“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” – 1 Timothy 6:10

Joseph Heller was an American author of novels, short stories, plays, and screenplays. His best-known work is the 1961 novel “Catch-22”, which is a satire on war and bureaucracy. 

He once was at a party at the upscale community of the Hamptons on Long Island in New York. 

A guy came over to him and pointed at a young, 25-year-old standing at the party who worked for a big hedge fund. Heller’s “friend,” said to him, “see that guy over there? He made more money last year than you will ever make with all of your books combined.”

Joseph Heller said, “Maybe so. But I have one thing that man will never have.”

His friend was skeptical. “Oh yeah, what?”

Heller said, “Enough.”

Money is not an end in itself; we should never love money. Today in prayer, ask the Lord how to best use all that He has given you and seek to be a good steward.

“Money has never made man happy, nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has the more one wants.” – Benjamin Franklin

God’s Word: “not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.” – 1 Timothy 3:3 

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

“But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.” – 1 Timothy 6:8-9

On November 4, 2010, Eunice Sandborn became the world’s oldest living person. She celebrated her 114th birthday on July 20, 2010, at her church, First Baptist, in Jacksonville, Texas. 

She had been confined to her bed for several years but was often helped to a chair outside her home in Jacksonville, Texas, where she had lived for 75 years.

She was married three times, her most recent husband passing away in 1979. She outlived her only daughter.

Eunice said that she not only loves everything about her life, but she also had “no complaints.” If she had wanted to complain, she would have had many things accumulate throughout her 114 years but she was content. This lady has demonstrated that complaining and contentment are choices.

Contentment can be found in knowing Jesus and loving Him. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for your life and be content in all that He has given you.

"Contentment is realizing that God has already provided everything we need for our present happiness." – Bill Gothard

God’s Word: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” – Philippians 4:12

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

“Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.” – 1 Timothy 5:13 

Ed Sullivan was 18 years old when he began writing for The Hartford Post. The newspaper folded in his first week there, but he landed another job on The New York Evening Mail as a sports reporter. After The Evening Mail closed in 1923, he bounced through a series of news jobs with The Associated Press, The Philadelphia Bulletin, The Morning World, The Morning Telegraph, The New York Bulletin, and The Leader. Finally, in 1927, Sullivan joined The Evening Graphic, first as a sportswriter, and then as a sports editor. In 1929, when Walter Winchell moved to The Daily Mirror, Sullivan was made Broadway columnist. He left the Graphic for the city's largest tabloid, the New York Daily News. His column, "Little Old New York", concentrated on Broadway shows and gossip. 

Between the years 1948 and 1971, nearly everyone who watched television saw The Ed Sullivan Show. Even non-regular viewers often tuned in to Sullivan occasionally to see their favorite singer, comedian, or celebrity.

Ed could make or break a career by what he wrote in his column. 

He could be very quick to take offense if he felt that he had been crossed or betrayed and could hold a grudge for a long time. Comedian Jackie Mason and the rock group “The Doors” were two cases in point who got on Ed's bad side and never were to return to the show.

Gossip is a sin. Today in prayer, confess any sin of gossip in your life to the Lord and seek to refrain from listening and spreading gossip.

“Have you heard of the terrible family They, 

And the dreadful venomous things They say'

Why, half the gossip under the sun,

If you trace it back, you will find begun

In that wretched House of They.” - Ellen Wilcox Wheeler

God’s Word: “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.” – Proverbs 11:13 

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” – 1 Timothy 5:8

Bill Adkins is the founder and pastor of Greater Imani Church located in Memphis, Tennessee. He fathered an illegitimate daughter and throughout her entire life, he failed to acknowledge Lashonda. She is now in her 30’s and wrote: 

“Am I bitter? Yes. A man of the cloth preaching to his flock how to live and walk the path of God yet having several children outside of marriage and never righting his wrongs is despicable to me. Living day after day full of lies and hiding your past for a manufactured image to appease your followers.  I wonder how does he even live with himself sometimes. But as he claims to walk the path of righteousness yet steadily head in the opposite direction. All I can do is let go and move. That is his road, not mine. I can no more make someone love me or be a father. That part of my life is gone. And I have grieved and suffered.”

Men - your first responsibility to provide for the material and emotional members of your family. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for your family and ask Jesus how you can better provide for them.

"A man's family is also part of his work for the Lord. So if he fails with his family, he fails to qualify to be a minister." - Mary LaGrand Bouma

God’s Word: “If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.” – 1 Timothy 5:16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

“Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.” – 1 Timothy 4:14

Pastor Konnie Stevens took over as senior pastor of a large southern church after spending eight years ministering in Moscow and other Eastern European cities. Things had changed a lot in America, especially in the world of technology. Cable, computers, cellular phones—it can all get a bit confusing. So when pastor Stevens complained to his new secretary that he didn't think that the pager device folks asked him to carry was working, she was gentle in pointing out that he was carrying his garage door opener. That of course explained why his pager wasn't having much success opening the garage door. Pastor Stevens had all the tools. He just needed a little good information on how to use them. 

The Lord has given each of us unique gifts and talents he wants us to use to their maximum capacity to bring glory to Him. Today in prayer, ask Jesus how you can best serve Him with the talents and gifts He has given you.

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." – Galileo

God’s Word: “So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.” – 1 Corinthians 14:12

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

“Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12

While in his 20’s, Rev. Dr. Daniel Corrie Shull became the Senior Pastor of the Burnett Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He committed the congregation to be committed Disciples of Christ. Under his leadership, the congregation has experienced tremendous growth through the addition of hundreds of families into church membership. Under his leadership, Dr. Shull is the youngest Senior Pastor with a congregation of 2000. In 2013, Pastor Shull led the Burnett Avenue congregation to purchase and renovate a new church campus that currently facilitates four weekend worship services and a myriad of church and community activities. In addition to preaching four times per weekend and providing leadership to a thriving congregation, he serves on a number of Boards for community organizations and institutions of higher education, mentors youth, and is an author. A proponent of education, Dr. Shull holds degrees from Fisk University, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School and works as an adjunct professor for Louisville area colleges.

No matter what your age, the Lord desires that you be an example to other Christians. Today in prayer, ask Jesus how you can be an example of His love to others.

"We who are older should always be careful to encourage the desire of the young to serve, and let no one despise their youth!" - Mark Copeland

God’s Word: “In everything set them an example by doing what is good.” – Titus 2:7a

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.” – 1 Timothy 4:7

The mythology and folklore of a particular place can end up telling us a lot about the values and beliefs of the local people. While some folk tales are positive stories, many usually have an element of horror, originally told to instill fear into children and teach them the ways of the world. 

Though modern people tend to be more skeptical than our ancestors, many still believe the myths and legends that have been passed down for generations. 

One folktale believed in Australia is the Bunyip. 

A cross between the Loch Ness Monster and Big Foot, the Bunyip is said to dwell in the billabongs (ponds) and creeks of the outback. Indigenous Australians warn that anybody who is foolish enough to wander too close to these bodies of water risk being gobbled up by the creature.

The actual appearance of the Bunyip has been debated. Some reported sightings claim that the creature resembles a giant seal with fangs, tusks, and the face of a dog. Others say it looks like a horse with flippers.

Old wives' tales and myths are time wasters and can potentially lead us astray from following the Lord. Today in prayer, ask Jesus to give you discernment to stay away from godless myths.

“Fancies and devices of men in the worship of God are contrary to truth and piety.” - Matthew Henry

God’s Word: “They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” – 2 Timothy 4:4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

“If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.” – 1 Timothy 4:6

In October 2018, a group of climate scientists published a troubling report that had been peer-reviewed in Nature magazine claiming that they’d found that the world’s oceans were warming far faster than previously believed. Not surprisingly, the research immediately became the target of skeptics, who claimed the analysis was incorrect. A quick review of the first page of the paper was sufficient to raise doubts as to the accuracy of its results. Just a few hours of analysis and calculations, based only on published information, was sufficient to uncover apparently serious, inadvertent errors in the underlying calculations.

The authors quickly notified Nature of the potential problems, and in November 2018, the journal alerted readers in an expression of concern. But ten months later, Nature decided that the uncertainties in the work were too significant to let stand and retracted the paper. 

As best as possible, we need to point out wrongs and correct them. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for the correction you have received during the years and ask that He give you the courage to correct others in love.

"Oftentimes God asks us to take risks in order to be obedient to Him. This is especially true when He speaks to us about our need to confront others when they are unmistakably caught in the cycle of unrepentant sin." - Rich Grimes

God’s Word: “These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.” – Titus 2:15

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” – 1 Timothy 4:1

For decades, long-distance runners have been losing their way. They wind up in different towns or even different states. They have run around rotaries and taken the wrong exit. Race markers have been vandalized or shifted, sending runners merrily exploring the surrounding countryside -- until the nagging feeling that something is not right stops them. Then they get mad.

Famous runners are not immune. In 1994, Mexican runner German Silva took one of the most stunning wrong turns in history -- with less than a mile to go in the New York City Marathon -- and still recovered to win.

Bill Rodgers, a winner of the Boston and New York marathons, once followed a lead vehicle only to watch it stop and turn around because the driver was lost. Even Amby Burfoot, the 1967 Boston Marathon winner, admitted to college cross-country confusion.

There are many who think they know the key to life, but unless they know Jesus they are going down the wrong path. Today in prayer, thank Christ that He is faithful and seek to follow only Jesus.

“Therefore true believers shall not apostatize, but shall stand fast, and shall be kept even to the end.”  – Charles H. Spurgeon

God’s Word: “Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you.” – Mark 13:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

“Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Timothy 3:13

Marie Elisabeth Jean Elmes was born in Cork, Ireland in 1908. She was a brilliant student and in 1928 she enrolled at Trinity College Dublin where she was elected a Scholar and gained a first in Modern Literature (French and Spanish). In 1935, as a result of her academic achievements, Marie was awarded a scholarship in International Studies to study at the London School of Economics. 

In February 1937, after the completion of her studies, Marie joined the University of London Ambulance Unit and was sent to a children's hospital in Almeria in then war-torn Spain. 

In 1942, the Vichy authorities made it clear that Jewish children were not legally allowed to be exempt from being sent to the concentration camps, as they had been. Marie, with help from some colleagues, rescued more than 200 children, taking them to safe houses or helping them flee the country altogether. Well aware that she was putting herself at risk, Marie hid many children in the trunk of her car and drove them to safe destinations. She aided many others by securing documents, which allowed for them to escape through the undercover network in Vichy France.

In February 1943, she was arrested and placed in a concentration camp. 

In 2015, she became the first and only Irish person honored as Righteous Among the Nations by the State of Israel, in recognition of her service in the Spanish Civil War and World War II.

By faithfully serving the Lord here on earth, we will be prepared to reign with Him and to serve Him in heaven. Today in prayer, ask the Lord how you can serve Him.

“We are all pencils in the hand of a writing God, who is sending love letters to the world.” – Mother Teresa

God’s Word: “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.” – Ephesians 6:7-8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

"They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons." - 1 Timothy 3:10

An exercise stress test is used to determine how well your heart responds during times when it is working its hardest.

During the test, a person is asked to exercise — typically on a treadmill — while he or she is hooked up to an electrocardiogram (EKG) machine. This allows a doctor to monitor the person’s heart rate.

The exercise stress test is also referred to as an exercise test or treadmill test.

An exercise stress test is primarily used to help a doctor determine if the patient’s heart receives enough oxygen and proper blood flow when it needs it most, such as when he or she is exercising.

It can be ordered for people who have been experiencing chest pains or other symptoms of coronary heart disease.

An exercise stress test may also be used to help determine a patient’s level of health, especially if he or she is starting a new exercise program. This allows a doctor to learn what level of exercise the patient can safely handle.

In a similar way, our faith is tested for strength. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that through testing, your faith will increase. 

"We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking, only to learn that it is God who is shaking them." - Charles C. West

God's Word: "Test everything. Hold on to the good." - 1 Thessalonians 5:21

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

“If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?” – 1 Timothy 3:5  

In his book “Sacred Parenting”, Christian author Gary L. Thomas illustrates that parenting is like an airline emergency. “Before takeoff, every plane passenger is instructed that if the oxygen masks come down, parents should put on their own masks first before attending to their kids.

Why? Because in an emergency, kids need their parents to be able to think clearly and act effectively. If we don’t take in oxygen, our thinking will grow fuzzy, and then our kids—dependent on us to get it right—will ultimately suffer.

What’s true in the air physically is equally true on the ground spiritually. If we neglect our own “spiritual oxygen”—our walk with God—our motivations will become polluted. Our ability to discern, empathize, encourage, and confront will waste away. We must see parenting as a process through which God purifies us—the parents—even as he shapes our children.” 

Our first ministry is to attend to ourselves, then our family, and finally to others. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that as you draw closer to Christ, you are a witness to your family and others. 

"The mind of Christ is to be learned in the family. Strength of character may be acquired at work, but the beauty of character is learned at home. There the affections are trained."  - Henry Drummond

God’s Word: “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.” – 1 Timothy 5:4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

“I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.” – 1 Timothy 2:8

One Halloween evening, when he was about ten, Dwight Eisenhower’s older brothers received permission to go out trick-or-treating, a more adventurous activity in those days than it is now. Dwight wanted to go with them, but his parents told him he was too young. He pleaded with them, watched his brothers go, and then became engulfed by uncontrolled rage. He turned red. His hair bristled. Weeping and screaming, he rushed out into the front yard and began pounding his fists against the trunk of an apple tree, scraping the skin off and leaving his hands bloody and torn.

His father shook him, lashed him with a hickory switch, and sent him up to bed. About an hour later, with Dwight sobbing into his pillow, his mother came up and sat silently rocking in the chair next to his bed. Eventually she quoted a verse from the Bible: “He that conquereth his own soul is greater than he who taketh a city.” As she began to salve and bandage his wounds, she told her son to beware the anger and hatred burning inside. Hatred is a futile thing, she told him, which only injures the person who harbors it. Of all her boys, she told him, he had the most to learn about controlling his passions. When he was seventy-six, President Eisenhower wrote, “I have always looked back on that conversation as one of the most valuable moments of my life. 

Everyone wrestles with the sin of anger. Today in prayer, give any anger you have to Jesus. Then worship the Lord and accept His peace.

"People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing." - Will Rogers

God’s Word: “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” – Proverbs 29:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” – 1 Timothy 2:3-4

After graduation from college, Al Hollingsworth was recruited in sales by a paper and packaging manufacturer. In just a few, short years, he was on his way to starting his own packaging company.

“I’m so busy catching all the blessings of God that I forget that He was the one who sent it,” Al recalls. “I began saying, ‘Just a minute, God. I’ll be with You in just a minute. Let me take care of this deal. Let me do that. Then I’ll be with You. I’ll be right there.'”

Al hired an eager young salesperson named Hattie. She rose in sales in his company, and then she married the boss.

“We were considered wealthy and successful business people, but our lives were falling apart,” Al says.

Hattie concurs, “Al and I both being in the same place kind of backslid. We knew the Lord. We [made an effort] to do the right thing, but we were not in the right place.”

It wasn’t until the business went bankrupt, that the couple decided to give their full, undivided attention to the Lord. 

“We recommitted our lives through The 700 Club in January 1977,” Hattie says. “We knew that morning, when we heard that invitation, all that we were going through, it was like throwing yourself on the altar. Just in our bedroom, the two of us [were] weeping and just really wanting the Lord to take control of our lives. That was a turning point.”

Al and Hattie started Christian business ministries. They developed a program called B.O.S.S., which stands for Building on Spiritual Substance. It was created to give children principles of entrepreneurship through Godly self-esteem.

Al and Hattie are committed to keeping their promise to take care of God’s business first.

Hattie says, “We don’t ever want to be separated from God again. God is our source.”

Jesus desires all men and women to be saved. Today in prayer, pray for those people you know who have not accepted Christ as their Savior.

“Only in Jesus Christ do we have assurance of salvation, forgiveness of sins, entrance into God’s family, and the guarantee of heaven forever when we die.” – Luis Palau

God’s Word: “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.” – Colossians 4:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

“Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.” – 1 Timothy 1:18-19

In his book “Let Me Tell You A Story”, Pastor Tony Campolo tells the following about faith: “A story is told of a town where all the residents are ducks. Every Sunday the ducks waddle out of their houses and waddle down Main Street to their church. They waddle into the sanctuary and squat in their proper pews. The duck choir waddles in and takes its place, and then the duck minister comes forward and opens the duck Bible. He reads to them: ‘Ducks! God has given you wings! With wings, you can fly! With wings, you can mount up and soar like eagles. No walls can confine you! No fences can hold you! You have wings. God has given you wings, and you can fly like birds!’

All the ducks shout,  ‘Amen!’

And then they all waddle home.”

Are you looking to Jesus and growing in faith? Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is a rewarder to all those who place their faith in Him.

"Faith is taking God at His word.  Faith is not belief without evidence.  It is belief on the very best of evidence -- The Word of Him 'that cannot lie.'" - R.A. Torrey

God’s Word: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.” – 1 Timothy 1:15

Jerry Balone grew up on the rough streets of East Buffalo, abandoned at birth and raised in a series of orphanages, foster homes, and, eventually, reform schools. He was beaten often as a boy. He learned to hate people and to hate God. He never felt sorry for anyone who he victimized. 

In 1973, Jerry and an accomplice broke into a home to steal a valuable stamp collection. The two were surprised to find the owners at home. They stole the collection and murdered the couple on the way out. They also shot and killed a neighbor who had witnessed the event. 

Jerry was caught and sentenced to 50 years to life in prison. He became one of the worst prisoners and was transferred to different prisons. He learned life would be better if he got an education. He got his GED and then took college courses. But the college degrees were not enough for him to get parole. He blamed God, but his pen pals encouraged him to “ask God”. Jerry surrendered his life to Christ. At his next appearance before the parole board, he was granted parole. 

On Aug. 17, 2007, he was released from prison after serving more than 37 years in 17 prisons across New York State. He moved back to his old neighborhood and has made a positive impact on his community. “I am just thankful that God has a plan for me,” he said. 

Jesus has triumphed over the world. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He came into the world to save sinners.

"Almighty God, through the death of your Son you have destroyed sin and death. Through his resurrection, you have restored innocence and eternal life. We who are delivered from the power of the devil may live in your kingdom. Give us grace that we may believe this with our whole heart. Enable us, always, to steadfastly praise and thank you in this faith, through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen." - Martin Luther

God’s Word: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:17

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.” – 1 Timothy 1:12

Dawn Pick Benson is the founder/CEO of GlobeStory, a content marketing company. She writes the following about service: “When I was growing up, my dad was a farmer, not a Christian. He had little interest in faith, having been told by his father that the Bible was a fairy tale. But then a local pastor took an interest in my dad, asking if he could help plow the fields on the weekend.

That one act of service spoke louder than words ever could to my dad. By his actions, the pastor made my dad feel loved, and that did more than any preaching could have. He didn’t need convincing about the theological correctness of the Bible; he needed to feel God’s love for him. This pastor met that need in a practical way. And that’s evangelism.”

We serve the Lord when we bring His love to others. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He has appointed you to serve Him.

"The measure of a man is not how many servants he has, but how many men he serves." - D.L. Moody

God’s Word: “I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness” – Colossians 1:25

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY

“Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.” – 1 Timothy 1:7

In October 2015, a Zimbabwean pastor convinced his congregants his “holy pens” can make students pass their exams - and the more you pay for one, the better grades you'll get.

Prophet Sham Hungwe of House of Grace International Church in Harare was selling the pens, which cost from $1 up to $20.

The “prophet” told his congregation those sitting exams only needed faith and one of the special pens to pass.

“They are anointed and I declare passes when your children sit for exams. They are said to work for anyone who is sitting for any test,” he said.

One parishioner testified: “My son is not very bright and I think this will help him. With the knowledge, he has acquired and this pen from the man of God, I think it is going to work.”

One student said he scored highly in his A-levels last year after using the pen he was given by the prophet.

False teaching comes in many forms and in every country. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you wisdom and sensitivity toward false teaching.

"False teachers cannot comfort or make happy a timid conscience; they only make hearts confused, sad, and melancholy so that people are gloomy and act sad." - Martin Luther

God’s Word: “Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.” – Hebrews 13:9a

Devotions in 1 Timothy

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail   

“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” – 1 Timothy 1:5

Emily Kingsley says the following about disappointment and handling disappointment. She’s talking about the disappointment when your kids don’t turn out the way you thought they ought to turn out -- particularly a handicapped child. She says, "I’m often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability. To try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it and to imagine how it would feel, I tell them this:

"When you’re going to have a baby, it’s like planning a fabulous vacation to Italy. You buy a bunch of guidebooks and make your wonderful plans. You’re going to see the coliseum, the Sistene Chapel, the gondolas. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian, and it’s all very exciting. After several months of preparation and anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags, and off you go to Italy. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?" you say. "I signed up for Italy. I’m supposed to be in Italy. All my life I’ve dreamed of going to Italy." But there’s been a change in the flight plans, and they’ve landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing to remember is they haven’t taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place filled with pestilence, famine, and disease. It’s just a different place. So you must go out and buy new guidebooks, and you must learn a whole new language and you must meet a whole new group of people that you would never have met before. It’s just a different place. It’s slower-paced than Italy, and it’s less flashy than Italy. But after you’ve been there for a while and you catch your breath, you begin to look around and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills. And Holland has tulips. And Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy and bragging about what a wonderful time they’ve had there. And for the rest of your life you’ll say, ’Yes, that’s where I was supposed to go. At least that’s what I had planned.’ And the pain of that experience will never, ever, ever go away. The loss of that dream is a very significant loss. But, if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn’t get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy that very special, very lovely thing about Holland."

The Lord desires us to love just as Jesus loves us. Today in prayer, confess any sin in your life to the Lord. Seek to love others as Christ loves you.

“Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.” – Henry Van Dyke

God’s Word: “The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:31

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY