“How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the arm that is feeble!” – Job 26:2

Tracy Judkins ran away from the chaos of her dysfunctional family at the age of 17. To support herself, she ran into an even darker place.

"The world of topless dancing is a world of fabrication," Tracy said. "The only way you are accepted is sexually. You have to learn how to manipulate manipulation."

Tracy also got hooked on methamphetamines. 

"I began this journey of intense violence. It was theft. It was assault. I had no conviction at all. I had no fear. I had no fear because I didn’t believe in God."

Tracy was in and out of jail and mental institutions. The streets became her home. 

"I had warrants out for my arrest. My own mother had an order of protection against me because I became violent towards her."

Finally, Tracy turned herself in to the police and went to jail.

"I felt as though I hadn’t just hit the bottom, but I slammed through to the pit. I felt such despair. There was no hope. No hope. No light. I cried out to a God that I didn’t believe in. I said, ‘If you are real, you have to help me. Please help me.’ I was crying out again, to a God I didn’t believe in.

"It must have been 10 minutes of crying and crying, and suddenly out of nowhere, I felt a warmth hit both of my feet and at the same time. I knew it was a healing, and the words that came out of my mouth were, ‘Praise you sweet Jesus of Nazareth.’ How I knew to say that, I’ll never know. The warmth traveled up my entire body and I felt a comfort and peace I had not felt all of my life. It was the beginning of my life."

In 2005, Tracy entered a women’s halfway house and went to church.

"The changes that started happening to me were so profound – so profound."

Today, Tracy is completely free from her drug addiction and mentors recovering addicts in Arizona.

Our God sees our tears, hears our sobs and draws close to the powerless. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He is a God of compassion.

“The dew of compassion is a tear.” – Lord Byron 

God’s Word: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” – Romans 5:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN JOB †

“Dominion and awe belong to God; he establishes order in the heights of heaven.” – Job 25:2 

People report having three awe experiences a week on average, said Dacher Keltner, director of the Berkeley Social Interaction Lab at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Keltner’s lab has been working with the Sierra Club to take 56 inner-city high-school students on a rafting trip and study whether they experience academic benefits. Preliminary findings show that a week after the trip the teens reported being more engaged and curious about what was happening in the world.

Awe experiences may help fight depression; experts theorize. Other research from Dr. Keltner’s lab, published online in the January 2015 journal Emotion, indicates awe may help reduce inflammation. Researchers asked 119 undergraduates to rate how often they felt seven positive emotions including awe. Those who reported feeling awe the most had the lowest levels of inflammation markers in their saliva. The study didn’t examine the link between awe and depression, but past studies have found heightened inflammation in people with depression. “I think awe could be a great intervention,” says Jennifer Stellar, lead researcher on the study.

Researchers believe awe is powerful because it takes us out of our own heads. “Awe minimizes our individual identity and attunes us to things bigger than ourselves,” said Paul Piff, assistant professor of psychology at the University of California, Irvine.

God is the Creator of all and His creation is awesome and beautiful. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His Creation.

“This is the creator; by his love, our Father; by his power, our Lord; by his wisdom; our maker and designer.” – Irenaeus 

God’s Word: “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” – Hebrews 11:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“But God drags away the mighty by his power; though they become established, they have no assurance of life.” – Job 24:22

In 1999, Israel's National Parks Authority said it would build a submerged bridge into the Sea of Galilee that would allow tourists to simulate Jesus' miraculous walk on water.

Zeev Margalit, head of planning, said the authority's decision was based on a canvass of church officials and a review of the plans. He said he believed it would "not hurt the feelings of the Christian tourists and it would not be too kitschy, so we decided to go with it."

The 13-foot-wide, 28-foot-long, crescent-shaped floating bridge would be submerged two inches below water, and would be able to accommodate up to 50 people. To enhance the “walking on water” effect, it would not be railed, but lifeguards and boats would be on hand in case a walker slips off.

Alas, the project was not built.

Christ alone is the eternal King. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He alone is all-powerful and at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow.

“The greatest single distinguishing feature of the omnipotence of God is that our imagination gets lost thinking about it.” – Blaise Pascal

God’s Word: “The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.” – Psalm 97:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB  †

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” – Job 23:10

The landscape along Florida’s Everglades is dotted with wiry primitive looking trees known as Caribbean Pines. They thrive in a rugged environment, can withstand prolonged periods of drought and fire, and hold their own against the fiercest hurricanes. In fact, if you plant them in a cultivated setting they usually shrivel and die. Christian author Joni Eareckson Tada said, “Like Caribbean Pines, our souls usually don’t thrive during good times. Our hearts grow complacent, our need of God becomes less urgent, our hope of heaven dims, and our prayer life dries up… in a beautiful setting with our needs met and every resource at our fingertips… our soul shrivels… We need an occasional blast of storm or fierce trial if our faith is to mature.”

The Lord tests us and knows what needs to be refined in our lives to make us more like Him. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His testing, knowing that testing brings you closer to Jesus.

“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

“For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.” – Psalm 66:10

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest?” – Job 21:22

In his book “Dream with Me, Christian author John M. Perkins writes about true justice: “For decades I’ve tried to meet people where they hurt. I’ve preached and desired to see “justice for all,” and I still fervently believe in it. God loves justice and wants His people to seek justice (see Ps. 11 and Mic. 6:8). But I’ve come to understand that true justice is wrapped up in love. The old-time preacher and prophet A. W. Tozer had a way of making the most profound truths simple and palatable. He once said, “God is love, and just as God is love, God is justice.” That’s it! God’s love and justice come together in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, and we can’t be about one and not the other. They’re inextricably connected.”

In our relationship with God, He is our teacher and judge. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His wisdom in administering justice and mercy.

“I will govern my life and my thoughts as if the whole world were to see the one, and to read the other. For what does it signify to make anything a secret to neighbor, when to God, who is the Searcher of hearts, all our privacies are open?” – Seneca

God’s Word: “But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.” – Psalm 75:7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“Surely then you will count my steps but not keep track of my sin. My offenses will be sealed up in a bag; you will cover over my sin.” – Job 14:16-17

Providence Rhode Island Municipal Court Judge Frank Caprio is known for his compassionate verdicts. Once the 80-year-old municipal judge heard a case against Kimberly Napton. She was arraigned in court for two red light violations. On the day of a violation, her husband was being treated for brain cancer. She revealed her husband had just passed away. The judge said he was not going to look at the traffic video. He said: “My heart goes out to you. Because of the circumstances, justice demands that I dismiss the case.”

Kimberly thanked the judge and then offered to pay $20 to any single mom that might be fined. She had been a single mom for years and wanted to help financially to someone in need. There was a single mom in need, and the judge permitted Kimberly to help the woman in the courtroom.

We have a Heavenly Father who has compensated for our all of our sins through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for covering your sins and live today for Christ's glory.

“When Jesus bowed his head, And dying took our place, The veil was rent, a way was found To that pure home of grace.” – John Elias

God’s Word: “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit” – 1 Peter 3:18

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you! If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.” – Job 13:3-5

The American term a “quack” is a “fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill” or “a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to have skill, knowledge, qualification or credentials they do not possess; a charlatan or snake oil salesman”.

William J. Bailey  used a favorite sales tactic of quacks throughout the ages to promote his cure-all drink: appealing to lost male virility. RadiThor, which consisted of radium dissolved in water, was sold as a cure-all and energy giver in the 1920s.

The most famous victim of Bailey’s RadiThor drink was Eben Byers, a Pittsburgh socialite who became psychologically addicted to it after an injury—despite the fact that the product did not contain narcotics. Byers was known to drink one or two bottles of the poisonous drink every day for more than 3 years, telling all his friends about its benefits.

But radiation destroyed Byers’ skeleton, eventually eating away at his skull and jaw. He died in 1932 and the federal government reacted by shutting Bailey’s radium business down.

We need to avoid giving and listening to foolish advice. Today in prayer, look to the Lord in prayer and in your Bible for the wisdom needed to answer your questions.

“Do not open your heart to every man, but discuss your affairs with one who is wise and who fears God.”  – Thomas a Kempis

God’s Word: “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” – Psalm 1:1-2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.” – Job 12:13

In November 1966, radio station WCUE in Akron, Ohio started its “Trafficopter” service on an experimental basis with a leased helicopter. The reports proved so popular that the station soon acquired a helicopter of its own and expanded the service to regular five-day tours of 7:15–8:30 a.m. and 4:30–5:30 p.m. covering the morning and afternoon commutes. Soon many motorists were tuning in for the traffic report in order to avoid congested streets. The helicopter traffic reports proved so popular that the radio station won an award for reporting. 

There is practical advice from this story. As we travel along life's road, we do much the same as misguided drivers. With our limited foresight we select the route that seems best—only to find that the temporary advance has led us into a road filled with delay and heartache. But how reassuring that we can look to Jesus who is above everything, who knows the end from the beginning! Let us be wise and look for direction from above. 

In all that you say and do, seek God’s wisdom. Today in prayer, look to the Lord for His wisdom to respond in His way in every situation.

“He is truly wise who looks upon the earthly things as folly that he may gain Christ.” – Thomas `a Kempis

God’s Word: “For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?” – Job 11:7

In 2021, nearly 77 years after it sank, the USS Johnston was found, thanks in part historian Parks Stephenson. The ship sank in October 1944 off the coast of the Philippines during the Battle off Samar, which was part of the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

The ship hadn’t been spotted since then. Sitting more than 21,000 feet below the surface, Stephenson, who conducts research as a hobby, helped steer a group of researchers in its direction. It was the deepest shipwreck ever surveyed

“The first dive, didn’t find anything,” he said. “Second dive, didn’t find anything. Then the bow came out of the darkness. This was our heritage. This one you could see the battle scars, see the shots it took.”

We cannot fathom the mysteries of this world, never mind the mysteries of God. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is Lord of all and He knows the answers to everything.

“For there is no other mystery of God, except Christ.” – Augustine

God’s Word: “Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you lay on your bed are these: "As you were lying there, O king, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen.” – Daniel 2:27-29

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.” – Job 10:12

Karl Barth was one of the greatest theologians of the twentieth century.  His twelve-volume Church Dogmatics, alone, consists of over ten thousand pages of systematic theology. Toward the end of his life, Barth made a tour of the United States, where he had the opportunity to speak at several of our nation’s top universities.  During a question and answer time following one of his lectures, a student posed, what seemed an impossible question to answer.

“Dr. Barth, you have written extensively on every aspect of theology and church history.  I’m wondering if you could sum it all up in a short sentence or two.”  The room fell silent.  Dr. Barth just stood there for a moment, carefully considering how to respond.  Some of the professors and students who were there clearly began to feel awkward that such a trifling question would be asked of such a brilliant scholar.

Finally, Karl Barth turned toward the student and succinctly replied, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

The Lord deeply cares for us and watches over us. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is a loving Father.

“God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to love.” - Augustine

God’s Word: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

"My days are swifter than a runner; they fly away without a glimpse of joy.” – Job 9:25

The Ineos 1:59 Challenge was a successful attempt by Kenyan athlete Eliud Kipchoge to break the two-hour mark for running the marathon distance. The event was specifically created for Kipchoge and held in Vienna, Austria, on 12 October 2019.

For the Ineos challenge, Kipchoge was joined by forty-one pacemakers who rotated twice each lap and ran in a V-formation in order to reduce wind resistance. Hydration was provided by a team coordinator on a bicycle, and not via the usual water station method, in order to save time.

Kipchoge completed the challenge with an official time of 1:59:40.2, an average speed of 13.2 mph. 

The achievement was recognized by Guinness World Records with the titles "Fastest marathon distance (male)" and "First marathon distance under two hours". 

The days of our life go so quickly. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for this day and live it fully for Him.

“Few, we are persuaded, even among professing Christians, so realize the swiftness of their days, as to live every day to God – to spend all their days in the service of Christ, and with a view to preparedness for eternity.” – Thomas Wallace

God’s Word: “As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field” – Psalm 103:15

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.” – Job 6:14

The Korean War movie “Devotion” is based on the true story of the U.S. Navy's first Black fighter pilot, Jesse Brown, and his white wingman Tom Hudner. Tom and Jesse’s friendship grew during the time they flew together. 

On their last mission together, Jesse’s plane was shot down over North Korea. He was able to guide the plane onto a frozen lake, but then found himself trapped in the plane that had collapsed around him.

Devoted to his wingman, Tom risked his life to save Jesse whose aircraft was now on fire.  Fully aware of the extreme danger in landing on the rough mountainous terrain, Tom put his plane down skillfully in a deliberate wheels-up landing in the presence of enemy troops. With his bare hands, he packed the fuselage with snow to keep the flames away from Jesse and struggled to pull him free. 

Unsuccessful in this Tom returned to his crashed aircraft and radioed other airborne planes, requesting that a helicopter be dispatched with an ax and fire extinguisher. He then remained on the spot despite the continuing danger from enemy action and, with the assistance of the rescue pilot, renewed a desperate but unavailing battle against time, cold, and flames. Jesse died knowing that his friend was devoted to him.

We all need life long, devoted friends who are there especially during our darkest days. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for your friends and let them know you appreciate their friendship.

“Here's another way to determine who your friends are. They will be standing by you when a hardship or crisis comes.” – Greg Laurie

God’s Word: “Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you-- better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.” – Proverbs 27:10

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” – Job 5:17

Bobby Knight was one of college basketball's most successful coaches having coached at Army, Indiana, and Texas Tech. Knight sparked controversy with his outspoken nature and demonstrative behavior. 

He was well known for the extreme preparation he put into each game and practice. He was often quoted as saying, "Most people have the will to win, few have the will to prepare to win."

With that philosophy, he was tough on his team.

In 1984, Bobby Knight coached the Olympic Basketball team that won a gold medal. Wayman Tisdale, the great all-American basketball player from Oklahoma University and a member of the 1984 Olympic basketball team, was asked what winning the gold medal meant to him. He smiled and said, "This medal isn't for winning the basketball tournament; it's for surviving Bobby Knight".

Discipline is never pleasant, but discipline from God always brings blessings. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for any correction He has brought into your life.

“God has no pleasure in afflicting us, but He will not keep back even the most painful chastisement if He can but thereby guide His beloved child to come home and abide in the beloved Son.” – Andrew Murray

God’s Word: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.’” – Job 1:21

Benjamin Schmolke was a German Lutheran pastor in the 1700’s. A fire raged over his parish and laid in ruins his church and the homes of his people.  A Counter-Reformation occurred in Germany and Lutherans were allowed only one church to minister to a population scattered over some thirty-six villages, Then God’s angel of death took his wife and children, leaving him alone. Then he suffered a series of strokes, leaving him paralyzed in his right hand. Then cataracts caused him blindness. It was under all this avalanche of ills and calamity that Schmolke dictated the sweet hymn beginning with the verse--

“My Jesus, as Thou wilt!

Oh, may Thy will be mine;

Into Thy hand of love

My all I would resign.”

The Lord is the giver of all good things, and it is naturally difficult when someone or something is taken away from us. Today in prayer, if you are wrestling after a loss, praise the Lord that He is near to you during difficult times.

“In almost everything that touches our everyday life on earth, God is pleased when we're pleased. He wills that we be as free as birds to soar and sing our maker's praise without anxiety.” – A.W. Tozer

God’s Word: “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5:20

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.” – Job 1:1

In an article entitled “Qualities That Please God”, Theodore Epp writes: “In brief but pointed phrases Job is described in the first verse in the book: "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil" (Job 1:1).

First of all, he is said to be "perfect." This word does not refer to sinless perfection but to the fact that Job wholeheartedly wanted to please God.

Second, Job is described as an upright man. He had a good relationship with other human beings, which was due to his having a right relationship with God. He was a man of unusual piety.

Third, Job was a man who feared God. In the Old Testament context this refers to a man who had a reverential trust of God coupled with a hatred for evil. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Ps. 111:10; Prov. 9:10). With that trust in God grows a sensitivity to sin and a hatred of it.

Fourth, Job was a man who eschewed evil, which means that he turned away from it. He abstained from evil and shunned it. His manner of life corresponded to his relationship with God.

Through trust in Jesus Christ, we have been cleansed from sin. Its guilt has been removed, and we are counted righteous in God's eyes.

We are born again, but does our conduct before other people indicate what our relationship is before God? Job's conduct did.”

Blameless and upright Christians seek the Lord first in all that they do. Today in prayer, ask Jesus to take all of your life for His glory.

“I fear God, yet I am not afraid of Him.” - Thomas Browne

God’s Word: “This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.” – Genesis 6:9

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †