“Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at every proud man and bring him low, look at every proud man and humble him, crush the wicked where they stand.” – Job 40:12

The Dominican Republic’s President Rafael Trujillo was arguably the Western Hemisphere’s worst dictator. Known as El Jefe (Spanish for The Boss) he served as president from 1930 to 1938 and again from 1942 to 1952, ruling for the rest of the time as an unelected military strongman under figurehead presidents. During his 31 years in power, more than 50,000 people were murdered.

But what was truly astonishing was the personality cult he built in the country. He had the capital name changed from Santo Domingo to Trujillo City. The province of San Cristobal was changed to "Trujillo", and the nation's highest peak, Pico Duarte, was renamed Pico Trujillo. Statues of "El Jefe" were mass-produced and erected across the Republic, and bridges and public buildings were named in his honor. His pride had no limits and he had an electric sign erected in Trujillo City so that "Dios y Trujillo" (God and Trujillo) could be seen at night as well as in the day. Eventually, even churches were required to post the slogan "Dios en cielo, Trujillo en tierra" (God in Heaven, Trujillo on Earth).

On Tuesday, 30 May 1961, Trujillo was assassinated by some of his officials.

One sin the Lord hates is pride. He desires humility in us as we look to Him for our source of strength. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is all-powerful and it is through the blood of Jesus we are saved by His grace.

“Pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes.” – John Ruskin

God’s Word: “They will spread out their hands in it, as a swimmer spreads out his hands to swim. God will bring down their pride despite the cleverness of their hands.” – Isaiah 25:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB

“His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step.” – Job 34:21

In 2014, it was announced that the U.S. Homeland Security would spend $1 billion to build a full scale mock-up “Smart City” in New Mexico. The latest technology would be tested for smart transportation systems, energy grids, as well as water and wastewater systems.  

The Smart City would also test the latest security systems including surveillance cameras, microphones, Bluetooth monitoring devices, License Plate Readers as well as other surveillance equipment.

Many of these new innovative surveillance products, tested in the Smart City, have already been deployed in San Diego, California.

In March 2017, FBI Director James Comey stated: "There is no such thing as absolute privacy in America; there is no place outside of judicial reach," Comey said at a Boston College conference on cybersecurity.

"Even our communications with our spouses, with our clergy members, with our attorneys are not absolutely private in America. In appropriate circumstances, a judge can compel any one of us to testify in court about those very private communications."

No matter where you go, nothing escapes the notice of the Lord. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that His eyes are upon you and live your life in obedience to His Word.

“Life is a tapestry:  We are the warp; angels, the weft; God, the weaver.  Only the Weaver sees the whole design.” – Eileen Elias Freeman

God’s Word: “The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” – Proverbs 15:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB

“He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.” – Job 33:28

In 2003, Darren Mulligan ran away to America to pursue a career in rock music and to escape his responsibilities at home in Ireland.

Darren's then-girlfriend Heidi was struggling with an eating disorder and coping with the loss of her father to alcoholism when the Irish rocker made what he calls a selfish decision to leave his small town to seek fame for all the wrong reasons.

It was during this time that he received a phone call from Heidi, who told him she had become a Christian. “I hated the thought of her being happy; because she sounded happy, while I was miserable,” Mulligan remembers. Shortly thereafter, he decided to leave the band, move back to Ireland and ask her to marry him. Despite the fact that he had no job, no education and no prospects, Heidi said, “yes,” and unbeknownst to Darren, she began praying daily for her future husband’s salvation.

Three weeks before their wedding, at a time when he was an avowed atheist, Darren had a life-altering experience in church. “I felt so wretched, so dirty. I could feel my skin crawling. God seemed so real that night. He seemed so holy. There was this huge chasm between Him and me. I could feel it—this crushing weight of guilt and conviction—so I gave my life to the Lord that night,” he explains, adding, “It took me a few months of reading the Bible to really understand what I had done and what that meant. I fell in love with God over that period and gradually learned to see myself as He sees me - clean, a son of the king.”

Today Darren and Heidi are vocalists for the Christian worship band “We Are Messengers”. 

The Lord is in the practice of redeeming souls lost in sin and giving them eternal life. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He found you lost in your sin, that He redeemed you through His precious death on the Cross, and granted you eternal life in Him.

“Redemption never comes by our own efforts. Spiritually, redemption cannot happen without a Redeemer. This word is precious because it reminds followers of Jesus that relationship with Him has been purchased at great cost.” – Bob Snider

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’” – Galatians 3:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB

“But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.” – Job 32:8

In his book “Your Father Loves You,” author James Packer writes the following about the Holy Spirit:

“I remember walking to church one winter evening to preach on the words, “He will glorify me” (John 16:14), seeing the building floodlit as I turned a corner, and realizing that this was exactly the illustration my message needed. When floodlighting is well done, the floodlights are placed so that you do not see them; in fact, you are not supposed to see where the light is coming from; what you are meant to see is just the building on which the floodlights are trained. The intended effect is to make it visible when otherwise it would not be seen for the darkness, and to maximize its dignity by throwing all its details into relief so that you can see it properly. This perfectly illustrated the Spirit’s new covenant role. He is, so to speak, the hidden floodlight shining on the Savior.”

The Holy Spirit is God and He gives us understanding. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He has imparted to you the Holy Spirit.

“The Holy Spirit is not a blessing from God. He is God.” – Colin Urquhart

God’s Word: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” – John 16:13-15

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS In JOB

“If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, 'You are my security,' if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained, if I have regarded the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor, so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand offered them a kiss of homage, then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.” – Job 31:24-28

In 2002, Michael Carroll was a 19-year-old English garbage man when he won £9.7 million (about $14.4 million) in the British Lottery. The teenager was already a petty criminal and collected his winnings with a police-ordered electronic monitoring anklet, according to the BBC.

Throughout the next few years, Carroll gained infamy for his extravagant lifestyle, which included massive drug use, gaudy golden jewelry, prostitutes and a jail sentence in 2006.

After buying a mansion known as “The Grange” in the English town of Swaffham, Carroll terrorized the villagers, outfitting the house as a graveyard for his amateur demolition derbies and once using a catapult to vandalize local shop windows in the middle of the night.

By 2012, Carroll’s ten year gravy train had run dry, with the man the tabloids dubbed “the Lotto lout” admitting he was broke, living off unemployment and suicidal. He was also estranged from the mother of his young daughter.

He now works on an assembly line in a cookie factory making a weekly salary of £204 (about $300).  

“I used to arrange banger-racing in the field behind my mansion but these days I just play Grand Theft Auto and Grid 2 on my Xbox,” he said. “In the crazy days, I’d wake up, do a line of cocaine, then open a can of lager. These days, it’s bran flakes for ­breakfast at 7 a.m. then maybe a cycle before work.”

We cannot put our trust in money. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for being the only true foundation where we can place our trust and put your trust in Him and not in money.

“Money is the root of every mess you can think of. Anyone who lives for money is surely missing the best things in life.” – Sadie and Bessie Delany

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB

“because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him. The man who was dying blessed me; I made the widow's heart sing.” – Job 29:11-12

The 1994 genocide, in which almost a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were massacred, left Rwanda with thousands of orphans.

Following the killings, foreign aid organizations set up dozens of orphanages, with the number of institutions in the country rising from three to 34.

Then in 2012, the government announced that all of these orphanages would eventually be closed. The goal was to successfully place all the children into families.

"Every child has the right to know his parents and to know to whom he belongs," said Mary Kamanzi, of Peace Plan, a Rwandan NGO that is funded by the US-based Saddleback Church.

"I believe that poverty is a disease that can be treated," she said. "Children should not be separated from their parents."

Mary found new homes for more than 150 children in adoptive families and set an example by adopting four children herself.

"An orphanage should only be a temporary solution," Mary said.

We can all have a heart for orphans and do something to love them. Today in prayer, ask the Lord how you can help some of the orphans in this world.

“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has the eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” - Augustine

God’s Word: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1:27

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB

“And he said to man, 'The fear of the Lord--that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'” – Job 28:28

In 2002, Marilyn Vyzourek founded Gospel Shelters for Women in Colorado Spring, Colorado. The organization provides homes for women while they are going through rehabilitation from addictions and abuse. The women are required to attend Bible studies as part of the program. The spiritual impact of this is so great that their success rate has been nearly 80 percent, far above any government program.

Gospel Shelters for Women received a total of $50,000 a year from HUD (the Department of Housing and Urban Development), a branch of the federal government, to help fund the housing costs for these women.

In 2011, HUD discovered that Bible studies were required. The agency asked that the policy be changed, or they would pull the funding.

Marilyn Vyzourek wouldn’t sell out her convictions for the sake of money. She feared God, stood firm and HUD stopped the backing. But God was faithful. The Lord honored the ministry and private donors made up the shortfall left by the HUD funding. Today the ministry is better off than it was with the government funding.

Fearing God is the yielding our hearts to Jesus. Today in prayer, love the Lord with your whole heart and He will give you wisdom.

“The truly wise are those whose souls are in Christ.” – Ambrose

God’s Word: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” – Proverbs 9:10

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB

“As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made me taste bitterness of soul, as long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit.” – Job 27:2-4

The rock band Creedance Clearwater Revival burst onto the American music scene in the late 1960’s and they performed at 1969's famed Woodstock Festival.

But after a few hit songs, the group disbanded acrimoniously in late 1972. Lead singer John Fogerty was at odds with the other band members, as well as his record label, over matters of business and artistic control. John left the band and became a solo act. There were subsequent lawsuits between the former bandmates and his former record label leaving John bitter. His anger smoldered for more than 25 years. During that time as a solo act, he never played any of the music he wrote for Creedance Clearwater Revival.

"I have had a lot of trouble with Fantasy Records," John said. "In 1988 I had to go through a plagiarism trial where I was sued for sounding like myself, and people tell me this was unprecedented. I spent more than three years trying to resolve these issues, but sadly it didn't work."

Columnist Dorian Lynskey wrote about John’s bitter anger: “there is no rehab for bitterness and the suppressed anger still bubbles to the surface sometimes.”

Whatever bitterness you have tasted, do not let it consume you. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that in Christ, you are a victor over all sin and death and pray that bitterness does not take a hold of you.

“Bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” – Ron McManus

God’s Word: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” – Ephesians 4:31

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB

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

For weeks during February and March of 2017, rain fell upon Lima, Peru. During the deluge, some 67 people lost their lives. The Peruvian army rescued over 200 people in one area, including 123 children who became cut off from dry land during the floods.

An amateur videographer went out to film a fast moving mudslide in the Lima suburb of Punta Hermosa. As he was focusing on the mud soaked wood debris, he suddenly saw some movement. It was a person.

Evangelina Chamorro Diaz, covered with mud, had miraculously survived the mudslide. She began to crawl and stumble through the debris to reach safety.

Once rescued, the 32-year-old said she had been caught in a whirlpool of water and mud. She endured by grabbing on to tree branches and building a makeshift bridge to drag herself out of the mud. The rest of her family escaped the mudslide and Evangelina only suffered minor injuries. 

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 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB

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

James Irwin was the Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 15. In July 1971, he became the eighth person to walk on the Moon. He remembered:

“As we got further and further away, it [the Earth] diminished in size. Finally it shrank to the size of a marble, the most beautiful you can imagine. That beautiful, warm, living object looked so fragile, so delicate, that if you touched it with a finger it would crumble and fall apart. Seeing this has to change a man.”

Because of his experience on the moon, James was changed and became a Christian. He retired from NASA and would often talk about his experience. He would often say:

“Jesus walking on the Earth is more important than man walking on the moon. I believe that is the most important thing I could ever share . . . I hope I've been faithful in doing that ever since I came back.”

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 2017, 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 the 18 months between June 68AD and December 69AD, Rome had five emperors. In June 68, Nero’s popularity was at a low. The military was persuaded to transfer their loyalty from Nero to General Galba. Nero was suddenly powerless and the Senate declared him an enemy of the state. He fled the city and committed suicide. Galba was recognized as emperor and traveled to Rome.

On his march to Rome, Galba replaced the popular commander of the German legions. He also destroyed or took enormous fines from towns that did not accept him immediately. In Rome, Galba cancelled all the reforms of Nero, including benefits for many important persons. Like his predecessor, Galba had a fear of conspirators and executed many senators without trial. On January 1, 69, a civil war erupted. Marcus Salvius Otho, an important nobleman, bribed the Roman Army who declared him emperor. When Galba heard about the coup d'état, he went to the streets in an attempt to stabilize the situation. Shortly afterwards, the military killed him in the Forum.

Meanwhile, the German legions swore their allegiance to their governor, Vitellius. The Roman Armies in the German areas marched on Rome and defeated Otho’s troops at the Battle of Bedriacum. Rather than flee and attempt a counter-attack, Otho decided to put an end to the anarchy and committed suicide. He had been emperor for a little more than three months.

On the news of Otho's suicide, the Senate recognized Vitellius as emperor. Soon Vitellius engaged in a series of banquets and triumphal parades that drove the imperial treasury close to bankruptcy. Debts quickly accrued and moneylenders started to demand repayment. Vitellius showed his violent nature by ordering the torture and execution of those who dared to make such demands. With financial affairs in a state of calamity, Vitellius took the initiative of killing every possible rival, inviting them to the palace with promises of power only to order their assassination.

Meanwhile, the legions stationed in the African province of Egypt and the Middle Eastern provinces of Judea, Palestine and Syria acclaimed their governor Vespasian as emperor. Vespasian had received a special command in Judaea by Nero in 67 with the task of putting down the Great Jewish Revolt. His army marched on Rome and killed Vitellius. Vespasian became emperor in December 69.

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 2017, 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

Dr. Henry Lee has worked on some of the world’s most high profile criminal investigations.

“In 80’s and 90’s almost every major case happening in this country and some even around the world, we assisted them,” said Dr. Lee, who is Professor and Associate Vice President at the University of New Haven.

One particular case tested his personal integrity. Dr. Henry was investigating a robbery/murder case at a Chinese restaurant in Westport, Connecticut. The restaurant owner was gunned down. Dr. Lee found the shoes of the murderer, who had removed them prior to entering the restaurant, as he made his way to the eatery’s safe.

As he examined the shoes, he discovered in the heel of one of shoes a secret compartment. In the compartment was a 4-carat diamond.

Dr. Lee thought that the crime laboratory had to sometimes process over $100,000 in cash. If one piece were missing, probably no one would ever notice. But he would know.

Dr. Lee wisely turned in the diamond as evidence to the case.  

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 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB

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

On November 12, 2011, Cassandra Tolley was driving on the wrong side of the road in South Carolina and crashed into another car. The accident seriously injured two men. Her blood alcohol level was 0.33 and she was arrested.

She appeared before Circuit Court Judge Michael Nettles who ordered her to undergo substance abuse counseling. She was also sentenced to eight years in prison.

Tolley, who has burn scars on her face, reported that she was abused as a child and that a relative doused her with gasoline when she was 11-years-old.

Judge Nettles also ordered Tolley to read the Old Testament Book of Job and write a summary on it.

Tolley's pastor, the Reverend Daggett Duncan of the New Vision Free Will Baptist Church, believes this type of sentence will help Tolley.

"I think (Nettles') faith and his compassion led him to use the book of Job," said Pastor Duncan. "Job made it through, and he wants her to know she can too."

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 2017, 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

In December 2012, Daniel Northridge, age 20, of Mansfield, England stole two letters from a shared mailbox in his apartment complex. Northridge was broke and thought there might be money in the letters sent as Christmas gifts. But Northridge was spotted on CCTV and arrested. He pleaded guilty to two counts of theft. The court was told he had previous convictions for theft and burglary. Passing sentence was Judge Tim Devas: “Particularly at that time of year, this was a very mean offence. When letters or cards from loved ones go missing it’s very upsetting.”

Judge Devas sentenced Northridge to a six-month community service for the theft and then he had to make restitution to cover the cost of two Christmas cards.

The judge ordered the accused to pay $2 for Christmas cards. But when Northridge said he had no cash Judge Devas put his hand in his own pocket and paid the man’s fine.

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 2017, 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

Prior to 1982, doctors believed that ulcers were caused by stress and dietary factors. Treatment focused on hospitalization, bed rest, and prescription of special bland foods. Later, gastric acid was blamed for ulcer disease. Antacids and medications that block acid production became the standard of therapy. Despite this treatment, there was a high recurrence of ulcers.

Then in 1982 Australian physicians Robin Warren and Barry Marshall first identified the link between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and ulcers, concluding that this bacterium, not stress or diet, caused ulcers. The medical community was slow to accept their findings and continued to give unuseful treatment.

In 1994, a National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference concluded that there was a strong association between H. pylori and ulcer disease, and recommended that ulcer patients with H. pylori infection be treated with antibiotics. It took 12 years after its discovery for other physicians to accept Warren and Marshall’s findings.

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 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB

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

On April 4, 1968, American civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was assassinated, leaving millions angry and disillusioned. In Indianapolis, a largely African-American crowd had gathered to hear Robert F. Kennedy at a planned presidential campaign speech. When Bobby first heard the news of Dr. King’s death he put his hands to his face, and sobbed "Oh, God. When is this violence going to stop?”

The Indianapolis chief of police warned him that the police could not provide adequate protection for the senator if the crowd was to riot, but Bobby decided to go speak to the crowd regardless. Standing on a podium mounted on flatbed truck, he spoke for just four minutes and fifty-seven seconds.

Many had not yet heard of Dr. King’s death, so Bobby had to share the tragic news. He appealed for calm by acknowledging not only their pain but also his own abiding grief over the murder of his brother, President John F. Kennedy.

Bobby then quoted an ancient poem by the Greek poet Aeschylus:

“Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.”

He closed by saying “What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be black.

So I ask you tonight to return home, to say a prayer for the family of Martin Luther King -- yeah, it's true -- but more importantly to say a prayer for our own country, which all of us love -- a prayer for understanding and that compassion of which I spoke.”

His wise words sank in. The people dispersed. Thirty-four cities rioted that night. Indianapolis was the only American city with a large African-American population that did not. 

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 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB

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

From March 7 – 29, 2017, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and partners are conducting an ocean exploration expedition to collect critical baseline information about unknown and poorly known deep-water areas in the Pacific Ocean.

The NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to map the ocean’s bottom. The ROV dive sites are expected to include deep-sea coral and sponge habitats, bottom fish habitats, and seamounts. The ROV is broadcasting live video of this never seen realm to scientists around the world.

Jennifer Frazer is a Scientific American journalist, who wrote the article “Inside the U.S.'s Only Ocean Exploration Ship.” The article describes Okeanos Explorer and its current mission. She concludes the story saying: “Space is not the final frontier, at least not yet. Nor is it the only one still capable of inspiring surprise and wonder.”

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 2017, 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

By the time he was 14 years old, Rigo Estrada of Los Angeles had joined a gang, overdosed on cocaine, and was imprisoned by the California Youth Authority (CYA).

It was during his time in jail that he began to appreciate the Christians the Lord had brought in his life. None made greater an impact than his mother.

In an interview with Roman Catholic priest Gregory Boyle, Rigo said, “‘I've been locked up for a year and half. She comes to see me every Sunday. You know how many buses she takes every Sunday [to see me]?’

Rigo started sobbing with the same ferocity as before. After catching his breath, he gasped through the sobs, ‘Seven buses. She takes … seven … buses. Imagine.’”

Father Boyle concluded this story with an analogy. God, as revealed in the person of Jesus, loves us like Rigo's mother loved her son—with commitment, steadfastness, and sacrifice. According to Father Boyle, we have a God "who takes seven buses, just to arrive at us." All throughout Jesus' ministry—his birth on Christmas morning, his meals with sinners, his healing of the sick, his death on the cross for our sins—he showed us the heart of God, the God who will take a long journey of love to find us.

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 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB

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

In 1991, Roger Taylor of the rock band Queen wrote the song “These are the Days of our Lives.” Roger originally wrote the song about his children, and how parenthood made him look back on his own life.

He talks about the swiftness of our days in the lyrics:

“You can't turn back the clock,

you can't turn back the tide

Ain't that a shame?

I'd like to go back one time on a roller coaster ride

When life was just a game

No use sitting and thinkin' on what you did

When you can lay back and enjoy it through your kids”

Inevitably, the song took on new meaning when it was announced that Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury had AIDS and it was the last song that he recorded before his death at age 45.

The song turned into a “goodbye” to everyone. The lyrics encourage the listener to live in the moment, and celebrate before it’s all gone.

Life does seem to move quickly, but if we are good stewards of the time the Lord has given to us, we will have a full life that honors Him. 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 2017, 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

Christian missionary and author Steve Baumann, in his book “Be My Friend,” likens quiet, unassuming, steadfast friends as tugboats. Tugboats are the virtually unnoticed boats that carefully guide large cruise ships into safe harbor.

Steve relates a personal story: “Jennie, my wife, lost her father David Fleming in a tragic accident. We had so many friends support us and the family as well. It was amazing. These tugboat friends made meals, provided comfort, and were so supportive. First Baptist Church of North Spartanburg (South Carolina) (David’s home church) demonstrated great kindness in our time of need. We were surrounded by tugboat friends from a tugboat church who threw down love at us in our time of aching and brokenness. What a blessing they were in our time of sorrow.”

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 2017, 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

Dr. J. Mark Beach is dean and professor of ministerial and doctrinal studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana. In an article entitled “The Blessing of God’s Discipline,” Dr. Beach writes:

“God’s Word is the organ of His discipline. Yet circumstances get our attention—and God uses all sorts of circumstances as attention-getters: lost employment, naughty tots or troubled teens, an injury, a disease, a divorce, an accident, and many more. The burdens can be large or small. Job’s were large.

Maybe, by comparison with his, yours are small. No matter. God disciplines those whom he loves. Getting your attention with trials and difficult circumstances, God’s Word in Scripture serves as the organ of correction, as the voice in your ears to correct, to console, to rebuke, to train, and so on. This is fatherly “discipline.” Notice how close the word discipline is to another biblical word, disciple. God’s discipline serves to make us Christ’s disciples. The trials we face are divinely designed to mature us so that we become more serviceable disciples in Christ’s church and kingdom.”

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 2017, 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

Ella Gertrude Clanton Thomas, the daughter and wife of Augusta Georgia planters, is best known for the extensive journal she kept of her life before, during, and after the Civil War.

When her son Joseph died just three weeks after his birth in 1855, she wrote: “Now I do indeed begin to know what are the trials of life – Within a few weeks I have become a mother, and last night about half past ten o’clock the little treasure which had been loaned to me for so short of time, winged its flight to the God who gave it. “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”  But oh it is hard. Nature rebels and turns shudderingly away from the thought that my poor little darling will sleep its first sleep in its grave.”

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 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 2017, 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 1853, Lilias Trotter was born in Marylebone, London. Her father was a wealthy stockbroker and she was raised in a home of well-read, intellectually curious Christian parents. She was a self-taught artist and art critic John Ruskin told Lilias that if she would devote herself to her art "she would be the greatest living painter and do things that would be Immortal."

However, she decided that she could not give herself "to painting and continue still to 'seek first the Kingdom God and His Righteousness.'" She prayed that the Lord would use her for His glory, which led her to become a missionary to Algeria.

Leaving the home of her wealthy parents for a humble dwelling in Algeria, Lilias defied stereotypes and taboos that should have deterred any European woman from ministering in a Muslim country. Yet she stayed for nearly forty years, befriending Algerian Muslims with her appreciation for literature and art and winning them to Christ through her life of love.

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 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB