“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

On February 8, 2006, Andrew Collins, who recently promoted to narcotics officer on the Benton Harbor, Michigan police force, woke up determined to make a drug arrest that day.  He had already made a name for himself as one of the most aggressive narcotics officers on the force. 

He arrested Jameel McGee as he came out of a grocery store. Jameel had been in and out of prison most of his life but, in this instance, he was an innocent man.

“Everytime I got incarcerated, I would read the Bible but nothing in my life would change,” said Jameel.  “This time, I read the Bible and wanted to do something different.  I gave it all to God.” 

Not long after Jameel’s arrest, Andrew was doing a lot more than falsifying facts on reports.  Soon Andrew started confiscating drugs and not arresting anyone.  Then Andrew began using his stash to pay informants.  “Throughout this process, I found myself changing,” said Andrew.  “My marriage also started slipping.”  One day his captain found Andrew’s stash of drugs.  “I was just one more person caught with drugs in Benton Harbor,” says Andrew. “I knew what the future held and it wasn’t going to be good.”  Andrew went through each of his case files with FBI agents and told them which ones were falsified. Nearly 60 cases were dropped or convictions overturned.  One of those was Jameel’s.  

Jameel was released four years after his arrest on February 4, 2009. Andrew spent 18 months in prison, became a Christian, and was released to a halfway house. The two men met again in 2011. This time, Jameel approached Andrew extended his hand and, through the power of God’s love, forgave the man who wrongfully imprisoned him.

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 2018, 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

Violet-Mosse Brown from Duanvale, Trelawny in Jamaica was born on March 10, 1900.

She's 117 years old, and she never gets tired of serving God.

She officially became the world's oldest person when Italian woman Emma Morana, who was born in 1899, passed away in April 2017.

Violet credits her long life to her "faith in serving God, and believing strongly in the teaching of the Bible."

One of her favorite verses in the Bible is the fifth commandment in Exodus 20, which tells the people to honor their parents so they may live long in the land—the first commandment with a promise.

Violet was baptized into Christ when she was 13 years old and was brought up in the Christian faith in the same home where she now lives.

She and her husband used to work as cane farmers until her husband worked as a caretaker for a neighboring cemetery. Since then, she had helped him in record keeping.

She also served as a music teacher and a church organist for more than 80 years until her husband died in 1997, after which she took over his responsibilities as the cemetery's record keeper.

"Thank God for what he has given to me. This what God has given me, so I have to take it, long life," she said. "I've done nearly everything at the church. I spent all my time in the church."

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 2018, 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 2010, New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz signed a three-year $1.215 million contract with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent. In 2013, he signed a five-year contract with the team worth $43 million.

"That first check was probably the largest check I've ever seen with my own eyes at that time," he said. "So I saved it. I wanted to make sure that this isn't the last check that I receive. I wanted to make sure every check from here on out I saved and multiplied."

After a Super Bowl win, a few injuries and a seven-year run in the league, Victor's NFL career came to an end when he was released by the Giants in February 2017. Since receiving that first paycheck, Victor said he's always thought about the future and how he can make his money last.

"It's not about the right now. It's about the longevity and making sure that your finances are taking care of you not just right now, but forever," he said. "And making that money last for yourself, for your family and for the people that you care about."

The Lord wants us to wisely use the resources He gives us. 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 2018, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

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

Nick Vujicic is a Serbian-Australian Christian evangelist and motivational speaker. He was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of arms and legs. He is one of the seven known surviving individuals planet-wide who live with the syndrome.

Addressing the subject of self-centeredness in his book “Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action,” Nick wrote:

“You and I were put on this earth to serve something greater than our narrow interests. When our focus becomes self-centered instead of God-centered we lose our greatest source of power. Our God-given talents are meant to benefit others. When we use them for that greater purpose, we put faith into action to fulfill His plan for us. We make a difference in this world that helps prepare us for the next.” 

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 2006, 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

On the afternoon of October 17, 2011, Odessa Texas police responded to a 911 call. A 4-year-old boy had been mauled by a pet mountain lion.  

The boy received lacerations and puncture wounds on his left side, including a bite mark on the left side of his face during the attack. The boy’s aunt, Amber Couch, who owned the mountain lion, had been previously given a citation for not keeping up with the vaccines on the animal. Couch was also cited for an inadequate cage that was both too small for the animal and whose bars were too wide apart. The pet mountain lion was euthanized.

Though animal control recommended to the police that endangerment charges for the child be filed against Couch and her husband, no action was taken by law enforcement.

Temptation is always lurking to devour us. 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 2018, 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

In this world, there are many unusual memorials. One such commemorative is the “Statue of Chimney Sweep Bertalon Tovt with a Cat” found in the center of Mukachevo city, Ukraine.

The human-size monument stands directly on the pavement in the very heart of Mukacheve – the pedestrian zone of Myra Ave, next to the Star hotel.  The “Happy Chimney Sweep” monument created by People's Artist of Ukraine Ivan Brovdiy was unveiled in 2010. The locals call it “Bertalon-Bachi” because of its well-known prototype of Bertalon Tovt. Tovt was a resident of Mukachevo and a real chimney sweep of the Communal Department #3. 

Interestingly, it is believed in the Ukraine, that meeting a chimney sweep by chance is lucky. Locals believe one should make a wish and pet the statue of the cat. Considering that the cat’s head is always shiny, it is evidence that this practice has been done regularly.

There are a lot of experiences in life, but through it all we should always remember the Lord. 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 2018, 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

Teddy Roosevelt is widely regarded by historians as one of the greatest American presidents.

He was born to a wealthy Manhattan family in 1858, Teddy grew up both sickly and pampered, but decided that he would not only overcome his debilitating asthma and become a cowboy but serve the American people through politics rather than relax with his father's money. This resilience and drive would inspire his distant cousin and future president Franklin D. Roosevelt decades later.

Teddy Roosevelt served as a New York assemblyman, the New York City police commissioner, lieutenant colonel in the Spanish-American War, assistant secretary of the Navy, the governor of New York, and then President William McKinley's vice president. After McKinley was assassinated in 1901, he became the country's youngest president at age 43.

He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for brokering the end of the Russo-Japanese War.

He was an explorer and an author.

But for all of his accomplishments, it was his six children who gave him the most joy. He said: "For unflagging interest and enjoyment, a household of children, if things go reasonably well, certainly makes all other forms of success and achievement lose their importance by comparison."

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 2018, 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

Thomas Obediah Chisholm was born in a log cabin in Franklin, Kentucky in 1866. He received his education in a little country schoolhouse, and at age 16 began teaching there. He asked Christ into his life at age 27, and with no college or seminary training was ordained to the Methodist ministry at age 36. He served as a Methodist minister for a year, but ill health made it impossible for him to continue. He moved to Vineland, New Jersey, where he opened an insurance office.

Always interested in poetry, Chisholm wrote hundreds of poems during his lifetime. Lamentations 3:22-23 inspired him to write the text for “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” Those verses read, “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

Chisholm experienced that faithfulness. He suffered ill health most of his adult life, and never made much money, but he said, “God has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care which have filled me with astonishing gratefulness.”

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 2018, 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

In 2013, Chieh Huang started the company “Boxed” in his parents’ garage in New Jersey. Competing against Costco, Sam’s Club and Amazon, Boxed.com delivers wholesale goods to homes and businesses.

"After leading my first company, [gaming start-up Astro Ape], I realized that it doesn't matter how powerful or big an organization is. If all of its people walked out one day, that organization is worth zero the next day," said Chieh, who practiced corporate law at Proskauer Rose before getting the itch to start his own company. "That was a huge epiphany for me, and it made me realize that I'm only as good as the people I lead."

Soon Boxed.com began to expand and has hired more than 200 employees. As the company developed SMART Stockup and robots in their warehouse, they made keeping their employees a priority.

Boxed.com pays for the college tuition of every full time employees’ children. The company also pays up to $20,000 towards any full time employee’s wedding. Because employees are treated fairly, since its inception, less than 10 people have voluntarily quit Boxed.com.

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 2018, 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

Professional football’s championship game, Super Bowl 52, will be held on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. U.S. Homeland Security has classified the event as a Level 1 Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR), meaning it's at the highest level of public safety risk. And unlike at many other Super Bowl venues -- in sprawled suburbs surrounded by asphalt -- U.S. Bank Stadium's downtown Minneapolis location has made security planning even tougher. Forty-one planning groups put together the security plan.

Thousands of officers will flood the city, some decked out in SWAT gear, others roaming undercover, and hundreds more patrolling in regular uniform.

In addition to police cruisers, officers will also be seen in four- and six-passenger all-terrain vehicles and helicopters. There will be flight restrictions over U.S. Bank Stadium on game day. More than 2 miles of fencing and concrete barriers will surround the stadium and nearby areas. Getting into that secured perimeter will require going through metal detectors and submitting to bag checks. The department plans to install dozens of security cameras and to bring in more than 100 explosive-detection dogs.

The price tag for the overall security - $3.1 million. Security experts agree that even the best surveillance efforts can’t see everything.  

Only the Lord can see us and protect us, no matter what situation we face. 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 2018, 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

In 1989, the Bensch and the Kern families of Munich, Germany began a feud after the planting of an elderberry bush was seen to be too close to the fence.

What followed was a 14-plus-year grudge match that escalated out of control, leading to many, legal disputes, with accusations ranging from trespassing to disturbing the peace to all-out assault with "clubs." At some point during all this, Eugen Kern decided to erect a 12-foot-high fence along the property line to separate the two families.

Kern, a former electronics technician, installed security cameras in trees, which he monitored from a command center in his house at all hours. Glass windows were boarded over because they kept getting broken. There were also motion sensors, concrete barriers and barbed wire added to the security.

The Bensches attacked the fence with chainsaws. The Bensches accused the Kerns of purposely sowing grass and weeds in their garden. Both families purposely flooded each other's yards, made anonymous crank phone calls and blasted music at each other during the early hours of the morning.

What makes things ridiculous is the two families shared a housing duplex.

The only person hurt by grudges are those 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 2018, 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

In November 1953, at the request of WQED Pittsburgh, the nation's first community-sponsored educational television station, Fred Rogers moved back to Pennsylvania. The station was not yet on the air, and Fred was asked to develop the first radio program schedule. The twenty-five year old Christian man produced “The Children’s Corner.” It was a daily, live, hour-long visit with music and puppets. In 1955, “The Children’s Corner” won the Sylvania Award for the best locally produced children's radio program in the country.

In 1965, Fred pitched a television show targeting young children. Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood would give life lessons on how the world as it “ought to be.” Fred got into television because he “hated” the medium. During spring break of his senior year in seminary, he watched television for the first time and what he saw repulsed him. “I got into television,” he recounted, “because I saw people throwing pies at each other's faces, and that to me was such demeaning behavior. And if there's anything that bothers me, it's one person demeaning another. That really makes me mad!”

So Mister Rogers' Neighborhood began airing in 1968 and ran for 895 episodes; the last set of new episodes was taped in December 2000. He blessed an entire generation of young viewers on how to live honoring God.

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 2018, 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

How long can a pilot who has no instrument training expect to live after he or she flies into bad weather and loses visual contact? Researchers at the University of Illinois found the answer to this question. Twenty student "guinea pigs" flew into simulated instrument weather, and all went into the graveyard spirals or roller coasters. The outcome differed in only one respect: the time it took to lose control. The interval ranged from 480 seconds to 20 seconds. The average time was 178 seconds – two seconds short of three minutes. In the end all twenty pilots crashed.

These pilots, who had relied on their own senses, were capable flyers in clear weather but were at a disadvantage during stormy weather. They were untrained and unable to follow instruments that could give them the correct guidance to fly right.

Following our own senses can lead to disaster. 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 2018, 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 December 2015, Brooke Ligertwood and Ben Fielding began working on a Christian song in the suburbs outside of Sydney, Australia. The two musicians from Hillsong Worship were moved by the name of Jesus and the core scriptures that inspired them were Hebrews 1:1-4 and Colossians 1:15-20, 26-27. The Hebrews 1 passage especially moved them. “Jesus is God’s Word: powerful, authoritative and utterly supreme. He is the wonder of salvation, who reconciled us to God” they said.

The song they wrote was “What A Beautiful Name.”

The songwriters said the following about the song that has become a favorite worship song:

“Perhaps some of us understand God loves us through the death and resurrection of Jesus, but haven’t grasped His power, ability and will to move strongly in our present circumstances. Or perhaps, we understand God as the supreme, omnipotent Deity He is, but have never known Him close and tender, as a friend acquainted with the depths of our humanity, knowing our flaws cannot perturb His love. Our prayer for this song is that we can all enter into a deeper, more lateral, revelation of the person of Jesus Christ—the epitome of beauty.”

Jesus bridged the gap between sinful man and God. He is the lab 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 2018, 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

At the turn of this century scientists at the Fauna Communication Research Institute in North Carolina discovered why you’re likely to freeze to the spot rather than run when the tiger charges. When the tiger roars it lets out sound waves that are audible – the ones that sound terrifying – and its also lets out sound at a frequency so low you can’t hear it, but you can feel it. And so, as the tiger emerges from the undergrowth the flashing of its colors, the sound of its roar and the impact of the unheard but felt sound waves combine to provide an all out assault on your senses. The effect is that you are momentarily paralyzed, so even though there may be time to avoid the tiger, you are tricked into standing still long enough for the tiger to leap on you.

Our fears often operate in the same way. They paralyze us into inactivity, even when the real threat is not immediately upon us. Part of overcoming the challenges before us is to recognize the ability for our fear of what might happen to stop us from dealing well with the challenge.

When fear strikes you, look to the Lord, not your own resources. 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 2018, 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 Humilitas, Pastor John Dickson illustrates the beauty of humility in the life of Sir Edmund Hillary. In 1953 Hillary conquered Mount Everest with his Sherpa friend and guide, Tenzin Norgay. Consequently, in that same year Hillary was knighted; in 1985 he was made New Zealand's highest commissioner to India, Nepal, and Bangladesh; and in 1995 he received the British realm's highest award, the Order of the Gater (membership of which is limited to just twenty-four individuals). But despite Hilary's achievements and rewards, he maintained a humble outlook and a readiness to serve others.

Pastor Dickson captures one story that reveals Sir Edmund's profound humility:

On one of his many trips back to the Himalayas he was spotted by a group of tourist climbers. They begged for a photo with the great man, and Hillary obliged. They handed him an ice pick so he would look the part and set up for the photograph. Just then another climber passed the group and, not recognizing the man at the center, strode up to Hillary saying, "Excuse me, that's not how you hold an ice pick. Let me show you."

Everyone stood around in amazed silence as Hillary thanked the man, let him adjust the pick, and happily went on with the photograph.

We need to become humble and desperately seek the Lord in all that we do. 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 2018, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

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

After years as an atheist, convinced God did not exist, Marilyn Adamson began to question the possibility of God. It was prompted by the intelligence and quality of life of a believing friend. Wondering if there were objective, solid reasons to believe in God’s existence, Marilyn began a search.

For 1.5 years, nearly daily, she questioned, researched, weighed the evidence. Marilyn eventually concluded that scientific and historical evidence made a very compelling, logical argument for God. Reluctantly, she decided to acknowledge his existence and begin a personal relationship with him. Her prayer was, “Ok, you win…” 

Marilyn wrote the following: “When I think of the value of knowing God it is this: that we can understand life, we can proceed with clarity, we can avoid pitfalls, we can be led by God, know truth, be given strength/hope/peace, and enjoy the most important relationship, the one who will be faithful to us and constantly love us. God, who created us, provides this as nothing else could. To go through this life with success and confidence, we must be connected to him, relying on him. Until we come to know him, we will always be searching, always be testing other possibilities, and find them lacking. But when we respond to God's offer to be in relationship with him, we are satisfied, complete. We now are equipped to live this life with a plan and with Someone who can lead us in it.”

When we believe in Jesus Christ, He is active in our lives to continually protect and bless us in ways we may never know or fully appreciate. 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 2018, 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 October 2010, Darren Garnick and Ilya Mirman wrote an article in Slate Magazine entitled “If the Walls Could Talk -The Vanity Index: The biggest egos in the Senate.”

The authors describe the pictures on the office walls in U.S. Senators’ offices. Many of them are photographs with famous people. The article proclaims that Senator John Kerry (Democrat from Massachusetts) to be the vainest of the senators. Pictures include the following celebrities: Bono, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Norman Schwarzkopf, Kofi Annan, Hamid Karzai, Mikhail Gorbachev, John Glenn, Tim Russert, the Dalai Lama, Benjamin Netanyahu, Nicolas Sarkozy, Tip O'Neill, Colin Powell, Hosni Mubarak, Ted Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.

Here is the description of Senator Kerry’s wall:

“John Kerry's wall is easily the Most Enormous Ego Wall in Washington. Visitors here may also want to check their chiropractic coverage before stretching their necks to see the top row of celebrities near the ceiling. Kerry appears to have already built his presidential library. Not a believer in "less is more" when it comes to layout, he displays at least eight pictures of himself with the late Sen. Ted Kennedy and inexplicably shows off two autographed pictures of himself with John Glenn from the same event in 1999.”

There is a danger in 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 2018, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS

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

Pastor Charles Swindoll writes the following: “I attended church every Sunday at a big Gothic Presbyterian bastion in Chicago. The preaching was powerful and the music was great. But for me, the most awesome moment in the morning service was the offertory, when twelve solemn, frock-coated ushers marched in lockstep down the main aisle to receive the brass plates for collecting the offering. These men, so serious about their business of serving the Lord in this magnificent house of worship, were the business and professional leaders of Chicago.

One of the twelve ushers was a man named Frank Loesch. He was not a very imposing looking man, but in Chicago he was a living legend, for he was the man who had stood up to Al Capone. In the prohibition years, Capone's rule was absolute. The local and state police and even the Federal Bureau of Investigation were afraid to oppose him. But single-handedly, Frank Loesch, as a Christina layman and without any government support, organized the Chicago Crime Commission, a group of citizens who were determined to take Mr. Capone to court and put him away. During the months that the Crime Commission met, Frank Loesch's life was in constant danger. There were threats on the lives of his family and friends. But he never wavered. Ultimately he won the case against Capone and was the instrument for removing this blight from the city of Chicago.

Frank Loesch had risked his life to live out his faith. Each Sunday at this point of the service, my father, a Chicago businessman himself, never failed to poke me and silently point to Frank Loesch with pride. Sometime I'd catch a tear in my father's eye. For my dad and for all of us this was and is what authentic living is all about.”

The Lord does have a purpose for our lives and we need to trust Him during the tough as well as the good times. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His purpose for you and seek to do all that He has you to do.

"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 2018, 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

The first genocide of the 20th Century occurred when two million Armenians living in Turkey were eliminated from their historic homeland through forced deportations and massacres.

For three thousand years, a thriving Armenian community had existed inside the vast region of the Middle East bordered by the Black, Mediterranean and Caspian Seas.

In July 1908, reform-minded Turkish nationalists known as "Young Turks" forced the Sultan to allow a constitutional government and guarantee basic rights. The Young Turks were ambitious junior officers in the Turkish Army who hoped to halt their country's steady decline.

Soon anti-Armenian demonstrations were staged by young Islamic extremists, sometimes leading to violence. During one such outbreak in 1909, two hundred villages were plundered and over 30,000 persons massacred in the Cilicia district on the Mediterranean coast. Throughout Turkey, sporadic local attacks against Armenians continued unchecked over the next several years.

The decision to annihilate the entire population came directly from the ruling triumvirate of ultra-nationalist Young Turks. The actual extermination orders were transmitted in coded telegrams to all provincial governors throughout Turkey. Armed roundups began on the evening of April 24, 1915, as 300 Armenian political leaders, educators, writers, clergy and dignitaries in Constantinople (present day Istanbul) were taken from their homes, briefly jailed and tortured, then hanged or shot.

Today, Turkey continues to deny there was genocide of Armenian Christians.

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 2018, 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

In 1989, a terrible 8.2 earthquake almost flattened Armenia. It killed over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. One father rushed to his son's school and found the building flat as a pancake. Standing there in tears, he remembered a promise he had made to his son, "No matter what, I'll always be there for you!"  It looked absolutely hopeless, but the dad went to the back right corner and started digging in the pile of rubble. The other grieving parents tried to pull him off, saying, "It's too late! They're dead!" But he just kept digging for his son stone by stone. He dug for 8 hours, then 12, 24, 36 hours without stopping. Finally in the 38th hour, as he pulled back a boulder, he heard his son's voice. He screamed his son's name, "ARMAND!" And a voice answered him, "Dad? It's me Dad!"  Then the boy added these priceless words, "I told the other kids not to worry. I told them that if you were alive, you'd save me and when you saved me, they'd be saved." He remembered his Father's promise: "No matter what, I'll always be there for you!" Fourteen children were saved that day because one father was faithful. But how much more faithful is our heavenly Father! 

From the fall of man until today, God had a plan to rescue man. 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 2018, 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 1995, 3-year-old Briggs Fussy was a ring bearer at his godmother's wedding in Minnesota. The flower girl was 3-year-old Brittney Husbyn, whose mother worked with Brigg’s godmother. The two children had never met before and wouldn’t see each other until 2007.

"Brittney and I met in high school when she sat in front of me in government class" said Briggs. "One day, she went home to ask her mom about me. I have a pretty unique name [Briggs], so that must of stuck out to her."

Brittney discovered that her classmate was, indeed, the boy she knew from the wedding years ago.

"We were in class and she had a picture with her from the wedding," Briggs said. "I started to laugh because it was the same one we had hanging in the hallway at home, but I never knew who she was. That wedding was the only time I ever saw her."

The two started dating in high school and after college they married in January 2015.

"Everybody loves it -- especially my godmother, she takes all the credit," the 22-year-old Briggs said. "It's constantly brought up that we walked down the aisle together again."

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 2018, 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

Christian singer Michael Card visited China during the 1990s. He encouraged the Chinese believers and helped distribute Bibles to house churches. He saw first-hand how some of them were persecuted by the government, their leaders had been imprisoned and some Christians had their homes burned down. He made one observation about the average Chinese person he met:

“Again and again in China I talked to people who had never heard of Christianity, never heard of Jesus, never heard a single word from the Bible. Yet through nature and their God-given conscience, many believed in God. Not only did they believe God existed, they had derived some understanding about His loving character because he provided food, water, and a beautiful world. One old woman told me, ‘I've known him for years. I just didn't know his name.’”

There is a 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 2018, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN GENESIS