Rev. Luke Powell Daily Devotions

The South African national anthem gives us some helpful guidelines for prayer. But - instead of praying for our nation to be glorified, let's pray for GOD to be glorified in our nation.

After a rough week in South Africa, we've been reminded of the importance of praying for our nation. Are we, the people of God, rising up in prayer for our nation? Paul urged the early church to do so.

At age 103, Jim was still sharing the love of Jesus however he could. To please his Maker remained his primary mission, his whole life... How about you and I?

Jim's greatest challenge as a Christian was to forgive the man who had orchestrated the Pearl Harbour attack. General Fuchida had become a Christian, and discovered the mercy of God for even him. Do you have someone to forgive today? If God can forgive Fuchida, so you and I are to forgive those who have hurt us.

When a typhoon threatened to bring chaos on a local town, Jim and his fellow Christians began praying earnestly for God's intervention... and sure enough, the typhoon reversed its course and disappeared. Are you praying boldly today?

Jim Downing was deeply admired by his friends and peers. Someone said of him "his life means more to me than all the sermons I ever heard"... The example of a life lived in Christ is perhaps the greatest sermon you or I could ever preach.

Jim Downing survived Pearl Harbour, and realized how urgent was the mission to share the love of Jesus. In today's world of COVID, with death all around us, surely we can learn the same lesson.

In the midst of the attack of Pearl Harbour, Jim experienced something amazing - the overwhelming peace of God. Do you have peace in the battles of life? Give up worrying, and focus on God.

On the infamous day of the attack on Pearl Harbour, Jim rushed to defend his country, and as he went his wife shouted a Bible verse after him! She had that verse ready to go for the time of disaster. This is a great practice for us as Christians. Let's be people of the Word.

When God prompted Jim Downing to share the gospel with a friend, he chickened out. A few days later that man was dead. Don't ignore His nudgings!

Jim Downing finally gave his life to Christ - no reservations - and found great fulfillment and joy, even in a dusty and dark place. Have you made such a commitment? Do it today!

Navy man and Christian Jim Downing's book inspires us this week. Early in his life church meant little to him, but later on he was inspired by a friend who had a different approach to faith. How do you pursue God?

Weatherhead shares three ways in which being in God's will brings us peace.

How can we know what God is expecting of us? Weatherhead gives us some helpful pointers and then reminds us to take courage and move in faith.

God's omnipotence doesn't make him pull humanity's strings like a puppet master. Instead, it means that no evil can finally defeat His good purposes.

Weatherhead describes how even if evil brings about bad circumstances in our lives, by faith, we can rise above them and still fulfill God's purposes.

Leslie Weatherhead's words show us that no evil is ever God's intention - that we cannot identify as God's will something for which a person would be locked in jail.

When we begin declaring our faith to others, we find new passion and power! Tell another Christian, tell a non-Christian, and tell the devil when he starts trying to knock you off course.

Josiah makes a full commitment to God - not turning to the right or left! Let's recognizes that the power of Jesus is not just to forgive, but to give us victory over sin. Commit your everything to him, and walk in faith, relying on His spirit.

Josiah received God's love when he humble admitted his sins. Once we believe that God has given His Son for us, we have found saving faith. And boy, does He love us!

When he heard the Word of God being read to him, Josiah tore his clothes in grief, as he realised the level of sin that the people had sunk to. The first step to making a covenant with God is admitting our state of sinfulness.

Josiah's great legacy was renewing the covenant that the people of Judah had forsaken. The good news is that God is willing to forgive and let us renew our covenant with him.

When people came to worship even though they ceremonially unclean, Hezekiah had compassion and let them worship, begging God to forgive them. Here he foreshadows Jesus, who did the same thing many times. Know today that you can come as you are to a God who cares... and Christian, be Christ-like, not Pharisee-like, in the way you treat others!

Hezekiah's great legacy was reopening the temple for worship. Jesus too was committed to communal worship. Whether in-person or online, are you engaging with others and being a part of communal worship, rather than just personal worship? You will find a blessing there, if you do.

Hezekiah was dealt a bad hand, but instead of making excuses he took responsibility and made changes where he could. What an example for us!