing the local fare with mostly poor and illiterate people, for a salary of fifty dollars a month! They found the challenge so fulfilling that when their two-year tour ended, they had to be forced to return home. In this experience I saw many of Christ’s teachings fulfilled. When we give freely, we receive freely. When we seek to save our own lives, we lose them; but when we lose our lives for Christ’s sake, we truly find them.”

When we serve one another, we glorify our Father in Heaven. Today in prayer, thank Jesus that He showed us how to serve. Seek to serve others to bring glory to Christ.

"No man was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” – Calvin Coolidge

God's Word: "The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." - Matthew 23:11-12

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." - Galatians 5:1

Oscar Cervantes is a dramatic example of Christ’s power to transform lives. As a child, Oscar began to get into trouble. Then as he got older, he was jailed 17 times for brutal crimes. Prison psychiatrists said he was beyond help. But they were wrong! During a brief interval of freedom, Oscar met an elderly man who told him about Jesus. He placed his trust in the Lord and was changed into a kind, caring man. Shortly afterward he started a prison ministry. Chaplain H. C. Warwick describes it this way: "The third Saturday night of each month is ’Oscar Night’ at Soledad (State Prison). Inmates come to hear Oscar and they sing gospel songs with fervor; they sit intently for over 2 hours; they come freely to the chapel altar.... What professionals had failed to do for Oscar in years of counseling, Christ did in a moment of conversion."

Only Christ can free us to be who we were created to be. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that in Him we are free from sin.

"We find freedom when we find God; we lose it when we lose Him.” – Paul E. Scherrer

God's Word: "Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God." - 1 Peter 2:16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you [from us], so that you may be zealous for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you." - Galatians 4:17-18

Bishop J.C. Ryle, the first bishop of Liverpool, England wrote the following on zeal:

"Zeal is a burning desire to please God, to do His will, and to advance His glory in the world in every possible way. A zealous man is preeminently a man of one thing. He is more than earnest, hearty, uncompromising, wholehearted, and fervent in spirit. He sees only one thing, cares about one thing, lives for one thing, swallowed up in one thing, and that one thing is to please God. Whether he lives or dies, has health or has sickness, whether he is rich or poor, pleases people or give offense, whether he is thought wise or foolish, gets the blame or the praise, whether he receives honor or is given shame, He burns for one thing, and that one thing is to please God. Such a one will always find a sphere for his zeal. If he cannot preach, he will work and give money, he will cry and sigh and pray. If he cannot fight in the valley with Joshua, he will hold up the hands of Moses until the battle is won."

We should be zealous to know the Lord and to make Him known. Today in prayer, thank Christ for the passion that He has for you and seek to be zealous only in knowing Christ deeper.

"Zeal without knowledge is fire without light." – Thomas Fuller

God's Word: "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." - Romans 12:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me." - Galatians 4:15

Timothy Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City, said the following in his sermon “Joy”: “Do you remember when your mother used to say, ‘Don't eat candy before meals?’ Why did she say that? Because she knew it would ruin your next meal. The trouble with eating candy is that it gives you a sugar buzz, and then you don't feel hungry. Candy masks the fact that your body needs proteins and vitamins. The sugar buzz from candy masks your hunger for the real nutrients that you don't have.

Things like sex, power, money, and success—as well as favorable circumstances—act like spiritual sugar. Christians who have these spiritual candies may say, ‘Sure, I believe in God and I know I'm going to heaven,’ but they're actually basing their day-to-day joy on favorable circumstances. When the circumstances change, it drives us to God, because when the sugar disappears, when the candy gets taken away, we're forced to pursue the feast that our souls really crave. We'll hunger for the spiritual nutrients we really need.

Let Jesus be your joy, not the things of this world. Today in prayer, praise the Lord with all of your heart and seek Him in all that you do.

"The opposite of joy is not sorrow. It is unbelief." – Leslie Weatherhead

God's Word: "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." - John 15:10-11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir." - Galatians 4:7

In the country of Sudan, Islamic raiders often enslave Christians in the southern part of the country. That was the case when the young Christian woman Achol Deng was kidnapped with her toddler Akeen. The two were split up and Achol spent 10 years in captivity before she was released in 2012 when an Arab slave trader bought her freedom for $50 of cattle vaccine. Her son Akeen was released two years later for a similar price. Achol describes the happy reunion of their family in the southern section of Sudan: “We hugged when we saw each other.  I felt so good.  He’s an adult now!  I gave praise to the people who brought him back.  I was always thinking about him, but I didn’t think we would meet again.  This is by the grace of the Lord. I have four smaller children.  They and Akeen’s father are all here.”

We were all once slaves to sin, but now freed by our Heavenly Father who has adopted us as His son. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He has made you His child.

"Formerly slaves, Christians, are now both sons and heirs." – James Montgomery Boice

God's Word: "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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:28

In 1856, C. Herbert Woolston was born in Chicago Illinois. He earned his Doctorate of Divinity and became the pastor of the East Baptist Church in Philadelphia.

He was known during his time as a humble man who often used objects, such as postage stamps, to illustrate a Biblical truth.

During the 1890’s, he was inspired by Matthew 19:14 where Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” He sat down and wrote the lyrics to the children’s song “Jesus Loves the Little Children.”

George Root was a composer from Massachusetts. During the Civil War he wrote a song entitled “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp” that encouraged Union Soldiers to march on.

Years after the war, he came upon Woolston’s lyrics and adapted them to his melody of “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp.”

The sweet melody has become one of the most popular children’s choruses in history.

We are all equal before Christ’s throne and are precious in His sight. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to expose any prejudice in your life, confess it as sin, and be as impartial as Jesus is in all of your relations.

“Jesus loves the little children, All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, All are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.” - C. Herbert Woolston

God's Word: "Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all." - Colossians 3:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise." - Galatians 3:18

Billy Graham loves to tell a story of grace that happened to him personally. When he was

driving through a small southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham admitted his quilt, but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court.

The judge asked, "Guilty, or not guilty?" When Graham pleaded guilty, the judge replied, "That'll be ten dollars -- a dollar for every mile you went over the limit."

Suddenly the judge recognized the famous minister. "You have violated the law," he said. "The fine must be paid--but I am going to pay it for you." He took a ten-dollar bill from his own wallet, attached it to the ticket, and then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner! "That," said Billy Graham, "is how God treats repentant sinners!"

It is all about God’s grace toward us. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for His death on the Cross. Thank Him that He is with you and continually gives grace to you.

"No one is safe by his own strength, but he is safe by the grace and mercy of God." - Cyprian

God's Word: "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." - John 1:17

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

“He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” – Galatians 3:14

In April 2015, Charlotte and Eric Kaufman attempted to sail across the Pacific Ocean in a 36-foot sailboat with their daughters, Cora, 3, and Lyra, 1. But the couple was forced to send a distress ping to a satellite just two days after they left the United States.  Little Lyra had become ill with a fever and rash.

That night, a four-person Air National Guard team from California's 129th Rescue Wing parachuted into the ocean, inflated a boat and reached the sailboat to provide immediate medical attention.

The Rescue Wing reported that Lyra's condition had stabilized, but she needed medical treatment. Pararescuers stayed with the family and cared for the infant.

The Coast Guard said the U.S. Navy frigate Vandegrift reached the sailboat early the next day and was able to return the entire family safely to San Diego.

Christ’s death on the Cross was the largest rescue event in history. Today in prayer, give thanks to Jesus that He saved you.

“By the cross we know the gravity of sin and the greatness of God’s love towards us.” – John Chrysostom

God’s Word: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.” – 1 Timothy 2:5-6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."" - Galatians 3:10

In June 2015, in Edmonton, Canada, a police officer received a parking ticket while in a marked police vehicle. The officer was not just parked in one handicapped spot, but was spread rudely across multiple spots.

The officer reportedly stopped for a cup of coffee at an establishment where donuts were sold.

The Edmonton police department was tipped off by dozens of angry posts to social media, showing a picture of the park job.

Edmonton Police Inspector Gary Godziuk said that this is “not conduct that we expect from our officers. The point is we acted swiftly to make sure that these members are held accountable. This won’t happen again,” he said.

“There’s no excuse for it, I’m just as surprised by our members’ actions. The police aren’t above the citizens we serve, we hold our [members] equally or more accountable than the people of our community,” Godziuk added.

The officer’s name was not released to the public, nor were any specific details about the discipline that he received.

No one is perfect, even those who are tasked to enforce our laws. We all fall short of the letter of the law. Give thanks to Christ, who lived a perfect life, and gives us His grace. Today in prayer, thank God for the law that it points us to His love and grace.

"The utility of the law is, that it convinces man of his weakness, and compels him to apply for the medicine of grace, which is in Christ." - Augustine

God’s Word: “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness." - Genesis 15:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"Consider Abraham: ‘He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’" - Galatians 3:6

Pastor Michael Sechler of Harvest Community Church in Litchfield, Minnesota wrote the following:

“My son, Micah died in 2012 from kidney disease and complications.

As he lay dying I wrote this in my journal:

‘Sitting at the bedside of my dying son at 3:48 in the morning. Weeping like crazy. Bertrand Russell once said that 'no one can sit at the bedside of dying child and believe in God.' Well I beg to differ. My faith is the thing that strengthens me. How else can I make it through? We cannot do anything else. This fire drains away everything else. Nothing else satisfies my soul. I would love to save my son. I would easily give my life for his, but God has not chosen that path for us. He has chosen a vale of tears, but He will walk through it with me.’

Micah now walks with Jesus, and Jesus still walks with me.”

No matter what the circumstance, live by faith in Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, give your concerns to Jesus and trust in Him.

“All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired.”– Martin Luther God’s Word: “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness." - Genesis 15:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray." - Galatians 2:13

In 1997, John Prescott was named British Deputy Prime Minister with expanded duties as Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

In September 1999, he found himself immersed in a controversy. As Britain’s environmental leader, he was pushing the Kyoto Protocol that addresses lessening of global air pollution. One of the key issues is limiting private car use and to either use public transportation or to walk. The New Labour Party opposed Prescott’s position and was making serious noises about cutting car use.

Prescott and his wife were staying at the Bournemouth Highcliffe Hotel. He was the key speaker at the Bournemouth International Conference Centre - a journey of approximately 250 yards.

But instead of walking, he chose to ride in a limousine for the short distance.

What was Prescott’s excuse for his hypocrisy? "My wife doesn't like to have her hair blown about."

Hypocrisy is a sin. Today in prayer, confess any sin of hypocrisy in your life and seek to have integrity in all that you do.

"Do not live one way in private, and another in public.” – Quintilian

God's Word: "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind." - 1 Peter 2:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do." - Galatians 2:10

In January 1990, Youth With A Mission (YWAM), Los Angeles ministry director Dave Gustaveson challenged his staff. Dave had an impression from God to have an “Offering for Jesus”. He explained to the fifty full-time staff members that “Jesus needed an offering” and he set a date for the end of January to have a special meeting in which all fifty staff members would present their offerings to Jesus. 

Once the money was collected, they were asked what to do with the funds.

Through circumstances, it was found that homes in poor areas of Mexico were needed.

So in May 1990, a group of twelve traveled from Los Angeles to Tijuana to build one house for a needy Mexican family.

Over the next few months, more groups joined the effort to build homes for the poor. During the first year twelve houses were built, and during the next year twenty-five. The program became known as “Homes of Hope”. It took twelve years to see the first one thousand homes built, only four years to see the next thousand built.

In 2015, there have been more than 5000 homes that have been constructed.

Sean Lambert, President of YWAM San Diego/Baja wrote: “Jesus took the sacrificial offerings of a few faithful missionaries, blessed it and created a worldwide movement for the poor called Homes of Hope.”

We need to continually remember the poor and help provide for their basic needs. Today in prayer, ask Jesus how you can tangibly serve others this week.

"When we serve the poor and the sick, we serve Jesus. We must not fail to help our neighbors, because in them we serve Jesus." – Isabel Flores de Oliva

God's Word: "After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings." - Acts 24:17

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man" - Galatians 1:15-16

Reggie McNeal is the missional leadership specialist for Leadership Network. In his book “A Work of Heart”, Reggie recognizes that God uses culture, community, communion, conflict, and the commonplace to shape every leader's heart to define his or her calling. Reggie wrote, "The call is a mystery. It begins and ends with God, but it loops through a very human individual. It is personal, but bigger than the person. The call comes out of who we are as well as shaping who we are. It has both being and doing components…Those who describe themselves as called mean that they have made a commitment of life into God's service, to be at his disposal, to be in his employ for the efforts of accomplishing his agenda."

Reggie concludes that God shapes “their hearts to embrace the particular ministries to which they are called.”

The Lord calls each of us to follow Him and to do His will.  Today in prayer, thank Christ for calling you and be faithful in following the Lord’s will.

"The responsible person seeks to make his or her whole life a response to the question and call of God." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

God's Word: "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." - Ephesians 4:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." - Galatians 1:11-12

In 1990, in the Henan Province of China, Zhao Weishan started his own church that became known as “Eastern Lightning.” The name Eastern Lightening was taken from Matthew 24:27: "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be".

The followers believe that the biblical God has already returned to earth as a woman named Yang Xiangbin "born to an ordinary family in the northern part of China" in order to guide mankind for the third and final time. According to the group, the first and second times of active guidance of mankind were as Yahweh of the Old Testament and as Jesus in the New Testament.

This cult falsely predicted the end of the world on December 21, 2012. It has been involved in the torture and murder of Christians, as well as starting over 40 riots throughout the years.

They operate out of forbidden underground churches and have loudly expressed a desire to topple the “Great Red Dragon” – their name for the Chinese communist party.

Peng Baoshun’s wife was a member of Eastern Lightening. He said: “They just want you to repeat over and over that you obey 'God', listen to her, and not fight back. And there are threats for those who think of quitting. After six months, a new member can be brainwashed.”

Man continues to make up his own false religions. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for revealing Himself to you through the Gospel.

"The true message of good news, that salvation from sin can be found in the sacrificial death of Christ through faith alone, is not a man made message. It is at once too simple and too magnificent for man's wisdom. It is a transcendent message, a message from beyond our mortal limitations. It is a message from God." - Guy Caley

God's Word: "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute." - 2 Peter 2:1-2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ." – Galatians 1:6-7

Actor Brad Pitt was raised by two devout Baptist parents and sang in the church choir. But in college, a girlfriend helped him “discover himself.” Brad said: "It wasn't a loss of faith for me, it was a discovery of self. I had faith that I'm capable enough to handle any situation."

For Brad, faith is a personal code of values. "What's important to me is that I've defined my beliefs and lived according to them and not betrayed them," he said. "One of those is my belief in family. I still have faith in that."

What started his move away from Christ?

“I’d go to Christian revivals and be moved by the Holy Spirit, and I’d go to rock concerts and feel the same fervor. Then I’d be told, ‘That’s the Devil’s music! Don’t partake in that!’ I wanted to experience things religion said not to experience.”

Today, as an adult, Brad confesses: "I'm probably 20 percent atheist and 80 percent agnostic."

We cannot let personal issues or other reasons get between us and Jesus. Today in prayer, pray for those who began in faith following Christ, but now are distracted with things of this world.

"This would be the first step in apostasy; men first forget the true, and then adore the false." – Charles H. Spurgeon

God's Word: "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." - 2 Timothy 4:3-4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" - Galatians 1:3

In an article entitled "The Gospel of the Grace of God," Pastor Charles Stanley said the following:

“We're saved simply because the Lord is gracious. He knew we could never be good enough to bridge the gap between our sin and His holiness. That's why you will never hear of "the gospel of the Law of God." That would not be good news at all! Can you imagine singing, "Amazing law, how fearful the sound, that saved a wretch like me"? We could never fulfill the requirements; especially the way Jesus enlarged the meaning of the law in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). But grace—that's totally different. It has nothing to do with our worthiness or good performance but is solely based on God's unmerited favor towards us.

What's most amazing is that the avenue for our salvation is through faith alone. The grace that God extends in saving us is His gift, and there's nothing we can add by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Otherwise, we'd have to clean up our lives in order to be saved, and that would nullify grace.

Praise the Lord for His wonderful plan of salvation. Christ paid our sin debt with His death, and all we have to do is believe it. Even after salvation, God's grace keeps flowing. We never have to worry that we aren't good enough and will fall out of favor. His grace is forever.”

It is by God’s grace that we are saved. It is His wonderful gift to us. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for His grace and love towards you.

"Between here and heaven, every minute that the Christian lives will be a minute of grace." – Charles H. Spurgeon

God's Word: "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 2:6-7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS