“Swear to me,” he said. Then Joseph swore to him, and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.” – Genesis 47:31

George Beverly Shea an American gospel singer and hymn composer. He grew up in a Christian home, his father was a pastor, and sang in the church choir as a boy. 

He was often described as "America's beloved gospel singer" and was considered "the first international singing 'star' of the gospel world," as a consequence of his solos at Billy Graham Crusades and his exposure on radio, records, and television. He recorded approximately 500 vocal solos on more than seventy albums.

Because of the large attendance at Graham's Crusades, it is estimated that George sang live before more people than anyone else in history. He was inducted into the inaugural class of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists’ “Hall of Faith” in 2008.

George lived to be 104 years old and served Jesus up until the end. 

One of the sweetest things in life is to honor the Lord throughout your entire life. Today in prayer, resolve that no matter how long you live; you will honor him all the days of your life. 

“We glorify God by living lives that honor Him.” – Billy Graham

God’s Word: “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.” – Hebrews 11:21

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.” – Genesis 41:35-36

As the tense early days of World War one passed in the early autumn of 1914, food supplies dwindled ominously in Belgium. To the outside world went emissaries pleading for the Allies to permit food to filter through the naval noose. Finally, on October 22, after weeks of negotiations, American businessman Herbert Hoover established under diplomatic protection a neutral organization to procure and distribute food to the Belgian populace. Living in London when World War I broke out, he was asked by the U.S. consul there to organize the safe evacuation of 120,000 Americans stranded in Europe.

The American ambassador to Britain next asked the 40-year-old Hoover to organize relief for the 7 million people of Belgium, a country overrun and occupied by the German army and cut off from food imports by a British naval blockade. Three million French citizens were in the same plight.

Within days, Hoover enlisted the help of other wealthy businessmen, secured government and charitable support, and began building a team that could address the challenge. Soon 20,000 tons of wheat were on their way to Belgium, via canal from Holland. Hoover negotiated safe passage for cargo ships, and subsequent shipments delivered millions of tons of food to war-ravaged countries. Hoover’s lean organization dispensed $12 million a month in supplies for the war’s duration.

The Lord wants us to wisely administer the resources He gives us. One good habit of stewardship is developing the habit of saving. Today in prayer, ask the Lord how you can better develop the habit of saving and being a good steward of all He has given you.

“If money be not thy servant, it will be thy master.” – Francis Bacon 

God’s Word: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” – Proverbs 6:6-8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.” – Genesis 40:23

One of the growing causes of death is related to getting the perfect “selfie” photo. A 17-year-old Russian teenager fell off a 30-foot railway bridge in St. Petersburg while attempting to get the perfect shot. Xenia Ignatyeva, an amateur photographer, had climbed up the bridge one night in April of 2014 to take a selfie. The police surmised she had wanted to capture "the most dramatic effect." But when the young woman lost her balance, she reached for a hanging cable – which turned out to be a live wire that electrocuted her with 1,500 watts – and she plummeted to her death. A friend was waiting for her at the bottom of the bridge when Ignatyeya's body fell beside her. It is believed that she'd been alive until hitting the ground. 

The Lord desires that we humbly look after other’s interests and we do not become self-absorbed people. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to remind you of all who have helped you recently, and then be sure to thank them.

“You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who can do nothing for them or to them.” – Malcolm Forbes

God’s Word: “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy” – 2 Timothy 3:2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2006, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.” – Genesis 39:11-12

Jim Grant in Reader’s Digest told about someone else who faced temptation. An overweight businessman decided it was time to shed some excess pounds. He took his new diet seriously, even changing his driving route to avoid his favorite bakery. One morning, however, he showed up at work with a gigantic coffee cake. Everyone in the office scolded him, but his smile remained nonetheless. “This is a special coffee cake,” he explained. “I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning and there in the window was a host of goodies. I felt it was no accident, so I prayed, ‘Lord if you want me to have one of those delicious coffee cakes, let there be a parking spot open right in front.’ And sure enough, the eighth time around the block, there it was!”

Temptation can come at any time. But thanks be to God, in Jesus Christ, we have a protector who helps us resist sin. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He has overcome the world and seek Him whenever you are tempted. 

"If you are not seeking the Lord, the Devil is seeking you.  If you are not seeking the Lord, judgment is at your heels." - Charles H. Spurgeon

God’s Word: “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 10:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it.” – Genesis 35:14

England has some of the most imaginative memorials. One is the memorial for George Wombwell in Highgate Cemetery (West). 

Lions are a common form of allegorical statue you can see across the country, used as symbols of the English monarch since at least the 12th century.

But for the tomb of Mr. Wombwell, it represents an actual lion called ‘Nero’. 

George owned a traveling menagerie, starting with a pair of boa constrictors around 1810. However, by 1839, he was touring the country with 15 wagons of exotic animals.

It was his wish to be buried under a sculpture of his star attraction: Nero. While other lions were baited (kept in a cage while dogs were set on them) Nero refused, sensibly preferring to sleep. At least now Nero can finally rest in peace.

There are a lot of experiences during our lifetimes. The Lord wants us to remember Him and to have faith in Him in all that we do. Today in prayer, remember what the Lord has done for you and seek to build upon that faith in Him.

"The tumult and the shouting dies; The captains and the kings depart; Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice, a humble and a contrite heart. Lord God of hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget - lest we forget!" - Rudyard Kipling

God’s Word: “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel” – 2 Timothy 2:8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups.” – Genesis 32:10

Ira and Ann Yates were ranchers in the hardscrabble Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. Yates had recently purchased the ranch and was having difficulty making sufficient profit to pay the mortgage and taxes.

Desperate and needing cash, Yates invited an oil company to explore his land for oil. On one of the first drilling holes, it produced a "gusher" – as crude oil uncontrollably spewed into the air. Lacking any other means of containment, the crew built a holding pond for the oil. Other wells drilled nearby also hit substantial quantities of oil – it seemed to be everywhere. Both Yates and the oilmen immediately recognized the significance of their find. Mr. Yates was a millionaire the moment he purchased the farm, but he lived in poverty because he didn’t know what was underneath the ground.

In a similar way, the Lord wants to shower us with loving-kindness. We first need to be obedient and earnestly follow Him. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you guidance on how to be faithful to Him and follow Jesus with all of your heart.

“God is more anxious to bestow upon us his blessings on us than we are to receive them.” – Augustine

God’s Word: “The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.” – Proverbs 10:22

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“You know that I've worked for your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times. However, God has not allowed him to harm me.” – Genesis 31:6-7

Emanuel Bronner was born in Germany to the Heilbronner family of soap makers. He immigrated to the United States in 1929. After World War II, he opened up his own soap factory in Escondido, California. Because his parents were murdered during the Holocaust, he decided to make his company employee-friendly. One of their founding principles is to treat employees like family. From the company’s website: “We’re a family business and consider all who work with us to be part of our extended family. Every ‘family member’ in every position within the company has an important role to play and deserves to enjoy the best benefits and compensation programs we can offer.”

The company has set the goal to “Be kind, reward generously, support good and healthy living. Seek and encourage the best in one another. For whatever unites us is greater than whatever divides us!” 

One of the best places to exhibit God’s love is being fair and just in the workplace. Today in prayer, ask the Lord how you can increase fairness and justice in your place of work.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

God’s Word: “Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.” – Colossians 3:25

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” – Genesis 28:15

In December 2019, the computer security website, PreciseSecurity, revealed the top ten countries and cities with the highest number of CCTV cameras.

PreciseSecurity noted the definition of a CCTV as "a TV system in which signals are not publicly distributed but are monitored, primarily for surveillance and security purposes," and found that the US tops the list when it comes to the number of surveillance camera installations per capita, with 50 million CCTVs monitoring the entire US population of over 327 million people.

However, in terms of overall CCTV installations, China eclipses that figure by four times and was reported to have at least 200 million cameras installed for its 1.39 billion people. Since it has to cover a much larger population than (most) other countries, the number of CCTV cameras per 100 people comes out at 14.36, as compared to 15.28 for the US.

Security experts agree that even the best surveillance efforts can’t see everything.  

Only the Lord can see us and protect us, no matter what situation we face. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that you are always in His sight.

“God is always near you and with you; leave Him not alone.” – Brother Lawrence

God’s Word: “the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” – Psalm 121:8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, ‘The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.’” – Genesis 27:41

In 1933, Bette Davis was a rising young actress. She starred in the comedy “Ex-Lady” and it was the first movie to feature her name above the title. Warner Brothers had planned an elaborate publicity campaign announcing Davis's new phase of stardom. But coincidently it was the day that actress Joan Crawford announced her divorce from actor Douglas Fairbanks Jr. The New York Times relegated Davis's film to a small paragraph in the Review section, while devoting several pages to Crawford's news, and other papers followed suit. “Ex-Lady” was dropped from theaters after a week due to poor ticket sales, and Davis's grudge thin Crawford was born.

Over the next 44 years, the two women fought over men, movie roles, dresses, and just about everything else. 

When Joan Crawford died in 1977, Bette Davis continued to hold a grudge. She was attributed to saying: "You should never say bad things about the dead, you should only say good… Joan Crawford is dead. Good."

The only person hurt by grudges is the one carrying them. Today in prayer, confess any hurt to the Lord and forgive those who have hurt you. 

“To carry a grudge is like being stung to death by one fee.” – William H. Walton 

God’s Word: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” – Leviticus 19:18

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die.” – Genesis 27:4

On August 22, 1741, George Frideric Handel started composing an oratorio. He would not leave his home for three weeks. In fact, he rarely left his composing chair. Twenty-four days later, Handel emerged from his writing room with a 259-page masterpiece called “Messiah”. The opening act prophetically points to the coming Messiah.

“Messiah” debut as an Easter offering at the Great Music Hall in Dublin, Ireland, on April 13, 1742. The music mesmerized its listeners, but it accomplished so much more than that. It wasn’t just a concert; it was a benefit concert.

That inaugural performance raised £400—$86,000 in today’s dollars! And that £400 was used to free 142 men from debtors’ prison. That is what qualifies Messiah as a double blessing. The first blessing is beautiful music that inspires the soul. The second blessing? Setting 142 captives free!

Blessing others gives encouragement to others to continue to walk with Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, ask the Lord how you can bless others for Christ’s glory.

“Remember you are very special to God as His precious child. He has promised to complete the good work He has begun in you. As you continue to grow in Him, he will teach you to be a blessing to others.” – Gary Smalley

God’s Word: “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.” – Hebrews 11:21

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“Then he prayed, "O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.” – Genesis 24:12

Pastor James Augustine tells the following story: “My friend Mike was out in the woods of his old homestead with his 8-year-old son. They were trekking through the woods that Mike had known like the back of his hand since he was the age of 8. He wanted to share these woods with his son, but his little son kept on running ahead of him. He would call out to him and say, ‘Son, I want you to go that way,’ pointing to the left. His son stopped and looked at the fork in the path and said, ‘What way dad?’ 

Mike finally stood still and wanted to see how the situation would play out. He again pointed to the left and said, ‘That way!’ 

‘Which way, dad?’

‘Son. I want you to stop and wait for me.’

Mike's son then turned around and waited for his father to come up next to him, take his hand, and then proceed to lead him in the right direction.”

To follow the Lord’s guidance we need to stop, look to Him, and to listen to Him. Today in prayer, take any decisions you are facing to the Lord asking for His direction.

“It is morally impossible to exercise trust in God while there is a failure to wait upon Him for guidance and direction.” – D.E. Hoste

God’s Word: “guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” – Psalm 25:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.” – Genesis 22:8

Pastor Tony Evans in his sermon “The Lamb of God” using the text of John 1:29-37, gave the following illustration:

“One day, a repairman working up high on the steeple of a church slipped and fell to what appeared to be certain death. But just as he fell, a lamb came walking along in front of the church. The workman hit the lamb, which broke his fall and saved his life, although it killed the lamb.

The workman got up and got himself together, then walked over to the door of the church and painted a picture of a lamb on it. He wanted everybody who came through that door to recognize that their only right to enter the church was because a lamb had been slain.”

Jesus bridged the gap between sinful man and God. He is the lamb of God. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His sacrifice on the Cross, that it was an acceptable offering for our sin.

“You didn’t want Heaven without us, So Jesus brought Heaven down. My sin was great, Your love was greater, what could separate us now.” – Brooke Ligertwood and Ben Fielding

God’s Word: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” – John 1:29

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“Abraham replied, "I said to myself, 'There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.'” – Genesis 20:11

Christian author Mark Labberton, in his book “The Dangerous Act of Worship”, writes the following about fear:

“I attended a dinner sponsored by the International Justice Mission, a Christian human rights organization that seeks justice for people facing various forms of oppression. Elisabeth, a beautiful seventeen-year-old Christian girl from Southeast Asia, spoke at the dinner. She had grown up in a strong Christian home, memorizing Bible verses, which became all the more poignant to her during the year she spent in forced prostitution, enslaved in a squalid brothel in a major Asian city.

As she spoke, she projected a picture of her room in the brothel. Over the bed where she was so brutally treated she had written these words on the wall: ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’ These are the opening verses of Psalm 27.”

When fear strikes you, look to the Lord, not your own resources. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He wants to conquer all of your fears.

“Whenever I hear about Christ as Savior it appears that he saves us from sin – and I don’t wish to deny that – but in my experience, he does more than that; he releases us from fear, and I think fear is the great killer.” – Ivor Smith-Cameron

God’s Word: “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” – Proverbs 29:25

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“Then Abraham spoke up again: "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes” – Genesis 18:27

In the 1930s, a young California lumberyard worker caught a vision. After seeing the benefits of basic discipleship principles in his own life, Dawson Trotman wanted to teach them to others, echoing the call of 2 Timothy 2:2: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”

Dawson began teaching high school students and local Sunday school classes these principles. In 1933, he and his friends extended their work to sailors in the U.S. Navy. There, Dawson taught sailor Les Spencer the foundations of Christian growth. They spent many hours together praying, studying the Bible, and memorizing Scripture. When one of Spencer’s shipmates asked him the secret of his changed life, Spencer brought the man to Trotman: “Teach him what you taught me,” he said.

“You teach him!” Trotman responded. And the 2 Timothy 2:2 vision was strengthened.

Dawson Trotman began the non-profit “The Navigators” to do just that. 

Years later, Dawson was visiting Taiwan on one of his overseas trips. During the visit, he hiked with a Taiwanese pastor back into one of the mountain villages to meet with some of the national Christians. The roads and trails were wet, and their shoes became very muddy. Later, someone asked this Taiwanese pastor what he remembered most about Dawson Trotman. Without hesitation, the man replied, “He cleaned my shoes.”

At the heart of our Christian life, we need humility. Today in prayer, bow before the Lord, confessing any sin in your life and humbly asking Him what He would have you to do.

“We can never have more of true faith than we have of true humility.” – Andrew Murray

God’s Word: “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”  – 1 Peter 5:5-6 

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

WHEN WE BELIEVE                                   Monday - January 11, 2021

“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” – Genesis 15:6

Joanie Yoder is a Christian author and writer of several devotional books. She writes: “Whenever I mail a letter, it's an exercise of trust. Let me explain what I mean. When I write to a distant friend, it's impossible to deliver the letter myself. I need the help of the postal service. But for them to do their part, I have to drop my letter in the mailbox first. I can't hang on to it. I have to place it in the mail slot and let go. Then I must trust the postal service to take over until my letter is delivered to my friend's home. Although I can't see what happens to it, my faith in the postal service assures me that my letter is as good as there!

Likewise, whenever we're faced with a problem, our faith is challenged. Knowing that it's impossible to resolve the difficulty ourselves, we recognize our need of God's help. First, though, we must go to Him in prayer. Until that moment, we're still holding on to our problem. We know the situation won't get resolved until we let go and commit it into God's hands. Once we let go, we then must trust God to take over until the problem is resolved in His way. Although we can't see what He's doing, our faith is "the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1), the assurance that His work is as good as done!”

Is there a problem you are holding on to? Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He has credited you with righteousness because of your faith in Him.

"Faith is rest in Another." - H. Orton Wiley

God’s Word: “What does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’” - Romans 4:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth." – Genesis 11:4

In 2017, Market research company GfK surveyed 27,000 people in 22 countries in an attempt to determine which one was the vainest, taking into account the amount of time people spent bathing, doing their hair and make-up, and getting dressed on a weekly basis.

It may or may not come as a surprise that those handsome devils in Italy came out on top, with Italian women spending 6.2 hours a week on how they look and Italian men spending five hours doing likewise.

Argentina was next followed by the USA, while there are six European countries in the rest of the top ten, with French people ranking best of the rest in fourth and the United Kingdom (where men spend 3.7 hours a week on grooming and women 5.4 hours a week) coming in tenth place.

There is a danger in vanity and trying to “make a name for ourselves.”  Today in prayer, humbly come before the Lord and ask how you can glorify His name.

"Oh, beware! Do not seek to be something! Let me be nothing, and Christ be all in all." - John Wesley

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 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” – Genesis 6:22

Faith often defies logic. Dr. Dionysius Lardner was an Irish scientific writer who popularized science and technology and edited the 133-volume Cabinet Cyclopædia.

In 1828 Lardner was elected professor of natural philosophy and astronomy at University College, London, a position he held until he resigned his professorship in 1831.

He was the author of numerous mathematical and physical treatises on such subjects as algebraic geometry (1823), the differential and integral calculus (1825), and the steam engine (1828). 

It was his lecture on the steam engine that he is remembered. In November 1837, he proved with irrefutable mathematics and equations nobody could question, that it was impossible to build a steamship capable of a non-stop voyage from London to New York. Copies of his lecture proving this 'fact' arrived in Manhattan on April 24, 1838, aboard the steamship Sirius, the first to cross the Atlantic non-stop entirely under steam.

The Lord does have a purpose for our lives and we need to trust Him. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His purpose for you, trust Him and walk by faith.

"Obedience is the fruit of faith; patience the bloom on the fruit."  - Christina Rossetti

God’s Word: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.” – Genesis 6:5

The website wallethub.com looked at 180 cities in the United States to determine to what level they are a “sin city”. The site ranked the cities across 37 key indicators of evil deeds. For instance, Las Vegas is ranked #1 in gambling. Gambling addiction leads to over $100 billion in losses for U.S. consumers every year. 

St. Louis, Missouri was ranked #3 overall in the vice index. St. Louis is ranked #1 in “Anger and Hatred” as well as #1 in “Excesses and Vices”. B

On the other end of the scale, Pearl City, Hawaii had the lowest vice index of the 180 cities on the list. But it was not without its faults. The people of Pearl City were ranked #26 in Greed. 

The website admonishes us “No place is innocent. We all have demons.”

Our natural inclination is toward wickedness. It is only through the grace of the Lord that we are saved. Today in prayer, confess any sin in your heart and seek to follow Christ in all you do.

"Many have puzzled themselves about the origin of evil. I am content to observe that there is evil, and that there is a way to escape from it, and with this I begin and end." - John Newton

God’s Word: “All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” – Psalm 14:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” – Genesis 3:15

During the summer of 2020, U.S. Marshals conducted “Operation: Not Forgotten”. The U.S. Marshals Service and other agencies searched for missing and exploited children in 20 counties in north and middle Georgia. Investigators found 26 endangered children and 13 missing children during the two-week operation. Authorities arrested nine suspects in connection with the operation.

The chief of the Missing Child Unit said, “When we track down fugitives, it's a good feeling to know that we're putting the bad guy behind bars. But that sense of accomplishment is nothing compared to finding a missing child.”

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said: “I applaud the work of law enforcement in “Operation Not Forgotten.” We’ll continue to work around the clock to bring an end to human trafficking and ensure the perpetrators of this evil industry know they have no place in our state.”

From the fall of man until today, God had a plan to rescue people from evil. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that in Jesus Christ we have eternal life, and may your faith in Christ bring hope to a lost world.

“That there is a continual conflict between God's people and him. Heaven and hell can never be reconciled, no more can Satan and a sanctified soul.” – John Wesley

God’s Word: “The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one” – Matthew 13:38

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” – Genesis 2:24

Lou Nicholes is a graduate of Philadelphia Biblical University. He has spent over 40 years serving the Lord with Word of Life fellowship, first with Local Church Ministries as a missionary in the United States. He then started and directed a short-term missions program called Youth Reachout, taking over 2000 young people to 42 countries in 12 years. More recently he has been the Word of Life Asia Representative, traveling to various countries, recruiting potential staff, and helping establish new ministries. He currently is a missionary to Korea. He is also the author of 14 books, including “The Bible in a Nutshell”. 

On the subject of marriage, Lou writes: 

“As a boy, I remember a young lady coming to my mother for counsel concerning her marrying a man much older than herself. She was saying that if it didn’t work out she could always get a divorce. My mother told her marriage is for life and not for trial.”

One of the first things the Lord blessed was marriage. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord for establishing marriage.

“Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads, which sew people together through the years." – Simone Signoret

God’s Word: “and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'?” – Matthew 19:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day.” – Genesis 1:31

In 1967, Dr. George Wald, professor of Biology at Harvard University, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for his discoveries in vision.

On the subject of how life arose, Dr. Wald said:

“There are only two possibilities as to how life arose; one is spontaneous generation arising to evolution, the other is a supernatural creative act of God, there is no third possibility. Spontaneous generation, that life arose from non-living matter, was scientifically disproved 120 years ago by Louis Pasteur and others. That leaves us with only one possible conclusion—that life arose as a creative act of God. I will not accept that philosophically because I do not want to believe in God, therefore I choose to believe in that which I know is scientifically impossible, spontaneous generation arising to evolution.”

Whether we choose to accept Him or not, God is the good Creator of the universe who is Lord of all. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for this New Year and that He is the Creator of all.

"The world is not here by chance, nor is human life a biological accident.  God brought it all into existence." - Billy Graham

God’s Word: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” – John 1:1-4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS