“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

Eric Liddell was a Scottish Olympic Gold Medalist runner and Christian missionary to China. He was born in China to Scottish missionary parents. He attended a boarding school near London, spending time when possible with his family in Edinburgh, and afterward attended the University of Edinburgh.

Eric was the subject of the 1981 movie “Chariots of Fire”. He ran at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. He won the 400 meters race, a race he had not trained for.

The following year he returned to China to serve as a missionary teacher. Aside from two furloughs in Scotland, he remained in China for the next 20 years until his death in a Japanese civilian internment camp in 1945.

Eric knew the Lord had blessed him with speed. He also knew that his future was beyond the running track.

Eric said: “It has been a wonderful experience to compete in the Olympic Games and to bring home a gold medal. But since I have been a young lad, I have had my eyes on a different prize. You see, each one of us is in a greater race than any I have run in Paris, and this race ends when God gives out the medals.”

Through Jesus Christ, we can do all things. Today in prayer, look to the Lord for your confidence and trust in His power.

“All of nature depends on hidden resources. The great trees send their roots down into the earth to draw up water and minerals. Rivers have their sources in the snow-capped mountains. The most important part of a tree is the part you cannot see, the root system, and the most important part of the Christian's life is the part that only God sees. Unless we draw on the deep resources of God by faith, we fail against the pressures of life. Paul depended on the power of Christ at work in his life. "I can-through Christ!" was Paul's motto, and it can be our motto too.” - Warren Wiersbe

God’s Word: “But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PHILIPPIANS

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8

In her book “Fix Your Eyes Upon Jesus”, Anne Ortlund writes:

“I was sitting in the lounge of a Christian radio station, waiting my turn to go into the studio and guest a talk show. Another Christian program, on the air at that moment, was being intercommed into the lounge, so I couldn't help but listen. It was gross. In the name of "exposing" the sins of our day, shocking activities were being described, filthy words were being repeated. I guess listener reaction was supposed to be to pray or send money. I thought about all the New Testament letters, written and circulated in an equally obscene world; the Roman culture was then in its last throes of degradation. But the Scriptures didn't describe the society's filth, they only warned against it; and then spent the space teaching the positive -- both in doctrinal truth and practical application for daily living. Never does Paul say Christians "need to be informed" of what they're fighting against so they can "pray intelligently." No, no! He says, "Stay ignorant!" Be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil (Romans 16:19). It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret (Ephesians 5:12). How do you become "blameless and pure . . . in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe" (Philippians 2:15)? Philippians 4:8 tells you how: 

Whatever is true,  whatever is noble,  whatever is right,  whatever is pure,  whatever is lovely,  whatever is admirable     -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things.”

Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable; think about such things. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you a heart to desire Him and Him alone in all that you do. 

“Use the noble gifts which God has given you!” - Jane Welsh Carlyle

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PHILIPPIANS

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6

Edvard Munch is best known as being a Norwegian born, expressionist painter, and printer. His artwork is characterized by strong mental anguish that was displayed in many of the pieces that he created. His most famous work is known as “The Scream”.

Munch was born in Norway in 1863 and was raised in Oslo. Only a few years after he was born, Edvard Munch's mother died of tuberculosis in 1868, and his father raised him. Edvard's father suffered from mental illness, and this played a role in the way he and his siblings were raised. Their father raised them with the fears of deep-seated issues, which is part of the reason why the work of Edvard Munch took a deeper tone, and why the artist was known to have so many repressed emotions as he grew up.

Many of Munch's works depict life and death scenes, love and terror, and the feeling of loneliness was often a feeling which viewers would note that his work patterns focused on.

Munch was not a Christian and did not believe in God. He said: “For as long as I can remember I have suffered from a deep feeling of anxiety which I have tried to express in my art.”

As Christians, when worry enters our life, we need to draw near to our Heavenly Father and give our anxiety to Him. Today in prayer, give the Lord all of your worries and receive from Jesus His perfect peace.

“No man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow’s burden is added to the burden of today, that the weight is more than a man can bear.” – George Macdonald

God’s Word: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” – Matthew 6:25

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” – Philippians 4:5

Francis Schaeffer was an American evangelical theologian, philosopher, author, and Presbyterian pastor. He struggled to spell words correctly because of dyslexia. At Hampden–Sydney College, his spelling errors lowered the grade on all written assignments. During his first year, a professor told Schaeffer, “This is the best philosophy paper I’ve ever read, but it’s the worst spelling. What am I going to do? I can’t pass you.”

Francis replied, “Sir, I could never spell. Could you please just read what I’m saying and not worry about the spelling?”

After a long pause, the professor gently replied, “You know, Mr. Schaeffer, I think we’ll do that.” In 1935, Schaeffer graduated magna cum laude from Hampden–Sydney College.

The professor’s wise, compassionate response encouraged a gifted young man who would later help many of the searching generation during the 1960s and 70s to find their way to faith in Christ.

There is strength in gentleness when we are firmly rooted in Christ.  Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His example of gentleness and seek to be more like the Savior.

“Gentleness includes such enviable qualities as having strength under control, being calm and peaceful when surrounded by a heated atmosphere, emitting a soothing effect on those who may be angry or otherwise beside themselves, and possessing tact and gracious courtesy that causes others to retain their self-esteem and dignity.” – Charles Swindoll

God’s Word: “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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians

“Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!” – Philippians 4:1

On July 7, 2005, a series of coordinated Islamic terrorist suicide attacks occurred in London, England. The attacks targeted commuters traveling on the city's public transport system during the morning rush hour.

Four Islamic terrorists separately detonated three homemade bombs in quick succession aboard London Underground trains across the city and, later, a fourth on a double-decker bus in Tavistock Square. The death toll was 52 UK residents and more than 700 people were injured.

After the terrorist attacks, some Londoners were so determined to live their lives normally, and not in fear, that they started the website, We’re not afraid dot com.

The site is now expired, but visiting the site soon after the attacks, you would have been greeted by dozens of pictures of individuals, families, couples, and corporate employees all displaying in some manner the words, We’re Not Afraid.  Their point was to stand together and encourage others to live their lives, even in the face of terrorists’ threats, without fear.

No matter what life may throw at you, stand firm in Jesus. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that in this chaotic world, He is our solid ground!

“Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectation.” – Andrew Murray

God’s Word: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” – Philippians 3:20

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates there were over 3.9 million stateless persons worldwide at the end of 2017. The actual number may be as high as 10 million.

A stateless person is someone who, under national laws, does not enjoy citizenship – the legal bond between a government and an individual – in any country. While some people are de jure or legally stateless persons (meaning they are not recognized as citizens under the laws of any state), many people are de facto or effectively stateless persons (meaning they are not recognized as citizens by any state even if they have a claim to citizenship under the laws of one of more states.)

What causes lack of citizenship? There are many reasons but lack of birth registration and birth certificates, birth to stateless parents, and political change and transfer of territory, which may alter the nationality status of citizens of the former state(s) are a few of them. Also administrative oversights, procedural problems, conflicts of law between two countries, or destruction of official records can cause stateless individuals.

Without citizenship, stateless people have no legal protection and no right to vote, and they often lack access to education, employment, health care, registration of birth, marriage or death, and property rights. Stateless people may also encounter travel restrictions, social exclusion, and heightened vulnerability to sexual and physical violence, exploitation, trafficking in persons, forcible displacement, and other abuses.

For all who know Jesus Christ, we have citizenship, a home in Heaven. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that through His grace, we have a Heavenly home.

“Socrates, being asked what countryman he was answered, ‘I am a citizen of the whole world.’ But ask a Christian what countryman he is, and he will answer, ‘A citizen of heaven.’” – William Secker

God’s Word: “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household” – Ephesians 2:19

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:9

Columbia Southern University’s College of Safety and Emergency Services is an online college where students and professors live in all 50 states. With the COVID-19 emergency, many of the professors are “practicing what they preach” while continuing to teach online.  

“Not only are we faculty here, we’re also front-line professionals ourselves,” said Aaron Rhone, Ph.D., emergency medical services administration professor. Rhone was assigned to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Emergency Operations Center at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) headquarters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

“I’ve been sending out personal protection equipment (PPE) to ensure that our front-line health care workers, our EMS providers, our first-responders of all sorts are taken care of in this fight against COVID-19,” he said.

Douglas Wehmeyer, who teaches fire science, was called to serve in Ohio.

“I am currently serving as the operations and planning section chief for the Deerfield Township emergency operations center,” said Wehmeyer. “The coronavirus has challenged emergency responders and calls us to rethink how we handle the routine responses that we make on a daily basis. The key for us is ensuring that we keep our community safe while ensuring the operational staff of our fire department is maintained as well.”

You can’t train for every instance in life, but we can put into practice what we have learned from the Lord. Today in prayer, take a step of faith and follow Jesus in all that you do.  

“Some dear friends think the GOSPEL can only be accepted. But Jesus & Paul modeled how to live it, serve it & share it daily.” – Rick Warren

God’s Word: “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” – John 13:17

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians

PERSEVERE!                                                 Wednesday – May 20, 2020

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:14 

Chuck Swindoll is an evangelical Christian pastor, author, educator, and radio preacher. He founded “Insight for Living” which airs a radio program of the same name on more than 2,000 stations around the world in 15 languages. He has written more than 70 books. Chuck has served as senior pastor to congregations in Massachusetts, California, and is currently the senior pastor at Stonebriar Community Church, in Frisco, Texas.

On the subject of perseverance, Chuck wrote:

“If you’re running a 26-mile marathon, remember that every mile is run one step at a time. If you are writing a book, do it one page at a time. If you’re trying to master a new language, try it one word at a time. There are 365 days in the average year. Divide any project by 365 and you’ll find that no job is all that intimidating.”

Be persistent in following Jesus in all that you do. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that through His perseverance salvation has come to you. 

“All things are possible to him who believes, yet more to him who hopes, more still to him who loves, and most of all to him who practices and perseveres in these three virtues.” – Brother Lawrence

God’s Word: “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” – Hebrews 10:36

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians

“Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.” – Philippians 3:17

Rod Carew was a Major League baseball player and was one of the few players to surpass the 3,000-hit plateau. He won seven batting titles during his career.

Rod took hitting seriously and invested time practicing his swing.

“When I was a minor-leaguer, I’d stand in front of the mirror in my room and swing the bat for hours,” wrote Carew.

One young boy named Tony was a fan of Rod’s. He followed Rod’s example and began spending hours honing his swing. He too used a mirror and then started using a video recorder to exam his game. He carried a video recorder with him on road trips to study pitchers and his at-bats in his hotel room.

Tony Gwynn not only became a Major League baseball player, but he also surpassed the 3,000- hit plateau. And Tony won eight batting titles during his career.

Today the American League batting title is given in honor of Rod Carew. The National League batting champion wins the award named for Tony Gwynn.

We all need to have godly examples to copy so we can live godly lives. Today in prayer, praise Christ for the godly men and women in your life and strive to be more like Jesus.

“If doing a good act in public will excite others to do more good, then “Let your Light shine to all” Miss no opportunity to do good.” – John Wesley

God’s Word: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians

“though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more” – Philippians 3:4

Milli Vanilli was a German Rhythm & Blues duo from Munich. The group was founded in 1988 and consisted of Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus. 

In 1989, Beth McCarthy-Miller, then an executive with MTV, noticed that the duo's deficient English language skills, when they came in for their first interview. She began to have doubts as to whether they had sung on their records.

The first public sign that the group was lip-syncing came on July 21, 1989, during a live performance on MTV at the Lake Compounce theme park in Bristol, Connecticut. As they performed, a hard drive issue caused the recording of the song "Girl You Know It's True" to jam and skip, repeatedly playing the partial line "Girl, you know it's..." through the speakers. The duo had doubted their ability to sing to a live audience and was caught lip-syncing their recording.

“I knew right then and there, it was the beginning of the end for Milli Vanilli,” recalled Pilatus of the incident. “When my voice got stuck in the computer, and it just kept repeating and repeating, I panicked. I didn't know what to do. I just ran off the stage.”

We cannot put our confidence in our own talents; we need to place our faith in the One who has given us our talents and abilities.  Today in prayer, confess any sin of pride. Give thanks to Jesus for all the talents and abilities He has given you. 

“Talent is God-given; be humble.” – John Wooden

God’s Word: “For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh” – Philippians 3:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians

“Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.” – Philippians 3:1

In his book “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs,” John Foxe describes several Christian martyrs who lived and died in the Middle Ages. One was Tobias Steffick was a Christian who lived in new Prague. Steffick is described as a man who “was remarkable for his affability and serenity of temper. He was perfectly resigned to his fate, and a few minutes before his death spoke in this singular manner, ‘I have received, during the whole course of my life, many favors from God; ought I not therefore cheerfully to take one bitter cup, when He thinks proper to present it? Or rather, ought I not to rejoice that it is his will I should give up a corrupted life for that of immortality!’”

Do not let any troubles come between you and your joy of the Lord. Today in praise, rejoice in Jesus that He has given you eternal life.

“One filled with joy preaches without preaching.” – Mother Teresa

God’s Word: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians

“For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 2:21

In April 2017, London marathon runner Matthew Rees was 300 meters from the finish line. Then he spotted exhausted competitor David Wyeth. David, a stranger to Matthew, was staggering. “I was just about to sprint to the finish when I saw David,” Matthew said. “His legs were completely jelly-like and he collapsed in front of me. So I decided to forget my race. He had come so far and after 26 miles of running I wanted him to make the finish.”

Matthew helped David to his feet, put his arm around him, and the two finished the marathon in 2 hours, 52 minutes and 26 seconds. 

What did Matthew say to David? “I was trying to motivate him and keep him coherent. I just kept on saying: ‘You will finish, I won’t leave your side, we’ll get to that finish line.’”

The Lord calls us to look beyond our own interests and to look to the interests of God and others. Today in prayer, confess any sin of selfishness and seek to be selfless in all that you do.  

“There is no smaller package than a person all wrapped up in himself.” – Peter C. Moore

God’s Word: “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” – 1 Corinthians 10:24

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians

“Do everything without complaining or arguing” – Philippians 2:14

The following are true travel complaints provided by travel agencies around the globe, including TripAdvisor.com and Thomas Cook: 

“We went on a canoe trip but were very disappointed that no one told us there would not be a bathroom onboard. It was very inconvenient.”

“There was no sign telling you that you shouldn’t get on the hot air balloon ride if you’re afraid of heights.”

“I was bitten by a mosquito. No one said they could bite.”

“Why doesn’t everyone speak English? We went to Spain and no one understood English. We will never go back there again.”

“There are too many Spanish people. The receptionist speaks Spanish. The food is Spanish. Too many foreigners now live abroad.”

And finally,

“No one told us there would be fish in the sea. The children were startled.”

As Christians, we need to curb our complaining and take everything to the Lord in prayer. Today in prayer, confess any sin of complaining and change your complaint into a prayer for help to the Lord.

“Murmuring is wasted breath, and fretting is wasted time.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

God’s Word: “Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!” – James 5:9

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PHILIPPIANS

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” – Philippians 2:6-7

While servant leadership is a timeless concept, the phrase “servant leadership” was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in The Servant as Leader, an essay that he first published in 1970. In that essay, Greenleaf said:

“The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions…The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature.

The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer, is: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?”

Jesus calls each of us to serve others. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His example of being a servant and give Him thanks for the multiple opportunities we have to serve others.

“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have too much . . . it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt

God’s Word: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45

Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians

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

In 1967, Missionary Doug Nichols was a patient in a tuberculosis ward in India. Patients and staff saw him as a rich American taking up space in their hospital. Their hostility was evident as they refused the gospel tracts he offered them. One morning at 2 o'clock, a very sick Indian man struggled to get out of bed to go to the bathroom, but he was too weak to make it. Soon the stench from his bed filled the room. Other patients yelled at him. Nurses showed their anger for having to clean up the mess. One person slapped him. The next night the old man tried again to get up, but again fell backward. He began to cry. Doug, weak himself, went over, picked him up, and carried him to the bathroom and back to his bed. What a change came over that hospital ward! One patient gave Doug a steaming cup of Indian tea, motioning that he wanted a tract. Nurses, interns, and doctors asked for booklets or gospels of John. And several eventually received Christ. What changed their attitude? Doug showed the humility of Jesus to them.

The Lord desires that we love Him and humbly walk with Him. Today in prayer, confess any pride and seek to love the Lord, to love others, and to humbly walk with Jesus.

“They that know God will be humble; they that know themselves cannot be proud.” – John Flavel

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 2020, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PHILIPPIANS

“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

Businessman and author Lee Iacocca once asked legendary football coach Vince Lombardi what it took to make a winning team. In his book, Iacocca records Lombardi’s answer: “There are a lot of coaches with good ball clubs who know the fundamentals and have plenty of discipline but still don’t win the game. Then you come to the third ingredient: if you’re going to play together as a team, you’ve got to care for one another. You’ve got to love each other. Each player has to be thinking about the next guy and saying to himself ‘If I don’t block that man, Paul is going to get his legs broken. I have to do my job well in order that he can do his.’ “The difference between mediocrity and greatness”, Lombardi said “is the feeling these guys have for each other.”

We all need encouragement. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that we have His Word that can encourage us and it can encourage others.

“This ministry of consolation and encouragement is not to be regarded as inferior and of secondary importance. Did we but discern it, we are daily surrounded by lonely, aching and sometimes broken hearts.” – J. Oswald Sanders

God’s Word: “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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel” – Philippians 1:27

For eight hours, he prepares his uniform and his mind for duty. Every day of his duty, he gets a fresh haircut. And when he is on duty, he will not vary from his command a single step, or for a single second, no matter the weather, no matter the hour of the day, no matter the day of the week, no matter the number of people watching, and no matter if no one watches at all.

This person is the unflinching guard, the sentinel, a member of the Third United States Infantry Regiment of the United States Army, the men and women who guard the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, just outside our nation's capitol.

For every minute of every day, since July 2, 1937, the Old Guard has stood guard. And there is nothing casual about the way the work is done Arlington.

When a sentinel comes on duty, he walks exactly 21 steps across the tomb, representing the 21-gun salute, the highest honor given to any military or foreign dignitary. When he turns, he faces the tomb, and remains in that position for 21 seconds. He turns again and walks 21 steps across the tomb. When he completes the short journey, he stops, turns toward the tomb, and pauses for 21 seconds. Over and over, the sentinel repeats the process, until his shift is completed. He walks in a manner that may prove worthy of those who have died for his freedom.

As Christians, we represent Jesus Christ here on earth. Our lives should have integrity. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His supreme example of a life lived well and seek to be a person of integrity.

"No man on earth is getting along 'pretty well' without Jesus Christ." - William Fraser McDowell

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 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:21

Jonathan Goforth grew up in Ontario, Canada farm. As a boy, he heard G. L. Mackay, a Presbyterian missionary to Formosa (Taiwan), speak, and Jonathan sensed God’s call to go to China. He and his wife Rosalind pioneered the North Honan (Henan) mission in 1888.

After some 20 years as a missionary, his evangelistic preaching helped spark the “Manchurian revival”. Jonathan’s life and ministry were transformed. He was basically an evangelist and revivalist, not a settled missionary. He also became one of the best known of all China missionaries, admired by many, but disliked by some for his “emotionalism.”

Goforth remained active well into the 1930s, especially in Manchuria. In 1931, the Goforths coauthored the book “Miracle Lives of China”.

It is said of him "when he found his own soul needed Jesus Christ, it became a passion with him to take Jesus Christ to every soul."

Life is short, so we need to desire to want to live for Jesus. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for all that He is and seek to live your life for Christ.

“Death to the Christian is the funeral of all his sorrows and evils, and the resurrection of all his joys.” - John H. Aughey

God’s Word: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians

“The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.” – Philippians 1:17

The 1954 track season began with great expectations. No one had ever run a sub-4-minute mile. For the first time, Roger Bannister started to train with others at Oxford University in England. He considered this a “great change.” He trained in his lunch break with friends and then was persuaded to join in some sessions with coach Franz Stampfl, who was working with his friend Chris Brasher.

In consultation with Franz Stampfl, Bannister arranged pacing by his colleagues Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway. Both Brasher and Chataway were world-class runners, but they selflessly agreed to pace Bannister. Brasher was to take the first two laps and Chataway the third lap.

On 6 May 1954, the race took place at Oxford. The two “rabbits”, Brasher and Chataway, ran exactly as planned and paced the race so Bannister could break the record. By the time Bannister took the lead on the last lap, both Brasher and Chataway were fading. But their blistering selfless pace for more than 3 laps enabled Bannister to break the record at 3:59.4.

Pride and selfish ambition can lead to sin and lawlessness. Today in prayer, confess any sin of ambition and seek to follow Jesus.

“The best ambition is: Who shall be servant of all.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

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 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy” – Philippians 1:4

Tedd Kidd was five years older than Janet, finished college before her, and started to work in a city hundreds of miles from her. They always seemed to be at different places in their lives. But they had been dating for seven years.

Every Valentine's Day, Tedd proposed to her. Every Valentine's Day, Janet would say, "No, not yet."

Finally, when they were both living in Dallas, Texas, Tedd reached the end of his patience. He bought a ring, took Janet to a romantic restaurant, and was prepared to reinforce his proposal with the diamond. Another no would mean he had to get on with his life without her.

After the salad, entree, and dessert, it was time. Tedd summoned up his courage. Knowing that Janet had a gift for him, however, he decided to wait. "What did you bring me?" he asked. She handed him a box the size of a book. He opened the package and slowly peeled away the tissue paper. It was a cross-stitch Janet had made that simply said, "Yes."

Yes - it is the word that God, in his tireless pursuit of the sinner, longs to hear.

Jesus came to bring us life and joy. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that anywhere and at any time, we can have the joy of Jesus.

“I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, Down in my heart, Down in my heart, Down in my heart.

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, Down in my heart, Down in my heart to stay.

And I'm so happy, So very happy, I've got the love of Jesus in my heart.

And I'm so happy, So very happy, I've got the love of Jesus in my heart” – George Willis Cooke

God’s Word: “Be joyful always” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:2

Pastor and Christian writer Ray Stedman writes: “The two great heritages of the Christian are grace and peace. These are two things you can always have, no matter what your circumstances. Grace is all God's power, all his love, all his beauty available to you. It is a marvelous term which wraps up all that God is and offers to us. It comes from the same Greek word from which we get our English word charm. Grace is charming, lovely, pleasant. It is something which pleases, which imparts charm and loveliness to a life. Peace is freedom from anxiety, fear, and worry. These are the two characteristics which ought to mark Christians all the time: Grace -- God at work in their life; and peace -- a sense of security, of trust.”

During these unsettling times, do you have God’s grace and peace?  Today in prayer, praise Jesus for His loving grace and His freeing peace.

“Grace is the free, undeserved goodness and favor of God to mankind.” – Matthew Henry

God’s Word: “To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 1:7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2020, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN Philippians