"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." - 1 Corinthians 16:13

Around 420 A.D., there lived in Persia, modern day Iran, a Christian nobleman named Hormizd.

The King of the Persians, ordered him to be summoned before him and to reject God as his Savior. But Hormizd cried: “What you command, O, King, is neither just nor expedient, for whosoever has learned readily to despise God, Who is the ruler of all men, and to deny Him, will be so much the more ready to despise his King, since the latter is but a man and a participator in human weakness.”

The King of Persia was infuriated by Hormizd’s response. He ordered him to strip off all his garments except only a breechcloth, and lead the camels that were in his army.

After many days had past, the King, looking down from his raised seat, and seeing that excellent nobleman scorched by the sun's rays and all covered with dust, called to mind his former rank and splendor, and ordered Hormizd to be brought to him, and a linen shift to be thrown about him. Then, presuming a change of mind through the hardships he endured, or in light of the kindness now shown him, he appealed to him, saying, “Come, now, put away your obstinacy, and deny the carpenter's son.” But Hormizd stood firm in his faith. He tore the shift in two and, tossing it in the King's face, rebuked him, saying, “If you think I shall desert my faith for this thing's sake, take back your gift and your impious thought with it.”

No matter what life may throw your way, stand firm in Christ. Today in prayer, thank Jesus that in Him you can stand in faith and never be shaken.

"The secret of strong and healthy faith is constant cultivation of the presence of God in Christ in the life. Center your attention – your affection on Him – faith comes along without any difficulty. Think of God – not faith!" – Richard C. Halverson

God's Word: "For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord." - 1 Thessalonians 3:8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults." - 1 Corinthians 14:20

In an article entitled: “Parents Have Stopped Acting Like Adults, That's Why Kids Are Becoming So Screwed Up,” Megan Aaron writes:

“Too many parents are abusive, unfaithful, alcoholic, and lazy…and we wonder why children follow the same behavior.

We wonder why suicide rates are so high. We wonder why the divorce rate continues to escalate. We wonder why the millennials are lazy or under-aged drinking in high school. It’s simple – the parents are acting like children, so as a result, the kids continue to do what they see their parents doing.

Parents who lead, discipline, and teach their kids right and wrong while reprimanding them for their actions have become all too rare because adults have become selfish. If something requires them to lose some sleep, they don’t want to deal with it. If they don’t want their kids to “hate” them for disciplining them, they won’t do it. If they aren’t disciplined themselves and can’t put the drink or pills down for the sake of their kid, then what kind of love and character is that kid seeing. Selfish love and lack of character.”

As Christians, we need to be mature and not be childish in our words and actions. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord and seek to be a mature Christian in all that you do.

"He is only advancing in life, whose heart is getting softer, his blood warmer, his brain quicker, and his spirit entering into living peace." - John Ruskin

God's Word: "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13

Thomas Stewart was born in Prince Albert, Canada on October 25, 1882. Following the sudden death of his father, William Stewart, in 1884, his mother returned with her three young children to Montreal, where she remarried nine years later.

As a young boy, Tom had injured his right eye and, in 1899, when he was 16, he severely injured the same eye. A doctor was summoned to the family’s home in Beaconsfield but, much to the horror of Tom’s family, the surgeon removed the good eye, leaving Tom totally blind.

On hearing of the tragedy, William C. Macdonald formed a group of 60 Montreal businessmen to set up a trust for Thomas. The income from this trust helped Thomas attend McGill University, where he studied law with his younger brother William.

Out of love, William read the law texts to his brother and their sister Graham was given special permission to write Thomas’ examinations. At graduation, the blind brother, Thomas, came out head of his class, while William came second.

The most excellent way of living is to love the Lord and to love others. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He loves you and love Him and others with all of your heart.

"Love is an image of God, and not a lifeless image, but the living essence of the divine nature, which beams full of all goodness." – Martin Luther

God's Word: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." - Galatians 5:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." - 1 Corinthians 12:13

Dr. Jim Denison is a pastor and Christian author. His articles have appeared in The Dallas Morning News, The Christian Post, Common Call, Huffington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, TheBlaze, FoxNews.com, Religion News Service, and Pathos.

When Dr. Denison was in college, he served as a summer missionary in East Malaysia. While there he attended a small church. At one of the church's worship services, a teenage girl came forward to announce her decision to follow Christ and be baptized.

During the service, Jim noticed some worn-out luggage leaning against the wall of the church building. He asked the pastor about it. The pastor pointed to the girl who had just been baptized and told Jim, "Her father said that if she was baptized as a Christian she could never go home again. So she brought her luggage."

In Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit baptizes us into one body. Today in prayer, if you have not made a public profession of your faith in baptism, consider doing so to bring glory and honor to Christ.

"Those who see baptism only as confession of our faith have missed the main point. Baptism is tied to the promise of forgiveness." - John Calvin

God's Word: "There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." - Ephesians 4:4-6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup." - 1 Corinthians 11:27-28

In his book titled “The Gospel According to Jesus” Chris Seay shares the following story:

"One week I was preaching in our church about the kingdom that is coming, and on the way out a young man grabbed me. He said, ‘Pastor, the kingdom [of God] is already here. Every Sunday I used to be in the same neighborhood. I used to come down here to a bar called Emo's, and I'd start every night with a drop of ecstasy on my tongue and wash it down with Bicardi 151. That's what I did Sunday after Sunday. Now I come [to a worship service] instead, and I finish the evening with the body of Christ on my tongue, and I wash it down with the blood of Christ. This is the kingdom of God.’"

Chris Seay adds, "This man is experiencing the kingdom; he lives in its presence. We may not recognize it, we don't often see it, but it is right here, and we long to get past the mundane existence of religion and get a taste of the kingdom."

The Lord's Supper is a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. We need to take part in it in a reflective, appreciative manner. Today in prayer, thank Christ for the Lord's Supper and remember Jesus each time you eat the bread and drink the cup.

"The real presence of Christ's most blessed body and blood is not to be sought for in the sacrament, but in the worthy receiver of the sacrament." - Richard Hooker

God's Word: "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'" - Luke 22:19

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” – 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

On the morning of November 14, 2017, Baltimore County Police officer Max Mills responded to a call about smoke in a wooded area. A homeless man said he had started a fire to keep warm.

“When we got there, the guy was just standing there with his eyes closed, and he was mumbling,” Officer Mills said. “So I asked him what he was doing, and he said he was praying for food.”

The man was 28 to 30 years old, Mills said, and about 6 feet, 6 inches tall  — the officer described the man as a “gentle giant — so quiet and easy to deal with.”

The officer took the man to the Westside Men’s Shelter to have his clothes washed and get him something to eat, he said. Mills said he spoke to the person running the shelter to make sure they had space for the man.

The officer said he noticed that the man’s shoes were worn. The man told Mills that he had walked from Pennsylvania. Mills said he went to Walmart, where the manager agreed to donate the store’s last pair of size 14 shoes.

“I went to hand him the shoes, and he wouldn’t even put his hand out,” Mills said. “I think he was shocked that somebody was helping him, and he stood there and cried. That’s what shocked me.”

Never grow tired in doing good to others. Today in prayer, ask Jesus to increase your love for others and to seek their good.

“To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.” – G.K. Chesterton

God’s Word: “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." - 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

In the long history of con artists, George C. Parker holds a special place of dishonor. He is remembered as one of the most successful and daring swindlers in American history. He set up an office in New York City and “sold” some of the city’s most famous attractions to tourists. His favorite was the Brooklyn Bridge, but he also sold the Statue of Liberty, Madison Square Garden, and Grant’s Tomb. He produced elaborately forged documents and deeds to convince his targets that he was the rightful owner of the landmarks he was selling.

Parker was so persuasive that on more than one occasion, police had to come and explain why the new “owners” of the Brooklyn Bridge couldn’t put up tollbooths to collect money from those who tried to cross. After his third conviction for fraud, Parker was sentenced to life at Sing Sing Prison in New York, where he spent the last eight years of his life. He dishonestly made a fortune preying on people who foolishly believed his empty words. He not only was an expert salesman, but he realized that many people were gullible and he could use that to his advantage by tempting them with their own greed.

All of us will be tempted in multiple areas of our lives. We need to look to the Lord and ask for His wisdom in overcoming temptation. Today in prayer, ask Jesus how to best deal with the situations in your life and how to overcome temptation.

"Every temptation that we meet in the path of duty is another chance of filling our souls with the power of heaven." – Frederick Temple

God's Word: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24

Ryan Hall is an Olympic marathon runner. He is also a committed Christian.

He said the following in Runners’ World Magazine: “From my experience through my running career of weathering many lows and enjoying some really high mountain peak experiences, I have felt that the sweetest part of running is feeling God with me as I run, and the great thing about that is it isn't something that only one person or a couple of people can experience in a race. We can all experience it. We can all feel something that is even sweeter, available every time we toe the line and more lasting than winning or setting a record. Today, whenever I sign my name to an autograph I always write John 10:10 with it because it is the best part of following Jesus and having his Spirit in me – it makes life sweeter. My running is better, my daily life is better, etc. Following Jesus doesn't mean abandoning the fun things of this world; it means having more fun, being free from the worries of daily life, and experiencing things in greater, more fulfilling ways.”

In all that you do, follow Jesus. Today in prayer, spend some extra time reading your Bible and desire to be more like Christ. 

“In the Christian race all may run so as to obtain. There is the greatest encouragement, therefore, to persevere with all our strength, in this course.” – Matthew Henry

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.” – Hebrews 12:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

“If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?” – 1 Corinthians 9:11

Pastor Brian Kluth not only pastors a church, but he inspires others to give generously. The following is an illustration from his church:

“Our 3-year-old church had a chance to buy a $2-million-dollar building for only $500,000 if we could come up with the money in 90 days. I told everyone in the church to be watching for unexpected financial provisions in their life during this 90-day period. A factory worker, named Mike, told me he thought it was stupid for me to tell people to look for unexpected monies so people could give generously to the building project. But the next week, Mike’s factory foreman called him into the office and gave Mike an envelope. Mike thought it was a pink slip saying he was getting laid off or fired. But instead, it was a $500 bonus for his good work. Mike couldn’t believe it. He had never heard of anyone in his factory getting a bonus before. Mike joyfully gave all $500 to the 90-day building fund project.”

The best investment you can make is financially supporting the pastors and ministers of your church. They work throughout the week to help you grow spiritually; we need to work to support them financially. Today in prayer, ask Jesus to give you wisdom on how best to invest in His work.

“Giving is the thermometer of our love.” – Benjamin R. De Jong

God’s Word: “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” – 1 Corinthians 16:2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." - 1 Corinthians 8:9

In “A modern example of a stumbling block,” Christian author Gary Friesen wrote the following:

“This concept is illustrated by something that happened to me when I was a boy. One evening, I was already late for supper when I started home. To make up for lost time, I planned to take a shortcut across an open field. When I arrived, I learned to my dismay that the field was no longer “open.” It was occupied by several people with bows and arrows.

The route I had anticipated taking cut directly across the trajectory of the arrows. Yet to detour around the archers would cost precious minutes. I made a decision to stick to my original flight plan. When I discerned what I thought was a lull in the missile traffic, I took off. Next thing, I heard a whish just behind my head and then the gasp of the spectators. What I did, in my juvenile immaturity, was stupid. But the guy who let that arrow fly almost caused me to stumble. Shooting an arrow is perfectly legitimate when done within legal restrictions. So a man may take target practice at an archery range with complete freedom. He is not compelled to do so; neither is he prohibited from practicing.

However, if a small boy in his ignorance wanders onto the archery range, the situation changes. The archer is no longer free to release the arrow, even if he has followed all the rules. It is not his fault that the child has crossed the line of fire. Still, he is required to refrain from shooting until the boy is out of danger. There is nothing wrong with shooting an arrow in itself. But if such an act resulted in injury or death to a “weaker” child, the archer would be held accountable. Even on an archery range, the man with the bow must look before he shoots. The safety of others is of greater importance than the freedom to shoot an arrow.”

Is there an area in your life that is an obstacle to others in drawing closer to Jesus? Today in prayer, ask the Lord to help you see any stumbling blocks in your life and pray that you can turn the stumbling blocks into stepping-stones to encourage others.

"We should be careful to do nothing that may occasion weak Christians to defile their consciences." - Matthew Henry

God's Word: "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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away." - 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

One of American television’s longest soap operas is entitled “The Days of Our Lives.” Since its beginning, the show has aired more than 13,000 episodes. It has run every weekday since 1965. When the series began, it revolved around the tragedies and triumphs of the suburban Horton family.

In April 1966, Macdonald Carey, who played Dr. Thomas Horton on the show, intoned the legendary epigram "Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives."

The opening shot was an hourglass that had just been turned over and sand was pouring out into its lower half.

But in 1994, Carey himself died of lung cancer and his character Thomas Horton also died off. The show’s opening was changed after 28 years out of respect for Carey and his family.

Time is short and we need to be faithful all of your life. Today in prayer, ask Jesus to help you make every day count for Him and love others as Jesus loves them. 

"Doest thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.” – Benjamin Franklin

God's Word: "And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." - Romans 13:11-12

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts." - 1 Corinthians 7:19

In his sermon entitled “Obeying the Commandments - 1 John 2,” Pastor Rick Ezell wrote the following about obedience:

“I read of a housekeeper that went to work for a bachelor. Each day when the man would leave for work, he would leave a list of projects for the housekeeper to complete. In time, the two fell in love and became married. Upon arriving at work, following their wedding, his buddies asked if he left her the list.

He said, ‘No.’

‘Well,’ they said, ‘she will watch television all day and do nothing.’

The newlywed replied, ‘No. She will do all those tasks and more, not because she has to but because she wants. She will do it for love.’”

May your love for Jesus shine through you in all that you do. Today in prayer, seek to follow Jesus Christ in everything you do.

“Holiness does not consist in mystic speculations, enthusiastic fervours, or uncommanded austerities; it consists in thinking as God thinks, and willing as God wills.” - John Brown

God's Word: “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” – 1 John 2:3-6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body." - 1 Corinthians 6:18

Colton Dixon is an American Christian singer-songwriter and musician from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Colton, who got his break on the eleventh season of American Idol before releasing two studio albums that topped the Christian music charts, married his wife Annie in January 2016. The couple had abstained from sexual relations until they were married. Colton said the first time they slept in the same bed together was on their honeymoon. “It was kind of strange: we checked into the room and realized, ‘We actually get to go to sleep side by side! This is so cool!’” Colton said. “Anywhere we’ve traveled before, we’ve always gotten two hotel rooms. We wanted to remain pure in that area.” When dating, the two had decided that waiting to have sex until after marriage would make it more meaningful. “It was not easy!” Colton said. “But I believe sex was designed for marriage, and I knew it would be more meaningful to wait. That was something I grew up thinking and feeling, and I believe the Bible backs it up as well.” Annie added, “It wasn’t because someone was telling me this is what you should do. Deep down in my heart it felt like it was the right thing. And we’re really glad we did. We know God’s hand is on our marriage.”

The Lord has reserved sexual intimacy for marriage. Today in prayer, if you are involved in an affair outside of marriage, flee from it and look to Jesus for strength. If you are not in an affair, seek to remain sexually pure and to honor Christ with your body.

"Within marriage, sex is beautiful, fulfilling, creative. Outside of marriage, it is ugly, destructive, and damning." – John MacArthur

God's Word: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat." - 1 Corinthians 5:11

Rita Crundwell was the appointed comptroller and treasurer of Dixon, Illinois, from 1983 to 2012. She acquired a sterling reputation; for instance in 2011 one of the city commissioners praised Crundwell for her stewardship of city finances, saying: "she looks after every tax dollar as if it were her own."

But a year later, the FBI arrested Rita for stealing

$53 million of public funds across 20 years - making her the perpetrator of the largest case of municipal fraud in American history.

On December 8, 1990; Crundwell opened a secret bank account named RSCDA (Reserve Sewer Capital Development Account), making it appear to be a city account. She was the only signatory. She would have money deposited into another account called the Capital Development Fund, create false state invoices, and then write checks from the fund payable to "Treasurer," which she would deposit into the RSCDA account. According to federal investigators, this relatively uncomplicated scheme continued for 22 years.

She used the funds to build one of the nation's leading quarter horse breeding empires, all the while her greed forced city staff cuts, police budget slashing, and neglect of public infrastructure. 

Christ has called us to love people not to love things. Today in prayer, examine your life and get rid of any greed.

"God wants to give us something, but cannot, because our hands are full--there's nowhere for him to put it." - Augustine

God's Word: "Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." - Luke 12:15

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?" - 1 Corinthians 5:6

Police had an easy time tracking down Floridian Mack Yearwood, wanted in connection with an assault that took place over Labor Day weekend 2016, after he used his own wanted poster as his Facebook profile picture. One of Yearwood's friends commented "Nice mug shot," to which the 42-year-old Yearwood braggingly responded "Thanks buddy!"

Police in Stuart, Florida, north of Miami, used Yearwood's Facebook to track him to his brother's house, where he was arrested. According to the arresting officers, a bag of marijuana tumbled out of the Yearwood's pocket as he was handcuffed, and he politely asked the cops not to charge him for possession.

Writing on the Stuart Police Department Facebook page, Cpl. Brian Bossio noted: "Facebook is a great way to communicate and connect with old friends and family... If you are wanted by the police, it's probably not a good idea to use the 'Wanted of the Week' poster of yourself as your profile pic." 

Boasting is foolish pride and the Lord hates to see pride in our lives. Today in prayer, confess and pride in your life and seek to live a life of humility.

"Grace puts its hand on the boasting mouth, and shuts it once for all." – Charles H. Spurgeon

God's Word: "As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil." - James 4:16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children." - 1 Corinthians 4:14

On September 29, 2015, at 8:10 p.m., El Faro left Jacksonville, Florida for San Juan, Puerto Rico, carrying a cargo of 391 shipping containers. The ship's master, Captain Michael Davidson, charted a course that took the vessel a reasonably safe distance away from Hurricane Joaquin. 

But during the next few days, Hurricane Joaquin developed into a Category 4 storm and shifted course.

The captain used outdated weather maps and ignored the suggestions of his bridge officers to take a path further away from the path of the hurricane, which pounded the ship with 35-foot seas and 100 mile-an-hour winds.

"We may never understand why the captain failed to heed his crew’s concerns about sailing into the path of a hurricane, or why he refused to chart a safer course away from such dangerous weather,” Robert Sumwalt, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, said. "But we know all too well the devastating consequences of those decisions."

The captain ordered his crew to abandon the ship when the sinking was imminent. All 33 crewmembers perished at sea.

The captain's decision to sail into a hurricane despite multiple warnings led to the deadliest U.S. shipping disaster in more than 30 years.

When the Lord warns us, we need to heed His warnings. Today in prayer, thank Christ for His Word and the godly men and women in your life. Seek to heed the warnings He has given you so you may grow in His wisdom.

"Take warning by the misfortunes of others, that others may not take example from you.”- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

God's Word: "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come." - 1 Corinthians 10:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." - 1 Corinthians 4:2

During the War of 1812, Fort McHenry became a key to the defense of Baltimore.

In preparation of an expected attack, President Madison ordered Major George Armistead to command the Fort. Major Armistead was already a war hero for capturing Fort George in Canada from the British.

Major Armistead expressed the desire for a very large flag to fly over the fort to enrage the British. He specified "a flag so large that the British would have no difficulty seeing it from a distance".

Mary Pickersgill and her family stitched the flag that measured 42 by 30 feet.

In September 1814, Baltimore attorney Francis Scott Key met with British Prisoner Exchange Agent Colonel John Stuart Skinner. Just after agreeing upon an exchange of Americans and British prisoners aboard the British ship HMS Tonnant, Key was informed that the British Navy was about to attack Fort McHenry. British Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane gave the Americans an ultimatum: lower the American flag at Fort McHenry or face the wrath of the British Navy.

Major Armistead refused to surrender.

On the evening of 13 September, 19 British war ships began 25 hours of continuous shelling of Fort McHenry. More than 2,000 shells hit the fort. The flag was pummeled from the gunfire, but it continued to fly. Cannon fire broke the flagpole, but faithful men propped up the pole under a rain of fire. As morning dawned on 14 September, the American flag still waved. The British ships were unable to pass the Fort and penetrate Baltimore harbor and the attack was ended, saving Baltimore.

Whatever you have been called by the Lord to do, be faithful in following Him. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for the work He has called you to do and strive to be faithful in all that you do.

"I do not pray for success. I ask for faithfulness." - Mother Teresa

God's Word: ""His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" - Matthew 25:21

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness" - 1 Corinthians 3:19

Franz Reichelt was born in Austria, but he moved to Paris in 1898, at the age of 19. A tailor by trade, he opened a successful dressmaking business in the center of the city that catered to Austrians visiting Paris. But by the early 20th century, he’d begun to dream of a more utilitarian garment.

The world of aviation was being tested and expanded at a steady clip, leading to such milestones as the Wright brothers’ famous first flight in 1903. Amid all that adventurous experimentation came a number of tragic airplane accidents. Reichelt got it in his head to do something to help improve the safety of these early aviators. Thus was born his vision of the “parachute suit”.

On Sunday, February 4, 1912 he demonstrated to the world his “parachute suit.”

"Ladies, gentlemen... behold! My entire wardrobe, sewn together!" proclaimed Reichelt. He then climbed and jumped off the Eiffel Tower in front of an audience. Reichelt’s suit failed to deploy correctly, seeming to wrap and tangle around him, turning him into a torpedo. He plummeted straight down and perished instantly.

Our “wisest” decisions can look very foolish in time. Today in prayer, ask the Lord for His wisdom in all of your decisions.

"We are ensnared by the wisdom of the serpent; we are set free by the foolishness of God." - Augustine

God's Word: "For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." - Proverbs 2:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 3:11

The town of Transcona in Manitoba, Canada existed because of the railroad that ran through it. Because Transcona was a transportation hub, it made sense to locate a grain elevator there. In 1911, soil tests were made to begin construction of the grain elevator. The tests showed that the soil should be able to handle a pressure four to five tons per square foot. The designed grain elevator filled completely would only bear pressure of 3.3 tons per square foot, so the soil would have no problem holding the pressure of the filled grain elevator. However, the actual built load of the bin house was 20,000 tons, which when computed was well over 4 tons per square foot. Construction of the Transcona Grain Elevator ended in September of 1913.

On October 18th, grain was being transferred into the Transcona Grain Elevator. As it was loaded, the bin house foundation began to settle, going down 1 foot in the first hour. Over the next day, the structure settled further and came to rest at a 27-degree angle from the vertical to the west.

Researchers found that the foundation was extremely unstable because it was constructed on stratified clay, which contained layers of silt salt throughout the layers of clay. The engineering failure is one of the most studied soil failures in history.

The only perfect foundation, the one that will hold through any of life’s storms and pressures, is Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, thank Christ that He is our firm foundation and build your life on the surest of cornerstones.

"The doctrine of our Savior and his mediation is the principal doctrine of Christianity. It lies at the bottom, and is the foundation, of all the rest." - Matthew Henry

God's Word: "So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed." - Isaiah 28:16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." - 1 Corinthians 2:5

Dr. Raymond McHenry is pastor of Westgate Memorial Baptist Church in Beaumont Texas. He notes that in times of uncertainty it is good to know the simple facts of God’s Power from Isaiah 40:

* The oceans of the world contain more than 340 quintillion gallons of water, yet God holds them “in the hollow of his hand” (40:12).

* The earth weighs 6 sextillion metric tons, yet God says it is but “dust on the scales” (40:15).

* The known universe stretches more than 30 billion light years (200 sextillion miles), but God measures it by the width of his hand (40:12).

* Scientists claim there are at least 100 billion galaxies and each galaxy is made up of about 100 billion stars. To such mind-boggling math Isaiah reminds us that God calls each star “by name” (40:26).

Our faith must rest either in the Lord or in someone else. Today in prayer, place all of your cares and concerns in Christ’s hands and have faith in Him.

"It is the heart that senses God, and not the reason. That is what faith is: God perceptible to the heart and not to reason." - Blaise Pascal

God's Word: "Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands." - Psalm 78:7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:18

Gavin Peacock was the son of a local soccer star from Southeast London. His childhood dream was to follow in his father’s footsteps.

At age 16, he left school and signed a professional contract with Premier League Queens Park Rangers (QPR). He remembered: “Soccer was my god. If I played well on a Saturday I was high, if I played poorly I was low. My sense of well-being depended entirely on my performance. I soon realized that achieving the goal wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.”

When he was 18, God intervened in Gavin’s life. He was still struggling to find purpose when he went to a local Methodist church one Sunday evening. “I don’t remember what the minister preached on” said Gavin, “but afterward he invited me to his house, where he and his wife hosted a weekly youth Bible study.”

Gavin enjoyed his time and the next week he returned and gave his life to Christ.

He began to grow in Christ and acknowledged “Soccer wasn’t my idol anymore.

The biggest test of that truth came when it was time to end my career. I was 35 with a chronic knee injury and knew the day had come to retire. Giving up a good thing or having it taken away reveals how much you love the Lord. Through the pain of our losses he shows us that he is always with us and asks us if he is enough. And so it was when I ended my 18-year career in July 2002. It was a privilege to play for QPR, Chelsea, and Newcastle United, but the schoolboy dream was over.”

Today, Gavin is a pastor in Canada, where he is teaching others to turn to Jesus.

The most important thing in life is to give your heart to Jesus Christ and to follow Him. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His sacrifice on the Cross and seek to follow Him in all that you do.

"On almost every church in the Western world there is a cross. Why? Why has the cross become the symbol of Christianity? It is because on the cross Christ shed his blood, which has become the cure for sinners who will recognize their spiritual poverty and receive Him as their savior, Master, and Lord." - Billy Graham

God's Word: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." - Romans 1:16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS

"I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." - 1 Corinthians 1:10

On February 4, 1789, George Washington becomes the first and only president to be unanimously elected by the Electoral College. He repeated this notable feat on the same day in 1792.

The peculiarities of early American voting procedure meant that although Washington won unanimous election, he still had a runner-up, John Adams, who served as vice president during both of Washington’s terms. Electors in what is now called the Electoral College named two choices for president. They each cast two ballots without noting a distinction between their choice for president and vice president. Washington was chosen by all of the electors and therefore is considered to have been unanimously elected. Of those also named on the electors’ ballots, Adams had the most votes and became vice president.

Although Washington’s overwhelming popularity prevented problems in 1789 and 1792, this procedure caused great difficulty in the elections of 1796 and 1800. In 1796, Federalist supporters of John Adams cast only one of their two votes in an effort to ensure that Adams would win the presidency without giving votes to any of the other candidates. This led to a situation in which the Federalist Adams won the highest number of votes and became president, but Thomas Jefferson, the opposing Democratic-Republican candidate, came in second and therefore became his opponent’s vice president.

As Christians, we should find ourselves in “complete unanimity” working together to bring glory to Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, give your heart to the Lord and strive to be in unity with other Christians to serve Him.

"As we draw nearer to Christ, we shall be drawn nearer to His people; and in our search for unity with the members we shall be drawn closer to the Head.” – G.T. Manley

God's Word: "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus" - Romans 15:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2018, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS