“But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:8

In his book “Memory Rescue”, Daniel G. Amen writes: “The prefrontal cortex is responsible for the success of the human species. It enables us to learn from our mistakes and make plans. When the PFC is healthy, we behave consistently in ways that enable us to reach our goals. When it works as intended, we are organized, goal directed, thoughtful, empathetic, and able to express feelings appropriately. The PFC is often called the executive part of the brain and is closely associated with judgment, impulse control, attention span, self-monitoring, problem solving, and critical thinking.

The prefrontal cortex is the brain’s brake. It stops us from saying or doing stupid things. I was once at a conference with a 42-year-old friend I’ll call Joelle. She had been in a car accident that damaged her PFC a few years earlier. As we sat waiting for the next presentation, we overheard two women in the row in front of us talking about why they were heavy. One said to the other, “I don’t know why I’m overweight; I just eat like a bird.” In a voice loud enough for everyone around us to hear, my friend said, “Yeah, like a condor.” Horrified, I gave Joelle a look that asked, Why would you say that out loud? Meanwhile the embarrassed and angry women moved away from us. Joelle put her hand over her mouth and said, ‘Oh no, did that get out?’”

We need to be self-controlled in all areas of our Christian walk. Today in prayer, as you face choices and challenges this day, ask the Lord to give you the strength to be self-controlled. 

“Control your appetites before they control you.” – John Climacus

God’s Word: “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” – 1 Peter 1:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS †

“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Peter Greave was a British national who endured a challenging and tumultuous life, which took a severe turn in 1939 when he contracted leprosy while stationed in India. He returned to England, half-blind and partially paralyzed, and took up residence in a compound managed by a group of Anglican sisters. Unable to work and feeling ostracized by society, he became embittered and even contemplated suicide.

He meticulously planned to escape the compound several times, but each time he hesitated, realizing he had nowhere else to go. One morning, in an unusual moment for him, he rose early and wandered the grounds. Drawn by a buzzing noise, he found himself at the chapel, where the sisters were praying for the patients. 

On the chapel walls, they had written the names of those they were praying for, and among them, he found his own name. This unexpected moment of connection and recognition profoundly altered the trajectory of his life. He began to feel wanted and experienced a sense of grace. He would go on to marry one of the nurses, became a writer, publishing both novels and an autobiography entitled “The Second Miracle”. 

Only in Jesus Christ can we find true hope. Today in prayer, praise Christ that when we place our trust in Him, we receive eternal life.

“Do not look to your hope, but to Christ, the source of your hope.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

God’s Word: “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” – Romans 15:4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

In her book “Liturgy of the Ordinary”, Tish Harrison Warren writes: “While my husband, Jonathan, was getting his PhD, he got to know a former Jesuit priest turned married professor—a holy man, a provocateur, and a favorite among his students. Once a student met with him to complain about having to read Augustine's Confessions. “It’s boring,” the student whined. “No, it’s not boring,” the professor responded. “You’re boring.”

What Jonathan’s professor meant is that when we gaze at the richness of the gospel and the church and find them dull and uninteresting, it’s actually we who have been hollowed out. We have lost our capacity to see wonders where true wonders lie. We must be formed as people who are capable of appreciating goodness, truth, and beauty.

The kind of spiritual life and disciplines needed to sustain the Christian life are quiet, repetitive, and ordinary. I often want to skip the boring, daily stuff to get to the thrill of an edgy faith. But it’s in the dailiness of the Christian faith—the making the bed, the doing the dishes, the praying for our enemies, the reading the Bible, the quiet, the small—that God’s transformation takes root and grows.”

The Lord is honored when we quietly serve Him. Today in prayer, give thanks to Jesus for the quiet moments of each day.

“O God, make us children of quietness, and heirs of peace.” – Clement of Rome

God’s Word: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:7

William Law was a Church of England priest who lost his position at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, when his conscience would not allow him to take the required oath of allegiance to King George I. He became a simple pastor and author.

In his book “A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life”, Law writes: “It was this…intention that made the primitive Christians such eminent instances of piety, that made the goodly fellowship of the Saints and all the glorious army of martyrs and confessors. And if you will here stop and ask yourself why you are not as pious as the primitive Christians were, your own heart will tell you that it is neither through ignorance nor inability, but purely because you never thoroughly intended it.”

The Lord calls us to be like Him and to be Holy. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that we are called to be holy and listen to Jesus to live a pure and holy life.

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

God’s Word: “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” – 1 Peter 1:15-16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS †

“It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3

In his book “Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit”, author Christopher J.H. Wright says: “Joy must be morally clean. God warned Israel not to be tempted by the kind of debauched “joy” of the Canaanite festivals, which included sexual immorality, drunkenness, gluttony, and idolatry. They had two terrible object lessons about where that kind of sinful “joy” could lead. 

First, there was the wild orgy that happened at the foot of Mount Sinai while Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments. And the second was in Moab, when they were tempted into immorality at Baal Peor on the advice of the pagan seer Balaam. 

By contrast with such sinful excess, Israel’s feasts were to be full of fun and food, but not full of drunken immorality. They were to be occasions that the whole family could enjoy together without embarrassment.”

Sexual immorality ruins lives and it is sin. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His warning on sexual immorality, confess any sin of sexual immorality in your life and pray that you will not fall into any temptation.

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

God’s Word: “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:18

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS †

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Not long before his death, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to the congregation at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church:

“If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don’t want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. Every now and then I wonder what I want them to say. Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize; that isn’t important. Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awards; that’s not important. Tell them not to mention where I went to school. I’d like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to love somebody.”

We need to bring the love of Christ to the world. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that you can share the good news of the Gospel with those who He has placed in your life.

“Our Lord does not care so much for the importance of our works as for the love with which they are done.” – Teresa of Avila

God’s Word: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” – John 15:12

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS †

“For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.” – 1 Thessalonians 3:5

In his book “An Unhurried Life”, Alan Fadling admits “I am a recovering speed addict.” Beginning with this confession, Pastor Fadling goes on to describe his journey out of the fast lane and into the rhythms of Jesus.

He defines one of our greatest temptations in the modern age—hurry:

“Hurry is a great temptation. Hurry looks like impulsive, knee-jerk reactions: “I’ll act now because I may never have another chance!” The temptation to hurry is fueled by the lie that the only good to be had must be grabbed now or never.

Jesus’ encounter with the devil in the wilderness right after his baptism at the Jordan illustrates the hurried nature of temptation and a holy response to it. Jesus is a master of the unhurried response to tempting suggestions.”

We are all tempted in different areas of our lives. But the Lord is faithful and we can resist temptation through the power of Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, confess any weaknesses to temptation and ask the Lord to deliver you from sinning.  

“Believe that as sure you are in the way of God you must meet with temptations.” – John Bunyan

God’s Word: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” – Matthew 6:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS †

“So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith” – 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2

In his book “Be A People Person”, Dr. John C. Maxwell writes: “Dr. Maxwell Maltz was a plastic surgeon who often took disfigured faces and made them more attractive. He observed that in every case, the patient’s self-image rose with his and her physical improvement. In addition to being a successful surgeon, Dr. Maltz was a great psychologist who understood human nature.

A wealthy woman was greatly concerned about her son, and she came to Dr. Maltz for advice. She had hoped that the son would assume the family business following her husband’s death, but when the son came of age, he refused to assume that responsibility and chose to enter an entirely different field. She thought Dr. Maltz could help convince the boy that he was making a grave error. The doctor agreed to see him, and he probed into the reasons for the young man’s decision.

The son explained, “I would have loved to take over the family business, but you don’t understand the relationship I had with my father. He was a driven man who came up the hard way. His objective was to teach me self-reliance, but he made a drastic mistake. He tried to teach me that principle in a negative way. He thought the best way to teach me self-reliance was to never encourage or praise me. He wanted me to be tough and independent. Every day we played catch in the yard.

The object was for me to catch the ball ten straight times. I would catch that ball eight or nine times, but always on that tenth throw he would do everything possible to make me miss it. He would throw it on the ground or over my head but always so I had no chance of catching it.” The young man paused for a moment and then said, “He never let me catch the tenth ball—never! And I guess that’s why I have to get away from his business; I want to catch that tenth ball!” This young man grew up feeling he could never measure up, never be perfect enough to please his father. I would not want to be guilty of causing emotional damage to my wife, my children, or my friends.”

We all need encouragement to grow in the love of Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for the encouragement you have received and seek to encourage others in following the Lord.

“Most of us, swimming against the tides of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement - and we will make the goal.” – Robert Collier

God’s Word: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS †

“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

In a commencement speech at Rice University, author Kurt Vonnegut shared some of the wisdom of his life. He went on to share a story about his uncle:

“One thing which Uncle Alex found objectionable about human beings was that they seldom took time out to notice when they were happy. He himself did his best to acknowledge it when times were sweet. We could be drinking lemonade in the shade of an apple tree in the summertime, and he would interrupt the conversation to say, "If this isn't nice, what is?"

So, I hope that you Adams and Eves in front of me will do the same for the rest of your lives. When things are going sweetly and peacefully, please pause a moment, and then say out loud: ‘If this isn't nice, what is?’”

There is a joy living with Jesus and leading others to Him. Today in prayer, pause a moment and thank the Lord for all the people who have helped you in your Christian life and seek to help others in their walk with the Lord.

“A great part of heaven’s bliss for the redeemed will be the joyful presence of those whom they have been used to reach.” – John MacArthur, Jr.

God’s Word: “Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!” – Philippians 4:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS †

“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

Pastor Steve Brandon writes: “A few weeks ago, Darryn and I traveled to India. In order to get there, we were required to bring our passports, which are proofs of our citizenship of the United States. And with our passports came some privileges. We are citizens of the United States of America. You mess with us, and you will have to answer to the administration of our country. But, with our passports comes responsibility as well. We are citizens of the United States of America. We are to conduct ourselves as worthy members of our country.

The parallels with our passage here this morning is clear. We are citizens of heaven. As such, we have privileges of being children of God. Our sins are forgiven. There has been reconciliation through our adoption. But, we also have responsibility. We are to represent Him well. We are to live as citizens, ‘in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.’”

Live your life worthy of Jesus Christ. When you do, the Lord will bless you with greater opportunities. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for the wonderful news of the Gospel and be encouraged to let Jesus shine through in all that you do.

“God, the King, wants his royal children to live lives worthy of their paternity and position.” – J.I. Packer

God’s Word: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS †

“Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:9

William Carey (1761-1831), is considered to be the father of modern evangelical Christian missions, was a tentmaker in India, working as a factory manager and university professor while fulfilling his mission duties.

At the time, international mission work was a new and controversial idea in the Church, and tentmaking was the only way for Carey to support his ministry.

He began to learn the Bengali language to communicate with others. A friend owned two indigo factories and needed managers, so Carey moved with his family west to Midnapore. During the six years that Carey managed the indigo plant, he completed the first revision of his Bengali New Testament and began formulating the principles upon which his missionary community would be formed, including communal living, financial self-reliance, and the training of indigenous ministers.

His example has led thousands of Christian missionaries to support themselves while ministering overseas.

Ministry is not just for the full-time pastor. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for tent-maker pastors and seek to be more involved in ministering to others.

“The man who has had the greatest impact on my life as a Christian and mentor was my father, who was a bi-vocational pastor. When he passed away a few years ago, the words he used to define his ministry were carved on his gravestone: ‘I work to live, but I live to preach.’” - Seaborn Dell

God’s Word: “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS †

“On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:4-5

While working as a lab technician at a nuclear facility operated by General Electric in 1984, Vera English was alarmed by the frequency of radioactive spillages. English contacted both her supervisor and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission about her concerns, but nothing was done and English was fired shortly after. After a 10 year long legal battle, her Supreme Court case, English v. General Electric Company, set a precedent that allowed whistleblowers to pursue cases under state law. English’s landmark victory also set precedent for the use of whistleblower protection laws in other nuclear energy cases, and demonstrated how existing whistleblower laws can be used to protect against corporate retaliation. Ms. English told her story in the video “How to Blow the Whistle and Win,” a 1994 documentary produced by the National Whistleblower Center.

The Lord desires that we please Him, not the desires of men. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that we should live our lives so that we speak as men and women approved by God.

“Whether men be pleased or displeased, or how they judge you, or what they call you, will seem a small matter to you as their own interest, in comparison to God’s judgment. You live not on them. You can bear their displeasure, censures, and reproaches, if God be but pleased.” – Richard Baxter

God’s Word: “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS †

“The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia--your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it” – 1 Thessalonians 1:8

Mike Shildt became manager of the San Diego Padres. He is outspoken about his faith in Christ and shared his testimony years ago:

“I took some wrong turns before surrendering myself to the Lord. I grew up in an Episcopal Church and always had a belief in God. I just didn’t accept/live the teachings. As I got into my college and young adult years I strayed from God and was more dedicated to earthly pleasures.”

Shildt soon learned something was missing, and began turning his life over to the Lord. “It was only after trying to do it myself that I realized the emptiness I was feeling couldn’t be filled by me alone. So, I turned to God and anchored to His teachings. It created a peace within me and opened up my world in how I should live. I now have clarity as to my purpose in life and serving others with God’s spiritual gifts He has bestowed upon me.”

Trust in the Lord in all you do, and let others know where your trust lies. Today in prayer, place your faith in Jesus knowing that you are in the best of hands.

“Everyone knows how to have faith. We do it all the time in countless ways. When I get in a car and turn the ignition key I have faith that my car will start. When I pick up a ballpoint pen and press it down on a sheet of paper, I'm exercising faith in the ability of that pen to write. When I sit down to eat and put my wife's cooking into my mouth I am exercising faith that my wife hasn't poisoned the food. Day by day, in countless ways we exercise faith in the people or things around us. Likewise, when Jesus asks us to have faith in him he is only asking us to do what is natural for us to do.” – Bill Gordon

God’s Word: “See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright-- but the righteous will live by his faith” – Habakkuk 2:4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS †

“You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:6

Ariana Grande-Butera is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Her accolades include two Grammy Awards, a Brit Award, two Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards, and ten MTV Video Music Awards. The 31-year-old singer is known for her four-octave vocal range, which extends into the whistle register.

Because of this wide vocal range, she is able to sing songs in a wide variety of keys.

Ariana has been a hit on the talk show circuit for her impressions of many female singers and actresses.

Some of her best imitations are Whitney Houston singing “I Will Always Love You”, as well as singing in the styles of Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Rihanna, and Shakira. She also spoofs actresses Jennifer Coolidge, Elizabeth Gillies, and Jennifer Lawrence with hilarious impressions of them.

How much better it is to imitate Jesus Christ and godly believers. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for the example mature Christians have shown you and seek to be more like Jesus Christ in all that you do.

“Imitate Christ, who is supremely perfect and supremely holy, and you will never ere.” – John of the Cross

God’s Word: “Therefore I urge you to imitate me.” – 1 Corinthians 4:16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS †