"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." - 2 Peter 3:10

As of 2014, there are nine nations in the world that have nuclear warheads. From a high of 68,000 active weapons in 1985, as of 2014 there are some 4,000 active nuclear warheads and 10,144 total nuclear warheads in the world. Many of the decommissioned weapons were simply stored or partially dismantled, not destroyed.

These weapons can be launched from the land, air, the ocean’s surface and subsurface waters.

The United States has more than half of all the active weapons in the world with some 2104 warheads. Russia is second with some 1600 active warheads.

During five different incidents, the United States has lost eight different warheads. One incident occurred on January 24, 1961. A B-52 bomber carrying two 24-megaton nuclear bombs crashed while taking off from an airbase in Goldsboro, North Carolina. One of the weapons sank in swampy farmland, and its uranium core was never found despite intensive search efforts to a depth of 50 feet. To ensure no one else could recover the weapon, the USAF bought a permanent easement requiring government permission to dig on the land.

Though weapons of mass destruction are plentiful today, there won’t be a “Day of the Lord” until the appointed time when a new Heaven will be ushered in. Today in prayer, pray for those who do not know Jesus Christ and Christ Lord to prepare their hearts to receive Him as Lord.

"Consider the times: look for Him who is above time.” - Ignatius

God's Word: "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9

On 28 June 1919, future U.S. President Harry Truman finally married his long time sweetheart, Bess Wallace.   

They first met each other in Sunday school when she was 5 and he was 6 at the First Presbyterian Church in Independence, Missouri, in 1890. They shared elementary and high school classes. Upon graduation, Harry went to work on his Grandfather Young’s farm in Grandview, Missouri about 20 miles from Bess who lived in Independence.

In 1911, Harry proposed to Bess and she rejected his proposal. But Harry persisted in being friends. Then two and a half years later in November 1913, sitting with Bess on her front porch, Bess told Harry that her feelings about him had changed. She said she felt now that if she ever got married, it would be to him. They did not announce their engagement for another four years, and they were not married until June 28, 1919. They had been friends for a total of 35 years before they were married!

In this life we need to be patient. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for His patience toward you and ask Him that you may be patient in all things.

"Be patient enough to live one day at a time as Jesus taught us, letting yesterday go and leaving tomorrow till it arrives." – John F. Newton

God's Word: "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly." - Proverbs 14:29

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves."- 2 Peter 2:1

Chen Tao, meaning "True Way," was a UFO religion that originated in Taiwan. The founder was Hon-Ming Chen. Chen was a former professor who concocted a religion of cosmology, flying saucers, as well as Christian prophecy describing the End Times.

In Taiwan, the group was originally officially registered as The Chinese Soul Light Research Association. When the group moved to the USA from Asia, it was registered in the US as God's Salvation Church and first relocated to San Dimas, California. Adherents moved to Garland, Texas in 1997.

In 1997, the group had roughly 160 members, 40 of which were children. Members purchased more than 20 homes in an upper-middle class south Garland neighborhood. Like their neighbors, these followers were white-collar professionals, some of whom were reportedly wealthy. "They dressed in white, wore cowboy hats and drove luxury cars," according to The Dallas Morning News. "They reportedly believed that two young boys in their group were the reincarnations of Jesus and Buddha. They told reporters they had come to Garland to watch God come to Earth and take human form at 10 a.m. on March 31, 1998, at the home of Mr. Chen, a former college professor."

When the even did not happen, the members left the community and embarked on new lives.

There is no end of the number of false prophets who try to steer us away from the Lord. Today in prayer, spend some extra time in the Gospels listening to the Jesus.

“False teachers invite people to come to the Master's table because of what's on it, not because they love the Master.” – Hank Hanegraaff

God's Word: "For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord." - Jude 4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

"And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." - 2 Peter 1:19

Though God inspires the Bible, occasionally printers err by not paying attention and publishing it correctly. Below are six printing errors found in the King James Version through the years:

“Printers’ Bible” (KJV, 1612): Psalm 119:161 reads “Printers have persecuted me without a cause” rather than “Princes.”

“Adulterers’ Bible” (KJV, 1631): The word “not” is missing from the seventh commandment in Exodus 20:14, rendering it “Thou shalt commit adultery.” The printers were fined £300 and most of the copies were recalled immediately. Only 11 copies are known to exist today. (Also called the “Wicked Bible”.)

“Unrighteous Bible” (KJV, 1653; Cambridge Press): 1 Corinthians 6:9 lacks the word “not” and reads “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall inherit the kingdom of God?”

“Sinners Bible” or the “Sin On Bible” (KJV, 1716): John 8:11 reads “Go and sin on more” rather than “Go and sin no more”.

“Fools’ Bible” or “The Fools Bible” (KJV, 1763): Psalm 14:1 reads “the fool hath said in his heart there is a God”, rather than “…there is no God”. The printers were fined £3,000 and all copies ordered destroyed.

“The Large Family Bible” (KJV, 1820): Isaiah 66:9 reads: “Shall I bring to birth and not cease to bring forth?” rather than “Shall I bring to birth and not cause to bring forth?”

All of these errors have been corrected in modern publishings.

We need to pay attention to God’s Word and be students of the Bible. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to slow you down so you can pay attention to His teaching.

"The Word of God will stand a thousand readings; and he who has gone over it most frequently is the surest of finding new wonders there." - James Hamilton

God's Word: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge" - 2 Peter 1:5

During the initial years of World War II, Giorgio Perlasca worked at procuring supplies for the Italian Army in the Balkans. However, he became disillusioned with Italian Fascism and received political asylum at the Spanish Embassy.

He adopted the first name of "Jorge" and, since Spain was neutral in the war, he became a free man.

Perlasca worked with the Spanish Chargé d'Affaires, Ángel Sanz Briz, and other diplomats of neutral states to smuggle Jews out of Hungary. The system he devised consisted of furnishing 'protection cards' which placed Jews under the guardianship of various neutral states. He helped Jews find refuge in protected houses under the control of various embassies, which had extraterrorial conventions that gave them an equivalent to sovereignty. They could provide asylum for Jews.

In a period of some 45 days, from 1 December 1944 to 16 January 1945, Perlasca helped save more than 5,000 Jews. His deeds were recounted years later in the best selling book “The Banality Of Goodness.”

Doing good never goes out of style. Today in prayer, add goodness to your faith and bring glory to the Lord in all that you do.

“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.” – John Wesley

God's Word: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:21

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” – 1 Peter 5:10

In 1962, Victor and Mildred Goertzel published a revealing study of 413 "famous and exceptionally gifted people" called Cradles of Eminence. The study was later published into a book by the same name. They spent years attempting to understand what produced such greatness, what common thread might run through all of these outstanding people's lives. The study looked at anecdotal information about the youthful struggles of truly remarkable people including Joseph Stalin, Adolph Hitler, Eva Person, John D. Rockefeller, Douglas Fairbanks, Buffalo Bill Cody, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, Alfred Hitchcock, Helen Keller, Thomas Edison, and Pablo Picasso. Surprisingly, the most outstanding fact was that virtually all of them, 392, had to overcome suffering and very difficult obstacles in order to become who they were.

Suffering is never pleasant, but it refines us and draws us closer to Christ. Today in prayer, pray for those who are suffering that their faith in Jesus may increase.

"Suffering can never ultimately be meaningless, because God himself has shared it." - Philip Yancey

God’s Word: “Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” – Romans 8:17

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7

In 2013, the acclaimed singer-songwriter Plumb opened up about how her past struggles with anxiety attacks inspired her to write new music.

"I struggled with anxiety attacks since I was 13 and they would manifest through really paralyzing, lower abdominal cramping [and] stomach aches. I would be hiding in [my high school] bathroom just literally praying to God for help and that was really my only source of hope or peace or strength," she said. "Just knowing that I wasn't alone and that He was with me and that He loved me."

Plumb, otherwise known as Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, has turned her anxiety into songs of faith and praise. The 38-year-old married mother-of-three, is enjoying the how each cry of anxiety has turned into a closer walk with Jesus.

"Each time as I made it through [one anxiety attack], the next one would occur [and] I just remember thinking you know what... we all need God but sometimes we feel like we need him right now more than ever," she explained.

"In those moments I didn't feel like going in secret to pray quietly, I felt like screaming at the top of my lungs 'help, help me!' I feel like this song is prayer that gives you permission to scream at the top of your lungs," she said, adding that the song can relate to anyone "whether they relate to anxiety attacks or just that desperate need for God in that moment."

The Lord desires us to place all our worries on Him and to look to Jesus for your peace. Today in prayer, give the Lord all of your worries and anxieties and accept Christ’s peace.

"In all trouble you should seek God. You should not set him over against your troubles, but within them. God can only relieve your troubles if you in your anxiety cling to him. Trouble should not really be thought of as this thing or that in particular, for our whole life on earth involves trouble; and through the troubles of our earthly pilgrimage we find God." - Augustine

God’s Word: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

“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.’” – 1 Peter 5:5

On one occasion Brother Masseo, looking earnestly at St. Francis of Assisi, began to say: "Why you? Why you?"

"What are you saying?" cried Francis at last.

"I am saying that everybody follows you, everyone desires to see you, hear you, obey you, and yet for all that, you are neither beautiful, nor learned, nor of noble family. Whence comes it that it should be you whom the world desires to follow?"

When Francis heard these words, he was filled with joy, raised his eyes to heaven and, after remaining a long time absorbed in contemplation, knelt praising and blessing God with extraordinary fervor. Then he turned to Brother Masseo. "You wish to know? It is because the eyes of the Most High have willed it so, He continually watches the good and the wicked, and as His most holy eyes have not found among sinners any smaller man, nor any more insufficient and sinful, therefore He has chosen me to accomplish the marvelous work which God has undertaken; He chose me because He could find none more worthless, and He wished to confound the nobility and grandeur, the strength, the beauty and the learning of this world."

The Lord loves a humble person. Today in prayer, ask Jesus to give you a spirit of humility.

“The true way to be humble is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your real height against some higher nature that will show you what the real smallness of your greatness is.”  - Philipp Brooks

God’s Word: “He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.” – Proverbs 3:34

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” – 1 Peter 4:12-13

Many Pakistani Christians have left their homeland because of persecution. But for those who move to Thailand for a better life, they are confronted with a different type of harsh treatment. Many of these Christian immigrants, upon their arrival, are arrested and locked up in Bangkok’s Immigration Detention Centre and left to survive in squalid conditions.

One such is Munir Bashir, a Christian who left his homeland in Pakistan for a better life in Bangkok. He shared: “The conditions were horrific, cramped, dark and hot.” He spent seven months in the Immigration Detention Centre, known as the IDC with his wife and two children.

“My IDC experience is so bad, when I see my children, I can’t explain this because they are in prison and they have nothing. We spent seven months in IDC, but still my daughter had to face some problems. Flu, cough and she still have skin problem.”

In Pakistan, extremists and minorities despise Christians. Muslims target them because of their faith. These individuals are left without a voice to speak out and seek help.

The pain and suffering of this world should not come as a surprise. But know that we will be overcome by the joy of seeing Jesus in Heaven. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that our suffering is temporary and Jesus has overcome the world to give us eternity with Him.

"We are always in the forge, or on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things." - Henry Ward Beecher

God’s Word: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” – Romans 5:3-5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” – 1 Peter 4:7

Russian Author Alexander Solzhenitsyn was a commander in the Red Army during World War II. He wrote in a private letter with some disparaging words against Premiere Joseph Stalin. The letter was discovered and Alexander was found guilty of anti-Soviet propaganda and sentenced to eight years of hard labor.  

It was during his imprisonment at the camp in the town of Ekibastuz in Kazakhstan, that he worked as a miner, bricklayer, and foundry foreman. His experiences at Ekibastuz formed the basis for his book "A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch."

In that book, Ivan endures all the horrors of a Soviet prison camp. One day he is praying with his eyes closed when a fellow prisoner notices him and says with ridicule, "Prayers won't help you get out of here any faster." Opening his eyes, Ivan answers, "I do not pray to get out of prison but to do the will of God."

In all things and at all times, we need to pray. Today in prayer, invest some extra time in prayer to build your relationship with Jesus.

"As we are involved in unceasing thinking, so we are called to unceasing prayer." - Henri Nouwen

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 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

“keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” – 1 Peter 3:16

In 1958, Bill Teitleff was 18 years old and just married. He didn't have money for a Mother's Day gift for his mom in Kentucky, but while walking around Centennial Park in Nashville with his newlywed he hatched a criminal plot.

"They've got the most beautiful, perfectly formed hydrangeas you've ever seen. They were just perfect in rows and pots," Teitleff said.

Running without lights, he and a friend swooped by the park and scooped up two potted hydrangeas.

In May 2012, the 72 year old Bill was living on a farm in western Kentucky when his conscience began bothering him. He decided to return two potted hydrangeas.

"I knew it was wrong. I thought all along that I was borrowing them. But this stayed with me all this time," Teitleff said. "Now it's been 54 years, and I've got the root and same flowers that they have accepted back now. This doesn't clear what I did. That's between me and him (Bill pointed heavenward). But this is between me and the people here at the park, and they've accepted wholeheartedly."

Those hydrangeas he brought back were from the original root system on his mom's farm in Joy, Kentucky. He did not go to a gardener or Lowe's, but rather he brought back exactly what he stole.

The Lord desires us to be at peace with all men and to have a clear conscience. Today in prayer, thank Jesus that He is God and seek to keep a clear conscience before Him.

"A good conscience is the palace of Christ; the temple of the Holy Ghost; the paradise of delight; the standing Sabbath of the saints." - Augustine

God’s Word: “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” – Hebrews 10:22

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

“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

In 2013, the website Glassdoor.com compiled a list of the 25 Most outrageous interview questions. Here is a sample of those questions:

"If you were to get rid of one state in the U.S., which would it be and why?" — Asked at Forrester Research, research associate candidate.

"How many cows are in Canada?" – Asked at Google, for a local data quality evaluator position.

"How many quarters would you need to reach the height of the Empire State building?" – Asked at JetBlue, for a job as a pricing/revenue management analyst.

"A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?" – Asked at Clark Construction Group, office engineer candidate.

"What songs best describes your work ethic?" – Asked at Dell, consumer sales candidate.

"Pick two celebrities to be your parents." – Asked at Urban Outfitters, sales associate candidate.

And finally, "What kitchen utensil would you be?" – Asked at Bandwidth.com, marketer candidate.

We may not be prepared for those oddball questions, but we need to be prepared to share our hope and faith in Jesus Christ with others. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for the opportunities to share your faith. Ask Him how you can be prepared to share the Gospel with others.

"Jesus Christ didn't commit the gospel to an advertising agency; He commissioned disciples. And He didn't command them to put up signs and pass out tracts; He said that they would be his witnesses." - Joseph Bayly

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” – 1 Peter 3:9

Pastor Charles Stanley expounded on God’s Blessings while studying Psalm 67: “It is God’s nature to bless. However, we need to understand that He has a greater purpose in mind than we may realize. His ultimate goal is far more encompassing than just to make us happy, peaceful, protected, and prosperous. In fact, it is never the Lord’s intention for His blessings to end with us. Rather, He wants them to flow out to others as part of His plan for the whole earth.

As we can see in today’s psalm, the Lord blesses us so that His salvation, His ways, and His justice may be known by every nation and every people group around the globe (vv. 3-4, 7). He is always acting with this larger picture in mind-even while working personally in our individual lives. Knowing this should fill us with an awesome yet humbling sense of significance. Every believer has a part in helping others know and understand the one true God. Each blessing He gives not only benefits us personally but is intended to help further this cause. On the other hand, we may sometimes not receive the things we want because they don’t contribute to His higher purpose. But if we are willing to fit our requests into God’s greater plans, we will position ourselves to be greatly used by Him.

When the Lord blesses you, He’s not only doing something for you; He’s also doing something in and through you to affect others’ lives. Don’t let the pleasures and comforts of His blessings blind you to their intended purpose. Ask God how to use His kindnesses as a way to point people to Him.”

The Lord blesses us for a purpose and asks us to bless others for His glory. Today in prayer, ask Jesus how you can bless others so they may experience His loving grace.

"Love when you expect no love in return. Do good without expecting thanks. Lend when you do not hope for a return. This will make us act like the sons and daughters of the Most High." - Henrietta Mears

God’s Word: “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us” – Psalm 67:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” – 1 Peter 2:16

Once the Civil War was over, and slaves had been freed, a primary concern for African Americans throughout the South was to locate family members from whom they had been separated under slavery. With the mobility that they had long been denied under slavery, freed people in Tennessee took to their feet. They traveled to towns and cities, looking for each other and seeking any leads that might help them reunite. In addition, for years after the war, former slaves took out detailed ads in newspapers, trying to find each other. Henry Hill, for example, put a notice in the newspaper “Colored Tennessean” in October 1865 seeking information about his wife, Lucy Blair, whom he had not seen for five years: “I am a wagon maker by trade, and would be thankful for any information respecting [Lucy’s] whereabouts. I am in Nashville, Tennessee, on Gay Street, north of the Statehouse.” Those families who succeeded in reuniting experienced the joy of reconciliation, along with the strain of rebuilding severed relationships.

As freed men and women from sin, we should seek to serve the Lord by bringing family members and friends to Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that you are free in Him and serve Him with a glad heart.

“But what is freedom? Rightly understood, A universal license to be good.” – Hartley Coleridge

God’s Word: “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” – Galatians 5:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” – 1 Peter 2:12

In September 2014, residents of Northern Iraq and Syria began to flee their homes and their nations to escape ISIS violence. Women have been kidnapped, children burned. Men have been murdered while others have been taken captive.

Survivors find themselves displaced. Many have sought refuge in neighboring nations, including Turkey.  In Turkey, the Foursquare Church is the largest evangelical Christian denomination in the country. The church has responded by providing 8,000 refugees with shelter in a camp in what is “the most poor area in our country.” They have provide tents for shelter and provided donated food to “show our Lord’s mercy toward them” and “show His love and grace,” said church leader Ihsan Ozbek.

Christians are also responding by providing medical care for the refugees.

“We have an opportunity to reach out to these refugees—who are in a foreign land where they do not speak the language, have difficulty finding work and face many obstacles—with the message of hope, peace and acceptance” said Chad Isenhart, the International Operations Chief of Foursquare Disaster Relief.  “We have open doors into these areas like never before. The time is now to continue to help.”

The Lord wants you to do good so your life may shine for His glory. Today in prayer, ask Jesus what good works you can do to bring Christ glory.

“Do what good you can, and do it solely for God’s glory, as free from it yourself as though you did not exist.” – Meister Eckhart

God’s Word: “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9

Noah was a drunk, Moses was a murderer, Samson the guy with the big mouth, Joshua the liar, Joseph the braggart, Abraham the lying coward, David the adulterer and killer, Rahab the prostitute, Solomon the idolater, Gideon the gutless wonder, Isaac was a daydreamer, Job went bankrupt, Jeremiah and Timothy were too young, Jonah ran from God, Naomi was a widow, Martha worried about everything, Thomas doubted, Esau thought more of food than his birthright, Hannah was teased and taunted, Elijah had a pity party, Peter the betrayer of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Samaritan woman was divorced, Zaccheus was too small, Timothy had an ulcer, Paul the persecutor of the church, and Lazarus was dead! God chooses the least likely to do great things.

The Lord has chosen all of us who are imperfect to love and serve Him. Today in prayer, give praise to the Lord who has chosen you to be a child of God.

“God does not always choose great people to accomplish what He wishes, but He chooses a person who is wholly yielded to Him.” – Henrietta Mears

God’s Word: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” – 1 Peter 2:2

On May 6, 2015, Tom Meyer and Jason Nightingale of Wordsowers International began their 24-hour marathon-memorized recitation of the Bible. The two men quoted the Bible from memory to raise money for charity to benefit the earthquake recovery in the Asian nation of Nepal.

The event was held at Shasta Bible College in Redding, California, which livestreamed the marathon.

Tom explained that "100 percent of the funds go to Nepal."

This is not the first time that Wordsowers International has done such an event, as the organization identifies itself as a ministry of "oral interpretation" of Scripture for the Church.

"We have done similar events in the past but none of them have been streamlined online before. We tell the Bible as the sermon from memory weekly as a full-time ministry," Tom said.

Founded in 1974 and based in Salem, Oregon, Wordsowers International describes itself as being an organization with "The Word of God in loving action."

Their mission is: "To challenge the Church of Jesus Christ to display the love of God by speaking the Scriptures, and by living out the Scriptures through compassionate ministries to orphans, widows, refugee and street children throughout the world."

All of us need to depend on God’s Word and to put the Word of God in loving action. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for the Bible and spend some extra time today reading your Bible.

"Like Joseph storing up grain during the years of plenty to be used during the years of famine that lay ahead, may we store up the truths of God's Word in our hearts as much as possible, so that we are prepared for whatever suffering we are called upon to endure." - Billy Graham

God’s Word: “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” – Psalm 119:103

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.” – 1 Peter 1:22

In the fall of 2014, Pastor Tim Jones of Mercy Independent Baptist Church in Kannapolis, North Carolina met Don Herbert, a tenor in the gospel-singing group The Parables of Christ, at a church fundraiser. Pastor Tim invited Don to come sing at the church and then checked out his Facebook page. Don’s wife had posted a heart-wrenching plea for a kidney for her husband. Her plea sparked prayer and prompted Pastor Tim to do something to help. “He was in stage 5 renal failure, and if he didn’t get a kidney that his prognosis wasn’t very good. I told my wife this is something I want to pray about, and a couple of days later I felt at peace with the decision, and I called him and had him to come over, and we kind of started the process,” said Pastor Tim.

Following more prayer, Duke University Medical Center ran Pastor Tim through a gauntlet of tests. Then, “I got a phone call from the transplant coordinator at Duke and she said, ‘You’re not gonna believe this.’ She said, ‘It’s about a 1-in-20,000 chance of you being the match, and you were the perfect match!’”

So Pastor Tim showed his love for Don by donating a kidney. Not only was the operation successful, but following seven hours of intensive surgery, surgeons made a shocking discovery. Pastor Tim said, “They found an aneurysm in my renal artery and if that aneurysm had ruptured, I would have died. And they said I actually saved my life by stepping out on faith and donating my kidney to save him.”

That aneurysm had not shown up in any of the preoperative tests. God provided a way to save Pastor Tim by way of a willing sacrifice to help someone else.

Christ loves us deeply; He laid down His life so we may have salvation through Him. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His love for you and deeply love others.

"I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no more hurt, but only more love." - Mother Teresa.

God’s Word: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” – 1 Peter 1:13

In 1910, Samuel Stokes, an American missionary, arrived in India. He decided to walk through the Punjab Province, carrying only a water bottle and blanket, trusting wholly to the Lord. In one village he was given a particularly hostile reception. The leaders of the village sat in chairs in a circle, smoking, leaving him the whole evening sitting on the floor. When he asked if he might nurse their sick and teach them, they hurled horrible insults at him; but Samuel made no reply. Then they gave him stale crusts in a filthy bowl. He thanked them courteously, and ate. For two days this lasted. On the third day, the chief laid his turban at Stokes' feet as a token of respect. He explained that they had heard that Jesus' disciples were commanded to love their enemies, and had decided to put Samuel to the test. The result had amazed them. Now they brought him their choicest food, and were eager to hear the Gospel. If Samuel had not been self-controlled and had lost his temper, he would have forfeited his chance to witness to the village.

In all that we do, we need to be self-controlled. Today in prayer, look to the Lord and desire to control your self during the most difficult of times.

"God has equipped you to handle difficult things. In fact, He has already planted the seeds of discipline and self-control inside you. You just have to water those seeds with His Word to make them grow!” – Joyce Meyer

God’s Word: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” – 1 Peter 1:6

On December 29, 1987, Yury Romanenko, a Soviet cosmonaut returned to the earth after 326 days in orbit. He was in good health after the record-breaking voyage. Five years earlier, touching down after 211 days in space, two cosmonauts suffered from dizziness, high pulse rates, and heart palpitations. They couldn't walk for a week, and after 30 days, they were still undergoing therapy for atrophied muscles and weakened hearts.  At zero gravity, the muscles of the body begin to waste away because there is no resistance. To counteract this, the Soviets prescribed a vigorous exercise program for the cosmonauts. They invented the "penguin suit," a running suit laced with elastic bands. It resisted every move the cosmonauts made, forcing them to exert extra strength. The regimen is working, the trial of overcoming resistance while in zero gravity has resulted in good overall health for the cosmonauts.

We will all face various trials in our lives, but the purpose is to refine us and make us more like Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, give thanks for the trials in your life. Look to Jesus, the hope of our faith to endure them.

"God sometimes snuffs out our brightest candle so that we may look up to His eternal stars." - Vance Havner

God’s Word: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” – James 1:2-3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER

“who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” – 1 Peter 1:2

On January 15, 1944, Aviation Cadet R. D. Seale, age 23, was at the controls of a one-man training plane. Suddenly, he was stricken with temporarily blindness while flying at three thousand feet above the Army airfield in Chico, California. Panic stricken, Cadet Seale sped unguided through the skies, screaming into his radio: "I'm blind! I'm blind!" Colonel C. W. Thaxton in the control tower told Seale over the radio to "follow my instructions implicitly." For nearly 10 minutes Thaxton kept Seale circling until the field was cleared and an ambulance summoned.

"Now lose altitude," Thaxton instructed. "Now bank sharply. You're coming onto the field now . . ." Seale obeyed each command and brought his plane to a perfect landing. Physicians said Seale's blindness was only temporary, perhaps due to nerves. He later recovered from his blindness.

Christ calls us to abandon everything and to obey Him. Today in prayer, confess any sin in your life to Jesus and eagerly obey Him in all that you do.

"Only he who believes is obedient. Only he who is obedient, believes." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

God’s Word: “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2015, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS LETTERS OF PETER