“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” – 1 Timothy 6:18

In her book “Atheists Finding God”, Jana Harmon shares one story about how some Christians became the catalyst that disrupted the atheistic worldview by Christlike goodness and kindness:

“Jeffrey became an atheist following a childhood tragedy where he lost two brothers in a house fire. His deep pain fueled a vitriolic hatred against God and instability in his own life. During the next 20 years, he developed strong arguments to support his emotional resistance to belief. When his wife unexpectedly became a Christian, his anger against God only grew.

One evening his wife called and asked him to pick her up at the home of the Christians who had led her to Christ. Jeffrey was expecting a heated exchange, but instead received warm hospitality. Feeling valued, he was drawn back again and again toward meaningful conversation. Over time, his walls of resistance began to melt, friendship and trust developed, and intellectual questions were answered. Eventually, he lost his resistance to God and found the peace and joy that had long eluded him.”

In all that you do, do good deeds to bring glory to Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, thank the Jesus for every opportunity He sends your way and seek to do good to bring glory to the Lord.

"The greatest thing is to be found at one's post as a child of God, living each day as though it were our last, but planning as though our world might last a hundred years." - C.S. Lewis

God’s Word: “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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

James Marshall left his family’s home in New Jersey as a young man and, like so many others, began a migration west. In 1845 he arrived in California. He worked a number of different jobs and served in the army during the Mexican-American War in 1846. When he got out, a man he had earlier befriended, John Sutter, entered a partnership agreement with Marshall to build a sawmill.

It was Marshall, who in 1848, discovered a gold nugget that started the California gold rush.

The immediate impact of the gold rush on Marshall was negative. His sawmill failed when all the able-bodied men in the area abandoned everything to search for gold. Before long, arriving hordes of prospectors forced him off his land. Marshall soon left the area.

Marshall returned to Coloma in 1857 and found some success in the 1860s with a vineyard that he started. That venture ended in failure towards the end of the decade, due mostly to higher taxes and increased competition. He returned to prospecting in the hopes of finding success.

He became a partner in a gold mine near Kelsey, California but the mine yielded nothing and left Marshall practically bankrupt. The California State Legislature awarded him a two-year pension in 1872 in recognition of his role in an important era in California history. It was renewed in 1874 and 1876 but lapsed in 1878. Marshall, penniless, eventually ended up in a small cabin and died a few years later.

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

In his book “Contentment: The Secret to a Lasting Calm”, author Richard Swenson writes: “Contentment is when we tell the Shepherd that His provision is enough for all our physical and material needs. If our old car gimps down the road, that is fine. If we get a shiny newer auto with less gimp, that too is fine. Because it is not about the cars. My contentment is unaltered in any circumstance, because the Shepherd is the source of my provision and He doeth all things well.

Contentment is when we tell the Shepherd that His presence is sufficient for all our emotional needs. We seek solutions for our emptiness in many directions, all of them lacking. But those who go deep with Jesus discover He is always better. The greater our intimacy, the greater our contentment.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

One of the craziest gossip lies that has spread in recent years is Mr. Rogers the beloved, wholesome icon has a hidden past. For many years, rumors flew that Fred Rogers was secretly a former Navy SEAL or Marine sniper — even though there’s documentation to prove that he was declared unfit for service in 1950.

The urban legend is still so pervasive that the Navy SEALS website has a page debunking the myth: The site points out that he was too old to have enlisted in the Navy when the Vietnam War broke out and that there’s plenty of evidence that Mr. Rogers went straight to college and immediately entered television work. Rogers still received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, though, despite his lack of a military career.

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

“Have you heard of the terrible family They,

And the dreadful venomous things They say'

Why, half the gossip under the sun,

If you trace it back, you will find begun

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

In his commentary of 1 Timothy, William Barclay writes: “Jewish law laid it down that at the time of his marriage a man ought to make provision for his wife, should she become a widow. The very first office-bearers whom the Christian Church appointed, had this duty of caring fairly for the widows (Acts 6:1). Ignatius lays it down: "Let not widows be neglected. After the Lord be thou their guardian." The Apostolic Constitutions enjoin the bishop: "O bishop, be mindful of the needy, both reaching out thy helping hand and making provision for them as the steward of God, distributing the offerings seasonably to every one of them, to the widows, the orphans, the friendless, and those tried with affliction." The same book has an interesting and kindly instruction: "If anyone receives any service to carry to a widow or poor woman...let him give it the same day." As the proverb has it: "He gives twice who gives quickly," and the Church was concerned that those in poverty might not have to wait and want while one of its servants delayed.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

In his book “Kingdom Living”, Pastor Tony Evans tells the following story: “A man who was well-to-do enjoyed buying his father unusual and exotic presents for Christmas.… But one particular Christmas this man found a gift for his father that was truly unique: a talking bird that could speak five languages and sing “The Yellow Rose of Texas” standing on one foot.… So he purchased the bird and had it sent to his father for Christmas. A few days later, the man went over to his father’s house to see if he was enjoying his unique and expensive gift. He knocked on the door and said, “Dad, did you get my present?” “I sure did,” his father said. “How’d you like it?” “It was delicious!” Dad had obviously missed the point of his son’s special gift, and so he treated as ordinary something that was very special. Too often, that’s how we treat the gifts God gives us.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

Although he had no formal theological education, it has been estimated that Charles Spurgeon preached to ten million people in his lifetime — often to crowds of more than ten thousand.

Vanity Fair, in its 10 December 1870 issue, described Spurgeon as having “fine natural oratory’, a “powerful voice… and a vivacity of diction”. Though Spurgeon had his critics, he was respected and well-liked by many for being “honest, resolute, and sincere”.

Much at odds with contemporary practice, Spurgeon became the pastor of New Park Street Church at twenty years-old — only four years after his conversion. Spurgeon stayed with this congregation for almost forty years until his death. Because of his outstanding expository preaching, Charles Spurgeon is regarded as the “Prince of Preachers”.

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

Originating from Navajo (Diné) folklore, a Skinwalker is a malevolent witch capable of transforming into, possessing or disguising themselves as an animal. Skinwalkers go by different names in different Native American tribes. The Navajo version is called yee naaldlooshii, which translates to "with it, he goes on all fours."

A person becomes a Skinwalker by committing a heinous act, like killing a family member. This gives them supernatural powers, allowing them to shape-shift from a human to an animal at will. They often become coyotes, wolves, foxes or bears, though they can transition into any animal.

In Navajo society, Skinwalkers were blamed for everything that went wrong: crop failures, bad marriages, sicknesses, sudden death — you name it.

Accordingly, to legend, you can tell if you're in the presence of a Skinwalker by their eyes. If you shine a light on one when they're in animal form, their eyes glow bright red. In human form, their eyes seem animal-like.

To get rid of a Skinwalker, you need a powerful shaman who knows the right spells and incantations to get the Skinwalker to turn on itself.

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

On April 16, 1970, day 6 of ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, the astronauts needed to make a critical course correction. If they failed, they might never return to earth. To conserve power, the onboard computer that steered the craft had been shut down. Yet the astronauts needed to conduct a 39 second burst of the main engines and the question arose how to steer the capsule?

Astronaut Jim Lovell determined that if they could keep a fixed point in space in view through their tiny window, they could steer the craft manually. That focal point turned out to be their destination- earth. During those 39 agonizing seconds, Lovell focused on keeping the earth in view. By not losing sight of that reference point, the 3 astronauts made a successful course correction and avoided disaster.

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

On July 4, 2023, elite runner Senbere Teferi was just meters away from winning the Peachtree Road Race title in Atlanta once again – before taking a wrong turn that cost her $7,000 prize money. She said that it was a "mental mistake" on her part. 

The Ethiopian runner was leading the annual 10-kilometer race, with two other runners from the women's elite division behind her in the final stretch. Senbere was following the lead police vehicle, which took a right turn and she continued to run in back of it – a crucial mishap that cost her the race. 

Senbere, who won the race last year, took third with a time of 30 minutes and 47 seconds – just four seconds from the winning time of 30 minutes and 43 seconds. Instead of the top prize of $10,000, Senbere walked away with $3,000. 

Reflecting back on the race, Senbere told CBS News that she was "relaxed" and checking her watch when she got distracted and followed the motorcycle ahead of her.

"It was just a mental mistake on my part," she said. "I was wondering why there were still motorcycles in front of us so close to the finish... and not being to physically see the finish line from my viewpoint; I just followed the motorbike as I thought they were heading to the line as well."

It is easy to go down the wrong path. Today in prayer, keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

In his book “Know Your Why”, Ken Costa writes: “If you stay strong and humble by serving others, worshipping God, and being strong in the Word and watchful of your character, you will remain fully alive in your calling.”

Ken related an encounter with a barista in an airport in Austin, Texas. When he went to pick up a coffee before an early flight, he noticed that she was “cheerfulness itself” and brightly encouraging to himself and others. He asked her about her somewhat surprising attitude. Her reply (given with a warm smile).

“I want all my customers to have the best day possible. I try to give them a little piece of happiness to send them on their way. You know, I really love my job. I’m so grateful to have it. It gets me out of bed early. It’s my tiny contribution to life.”

Costa concludes, “She had a simple job, but it was one that she was determined to use to its maximum. She saw beyond the mundane nature of her work to the difference she could make to others.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

Psychologists have a test for selfishness – it's called the narcissism test. Narcissism is a personality trait with excessive self-love. In Greek mythology Narcissus was a man who fell in love with his reflection in a pool of water. The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) was developed by Raskin and Hall (1979) for the measurement of narcissism as a personality trait in social psychological research. 

The test consists of forty pairs of statements. For each pair people select the one that they feel best reflects their personality. It takes most people five to ten minutes to complete.

The statements are similar to the following:

“I like to be the center of attention”

“I show off if I get the chance because I’m extraordinary”

“Somebody should write a biography about me.”

Unfortunately, the median score on this test has risen 30% in the last 2 decades!

In a similar way, our faith needs to be tested to serve others. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that through testing, your faith will increase. 

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

Amy Peterson, in her book “Where Goodness Still Grows”, writes the following:

“I started reading “The Kindness of God” by Catholic theologian and philosopher Janet Soskice. In her examination of the etymology of the word kindness, Soskice helped me see it for the first time as a strong virtue rather than a weak one. “In Middle English,” she writes, “the words ‘kind’ and ‘kin’ were the same—to say that Christ is ‘our kinde Lord’ is not to say that Christ is tender and gentle, although that may be implied, but to say that he is kin—our kind.

This fact, and not emotional disposition, is the rock which is our salvation.” I paused after reading this sentence to try to take it in, to try to peel the sentimental layers off my definition of kindness and replace them with this fact: to be kind meant to be kin.

The word unfolded in my mind. God’s kindness meant precisely that God became my kin—Jesus, my brother—and this, Soskice said, was a foundational truth about who I was. Not only that, but for speakers of Middle English, Lord had a particular meaning—a lord was someone from the nobility, the upper social classes. To say “our kinde Lord” was to say the difference in social or economic status between peasants and nobility was also erased through Jesus the “Lord” being of the same “kinde” as all, landowners and peasants alike. Jesus erased divisions that privileged some people over others.

If Soskice is right, then practicing kindness requires, at minimum, a willingness to see the image of God in, and to find a point of honest connection with, every person—even, and especially, those I dislike.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

Pastor Andy Cook writes the following: “Reading the Bible without applying it to your life can be downright dangerous. On August 3, 1996, Melvin Hitchens, sat on his front porch and read the Bible. After his Bible reading, this 66-year-old New Orleans resident went in his house and retrieved a .45 caliber handgun. He went back outside, and shot his neighbors! He killed Donna Jett as she swept her sidewalk and injured Darryl Jett while he was mowing.

Family members and neighborhood residents testified that Hitchens and the Jett’s had a running feud over the care of their yards and the cleanliness of the gutters. No one, however, had an explanation how a man could put down his Bible, and commit such a violent act! Positive transformation requires the application of God’s Word.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

By her mid-twenties, Ashley Cleveland was a full-fledged alcoholic and drug user. Though she went to church as a child, it was her addictions that took over her life.

“I would manage it for a little while, and then eventually, inevitably, you know, I would go way too far and the dominoes would begin falling very quickly in the wrong direction,” Ashley said. It wasn’t until she became a single mother that she started to look to Jesus.

Ashley said. “And I’m lying in that recovery room--and, you know, it was like the spirit of the Lord inhabited that room and He pulled back this invisible curtain and said to me, I am not who you think I am. And I thought, boy, no kidding. But in that moment, I knew one thing, and that one thing changed everything. I knew that He loved me. That was really the beginning of faith for me.”

Today, Ashley has been sober for over 15 years. She is married to guitarist Kenny Greenberg and has three children. The three-time Grammy winner has written an autobiography. She hopes her book and life story inspire those who feel too broken to be loved.

“What I would say to you or anybody else is come to Jesus,” Ashley said. “I’m just saying come to Christ, because if you come to Christ, really, you can’t come and not be changed.”

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

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

God’s Word: “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.” – Colossians 4:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone” – 1 Timothy 2:1

Author Anthony Bloom tells the story of an elderly woman who had been working at prayer with all her might but without ever sensing God’s presence. Wisely, the archbishop encouraged the old woman to go to her room each day and “for fifteen minutes knit before the face of God, but I forbid you to say one word of prayer. 

You just knit and try to enjoy the peace of your room.” The woman received this counsel, and at first her only thought was, “Oh, how nice. I have fifteen minutes during which I can do nothing without being guilty!” In time, however, she began to enter the silence created by her knitting. 

Soon, she said, “I perceived that this silence was not simply an absence of noise, but that the silence had substance. It was not absence of something but presence of something.” As she continued her daily knitting, she discovered that “at the heart of the silence there was he who is all stillness, all peace, all poise.”

Our all-powerful Heavenly Father desires and answers our prayers. Today in prayer, thank Jesus that we can take all prayer requests directly to Him, and He intercedes for us.

"To make intercession for men is the most powerful and practical way in which we can express our love for them." - John Calvin

God’s Word: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” – Ephesians 6:18

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

Lauren Frances Winner is an American historian, scholar of religion, and Episcopal priest. She is Associate Professor of Christian Spirituality at Duke Divinity School. Lauren writes and lectures on Christian practice, the history of Christianity in America, and Jewish–Christian relations. She tells a story about her friend Julian. When she was 12 and going to be confirmed, she had a crisis. She told her father, the pastor, that she wasn’t sure she could tell the church that she believed everything she was supposed to or that she could believe it forever. 

“What you promise when you are confirmed,” said Julian’s father, “is not that you will believe this forever. What you promise when you are confirmed is that that is the story you will wrestle with forever.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

Growing up in the projects of St. Louis, Marcus Gray never felt safe. Even his own family couldn’t protect him. His father was a drug addict and his mother was schizophrenic.

“So I had the responsibility of really overseeing my mom. There would be times where she wouldn’t even recognize me. She could, curse me out or call me names or, you know, just start treating me as if I’m her enemy or something like that. My dad would be gone days on end, blowing time, you know, getting high. Everything was just unstable.”

Marcus spent a lot of time with his grandmother, the only safe haven from the chaos. Despite his grandmother’s influence, Marcus began to rebel, and started picking fights with other students at school and he was expelled from high school.

But Marcus’ girlfriend invited him to church instead. The preacher’s words moved him. “What I was overwhelmed with from the Gospel message that day was Jesus loves you. Jesus loves you. And I was so overwhelmed with this love, you know, Jesus’ love, and I remember thinking like, he does love a bad person. And it sounded exactly like the things that my grandmother would tell me.”

Marcus prayed to become a Christian that day.

Today, Marcus is married to Crystal and pursuing a degree in biblical counseling. He’s also known as the hip-hop music artist “Flame.” His mission is to reach out to others through Christ-centered music.

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

In an article entitled “The Hands of Jason Bateman and the Hands of Christ,” Matthew Eldridge, who was a body double for actor Jason Bateman, compares his experience on a movie set to the work of ministry. He writes, “Behind every lead pastor or nonprofit CEO, there are the skilled individuals who support the various areas of the organizations. … While close to 100 crew members tirelessly work 15 hours a day so Jason Bateman can shine, they have an understanding that their work will be underappreciated and likely go unnoticed by those watching the show. But they do it anyway. Why? Because they love being a part of the creation process. There’s something magical about creating something collectively larger than ourselves. That’s how it is in ministry. Ministries are built with the hands of capable individuals who may never receive recognition for the work they do, but they don’t do it to serve the speaker. They do what they do for the glory of God. Their satisfaction comes from knowing they help to build something beautiful for God’s kingdom. Yes, their service is indirectly touching lives. They are being the hands of Christ”.  

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

In his article “7 False Teachers in the Church Today”, Pastor Tim Challies writes:

“The Heretic is the most prominent and perhaps the most dangerous of the false teachers. Peter warned against him in his second letter. “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1). The Heretic is the person who teaches what blatantly contradicts an essential teaching of the Christian faith. He is a gregarious figure, a natural leader teaching just enough truth to mask his deadly error. Yet in denying the faith and celebrating what is false, he leads his followers from the safety of orthodoxy to the peril of heresy.

From the church’s earliest days, she has been afflicted by the Heretic in his various forms. He continues his evil work today, sometimes by contradicting the truth and sometimes by adding to it. He may reframe the doctrine of the Trinity, as Arius did in the third century and as Oneness Pentecostals do today. He may, like Marcus Borg and other prominent scholars, deny the virgin birth or the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Like Jehovah’s Witnesses, he may alter God’s finished word, or like Mormons, he may add to it. Always, he boldly tampers with “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †

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

On May 2, 1962, a dramatic advertisement appeared in the San Francisco Examiner: "I don't want my husband to die in the gas chamber for a crime he did not commit. I will therefore offer my services for 10 years as a cook, maid, or housekeeper to any leading attorney who will defend him and bring about his vindication." 

One of San Francisco's greatest attorneys, Vincent Hallinan, read or heard about the ad and contacted Gladys Kidd, who had placed it. Her husband, Robert Lee Kidd, was about to be tried for the slaying of an elderly antique dealer. Kidd's fingerprints had been found on a bloodstained ornate sword in the victim's shop. During the trial, Hallinan proved that the antique dealer had not been killed by the sword, and that Kidd's fingerprints and blood on the sword got there because Kidd had once toyed with it while playfully dueling with a friend when they were both out shopping. The jury, after 11 hours, found Kidd to be not guilty. Attorney Hallinan refused Gladys Kidd's offer of 10 years' servitude. 

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN 1 TIMOTHY †