“because they had not met the Israelites with food and water but had hired Balaam to call a curse down on them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing.)” – Nehemiah 13:2

Have you ever heard of a Stradivarius violin? It’s the gold standard of violins—instantly recognizable and famously expensive. These aren’t $29.95 instruments. One sold for $1 million, another for $4 million, and two went for $10 million each. Recently, one sold for an astonishing $16 million and is currently being played by a musician. Now, I doubt the musician bought it—most can’t afford a $16 million anything—but the question remains: why is it worth so much?

There are a few reasons. First, Stradivarius violins are rare. Many haven’t survived, so basic supply and demand drives the price up. But the real reason lies in the craftsmanship. Antonio Stradivarius, the 17th-century master luthier, used a special type of dense wood and applied precise techniques to shape and brace it. The result is an unparalleled acoustic quality—a resonance so exquisite it’s unmatched even centuries later. That’s what makes a Stradivarius worth millions.

But there’s more to the story. Antonio Stradivarius believed that every violin he made needed to be as perfect as humanly possible because, as he put it, “God needs violins to send His music into the world. If it’s defective, God’s music will be spoiled.” That belief fueled his extraordinary dedication to excellence.

What a perspective! Imagine the difference between someone casually churning out violins for $29.95 and someone crafting each instrument as an offering to God. Stradivarius wasn’t just making violins; he was fulfilling a calling.

It’s a reminder for us in our work, too. Whether you’re pushing papers, seeing patients, running a business, or crafting something, you’re not just doing it for yourself—you’re doing it for God. When you approach your work with that mindset, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the work of your hands becomes an offering of worship.

We often do not have the full perspective of life. What might seem to be a negative can become a blessing from the Lord. Today in prayer, thank Jesus that life brings, knowing that He can turnaround any curse into a blessing.

"I have a point of view. You have a point of view. God has view." - Madeleine L'Engle

God’s Word: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work.” – Nehemiah 10:37

Alexander the Great, was king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. He succeeded his father Philip II to the throne in 336 BC at the age of 20, and spent most of his reign conducting a lengthy military campaign throughout Asia and Egypt. By the age of 30, he had created one of the largest empires in history, stretching from Greece to northwestern India. He was undefeated in battle and is widely considered to be one of history's greatest and most successful military commanders.

The story is told that one day a beggar by the roadside asked for alms from Alexander the Great as he passed by. The man was poor and wretched and had no claim upon the ruler, no right even to lift a solicitous hand. Yet the Emperor threw him several gold coins. A courtier was astonished at his generosity and commented, "Sir, copper coins would adequately meet a beggar's need. Why give him gold?" Alexander responded in royal fashion, “Cooper coins would suit the beggar's need, but gold coins suit Alexander's giving.”

No matter how much you have, consider how to give to the Lord’s work. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you wisdom on how to best give to His work.

“For it is in giving that we receive.” - Francis of Assisi

God’s Word: “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” – Proverbs 3:9-10

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them” – Nehemiah 9:17

In 1937 architect Frank Lloyd Wright built a house for industrialist Hibbard Johnson. One rainy evening Johnson was entertaining distinguished guests for dinner when the roof began to leak. The water seeped through directly above Johnson himself, dripping steadily onto his bald head. Irate, he called Wright in Phoenix, Arizona. "Frank," he said, "you built this beautiful house for me and we enjoy it very much. But I have told you the roof leaks, and right now I am with some friends and distinguished guests and it is leaking right on top of my head." Wright's reply was heard by all of the guests. "Well, Hib, why don't you move your chair?"

God’s love is stronger than our stubbornness. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He loves us despite our stubbornness and is gracious and compassionate, desiring all people to come to Jesus for forgiveness.

“There are few people so stubborn in their atheism who when danger is pressing in will not acknowledge the divine power.” - Plato

God’s Word: “But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.” – Romans 2:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.” – Nehemiah 8:2-3

R.C. Sproul wrote: “Martin Luther said that every Christian ought to read the Bible from cover to cover every year. But, likening the Bible to a forest, he also said that reading the Bible doesn’t become really enjoyable until you see not only the forest but examine each tree, each branch, and, finally, each leaf. Every little leaf of sacred Scripture must be turned over and studied in order to see the intricate truths that are revealed in God’s Word.

To study the Bible is to look at every branch and leaf of Scripture so that we can find those intricate truths and know how they relate to one another. And just as there is a science to studying plants so that we can draw the correct conclusions (botany), there’s a science to studying the Bible so that we can make the right deductions from God’s revelation. It’s called hermeneutics, and it’s what this little book that you’re holding in your hands is all about.”

Do you desire to study God’s Word? Today in prayer, thank Jesus for the Bible and take some extra time today to study God’s Word.

"We have done almost everything that is possible with these Hebrew and Greek writings. We have overlaid them, clause by clause, with exhaustive commentaries; we have translated them, revised the translations, and quarreled over the revisions...There is yet one thing left to do with the Bible: simply read it"  - Richard Moulton 

God’s Word: “I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” – Psalm 119:14-16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.’ But I prayed, ‘Now strengthen my hands.’” – Nehemiah 6:9

Alisha Illian wrote: “I was listening to a show on the National Geographic channel. Two deep-sea diving experts were discussing the physics of a submarine. I found it fascinating that every square inch of a submarine’s hull can withstand 580 pounds of pressure. The deeper the vessel submerges, the more pressure is exerted on the structure. As I sat there wondering how a submarine isn’t completely destroyed by the extreme environment it must function in, it hit me:

What’s on the inside has to be stronger than what’s on the outside.

The same can be said about our lives. And our souls. It’s not the endless laundry to fold, bottoms to wipe, and toys to pick up. It’s not the aging parents or wrinkling skin. It’s not the sagging jeans or the muffin top. These are all external factors, and even if we learn how to prioritize better, find the best yes, or do the next right thing, we are still going to feel thousands of pounds of pressure every day. We have to strengthen what’s on the inside if we want to deal with what’s on the outside.”

The Lord will strengthen us to do His good work. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He can carry and strengthen you to do His work.

“You become stronger only when you become weaker. When you surrender your will to God, you discover the resources to do what God requires.” – Erwin Lutzer

God’s Word: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“So I continued, "What you are doing is not right. Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?” – Nehemiah 5:9

Timothy Keller wrote: “What, then, should a Christian be afraid of regarding God? Think of it like this. Imagine that you suddenly are introduced to some person you have always admired enormously—perhaps someone you have hero-worshipped. You reach out to shake her hand and suddenly it hits you. You can’t believe you are actually meeting her. 

You discover to your embarrassment that you are trembling and sweating, and when you try to speak, you are out of breath. What is going on? You are not afraid of being hurt, or punished. Rather, you are genuinely afraid of doing something stupid or saying something that is inappropriate to the person and the occasion. Your joyful admiration has a fearful aspect to it. You are in awe, and therefore you don’t want to mess up. That is something we experience even in the presence of an admirable human being. How much more is this a proper response to God.”

We need to love the Lord and to follow Him in all that we do. Today in prayer, fear the Lord by loving and honoring Him in all that you do.

“The fear of God kills all other fears.” – Thomas Browne

God’s Word: “He said in a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.’” – Revelation 14:7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.” – Nehemiah 4:6

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,” said the apostle Paul, “as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23) ...[H]ow you do anything is how you’ll do everything. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said it this way:

If it falls your lot to sweep streets in life, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures. Sweep streets like Beethoven composed music. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say, “Here lived a great street sweeper, who swept his job well.”

Before the release of the feature film “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”, I saw a behind-the-scenes interview with Joanne Rogers, Fred Rogers’s wife of fifty years. Mr. Rogers modeled kindness and compassion to many generations of children, including mine.

Over thirty-one seasons, he filmed 895 episodes and wrote more than 289 songs. His way with children was unprecedented, unparalleled. How did Mr. Rogers have such a profound impact on so many? According to Joanne, Fred believed to the depth of his soul that the space between the television and the children watching it was holy ground.

The Lord continually listens to your heart. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for the work He has given you and do it with all of your heart.

“Work as if you were to live 100 years. Pray as if you were to die tomorrow.” – Ben Franklin

God’s Word: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” – Colossians 3:23

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“I answered them by saying, ‘The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.’” – Nehemiah 2:20

In his landmark work, “Habits of the Heart”, the sociologist Robert Bellah describes thee distinct orientations people take with respect to their work. The first orientation is to see your work as a job, a paycheck that takes care of the bills. The second orientation is to see your work as a career. Here, climbing the proverbial ladder in search of status and wealth are central. In the second orientation, the way you feel towards your work is primarily based on how successful you are in it.

If your career is waning, it may feel as though your entire self-worth is on the chopping block. The third orientation is seeing work as a calling. This sense of calling is firmly established in the life of faith. If you have received a call-then someone must have made the call in the first place. That person is God, and because God is sovereign, our work isn’t simply what we want to do.

A call is made and we are there to answer it. The worth of your work therefore, is not dependent on your success, but rather your faithfulness to the call that God has made. Sometimes, that even means that a failure in the world’s eyes can be the greatest success in God’s.

God expects us to use what we have to the best of our abilities. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that by faith in Him we have success. 

“A man is not far from the gates of heaven when he is fully submissive to the Lord’s will.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

God’s Word: “He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.” – 2 Chronicles 26:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“Then I said: ‘O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands’” – Nehemiah 1:5

Paul David Trip wrote: “God’s promises are meant to move and motivate us. They are meant to instill hope. They are meant to give us courage. They are meant to defeat feelings of loneliness, inability, and fear.They are meant to give us peace when things around us are chaotic and confusing. God’s promises are meant to blow your mind and settle your heart. They are his gifts of grace to you.

In your heart of hearts, you know you could never have earned the riches that he pours down on you. His promises are meant to leave you in awe of him and in wonder at the glory of his grace. His promises are designed to be the way that you interpret and make sense of your life.

I am amazed at the numbers of believers I meet who are in some state of spiritual paralysis because they no longer believe the promises of God. Because they don’t believe the promises of God, they don’t have much reason to continue doing the radical things that God calls every one of his children to do. When doubt replaces awe, you will soon give up on all the gospel disciplines of the Christian life.

Your problem isn’t that life is hard. Your problem is that you’ve lost your awe of the God who made the promises that once motivated the way you dealt with life. Do you stand with hope and courage on the awesome promises of God? Or do you walk through the quicksand of questioning their reliability?”

Our Lord is awesome! Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He is awesome in all of His ways.

“Raise your hands, all you nations

Shout to God all creation

How awesome is the Lord most high.” – Jon Abel

God’s Word: “You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!” – Psalm 68:35

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.” – Ezra 10:4

In his book “The Catalyst Leader”, Brad Lomenick writes: “Many, many great things have begun with a single act of courage, throughout history and today. A person steps out and makes one courageous decision and that one domino starts many other dominoes falling. We have to step out and take that first step, and we may never know the ripple effect of that one courageous decision. Catalyst leaders—your decision to do something courageous may result in something greater than you ever imagined.

Step out. . . . Fear in leadership usually is connected to the uncertainty about the future. But uncertainty about the future is never going to go away. I tell leaders all the time—uncertainty is why there are leaders. Uncertainty gives you job security. Wherever there is uncertainty, there will always be a need for leaders, which means always stepping out into the unknown, always requiring courage.”

Be of good courage and do not be afraid, the Lord is with you! Today in prayer, praise Jesus that in His strength you can have courage in any situation.

“God, grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right, even though I think it is hopeless.” – Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

God’s Word: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“and prayed: "O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens.” – Ezra 9:6

In Guilt and Grace, Swiss physician and Christian, Paul Tournier, writes…

I cannot study this very serious problem of guilt with you without raising the very obvious and tragic fact that religion—my own as well as that of all believers—can crush instead of liberate.” Speaking about some of his patients, Tournier describes “a man harboring guilt over an old sin, a woman who cannot put out of her mind an abortion that took place ten years before.

What each of these patients needs, more than anything, is grace. But in many churches they experience the opposite, legalism, the threat of punishment & exclusion.

When we realize our guilt, let it be an opportunity to grow closer to Christ. Today in prayer, confess any sin in your life to Jesus and know He died for those sins.

“You cannot repent too soon because you do not know how soon it may be too late.” – Thomas Fuller

God’s Word: “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord"--and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” – Psalm 32:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.” – Ezra 8:23

Philip Yancy wrote: “On a walking pilgrimage to Assisi in Italy, the writer Patricia Hampl began to make a list in answer to the question, What is prayer? She wrote down a few words. Praise. Gratitude. Begging/pleading/cutting deals. Fruitless whining and pulling. Focus. And then the list broke off, for she discovered that prayer only seems like an act of language: “Fundamentally it is a position, a placement of oneself.”

She went on to discover that “prayer as focus is not a way of limiting what can be seen; it is a habit of attention brought to bear on all that is.” Ah, a habit of attention. Be still. In that focus, all else comes into focus. In that rift in my routine, the universe falls into alignment.”

We become more attentive to the Lord’s will when we fast and pray. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He desires to answer your prayers, and seek His will through fasting and prayer.

“Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.” – Andrew Murray

God’s Word: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” – Matthew 4:1-2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” – Ezra 7:10

Brian Dembowczyk wrote: “Imagine you were cast to play the role of legendary baseball player Babe Ruth in a biography of his life. You could simply follow the script, reading out what is written. How much better, though, to study Babe Ruth himself—to learn his speech pattern, mannerisms, and so forth. 

The result would surely be a more compelling performance! Now, suppose you were cast to play the role of Babe Ruth not in a biography, but a fictional account of him living and playing today. This would surely require you to learn as much about Babe Ruth as possible, because you would be forced to improvise. 

If you didn’t know Ruth started out as a pitcher—and was quite successful at that position—you would almost surely miss his likely fascination and rivalry with two-way Major League Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani. Failing to study Ruth would hinder your faithful performance. The same is true of our role in playing the part of Jesus. We won’t be faithful in our performance if we fail to study who Jesus is, and not just what he did.”

We only become more like Jesus as we spend time with Him in His Word. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His Word and spend some extra moments today studying it.

“Believe me, sir, never a night goes by, be I ever so tired, but I read the Word of God before I go to bed.” – General Douglas MacArthur

God’s Word: “Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” – Psalm 119:17-18

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria, so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.” – Ezra 6:22

Bradley Long writes: “The first thing the group of American church leaders noticed about the Central Asian pastor they were meeting was his smile.

It was huge. It was so big that anyone who looked at it had to smile too!

Then the pastor spoke and smiled even bigger, “The last time I was in prison they beat me every day for 2 weeks and I have to tell you how GOOD God is!”

The Americans were stunned. The pastor went on ahead as his joy increased even more. “Right before I arrived, there was a Muslim Imam imprisoned who had been telling all the prisoners how horrible they were and that God was going to punish them for eternity.”

The pastor’s excitement continued growing, so much so that the others were feeling excited and joyful themselves even though they couldn’t tell why. “And then I got there, and told them about Jesus and how much God loves them! Isn’t God so good?!”

For most of the Americans, this was the first time they’d met a believer who had been persecuted for the sake of the Gospel. But what they had to come away with was not the suffering, but the goodness of God and the joy of following him.”

There is joy when we know Jesus. Today in prayer, give your heart to Jesus and receive His joy.

“You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace,

The mountains and the hills will break forth before you.

There’ll be shouts of joy and all the trees of the field

Will clap, will clap their hands.” – Steffi Karen Rubin

God’s Word: “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:46-47

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received.” – Ezra 5:5

Tim Keller wrote the following: “To be a child of God means access. We know God is attentively listening to us and watching us. Think about what it takes to get in to see the president of the United States. Only people who merit his time and attention would be allowed in. 

They must have credentials, accomplishments, and perhaps a power base of their own. If you are one of his children, however, it is different. In the same way, the God of the universe is “mindful” of you (Ps 8:4). Prayer is the way to sense and appropriate this access and fatherly love, and to experience the calm and strength in one’s life that results from such assurance of being cared for.”

The Lord is not only watching but He actively is in control. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that His eye is upon you.

“Faith is the gaze of the heart at God it is but the raising of our inward eyes to meet the all-seeing eyes of God.” – A.W. Tozer

God’s Word: “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” – 2 Chronicles 16:9a

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.” – Ezra 4:4

John W. Yates II writes the following: “It was advertised that the Devil was putting up for sale all of his tools. On that date the tools were laid out. They had prices marked on them for public inspection, and there were a lot of treacherous instruments: hatred, envy, jealousy, deceit, pride, lying, and so on. Laid apart from the rest of the Devil’s tools was a tool, but it was worn more than any of the others and was priced very high. “What’s the name of this tool?” asked one of the customers.

“That,” the Devil replied, “is discouragement.”

“Why have you priced it so high?”

“Because discouragement is more useful to me than all the others. I can pry open and get inside a man’s heart with that when I cannot get near him with any other tools. It’s badly worn because I use it on almost everyone, since so few people know it belongs to me.””

Be encouraged! In Jesus Christ we have victory. Today in prayer, give Jesus your discouragement and follow Him in all that you do.

“A clear cut vision of what God wants you to do can survive under the pressures of discouragers.” – Marilyn Murphree

God’s Word: “Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” – 1 Chronicles 22:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: ‘He is good; his love to Israel endures forever.’ And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.” – Ezra 3:11

During an Old English lecture, the professor began discussing the etymological connection between our word for God and the word “good.”

Not exactly a difficult connection to make as they are separated by a single letter. Probably like many of you, I had noticed that connection before, but never knew if that was an accidental similarity or something more significant. When these Germanic people began to worship the God of the Bible, they needed a word to describe him. They of course had proper names for the pantheon of Germanic gods, but they didn’t have a word that would ultimately work as a way of describing the God of the Old and New Testaments.

The God revealed most fully in Jesus Christ. But as these people began to learn about the God of scripture, and God’s inherent goodness, they decided to take a form of the word “good” and make it their word for God. In fact, the words are almost indistinguishable in both the early Germanic languages and the modern languages from which they came.

So there you go, when a group of people came to believe in God, the word that made the most sense for them to use was the word “good.”

God is good. Today in prayer, let the goodness of God be part of your life.

“The great gift of Easter is hope - Christian hope which makes us have that confidence in God, in his ultimate triumph, and in his goodness and love, which nothing can shake.” – Basil Hume

God’s Word: “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” – Psalm 145:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“When they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 drachmas of gold, 5,000 minas of silver and 100 priestly garments.” – Ezra 2:68-69

In his book “Just Passion”, Mark E. Strong writes: “I heard a story about a little boy who wanted to give God an offering but had nothing to give. He sat on the floor, watching people pass by and place their offerings in large wicker baskets. How he longed to give a little something to the Savior he so dearly loved. He walked to the front of the church, grabbed the rim of the basket and hoisted himself inside. When the deacons went to retrieve the boy, one scolded him, saying, ‘This is not a play area!’ Embarrassed and bewildered, the little boy responded, ‘I didn’t have anything to give the Lord, so I was giving him myself.'”

All that we own belongs to God; we are His stewards. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He has given you charge of some of His wealth and give to others as He would give.

“You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” – Amy Carmichael

God’s Word: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †

“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing” – Ezra 1:1

Charles Colson writes: "Serving at the time as provincial governor of Northern Italy, St. Ambrose was called in this capacity in 374 to the cathedral in Milan, where a riot was threatening between two rival factions of Christians, each intent on winning its own candidate’s nomination to the bishopric.

Ambrose quelled the riot but was unable to persuade the warring parties to agree on a bishop. Finally someone suggested Ambrose himself, and the nomination was enthusiastically greeted on all sides. In vain Ambrose protested that he was not even christened nor called to this position. He was hurriedly baptized, then ordained, and finally consecrated bishop — all within the space of a single week."

The Lord calls each of us to do his work. In Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah responded to God’s call by saying "Here am I. Send me." Today in prayer, consider how you answer the Lord’s call and then follow Him in all that you do.

"I would rather walk through a mile of burning brimstone every night than spend over again those midnight hours when I fought against the call of God." - Dr. Robert Bruce

God’s Word: “In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing” – 2 Chronicles 36:22

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN EZRA, NEHEMIAH, AND ESTHER †