Rev. Luke Powell Daily Devotions

So often we allow ourselves to be crippled by the mistakes of the past. But friends, what embarrassed you in the past can empower you for the future if you let it. Sangster's wise words guide us in this today.

William Sangster's great sermon teaches us that we can find healing from the pain of our past, through our great God. Will you go to him with your past pain today?

The great promise of God is to bring his people joy as they seek him. Oh, seek joy in HIM today!

In a world where many Christians are killed for their faith, and others have their bodies ravaged by sickness, how do we make sense of the words of Psalm 97:10? The answer is found in Jesus' words in Matthew 12:28. Earthly harm does not cause us fear, because we believe the Father will deliver us from it all one day.

A righteous God cannot accept sin - he hates it, and so should we. But we always love people! Be cleansed of your sin today, and pray for God's work of grace in the lives of many, so that sin no longer had a hold on us.

If the foundation of God's throne is righteousness and justice, what is the foundation of our lives as His followers? Amazing things could happen in this world, if we lived for these two values like God does.

Many people reign in their respective jobs, but there is only ONE who reigns the earth, only ONE causes the mountains to melt like wax, only ONE whose righteousness is proclaimed by the heavens themselves. Remember today that our God is mighty, and that He reigns!

Closing our week on perseverance, we hear some wise words from Winston Churchill during the second world war. Never never never never give in! Because these are great days and there is a mission to be accomplished. Church of God, let us rise to the occasion and endure like Jesus did, whatever may come our way.

Jesus refused to be ashamed by his suffering. Even though it cost him his dignity in every way, he endured it for joy and scorned the shame. People of God, may be do the same!

Enduring our crosses with joy is a great way to witness to Christ. Christians who pretend to have it all together don't attract non-believers, but Christians who endure their pain with joy have something that all people want.

How did Jesus endure such an awful time of suffering? The writer to the Hebrews tells us that it was for the joy set before him that he endured. We too have joy on the other side of our suffering to look forward to , and so with His help, we can endure.

In these difficult days, how to we make it through? By fixing our eyes on Jesus, who had the crown jewel of character traits - endurance.

Our hearts are prone to wander from God - into sin, or into anxiety. Come home to him today and find rest.

It is only by grace that we are saved, as Paul said. A story of a bird flying into a church services illustrates this today.

We can search for peace in all sorts of places, but it can only come from within - when we've invited God's Spirit to dwell within us.

Jesus alone can make us whole! When we meet him and experience his touch, we are made whole. A story by John Powell shows us this truth today.

Are you filled to the brim? Many of us Christians receive the Spirit but aren't filled with his power. Surrender to him totally today, and be filled.

When her husband was killed by militant extremists, Emily Foreman and her family could have been bitter. But they chose forgiveness and faith instead. Let's follow their example.

For the Foremans, no price was too large to pay, if it meant doing God's work. Stephen concluded that having given his life to Christ already, he had nothing left to lose. And so, even when he DID pay the ultimate price, his family could celebrate through their grief.

Jesus never called his followers to safety, but to obedience! And he promised joy and peace to his followers, even if they were facing persecution. The Foremans were bold for their faith even in when it could have put them in danger. 

In a culture were the lowly were despised, Stephen Foreman's kindness towards even the poorest people was a vivid picture of the love of Christ. How are we treating those that society looks down on? Let us love them like Jesus did.

While living in the desert doing mission work, the Foremans had to maintain an attitude of gratefulness, and quit complaining. We can learn from them today!

The Foremans did God's work in a Muslim country, helping and making friendships with the people there and sharing the gospel as they did. Such work needs support from people like you and I. Would you be willing to give - money or prayer - to the work of missionaries who spread the gospel in non-Christian countries?

While working in a prison, serving the prisoners there, Stephen Foreman developed a friendship with a man who offered to finish out his Father's prison sentence and let him go free. This is a great picture of the gospel - Jesus became a substitute prisoner for you and I.

When the Foremans told their American friends that they were going to minister to Muslims, some withdrew their support, because 9-11 was still so raw in their lives. But Jesus taught us to love, save and redeem our enemies.