“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” – Genesis 50:20

Richard Boyle, the father of the famous scientist Robert Boyle, adopted the motto ‘God’s providence is mine inheritance’ as his family’s motto.

Richard had invested his income in Irish land deals, and he became so successful that he aroused the envy and hostility of some notable figures such as Sir Robert Gardiner and Sir Richard Bingham. These men falsely complained to Queen Elizabeth I that Boyle’s deals were so expensive they must be financed by Spanish sources. Richard wanted to defend himself before the queen, but the outbreak of the Munster rebellion in 1598 wasted his lands and depleted his finances. He testified, ‘Yet God preserved me,’ set sail for Bristol and went to study law in England.

Boyle was soon recommended to a position under Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex and encountered Sir Henry Wallop, the treasurer of Ireland, who suspected Richard had heard about some financial crimes of his deputy, his eldest son Henry, which could ruin Wallop’s reputation. Boyle had no intention of revealing his suspicions, yet Wallop misrepresented him to the queen, who had him imprisoned in the Gatehouse for two months and seized all his papers and possessions. No evidence incriminating Boyle was found.

Following this investigation, Queen Elizabeth I acquitted him, took him into her service and fired Wallop. She enlarged Boyle’s estate, paid all his costs and gave him her hand to kiss: ‘Which I did heartily, humbly thanking God for that deliverance.’

The Lord has every circumstance under control. We need to be Christ-like at all times realizing our reaction can bring glory to the Lord. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is Lord of all and seek to find the purpose for all circumstances.

“There is nothing, no circumstance, no trouble, no testing, that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ, right through to me. If it has come that far, it has come with a great purpose, which I may not understand at the moment, but as I refuse to become panicky, as I lift up my eyes to him and accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart, no sorrow will ever disturb me, no trial will ever disarm me, no circumstance will cause me to fret, for I shall rest in the joy of what my Lord is.” – Alan Redpath

God’s Word: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

In 2023, the Guinness Book of World Records confirmed that the Reverend D.N. Benford Sr., leader of Texas City’s Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church, was officially recognized as “the longest-serving pastor of a single church.” That is 72 years — and still working every Sunday.

“Benford received his call to preach as a 12-year-old, traveling across Texas in a bus crammed with kids. While his friends hung out the windows of that un-air-conditioned Continental Trailways, he argued with God about his future in the back of the bus. God won.”

Lifelong church member Sharon Williams describes him this way.

“As long as Pastor has breath, he will share God’s word,” she said. “He lives to share the gospel and lead others to Christ. He’s been preaching since the age of 14 and has never looked back. Now, after numerous Sunday services, revivals, vacation Bible schools, etc., why would he stop? He takes ministry very seriously, and he is always trying to help others.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

In his book “The Power of Habit”, author Charles Duhigg writes:

“I had been in Iraq for about two months when I heard about an officer conducting an impromptu habit modification program in Kufa, a small city ninety miles south of the capital. He was an army major who had analyzed videotapes of recent riots and had identified a pattern: Violence was usually preceded by a crowd of Iraqis gathering in a plaza or other open space and, over the course of several hours, growing in size. Food vendors would show up, as well as spectators. Then, someone would throw a rock or a bottle and all hell would break loose. When the major met with Kufa’s mayor, he made an odd request: Could they keep food vendors out of the plazas? Sure, the mayor said. A few weeks later, a small crowd gathered near the Masjid al-Kufa, or Great Mosque of Kufa. Throughout the afternoon, it grew in size. Some people started chanting angry slogans. Iraqi police, sensing trouble, radioed the base and asked U.S. troops to stand by. At dusk, the crowd started getting restless and hungry. People looked for the kebab sellers normally filling the plaza, but there were none to be found. The spectators left. The chanters became dispirited. By 8 p.m., everyone was gone.

When I visited the base near Kufa, I talked to the major. You wouldn’t necessarily think about a crowd’s dynamics in terms of habits, he told me. But he had spent his entire career getting drilled in the psychology of habit formation… In some sense, he said, a community was a giant collection of habits occurring among thousands of people that, depending on how they’re influenced could result in violence or peace.”

One good habit of stewardship is developing the habit of saving. Today in prayer, ask the Lord how you can better develop the habit of saving and being a good steward of all He has given you.

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

In July 2023, stunt Influencer Remi Lucidi died after falling from a 68th floor of a skyscraper in Hong Kong.

Remi was known on Instagram for climbing tall and dangerous structures around the world and then posting pictures of himself.

The French daredevil was last seen knocking on a window from the outside of a penthouse suite, startling a maid inside the high-rise, per the South China Morning Post. The maid then called police, who arrived to find Lucidi's body at a nearby patio along with his identification and a video camera containing footage of extreme sports, according to the publication.

Authorities told the local outlet that Lucidi gained entry after telling a security guard that he was there to visit a friend on the 40th floor. He proceeded to enter an elevator, with surveillance footage capturing him arriving on the 49th floor. From there, police said the stunt influencer made his way to the top floor, where a door was found to have been forced open.

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

The term “Victory disease” occurs in military history when a military commander is tempted and falls into complacency or arrogance, brought on by a victory or a series of victories. It makes an engagement end disastrously for a commander and his forces.

A commander may disdain the enemy, and believe his own invincibility, leading his troops to disaster. That commander may employ strategies that, if effective in earlier combats or maneuvers, prove catastrophic against a new or smarter enemy. The commander afflicted by "victory disease" may also fail to anticipate that a new enemy may use tactics different from those of old enemies. An overconfident commander may disregard military intelligence that would enable the commander to realize that new tactics are needed.

Though "victory disease" does not inevitably foretell defeat, it often precedes it. The term is also applied outside the military world in areas such as psychology, business, or marketing. The prime example of “victory disease” is General George Custer, a very successful Civil War General who was tempted to believe he was invincible. He had “victory disease” when he was soundly defeated by combined forces of the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes at the Battle of Little Big Horn.

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

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

God’s Word: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

Pastor Matt Woodley of the Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois tells the following story: “On Valentine's Day, 1948, Robertson McQuilkin proposed to his sweetheart Muriel, and they married in August that same year. For the next three decades, they raised six children and served God together. The first sign their lives were about to change appeared in 1978. Muriel loved to tell stories, but one day she started repeating a story she had just finished a few minutes earlier. In 1981 doctors urged Robertson to consider the possibility of Alzheimer's disease. From that point on Robertson watched helplessly as his fun, creative, loving wife slowly faded away. By 1990 Robertson knew he needed to make a decision about his career. The school needed him 100 percent, and Muriel needed him 100 percent. Robertson chose to resign.

"People think it must be so difficult," he said, "but … even on the emotional side, I didn't look back with any regrets at all. I enjoyed the new life."

On Valentine's Day, 1995, Muriel suddenly woke up from her mental fog, smiled, and spoke for the first time in months. She said, "Love? … love? … love." Those were the last words Muriel ever said aloud.

Muriel died on September 19, 2003. In a letter to friends, Robertson wrote, "For 55 years Muriel was flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone. So it's like a ripping of my flesh and deeper?—my very bones. But there is also profound gratitude. For ten years I've delighted in recalling happy memories. I still do. No regrets. I'm grateful."

That, my friends, is a picture of God's covenant love for us. He loves us not as a chore but because it brings him delight.”

The Lord wants us to remember Him and to have faith in Him in all that we do. Today in prayer, remember what the Lord has done for you and seek to build upon that faith in Him.

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

“Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. ‘Who are these with you?’ he asked. Jacob answered, ‘They are the children God has graciously given your servant.’” – Genesis 33:5

In his book “Jesus & Money”, Ben Witherington III writes: “The biblical theology of creation is a negation of theories of private” property and “public” property, our theories of individual ownership and collective or governmental ownership. The biblical view is that only God is the owner of the universe, because God created and fashioned it in the first place, and then loaned it to us to use properly. One of the practical implications of this theological outlook is that one must always ask questions about any use of material things, such as: Is this what God intended for us to do with this material? Will this use reflect good stewardship of God’s resources?

Will this or that use of property or money glorify God and edify people?…One of the saddest and least biblical corollaries of the theory of private property is the notion of charity-I once preached a sermon with the title “Charity is a Sin.” It certainly got the audience’s attention. The basic assumption behind the concept of charity is “what’s mine is mine, and if I share it with you, I am being charitable or generous as if sharing the wealth is optional. But alas for such ideas, the Bible is replete with commandments, not mere suggestions, about giving to others, taking care of the poor, sacrificing for others, and so on.”

Children are a precious gift of the Lord. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for the children in your life.

"Children are our most valuable natural resource." - Herbert Hoover

God’s Word: “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.” – Psalm 127:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

In his book “Chosen For Blessing”, Christian author H. Norman Wright writes: “Ask a dozen people what the word blessing means and you’ll probably get a dozen different answers. For many people, it means financial security. For some, it means good health- For yet others, it means meaningful relationships with significant people in their lives. Even in the Bible the word is used to express a number of different thoughts.

Are any of these phrases familiar? Have you heard them or said them yourself?

“Dear God, bless this food.”

“Dear God, bless this project.”

“Dear God, bless my family this coming week.”

What does it mean to be “blessed”? When God blessed Abraham did something change in his life (Genesis 12:1-4)? When Jesus blessed the children were their lives richer for it (Mark 10:13-16)? We wish each other a blessed Christmas or Easter. Does something happen because we say this, or is it a meaningless tradition from earlier centuries?

Blessings have been used for thousands of years in all sorts of settings. Scripture contains numerous blessings that were spoken or written to people.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in April 1963 in response to being imprisoned for his efforts to desegregate Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. King defended the program of nonviolent direct action and argued powerfully for the need to end racial injustice in the United States. In that letter he wrote:

“Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal, so must we see the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

In November 2023, New York City reported in just 269 days there were 4,458,783 speed violations near school zones captured by their roughly 2,000 traffic cameras. Violators were issued $50 fines for speeding. New York City’s speed cameras operate around-the-clock, ticketing motorists 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

At $50 per violation, the 4,458,783 violations represent $222,939,150 in total fines during the roughly nine-month span.

When parsed out, the 4,458,783 violations issued over the 269-day stretch represent an average of roughly 16,575 violations per day, 691 violations per hour, or 12 violations per minute.

When looking across the boroughs, speed cameras in Queens issued the most violations, with 1,739,351, while speed cameras on Staten Island issued the least, with 312,083.

Only the Lord can see us everywhere and all of the time. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that you are always in His sight.

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

One of Scotland’s most famous feuds was between the Campbell family and the MacDonald family who both lived in the Highlands at Glencoe. Cattle rustling was not something to be taken lightly in 17th-century Scotland and a family member of the MacDonald family often rustled Campbell cattle and moved them to a hidden valley. The Campbells and the MacDonalds had been at it for centuries, and bad blood boiled between the two clans. When the MacDonalds refused to sign an oath of loyalty to King William and Queen Mary, the Campbells were enlisted to help punish the wayward clan. A group of soldiers, which also included members of the Campbell family, traveled to MacDonald territory in Glencoe and, in keeping with tradition, requested food and lodging. The MacDonalds obliged but were later massacred in their sleep by their house guests.

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

John Ortberg Jr. is an American evangelical Christian author, speaker, and the former senior pastor of Menlo Church in Menlo Park, California. In his book “All the Places to Go”, John writes the following about blessing: “Blessing in the ancient world was the highest form of well-being possible for human beings. The Greeks referred to the blissful existence of the gods as “blessed.” For Israel, blessing included not just gifts from God but especially life with God. Blessing would include all areas of Abram’s life: his family, his finances, his work, and his heart. That meant he wasn’t just to receive a blessing; he was to be a blessing. In fact, it is impossible to be blessed in the highest sense apart from becoming a blessing.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

In his book “Growing strong in the Seasons of Life”, the author Charles Swindoll tells a story about the 19th Century agnostic Thomas Huxley. The story goes like this – Huxley was in Dublin and was rushing to catch a train.

“He climbed aboard one of Dublin’s famous horse drawn taxis and said to the driver -“Hurry, I’m almost late … drive fast”. Of they went at a furious pace and Huxley sat back in his seat and closed his eyes. After a while Huxley opened his eyes and glanced out the window to notice that they were going in the wrong direction. Realizing that he hadn’t told the driver where to take him he called out ‘do you know where you’re going’. The driver replied ‘No your honor, but I am driving very fast.’”

Are you in such a rush to not seek God’s guidance? Today in prayer, take any decisions you are facing to the Lord asking for His direction.

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

In his sermon “Lamb of God”, Pastor Steve Thomason said: “A lamb represented the continual process of God rescuing His people from oppression.

When the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, God told the people to take the blood of a lamb and spread it on their doorposts.

When the death angel came through the land to kill the firstborn son, if it saw the lamb’s blood on the doorposts it would Passover the house and spare the child.

Because of this story, the lamb became a symbol of God’s faithfulness and deliverance.

Then, many years later, after Israel had become exiled in Babylon, the prophet Isaiah said that God would raise up a servant to deliver the people. He would be a suffering servant.

What’s really interesting about this is that when John the Baptist spoke, he actually spoke the Aramaic language. The word for lamb in that language meant both lamb and servant.

So, in essence, John was proclaiming to the nation of Israel:

‘Hey everybody, we all know that we are under the oppression of Rome, right. And, we all know that God promised to bring another ‘lamb’ to bail us out, right? Well, here he is!’”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

In his book, “Running Scared”, Psychologist Edward Welch illustrates how the fear of an event is often worse than the event itself. To demonstrate this, he provides two examples of people whose lives are seemingly about to end, and the peace that they experience in the moment actually enables them to survive:

“A skier in search of a thrill pushes off and drops forty feet to the steep, powdered slope below. He loses his balance on impact and begins careening out of control into either a stand of trees or a field of boulders. Whatever he hits, he knows the impact will kill him. But he is surprisingly objective about it. He wonders if the impending crash will hurt. He wonders about life after death.

He wonders about the bill on his desk that remains unpaid. And he muses about all this without any alarm. Somehow he avoids both trees and rocks and walks away unscathed. A twelve-year-old girl, who was always scared of the water and never learned to swim, is beckoned by friends to cool off in a relatively shallow area of a bay. Reluctantly, clutching a boogie board, she ventures out. All is well until she loses her grip on the board and slips into a small hollow on the water’s bottom. As she sinks beneath the surface she experiences a surprising calm.

Here she is facing her worst fear and it seems peaceful. When she looks up, she notices two white pillars above her. They are the legs of a friend who doesn’t even know she is drowning. The drowning girl gets her hand on one leg and pulls herself up to the surface…The hard part is the night before…Anxiety about the future event is usually worse than the event itself.”

When fear strikes you, look to the Lord for His peace. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He wants to conquer all of your fears.

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

In his book “The Jesus I Never Knew”, author Philip Yancy writes: “Humble. Before Jesus, almost no pagan author had used “humble” as a compliment. Yet the events of Christmas point inescapably to what seems like an oxymoron: a humble God. The God who came to earth came not in a raging whirlwind nor in a devouring fire. Unimaginably, the Maker of all things shrank down, down, down, so small as to become an ovum, a single fertilized egg barely visible to the naked eye, an egg that would divide and redivide until a fetus took shape, enlarging cell by cell inside a nervous teenager.“ Immensity cloistered in thy dear womb, ”marveled the poet John Donne. He “made himself nothing … he humbled himself,” said the apostle Paul more prosaically.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

Jing Kong is a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and principal investigator in the Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Jing, who grew up in China and became a Christian, says, "My research is only a platform for me to do God's work. His creation, the way he made this world, is very interesting. It’s amazing, really.”

Andrew Goslar, Oxford professor of applied ethnobiology, claims, “My coming to faith in Christ did not rest on one single issue … It was holistic a redefining of perspectives that came together through every aspect of my life.”

Cambridge professor of experimental physics, Russell Cowburn, expresses what dozens of leading scientists agree with, “Understanding more of science didn't make God’s role smaller. It allows us to see his creative activity in more detail.”

Faith in Christ is essential for right living. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He has credited you with righteousness because of your faith in Him.

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

In his highly insightful work, “Inside Job”, Stephen W. Smith shares the sobering truth of what happens to many leaders when they climb the “ladder of success”:

“The ground at the foot of the ladder of success is littered with the names, faces and stories of leaders who self-destructed on the way up. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know their names and faces. You’ve seen them interviewed by nightly news anchors, you’ve read the scandalous articles online, and you’ve possibly thought,

But that could never happen to me. According to the Harvard Business Review, two out of five new CEOs fail in their first eighteen months on the job. It appears that the major reason for the failure has nothing to do with competence or knowledge or experience, but rather with hubris and ego. In other words, they thought, But that could never happen to me.”

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

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

God’s Word: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

In his book “Practice Resurrection”, author Eugene H. Peterson writes: “God speaks the decisive word that puts us on the way, the road. The path of life. The Hebrew word for Bible is Miqra, a noun formed from the verb “to call” qara. The Bible is not a book to carry around and read for information on God, but a voice to listen to. I like that. This word of God that we name Bible, book, is not at root a word to be read and looked at and discussed. It is a word to be listened to and obeyed, a word that gets us going. Fundamentally, it is a call: God calls us.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

According to the Global Peace Index report, the overall level of global peacefulness declined by 0.3% in 2022. This marks the eleventh time peacefulness has deteriorated in the past fourteen years. Out of 163 countries analyzed, 90 have shown improvement, while 71 have experienced a decline in the peace index. Only two have remained stable in their levels of peacefulness. For the fifth year in a row, Afghanistan remains the least peaceful country in the world, with Yemen, Syria, Russia, and South Sudan following closely. These five countries have consistently ranked among the least peaceful nations for the past three years. Notably, Russia and Ukraine were among the five countries with the largest deterioration in peacefulness, along with Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Haiti, which can be attributed to the ongoing conflicts in these areas.

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

As a PhD student in sociology in 1979, Lois Lee discovered children, some as young as 11 years old, prostituting on the streets of Hollywood for food to eat and a place to sleep. When she realized that these youngsters were “falling through the cracks” of the social service system she made it her mission to help, opening her home to more than 250 children over the next three years; thus was the founding of “Children of the Night”, where she continues to serve as President.

“Children of the Night” is the first established and only comprehensive sex trafficking program in the world devoted to the development of specialized programs and education for prostituted children and young people who need critical intervention to become successful adults.

Since 1979, “Children of the Night” has rescued over 10,000 American children from prostitution in the United States—that is more children than other sex trafficking programs combined.

Dr. Lee maintains a 70% to 80% success rate with her life-changing work that mobilizes children from prostitution to a successful adult life. “Children of the Night” graduates go on to become Homeland Security, teachers, bankers, social workers, firefighters, and other professionals.

Throughout the years, “Children of the Night” has gained the reputation as one of the most prominent and successful organizations in the world addressing the needs of America’s sex-trafficked children.

As a result of her efforts, police now treat America’s child prostitutes as victims instead of criminals, and juvenile courts divert them to shelters, foster homes and treatment programs rather than detention.

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

In his book “Divine Sex”, Jonathan Grant writes: “A few years ago Christian friends of ours, after several years of marriage, came to see Esther and me to explain that their relationship had reached an impasse and that they could see no alternative but to end it. After a downward spiral of conflict and loss of trust, they struggled to have a civil conversation with each other and had begun to form romantic attachments with other people.

They were surprised when we said that they had simply reached a normal stage in every marriage, the stage where going on together seems impossible and unthinkable, where you wonder what you saw in each other in the first place. This was a stage that we had reached early on in our own marriage and had repeated several times since. If happiness or emotional resonance had been our main interpretive dials for navigating our relationship, we would have split up many times.

Over the following weeks, we worked through some practical ways in which our friends could turn around the destructive dynamics that had taken hold in their relationship and, in their place, foster trust, intimacy, and commitment to each other. Many years later, their marriage is on a solid footing, and they are thriving with a family. The tragedy is that so many Christian marriages never recover from the same downward spiral.

We in the church have not spoken and ministered effectively into our culture’s prioritization of authenticity above all else in matters of sexuality and relationships. When a marriage ceases to make us happy or the traveling becomes heavy going, we have no other master story to navigate us through the storm.

So we take this as a sign that it simply “wasn’t meant to be”—that we are not among the lucky ones when it comes to marriage. Christian tradition emphasizes courage and perseverance in the face of suffering, but even within the church, seeking happiness and avoiding emotional pain have become our highest virtues.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †

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

In his book, “Basic Christianity”, John Stott writes the following: “God always makes the first move. Whether it is the creation or our personal relationship, we are never first to the scene.

‘In the beginning God.’ The first four words of the Bible are more than a way of launching the story of creation or introducing the book of Genesis. They supply the key which opens our understanding to the Bible as a whole. They tell us that the religion of the Bible is a religion in which God takes the initiative.

The point is that we can never take God by surprise. We can never anticipate him. He always makes the first move. He is always there ‘in the beginning’. Before we existed, God took action. Before we decided to look for God, God had already been looking for us. The Bible isn’t about people trying to discover God, but about God reaching out to find us.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS †