“When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia. He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece,” – Acts 20:1-2

After graduating from high school in Florida with nowhere to turn, Christina Meredith spent over a year homeless and living in her car after aging out of foster care. Eager for a fresh start, Christina moved out to California where she took a series of odd jobs. A beauty pageant recruiter saw her and encouraged her to compete in the Miss California pageant. In April of 2013, Christina won the title of Ms. California and has since dedicated herself to speaking out on behalf of abused children all over the country.

Christina’s strong faith in God and her passion for life are the driving force of her founding her non-profit, which helps underprivileged young girls and women. She reminds others that only the Lord can take our places of doubt, discouragement, and pain and turn it all for good.

Everyone needs encouragement in this life. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for the encouragement you have received from others and seek to encourage someone today to follow Christ.

“Flatter me and I might not believe you.

Criticize and I might not like you

Ignore me and I might not forgive you

Encourage me and I will not forget you.” – William Arthur Ward

God’s Word: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.” – Hebrews 3:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” – Acts 17:11

In his book “Practice Resurrection”, 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.

A call is not an impersonal cause that makes something happen in a mechanical way in obedience to the laws of physics, like a baseball that is launched by a swung bat knocking it out of the ballpark. Call comes into our ears, beckoning us into the future, bringing us into a way of life that has never been experienced in just this way before: a promise, a new thing, a blessing, our place in the new creation, a resurrection life.”

Are you an eager Bible reader? Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His Word in the Bible. Take some extra time today to study His Word.

“In all literature, there is nothing that compares with the Bible.” – John Milton

God’s Word: “Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” – Psalm 119:33-35

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”– Acts 14:22

On September 9, 1965, while flying on a mission over North Vietnam, Captain James Stockdale ejected from his Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, which had been struck by enemy fire. He parachuted into a small village, where he was severely beaten and taken prisoner.

From what has become known as the Stockdale Paradox comes from his experience as a prisoner of war for seven years during the Vietnam War. The Stockdale Paradox, made famous in Jim Collins’s book Good to Great, is about confronting the “most brutal facts about your current reality” and at the same time finding a sense of purpose and meaning because you believe that you will prevail by turning this into the defining event of your life that will make you a better person.

Know that during all of our hardships and trials, Jesus is with us. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for any affliction you endure knowing that He is with you.

“God brings men into deep waters, not to drown them, but to cleanse them.” – John Aughey

God’s Word: “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” – Isaiah 48:10  

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” – Acts 13:2

In his book “The Workbook on Spiritual Disciplines”, Maxie Dunname writes: “The way most of us serve keeps us in control. We choose whom, when, where and how we will serve. We stay in charge. Jesus is calling for something else. He is calling us to be servants. When we make this choice, we give up the right to be in charge. The amazing thing is that when we make this choice, we experience great freedom. We become available and vulnerable, and we lose our fear of being stepped on, or manipulated, or taken advantage of. Are not these our basic fears? We do not want to be in a position of weakness.”

When Christ calls us, we need to be faithful to serve Him. Today in prayer, give this day to wholeheartedly serve the Lord.

“The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions, and the nearer we get to Him the more intensely missionary we must become.” – Henry Martyn

“So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” – Acts 13:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” – Acts 11:26

In his book “The Crucifixion of Ministry”, Andrew Purves writes: “Christianity at its core is not about subscription to a theological system or the authority of a sacred text or ethical perspectives, although they are all important. Christianity at its core is about the self-referenced claim by a person who said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

That person calls us into relationship with himself, which means communion with God. He showed and taught us that his way is love and mercy and forgiveness. His truth is not just his teaching but his person. His life is life indeed because in union with him we have communion with God.

The Christian claim is that at the end of the day, at the end of life, you and I have to deal with Jesus. Christianity is about a person and therefore it is about personhood. That means a great deal when we deal with other people, especially people who differ from us in their faiths, ethics, political ideas and worldviews.”

The name “Christian” is a proud name to bear and one we should always desire to be called. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that you are a member of His family and seek to bring Him glory in all that you do.

“God looks at you as if you were a little Christ: Christ stands beside you to turn you into one.” – C.S. Lewis

God’s Word: “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” – 1 Peter 4:16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” – Acts 10:34-35

In 1841, three years after Frederick Douglass escaped slavery and settled in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the 34-year-old gave a brief speech on a situation he had not anticipated, racial prejudice in Northern churches. He said: 

“At the South I was a member of the Methodist Church. When I came north, I thought one Sunday I would attend communion, at one of the churches of my denomination, in the town I was staying. The white people gathered round the altar, the blacks clustered by the door. After the good minister had served out the bread and wine to one portion of those near him, he said, “These may withdraw, and others come forward;” thus he proceeded till all the white members had been served. Then he took a long breath, and looking out towards the door, exclaimed, “Come up, colored friends, come up! for you know God is no respecter of persons!” I haven’t been there to see the sacraments taken since.”

The Lord has created diversity and we are not to show prejudice to anyone. Today in prayer, thank Jesus that He does not show favoritism and loves everyone.

“Never try to reason the prejudice out of a man. It was not reasoned into him and cannot be reasoned out.” – Sidney Smith

God’s Word: “Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” – 2 Chronicles 19:7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor.” – Acts 9:36

In 1994, Kevin Carter won the Pulitzer Prize for a photograph he took of a child in Sudan who was starving and there was a buzzard who was leering at the weakened girl.

Carter was lambasted for being uncaring, as the girl looked as though her last breath was imminent; she rested and vulture stood in the background watching her. 

In response to the criticism, Kevin said: “It may be difficult for people to understand, but as a photojournalist, my first instinct was to make the photograph. As soon as that job was done and the child moved on, I felt completely devastated. I think I tried to pray; I tried to talk to God to assure Him that if He got me out of this place I would change my life.”

Unfortunately, Kevin did not change and he committed suicide a few months later.

The Lord has called us to both see and help the poor. Today in prayer, ask Jesus how you can better help the poor.

“When we serve the poor and the sick, we serve Jesus. We must not fail to help our neighbors, because in them we serve Jesus.” – Rose of Lima

God’s Word: “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” – Luke 14:13-14

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.” – Acts 8:1

On 13 July 2023, International Christian Concern reported that “Christians, Messianic Jews, and missionaries face increasing hostility from Jewish radicals in Israel. Recently, activists from the Lehava organization and the Or l’Achim organization physically attempted to block persons from attending a convention of Messianic Jews in Jerusalem. Israeli law enforcement responded to the scene to disperse the activists and ensure the event’s safety, leading to one activist’s arrest.”

The report went on to say that “While there have long been occasional incidents of hostility and even violence towards Christians in Israel, there has been a rise in recent months. Some analysts assess that the rise in hostility and violence is tied to the current Israeli ruling coalition, which is largely supported by radical factions strongly protective of the Israeli Orthodox Jewish character and opposed to Christianity in the public square.”

Since Christ’s time on earth, there are those who oppose Him and His followers. Today in prayer, pray for those who are persecuted that the Lord will strengthen them and that the persecution would be short lived.

“Persecution for righteousness' sake is what every child of God must expect.” - Charles Simeon

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 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” – Acts 6:4

In his book “Lion and Lamb: The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus”, author Brennan Manning describes a time when he counseled a man dying of cancer who had a difficult time praying:

“Here’s what I suggest. Sit down on a chair, place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It’s not spooky because He promised, ‘I’ll be with you all days. Then just speak to Him and listen in the same way you’re doing with me right now.’

‘So, Padre, I tried it, and I’ve liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I’m careful, though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she’d either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm.’

The priest was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old guy to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the rectory. Two nights later the daughter called to tell the priest that her daddy had died that afternoon. ‘Did he seem to die in peace?’ he asked. ‘Yes, when I left the house around two o’clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me one of his corny jokes, and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange, Father. In fact, beyond strange—kinda weird. Apparently just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on a chair beside his bed.’”

It is good to confess our sins and only then come to the Lord in prayer. Today in prayer, come to your loving Father and pour out your heart, knowing that He wants to hear from you all of the time.

"I'd rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach." - John Henry Jowett

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 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them” – Acts 6:3

Brenda Peterson is an author whose work crosses multiple genres, including fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books. In an essay entitled In Praise of Skin, Peterson shares a true story from her own battle with painful skin rashes. Similar to the woman with the hemorrhage in the gospels, Brenda visited multiple doctors, but was unable to find a cure. One day she was visiting with her grandmother, who came up with a different solution than the ones offered by the many dermatologists Peterson had already visited. 

“Skin,” she exclaimed, “needs to be touched!” After that, the grandmother began regularly massaging Brenda’s skin, and eventually those massages were able to cure what all the those prior, fancy medicines were unable to:  she was cured of the painful rashes. The grandmother, it turns out, was right: “skin is meant to be touched.”

In all that you do, practice God’s wisdom. Today in prayer, pray that you would be a person of the Lord, full of His wisdom.

“You cannot access wisdom by the megabyte. Wisdom is concerned with how we relate to people, to the world, and to God.” – Edmund P. Clowney

God’s Word: “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” – 1 Corinthians 1:27

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men!’” – Acts 5:29

In his book “Living Above the Level of Mediocrity”, Charles Swindoll writes: “Imagine, if you will, that you work for a company whose president found it necessary to travel out of the country and spend an extended period of time abroad. So he says to you and the other trusted employees, "Look, I'm going to leave. And while I'm gone, I want you to pay close attention to the business. You manage things while I'm away. I will write you regularly. When I do, I will instruct you in what you should do from now until I return from this trip." Everyone agrees. 

He leaves and stays gone for a couple of years. During that time he writes often, communicating his desires and concerns. Finally he returns. He walks up to the front door of the company and immediately discovers everything is in a mess--weeds flourishing in the flower beds, windows broken across the front of the building, the gal at the front desk dozing, loud music roaring from several offices, two or three people engaged in horseplay in the back room. Instead of making a profit, the business has suffered a great loss. Without hesitation he calls everyone together and with a frown asks, "What happened? Didn't you get my letters?"

You say, "Oh, yeah, sure. We got all your letters. We've even bound them in a book. And some of us have memorized them. In fact, we have 'letter study' every Sunday. You know, those were really great letters." I think the president would then ask, "But what did you do about my instructions?" And, no doubt the employees would respond, "Do? Well, nothing. But we read every one!"”

In all things follow what Jesus has said. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that when we obey Him we love God.

“It is a great deal easier to do that which God gives us to do, no matter how hard it is, than to face the responsibilities of not doing it.” - B.J. Miller

God’s Word: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” – Matthew 5:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS  †

“Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?” – Acts 5:3

In 1994, 33-year-old Vernon Pierce, who claimed he was a former model, went on a wedding spree. According to reports, he married Charmaine Whalen, then 23, of Palmdale, California, on April 29; Jamillah Thompson, then 21, of Phoenix, Arizona, on May 11; and LeMitri Reed, then 27, of Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 5. However, his first wife was LaDranda Pierce, a legal secretary in Phoenix, Arizona. She had tied the knot with Vernon in Los Angeles in August 1989 and had a young 4-year-old son, Jared, when they eventually separated in 1991.

But they were still not legally divorced when Vernon went on his marriage spree, marrying three separate women from three different states. According to him, he had spread his time among the three women, telling them he was a salesman, model, or engineer. Clarifying he lived off his wives and the women he dated, Vernon said, “I didn’t have a job. I didn’t have time.” However, his web of lies began to untangle on June 13, 1994, when his second wife — Charmaine — called the Glendale police, asking them to check her husband’s townhouse.

According to police sources, Vernon had told her that his job kept him on the road, but she was worried when he disappeared for longer than usual. When police officers went to Vernon’s townhouse in the Phoenix suburb, they were surprised to find another woman knocking on the door. Identifying herself as Jamillah Thompson, she claimed she was married to Vernon. While the confused authorities searched his townhouse, they found a 3-by-5-inch index card reading “Who to Marry.”

There is no such thing as a “white lie.” Deceit in any form is a sin. Today in prayer, confess any sin of lying to the Lord and seek to make matters right.

“Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle that fits them all.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

God’s Word: “I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.” - 1 Chronicles 29:17

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.” – Acts 4:36-37

In an article entitled “Why Encouragement Matters So Much”, Pastor Pablo Diaz wrote:

“Even pastors like myself need words of encouragement. Back in March, I was in my fifth week as the transitional pastor for a Florida church when the pandemic forced us to close the building for worship. With social distancing, it’s been difficult to build relationships with many of the church members. 

I don’t remember meeting Grace, a member who had been very sick and in the hospital. But one morning I received an email from her:   

Hi Pastor Pablo,  Thank you and all involved for keeping our church moving forward. It makes me sad that our building a relationship (even if it is interim) has been so limited. I truly do find you inspirational. And I enjoy your Wednesday prayers! I am thankful for my church family. I am grateful to be a child of God! Love, Grace 

A few days later I received a call that she had gone home to be with the Lord. Grace was nearing the end of her life, but she took time to encourage me. Every time I read her email, I’m blessed by her words. When we encourage one another—everybody wins. Be generous in your encouragement. We all need it. Some now more than ever.”

Life is hard, but encouragement to live in Christ is stronger. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for those who have encouraged you and seek to be an encourager to others.

“Correction does much, but encouragement does more.” – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

God’s Word: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.” – Hebrews 3:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS. †

“For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” – Acts 4:20

In his book “Saving the Saved: How Jesus Saves Us from Try-Harder Christianity into Performance-Free Love” author Bryan Loritts: writes:

“Some years ago, I was approached by a young man in our church who described himself as an “unfulfilled atheist.” He wanted to know why he should consider Christianity. I responded to him by asking him if he could name any of history’s atheists who had done a lot of good for their world. Unable to answer me, I gently dove in. I pointed him to Peter Claver at Columbia, who cared for slaves and built leprosariums.

I talked of William Wilberforce and the Clapham Circle, the small community of men and women most responsible for leading the charge to dismantle the slave trade. We dialogued about William Booth and his care for the poor, and then about George Muller, one of the leaders of England’s nineteenth-century orphan care movement. I reminded him that the civil rights movement of the mid-twentieth century that gained rights for African Americans like me was led by a courageous cohort of Christ followers.”

Hearts are hungry wanting to hear the good news of the Gospel. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for the Gospel and ask Him who you should share the good news of Jesus Christ.

“Our power in drawing others after the Lord mainly rests in our joy and communion with him ourselves.” – J.G. Bellet

God’s Word: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” – 1 Peter 3:15

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS  †

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus.” – Acts 3:19-20

In his book “Peace for Each Day” Billy Graham writes: “Repentance is a very unpopular word. But the first sermon Jesus ever preached was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). This was God speaking through His Son. Jesus had come with a heart filled with love and compassion, but He immediately called upon men to acknowledge their guilt and turn from their ungodliness.

He said repentance must come before He could pour out His love, grace, and mercy upon men. Jesus refused to gloss over iniquity. He insisted upon self-judgment, upon a complete about-face. He insisted upon a new attitude before He would reveal the love of God. This does not limit the grace of God, but repentance makes way for the grace of God.”

When the Lord gets a hold of our life, we should have a new focus. Today in prayer, repent from any and every sin in your life and follow Jesus.

“That promise applies to you today…repent of your sins and they will be blotted out!” – Jerry Shirley

God’s Word: “And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” – Matthew 18:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’” – Acts 3:6

Christian author Richard J. Foster tells a story about his youth, working among the Inuit people of Kotzebue, Alaska. He found that the Inuit people he was living among “had a deep sense of the wholeness of life” with no distinction between prayer and work.

Only a teenager, he had gone to Alaska to help build “the first high school above the Arctic Circle,” but the work was backbreaking. One day he was digging a trench through the frozen soil. An Inuit man watched him for a while and then said, “You are digging a ditch for the glory of God.” Foster never forgot it. Nobody would remember that he dug that ditch — or perhaps even that a ditch had been dug in the first place. But he dug “with all my might” because “every shovelful of dirt was a prayer to God.”

In all that do, in all the awards and recognition you receive, give glory to Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is glorious and give Christ the glory in all areas of your life.

“He is altogether glorious – unequalled in splendor and unrivaled in power. He is beyond the grasp of human reason – far beyond the grasp of any scientific mind. Inexhaustible, immeasurable, and unfathomable – eternal, immortal and invisible. The highest mountain peaks and the deepest canyon depths are just tiny echoes of His proclaimed greatness.  And the blazing stars above, the faintest emblems of the full measure of His glory.  – Matt Redman

God’s Word: “Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!” – Psalm 66:2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” – Acts 2:42

In his book “Your Father Loves You: Daily Insights for Knowing God,” James I. Packer writes:

“The Greek word for fellowship comes from a root meaning common or shared. So fellowship means common participation in something either by giving what you have to the other person or receiving what he or she has. Give and take is the essence of fellowship, and give and take must be the way of fellowship in the common life of the body of Christ.

Christian fellowship is two-dimensional, and it has to be vertical before it can be horizontal. We must know the reality of fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ before we can know the reality of fellowship with each other in our common relationship to God (1 John 1:3). The person who is not in fellowship with the Father and the Son is no Christian at all, and so cannot share with Christians the realities of their fellowship.”

Are you in fellowship with Christ? Today in prayer, thank Jesus that you are in fellowship with Him and for fellowship with other Christians.  

“Behind every saint stands another saint.” – Friedrich van Hugel

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 2:38

In their book “The Faith”, authors Charles Colson and Harold Fickett wrote: “Genuine confession and repentance can be costly, as I have discovered in dealing with offenders.  Take the case of the young man in the Washington area, deeply involved with his church and solidly converted to Christ, who came to visit one of our staff members several years ago.  He had, he confessed, committed a murder in a drunken stupor many years earlier.  He was never a suspect and had never been charged.  But in his prayer time his sin greatly troubled him.  He knew he was guilty in the eyes of the law.  What should he do?

My associate counseled him that he had to follow his conscience; if he believed God was really telling him to turn himself in, he should do that.  But he should also know God had forgiven him.  In the weeks that followed, the man became increasingly convicted.  He discussed it with his wife, also a believer, and both came to the conclusion, although it meant leaving the children, that he should turn himself in.  He did, was charged, and sentenced to ten years in prison.  Today this man is still serving his sentence in a Midwest prison, where he is one of the prison’s Christian leaders.”

Once we realize the gravity of our own sin, the next step in healing our relationship with God is to repent of our sins. We need to trust that Christ died for those sins and He has forgiven us. Today in prayer, confess any sin in your life to Jesus and receive His forgiveness.

“True repentance has a double aspect; it looks upon things past with a weeping eye, and upon the future with a watchful eye.” – Robert Smith

God’s Word: “‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!’” – Mark 1:15

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” – Acts 2:4

In his book “The Dangerous Act of Worship”, Pastor Mark Labberton writes: “Ben was a very successful man. His professional life flourished. His family life was challenging, as a parent of several teenagers. For him, Christian faith was a distant and disconnected reality. But he began to have conversations about it with his wife and later with me.

One Sunday I was surprised but pleased to see him in the worship service. As he approached me at the door afterward, his eyes began to fill with tears. He explained that while visiting Washington, D.C, for a professional conference, he had gone to visit the National Cathedral. He slipped into an empty side chapel and sat down for some quiet time and reflection. There, unexpected and unsought, God’s Spirit simply came upon him. Ben became a new person. The awe and wonder of grace and truth beyond his own mind, his own questions, his own needs, simply met him and changed him. It was as though his life was utterly redefined, and it has been ever since.”

We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, listening and following Him in all that we do. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to fill you with the Holy Spirit that you may do His will.  

“Savior, fill me with Thy Spirit, As I seek and wait and pray,

Bend and break me, blessed Master—Make me wholly Thine today.

Lord, I bow in full surrender, Yielding all I have to Thee:

Come and fill me with Thy Spirit—Sanctify Thyself in me.

I would tarry in Thy presence, 'Til endued with power and love:

I would know the mighty fullness, Of Thy Spirit from above.

Will He come in all His fullness, As I now obey Thy call?

Yes, oh, yes, for Thou has promised, If I come confessing all.” —Oswald J. Smith

God’s Word: “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior” – Titus 3:5-6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

Frank Laubach was from Benton, Pennsylvania was a Congregational Christian missionary to the Philippines.  He was known as "The Apostle to the Illiterates." In 1915, while working among Muslims at a remote location in the Philippines, he developed the "Each One Teach One" literacy program. It has been used to teach about 60 million people to read in their own language.

When he first arrived in the Philippines, he waited nearly a year before speaking to the people he had come to evangelize.  He simply did his work faithfully and kept his mind on things above.  In time the Muslim leaders told the people, “Go spend time with that man.  He knows God.”  He waited and was gentle.  He also respected the people and cared for them by teaching them how to read.  Laubach was a man of hope, and from that hope sprang faith and love.

The Lord desires us to reach others for Him.  Today in prayer, ask the Lord how you can love others and be His witness in the world.

“It is always right that a man should be able to render a reason for the faith that is within him.” – Sydney Smith

God’s Word: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  – Matthew 28:19-20

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †

“After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” – Acts 1:3

In his book “Surprise Endings”, Ron Mehl recounted a story about a seventy-eight-year-old minister who was hired by a church in California. Not long after his arrival, the church members began to complain that he wasn’t what they wanted. He wasn’t a great speaker. He didn’t have much pizzazz. But instead of lovingly discussing their concerns with him, the congregation opted for guerrilla warfare.

They talked during his sermons, they withheld their giving, they belittled him behind his back, and many people stopped attending. Sure enough, he soon got the message. And because he didn’t want to hurt the church, he quietly resigned.  As he was leaving, two seminary students walked up to him. “So,” they said, “what are you going to do? You don’t have any family, you don’t have any money, you don’t have a home. Where will you go?” 

This humble man of God replied without hesitation, “I’m going to heaven.”  “Well, of course, we know that,” they chortled. “But what are you really going to do? You have nowhere to turn and no one to help you.” “I’m going to heaven,” he replied. “And the fact that I’m going to heaven makes these times of temporary hardship seem insignificant.”

Our Hope is in Jesus Christ who did rise from the grave and gives eternal life to all who trust in Him. Today in prayer, praise Christ for His resurrection.

“Our old history ends with the Cross; our new history begins with the resurrection.” – Watchman Nee

God’s Word: “While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” – Luke 24:36

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail    

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †