“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” – Colossians 4:12

On February 25, 2011, a 14-month-old girl wandered away from her mother and grandmother. The family was in a bank in Conyers, Georgian and the toddler wandered into a time-locked bank vault.

After frantically looking for the child for several minutes, the little girl was spotted on a security camera in the vault.

Fire and police were called, but were helpless in rescuing the baby. A locksmith was called in and after twenty minutes was able to open the door and free the little girl, who was unharmed from the ordeal.

Conyers Police Chief Gene Wilson told reporters "That was one of the better moments I've ever witnessed."

Even though we are safe in Christ’s hands, we need to stand firm in our faith and not wander from it. Today in prayer, look to the Lord each and every step of the day and stand firm in your faith in Christ.

“When faithfulness is most difficult, it is most rewarding.” – Croft M. Pentz

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 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” – Colossians 4:5

On February 11, 2011, President Hosni Mubarak stepped down as the President of Egypt. The running of the country was given to the military. SAT-7 is a Christian television ministry in the Middle East. Terry Ascot, SAT-7 Chief Executive Officer, said: “It’s a great time to pray for the church in Egypt. It’s got a great start. Christians and those of other faiths have been on the street side by side. They’ve recognized, in each other, a common cause. They’ve recognized each other as equal citizens in the Egyptian struggle.”
Many Christians are debating if a post-Mubarak Egypt will be safe for Christians. Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of the Barnabas Fund, is encouraging Egyptian Christians to stay and reach out to their neighbors.
"We as Christians need to remember the earth is the Lords, secondly he is the author and finisher of history - he knows what is happening - he brings things into being - he is still in control and no need for fear. We see the end which is glorious. Ultimately all will be well because as Christians we live with the resurrection hope. Unfortunately, however, suffering is very much a part of our lives."

It is during the most uncertain of times that people are most often open to the good news of Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, pray for Christians in the Middle East that they may have a bold witness and may others come to know Jesus as Lord.

“It is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor.” – Martin Luther

God’s Word: “Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise” – Ephesians 5:15

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail    
DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” – Colossians 4:3-4

In 2000, Manja Tamang, a GFA missionary and pastor in Nepal was walking in the little village where he ministered. He came across a dead body and reported it to the police. Some anti-Christian extremists gave false testimony against Manja and he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

During the ordeal, Manja knew the Lord was in control of the circumstances and the Lord blessed Manja’s work. He held Bible studies for fellow prisoners who wanted to learn about Jesus, and more than thirty-five inmates became Christians. Prison wardens were impressed with Manja’s character and appointed him as a prison medical assistant. He also has completed an education degree while in prison.

Rati, Manja’s wife, remained faithful to her husband during his imprisonment. She regularly visited him, prayed for him and cared for their two children. She reached out to her community with the Gospel, taught kindergarten, served on an outreach team, and worked with her church’s women’s ministry.

In 2009, after nine years of praying for his release, Manja was released. "The Body of Christ from literally around the world has been praying for this day, and now we can all rejoice together at what God has done in releasing our dear Brother Manja," said GFA Missions President Dr. Yohannan. "Let us continue to pray for him as he and his family begin a new chapter of their life—together for the first time in many years."

In many countries of the world, it is dangerous to share the Gospel. Today in prayer, remember to pray for Christians who have been imprisoned for their faith.

“The servant of Christ must never be surprised if he has to drink of the same cup with his Lord.” – J.C. Ryle

God’s Word: “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” – Ephesians 6:19-20

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” – Colossians 4:2

Dr. Helen Roseveare was a British missionary to Zaire from 1953 to 1973. She told the following story about prayer: "A mother at our mission station died after giving birth to a premature baby. We tried to improvise an incubator to keep the infant alive, but the only hot water bottle we had was beyond repair. So we asked the children to pray for the baby and for her sister. One of the girls responded. 'Dear God, please send a hot water bottle today. Tomorrow will be too late because by then the baby will be dead. And dear Lord, send a doll for the sister so she won't feel so lonely.' That afternoon a large package arrived from England. The children watched eagerly as we opened it. Much to their surprise, under some clothing was a hot water bottle! Immediately the girl who had prayed so earnestly started to dig deeper, exclaiming, 'If God sent that, I'm sure He also sent a doll!' And she was right! The heavenly Father knew in advance of that child's sincere requests, and 5 months earlier He had led a ladies' group to include both of those specific articles."

The Lord places needs on our hearts and we are to respond to them in prayer. Today in prayer, thank Jesus that He knows and answers our prayers long before we pray them.

“Prayer fills man's weakness with God's omnipotence and opens the gates to new fields of achievement.  It makes the weak strong and the simple wise." – Oliver G. Wilson

God’s Word: “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” – Luke 18:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13

Dr. Graham Staines was an Australian missionary who worked with poor tribesmen in India.  He began his ministry in 1965 and specialized in working with leprosy patients.

On the evening of January 22, 1999, he and his young sons slept in their station wagon outside a village.

Suddenly, extremists attacked their car and burned it, killing Dr. Staines and his sons.

The world was horrified at the crime and in 2003, the Hindu activist Dara Singh was convicted of leading the gang that killed Graham and his sons.

Graham’s widow Gladys immediately forgave Dara Singh. She unsuccessfully appealed for clemency for the killers.

In an interview, Gladys shared her thoughts on the importance of forgiveness. "In forgiveness, there is no bitterness and when there is no bitterness, there is hope. This consolation comes from Jesus Christ."

Forgiveness is never easy, but it is extremely important. Today in prayer, confess any bitterness in your life and then forgive others as Jesus has forgiven you.

“Only one petition of the Lord’s Prayer has any condition attached to it: it is the petition for forgiveness.” – William Temple

God’s Word: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” – Matthew 6:12

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

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

Zygmunt Arendt emigrated from Poland to San Francisco soon after World War II. He became a railroad worker and retired from the position with a modest pension.

He would occasionally stroll through San Francisco City Hall, stopping to chat with a mayoral aide he had befriended.

"From his appearance he could have been a street person himself. He was tall, thin, undernourished-looking almost, and extremely humble," said Virginia Sunday, the former city worker who knew Zygmunt. "He just wanted the mayor of San Francisco to pay attention to the important issue of the poor."

A couple of times Virginia passed along calls from Zygmunt to her boss.

"He was asking how he could contribute to helping the city's poor," recalled Frank Jordan, another city employee.

When Zygmunt died in 1998 at age 92, he had few possessions in his apartment. He did have a hand written note stating that all of his fortune would go to San Francisco’s poor and elderly. He was a carful, patient investor in the stock market and had amassed a $6 million fortune.

His compassion to others is finally resulted in low-income housing in San Francisco for the elderly.

The Lord desires each of us to be compassionate to others. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His compassion to you and seek to be compassionate to others.  

“The value of compassion cannot be over-emphasized. Anyone can criticize. It takes a true believer to be compassionate. No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares or understands.”– Arthur H. Stainback

God’s Word: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices” – Colossians 3:9

January 18, 1979, is a day “Dr. Bob” Harris will never forget. He was fired by both the New York Times and WCBS radio as a meteorologist. His crime, he wasn’t a doctor. He wasn’t even a meteorologist. After 10 years of pretending to be a professional weatherman, Harris had been caught in a serious lie.

"I was so ashamed," said Harris, 39. "I was publicly disgraced. I went from $75,000 a year to zip. I had lost everything."

In 1969, Harris phoned WCBS-TV, introducing himself as a Ph.D. in geophysics from Columbia University. "Nobody ever asked for credentials," he explained.

For the next decade he did well in is career and was also hired by the New York Times as a consulting meteorologist.

"I took a shortcut that turned out to be the long way around, and one day the bill came due. I will be sorry as long as I am alive" Harris said.

Lying will catch up with us. Today in prayer, confess any sin of lying to the Lord and seek to follow Jesus, who is the Truth, in all that you do.

“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” – Sir Walter Scott

God’s Word: “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” – Proverbs 30:8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

“But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” – Colossians 3:8

Christian author Gordon McDonald tells this story: “A Nigerian woman who is a physician at a great teaching hospital in the United States came out of the crowd today to say something kind about the lecture I had just given. She introduced herself using an American name.

‘What’s your African name?’ I asked.

She immediately gave it to me, several syllables long with a musical sound to it.

‘What does the name mean?’ I wondered.

She answered, ‘It means “Child who takes the anger away.”’

When I inquired as to why she would have been given this name, she said, ‘My parents had been forbidden by their parents to marry. But they loved each other so much that they defied the family opinions and married anyway. For several years they were ostracized from both their families. Then my mother became pregnant with me. And when the grandparents held me in their arms for the first time, the walls of hostility came down. I became the one who swept the anger away. And that’s the name my mother and father gave me.’”

McDonald concluded: “It occurred to me that her name would be a suitable one for Jesus.” 

Jesus Christ has taken away the anger and hurt in our lives and given us peace. Today in prayer, confess any sin of anger and give it to the Lord and accept His peace.

“Anger, if not restrained, it’s frequently more hurtful to us than the injury that provokes it.” – Seneca

God’s Word: “"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” – Ephesians 4:26

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” – Colossians 3:2

In 1920, seventeen year old Watchman Nee became a Christian in mainland China. He had an extraordinary ministry, winning thousands to Jesus Christ and following them up. He shared the night he gave his life to Jesus:

“There was a real struggle within me. Then I knelt down to pray. At first I had no words with which to pray. But eventually many sins came before me, and I realized that I was a sinner. I had never had such an experience in my life before that time. I saw myself as a sinner and I also saw the Savior. I saw the filthiness of sin and I also saw the efficacy of the Lord's precious blood cleansing me and making me white as snow. I saw the Lord's hands nailed to the cross, and at the same time I saw Him stretching forth His arms to welcome me, saying, "I am here waiting to receive you." Overwhelmed by such love, I could not possibly reject it, and I decided to accept Him as my Savior. Previously, I had laughed at those who believed in the Lord, but that evening I could not laugh. Instead, I wept and confessed my sins, seeking the Lord's forgiveness. After making my confession, the burden of sins was discharged, and I felt buoyant and full of inward joy and peace. This was the first time in my life that I knew I was a sinner. I prayed for the first time and had my first experience of joy and peace. There might have been some joy and peace before, but the experience after my salvation was very real. Alone in my room that evening, I saw the light and lost all consciousness of my surroundings. I said to the Lord, ‘Lord, You have really been gracious to me.’”

When we look to the Lord, we can see no good thing in our lives. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He has really been gracious to you.

"To become Christ-like is the only thing in the whole world worth caring for, the thing before which every ambition of man is folly and all lower achievement vain."  - Henry Drummond

God’s Word: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrew 12:1-2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

“Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules” – Colossians 2:20

Almost every state, as well as other countries, has laws on their books that would surprise most people. For instance:
In Auburn, Alabama it's illegal to spit on the floor of a church.
In Arizona, hunting camels is prohibited. Also in Arizona, when being attacked by a criminal or burglar, you may only protect yourself with the same weapon that the other person possesses.
In Arkansas, the Arkansas River can rise no higher than to the Main Street bridge in Little Rock.
In Carmel, California, a man can’t go outside while wearing a jacket and pants that do not match. In Florida, a special law prohibits unmarried women from parachuting on Sunday or she shall risk arrest, fine, and/or jailing.
Finally, in Utah, it is illegal not to drink milk.

Thank the Lord that we are saved by God’s grace, and our salvation does not depend on following laws. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that we have freedom in Him.

“You cannot legislate the human race into heaven.” – Charles Henry Parkhurst

God’s Word: “He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household.’” – Acts 16:30-31

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

“Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.” – Colossians 2:18

At 7 P.M. on the evening of January 29, 1973, U.S. Senator John Stennis returned home after a long day at the Capitol. After parking his car, he began to walk toward his front door. Then two men came out of the darkness, robbed him, and shot him twice. News of the shooting of Senator Stennis, the chairman of the powerful Armed Forces Committee, shocked Washington and the nation. For nearly seven hours, Senator Stennis was on the operating table at Walter Reed Hospital.
As the news of shooting was being aired, Mark heard of the tragedy and drove directly to the hospital.
In the hospital, Mark noticed that the staff was swamped and could not keep up with the incoming calls about the Senator's condition. He spotted an unattended switchboard, sat down, and voluntarily went to work. He continued taking calls until daylight. Sometime during that next day, he stood up, stretched, put on his overcoat, and just before leaving, he introduced himself quietly to the other operator, "I'm Mark Hatfield. Happy to help out."
Senator Mark Hatfield, who was often at odds with Senator Stennis on many issues, knew what he needed to do and humbly did it. 

We are called to humbly walk with Jesus in all that we do. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for his example of humility and seek to be humble in all that you do. 

“Life is a long lesson in humility” – James Matthew Barrie

God’s Word: “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." – 1 Peter 5:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   
DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.” – Colossians 2:13-14

The territory of Kashmir shares borders with India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and China.

In 1947, it was partitioned as a result of the Indian Independence Act. Both India and Pakistan disputed the border and for the next two years the two countries went to war.

In 1949 a UN Peacekeeping mission arrived to observe and try to keep the peace.

From 1950 to 1953, the UN sent three men to mediate the crisis. The first was Canadian General Andrew McNaughton. He was known as a pragmatic, diplomatic soldier. Both sides rejected all of his proposals.

The next mediator was Sir Owen Dixon. An Australian judge and diplomat, Dixon also failed to mediate the crisis.

The third UN mediator was Dr. Frank P. Graham, a former American U.S. Senator. After years of mediation, he too could not find common agreement between the two countries.

When man rebelled and sinned, he needed a mediator to achieve a lasting peace with God. Our mediator is Jesus Christ, who paid for our sin on the Cross.  Today in prayer, thank the Lord that through His death and resurrection, He has mediated our peace with God.

“Christ’s work as Mediator was unique; it was to restore us to divine favor and to make us sons of God, instead of sons of men.” – John Calvin

God’s Word: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” – Colossians 2:8

In the late 1980’s, five men in the Roman Catholic Church in Uganda decided to break away from the church and form their own cult. They called themselves “The Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God” after claiming they had visions from the Virgin Mary.

Their new Converts were required to memorize their handbook: “A Timely Message from Heaven: The End of the Present Time.” The Movement held themselves akin to Noah’s Ark, a ship of righteousness in a sea of depravity.   

They taught their converts sign language to avoid bearing false witness. They conducted ritualistic fasts on Fridays and Mondays. And they required their members to give 90% of all they had to the Movement.

The leaders predicted that the world would end on January 1, 2000. When it did not, they predicted it would end on March 17, 2000.

On that fateful March night, the Movements leaders had their followers go to a church and pray. Minutes later nearby villagers heard an explosion, and the building was gutted in an intense fire that killed all 778 members of the cult.

There is no end to those who want to lead us away from Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He is truth and pray for anyone you may know who is being led astray by deceptive religions.

“There is a philosophy which is vain and deceitful, which is prejudicial to religion, and sets up the wisdom of man in competition with the wisdom of God, and while it pleases men’s fancies ruins their faith; as nice and curious speculations about things above us, or of no use and concern to us; or a care of words and terms of art, which have only an empty and often a cheating appearance of knowledge.” – Matthew Henry

God’s Word: “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge” – 1 Timothy 6:20

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ" -Colossians 2:2

The Reverend John Holmes is pastor of A Restoration Church in Peters Township, Pennsylvania. The church not only ministers to those with handicaps, it encourages those with handicaps to minister to others.
The Bible verses the church claims are from Luke 14:12-24, the parable of the great banquet. In the passage, a man invites many honored guests to his banquet, but they all make excuses about why they could not come. The master becomes angry and tells the servant, "Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame." The servant did that, but there was still space, so the master told him to go out and bring in others.
"We let people know that everybody is broken in every area of their life all the time to some degree," Pastor Holmes said. "But we believe God can lift you to a higher level."
Valerie Whitecap is enthusiastic about the ministry. She suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and recently broke a rib. She is unable to sit upright in a straight-backed chair.
"At other churches, I might be able to worship, but I wouldn't necessarily be able to be involved," said Valerie. "Here, even if I'm not able to serve physically, I can serve mentally or in prayer. I'm involved. I'm included."

Everyone needs encouragement to follow Christ and to use their God given gifts for the glory of Jesus.  Today in prayer, thank Jesus for the encouragement you have received and seek to be an encouragement to others.

"Encouragement is food for the heart, and every heart is a hungry heart." - Pat Morley

God's Word: "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." - Philippians 2:1-2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” – Colossians 1:19

There is an ancient door on display in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland. The rough-hewn door has a rectangular hole hacked out of its center. It is called the “Door of Reconciliation,” and gives rise to the Irish expression of “chancing one’s arm”, which means “to take a risk.” The door became renown when two Irish families who were feuding finally made peace.

In 1492, Sir James Butler, Earl of the Ormonds, holed up in the Cathedral. After several weeks, Sir Gerald Fitzgerald, Earl of the Kildares, decided he wanted to end the feud. Sir Gerald went to the cathedral and requested entry. He promised he would do no harm. Sir James was suspicious, and refused him. Sir Gerald used a spear to hack through the wooden Cathedral door a hole just big enough to put his arm through. He then offered his hand as a gesture of peace. James shook his hand, the two were reconciled, and the feud ended.

Christ took a risk when He died on the Cross for your sins. He risked everything to reconcile you to God. Today in prayer, confess any sin that may be in your life. Be reconciled to Jesus and seek Him in all that you do. 

“Why should the world believe in reconciliation when it doesn’t see the church reconciled? And the church is not going to be reconciled even if it gets all the issues solved. It will be reconciled only through Jesus Christ. He is the Reconciler.” – Richard C. Halverson

God’s Word: “that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” – 2 Corinthians 5:19

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” – Colossians 1:15-16

Jasper Maskelyne was a British stage magician when World War II erupted in Europe. He joined the Royal Engineers and showed an extreme gift of camouflage and deception.

He convinced skeptical officers by creating the illusion of a German warship on the Thames River by using mirrors and a model.

He was deployed to the African theatre in the Western Desert, and along with

14 assistants, including an architect, art restorer, carpenter, chemist, electrical engineer, electrician, painter, and stage-set builder. The group was nicknamed the Magic Gang.

The Magic Gang built a number of illusions. They used painted canvas and plywood to make jeeps look like tanks — with fake tank tracks — and tanks look like trucks. They created illusions of armies that fooled the Germans.

One of Maskelyn’s greatest illusions was making the Suez Canal disappear to German pilots. To mask the Suez Canal he built a revolving cone of mirrors that created a wheel of spinning light nine miles wide. The effect dazzled and disoriented the enemy pilots so they could not see the Suez Canal.

Though we cannot see the invisible, it is plain sight to Jesus Christ.  Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is Lord of all and He is the image of the invisible God.

“I can study the life of Jesus Christ, for He alone reveals God in totality. He alone is the ‘image of the invisible God.’” – Jon Courson

God’s Word: “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.” – John 1:18

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” – Colossians 1:13

On January 5, 1997, British yachtsman 55-year old Tony Bullimore was racing around the world in Vendee Globe Yacht Race. He was in the Southern Ocean, about 1500 miles from Australia when his boat, the Exide Challenger, capsized in a storm.

For the next four days, he remained in an air pocket underneath the overturned hull. Surviving on "a little chocolate and a little water" he endured solitude, pitch darkness, and absolute silence except for the sloshing of waves.

Then on the fourth day, as he was praying to be saved, he heard a banging on the hull. An Australian rescue party had found his capsized yacht.

"I started shouting `I'm coming, I'm coming, coming'," Bullimore said. "It took a few seconds to get from one end of the boat to the other. Then I took a few deep breaths and I dived out of the boat."

When Bullimore emerged into daylight, the moment was spiritual. "It was heaven, absolute heaven," he said. "I really, really never thought I would reach that far. I was starting to look back over my life and was thinking, `Well, I've had a good life, I've done most of the things I had wanted to'.

"If I was picking words to describe it, it would be a miracle, an absolute miracle."

Bullimore said he felt he had been "born all over again."

All of us were drowning in darkness because of our sin.  But Jesus Christ heard our prayers of distress and rescued us, and in Him we are born again. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for the absolute miracle of rescuing you.

“Salvation comes through a cross and a crucified Christ.” – Andrew Murray

God’s Word: “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” – Titus 3:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

“being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully” – Colossians 1:11

On November 19 1939, the Soviet Army arrested Polish Army Lieutenant Slavomir Rawicz. He was falsely charged with spying and sentenced to Camp 303 in Siberia. The camp had little in the way of barriers. The harsh Siberian wilderness imprisoned the prisoners in the camp. But Rawicz patiently waited for a chance to escape.

Then on April 9, 1941, Rawicz and six others made their escape during a blizzard. Running through the forest, they avoided towns in fear they would be betrayed.

The escapees patiently walked through Siberia and then into Mongolia. When they reached the Gobi Desert, they endured the heat and pressed on. Two of them died of thirst, but the others successfully made the crossing.

In October 1941, the survivors reached Tibet. The friendly locals helped them persevere across the Himalayas in the middle of winter.

In March 1942, Rawicz and two other escapees triumphantly ended their 4,000-mile walk as they entered into India as free men.

As free men in Christ, we need to develop patience in our Christian walk. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for His example of patience, and seek to be a more patient person.

“He who waits on God never waits too long.”- Chuck Wagner

God’s Word: “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” – Ecclesiastes 7:8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” – Colossians 1:9

In November 2007, Shi Weihan, a Chinese Christian was imprisoned for distributing literature about Jesus. Shi, a Chinese bookstore owner, was arrested after his Holy Spirit Trading Co. printed Bibles and other Christian materials that were not approved by the Chinese government. Shi did not necessarily need permission from the government, though, because he was giving away the materials rather than selling them. In January 2008, Shi was released due to insufficient evidence on illegal business practices but was arrested again two months later. In June 2009, Shi was sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of nearly $22,000, presumably for "illegal business practices." The time he had already spent in jail would count toward his sentence. At that time, supporters surmised that he would be released in November 2010, three years after his original arrest. Soon after Shi’s March 2008 arrest, Jerome Redding, a seventh- and eighth-grade Bible teacher at Gilbert Christian Middle School in Gilbert, Arizona, received an e-mail informing him of Shi's plight as a persecuted believer in China. Redding led his students to begin interceding for Brother Shi, as they call him. For more than two years, the classes have continued to do so, especially as the day of his scheduled release draws near. The Lord desires that we be persistent in our prayers. Today in prayer, continual to pray to the Lord; praying for someone who is in need of prayer.

“Pray often.” – John Bunyan

God’s Word: “I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.” – 2 Timothy 1:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you” – Colossians 1:3

In 1886, Dixon Edward Hoste followed Hudson Taylor to China to be a missionary to the interior of the country.
In his book “Behind the Ranges”, Hoste analyzed a problem he had seen while working in two different villages in China: the people with whom he lived and worked were not doing very well, but the people in the other village across the ranges were doing great!
He visited them only now and then, but they were always doing fine, so he began to ask the Lord what was going on.
How could those across the ranges be doing better than those he lived and worked with?
The Lord showed Hoste the answer.
Although he was spending much time counseling, preaching, and teaching with those with whom he lived, he spent much more time in prayer for those across the ranges.
He concluded that there were four basic elements in making disciples:
(1) prayer, (2) prayer, (3) prayer, (4) the Word—in that order and in about that proportion.

The most important action you can do for someone is to pray for him or her. Today in prayer, pray the needs of others that they may grow in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ.

“I have benefited by my praying for others; for by making an errand to God for them, I have gotten something for myself.” – Samuel Rutherford

God’s Word: “God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.” – Romans 1:9-10

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS