“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.’” – Mark 16:15

 In 1967, the dictator Enver Hoxha declared Albania to be the world's first officially Atheistic state. All religion was outlawed. Churches and Mosques were shut down, priests and imams expelled. To practice religion in any capacity carried severe penalties. For the most part, Albanians forgot their faith.

The Albanian Palace of Congresses, in the capital city of Tirana, was once a virtual shrine to atheistic communism. But in late 1991 the featured attraction there was not communist ideology but the Jesus Film, a Campus Crusade for Christ evangelistic project. An estimated 2,000 people turned out for the first Albanian showing of the film in mid-December, including the country's top government officials. More than 700 indicated decisions for Christ. "What once was a temple of communism is now being used as a temple of the holy God," exclaimed the head of the government- controlled Albanian film industry. 

The Gospel is Good News and Jesus desires you to share it with others. Today in prayer, thank Christ for His Gospel and seek to share it with others.

"No man on earth is getting along 'pretty well' without Jesus Christ." - William Fraser McDowell

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!’” – Mark 15:39

Héctor Colón was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic church and regularly attended Sunday Mass with his mother and sister in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He remembers: “I prayed to God for help, since I was growing up in a hostile environment.” He was often picked on and he learned to fight back. He was so good that he became a teenage sensation as a boxer. Héctor traveled around the world representing the United States national boxing team. He was a seven-time US national champion as a teenager, which made him the favored welterweight to represent the United States in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. But as he gained stature in the ring, he drifted away from church.

But then, Héctor lost a critical fight during the Olympic Trials. As he said: “I felt lost and rudderless, wondering what to do with my life. That’s when I started attending church and Bible studies again, and on December 27, 1992, I purchased my very first Bible. That same day, I gave my life to Jesus Christ.”

Today Héctor is in full-time Christian ministry.

Jesus is God, but He must also be Lord of our lives. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He is God and walk with Him in all that you do.

“Take hold of Jesus as a man and you will discover He is God.” – Martin Luther

God’s Word: “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’” – Matthew 27:54

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them.” – Mark 14:22-24

John Paton was a missionary in the 19^th century to a cannibalistic tribe in the New Hebrides archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean (modern day Vanuatu). In his biography, he describes the first time converts to Christianity partook of the Lord’s Supper:

“For years we had toiled and prayed and taught for this. At the moment when I put the bread and wine into those dark hands, once stained with the blood of cannibalism but now stretched out to receive and partake the emblems and seals of the Redeemer’s love, I had a foretaste of the joy of glory that well-nigh broke my heart to pieces. I shall never taste a deeper bliss till I gaze on the glorified face of Jesus himself.”

The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and His promise to all who partake in it. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for Communion with Him during the observance of the Lord’s Supper.

“This meal is for sinners only.” – David Watson

God’s Word: “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." – Matthew 26:26-29

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” – Mark 13:11

George MacLeod was a Scottish soldier and clergyman; he was one of the best known, most influential and unconventional Church of Scotland ministers of the 20th century. He was the founder of the Iona Community on the island of Iona and he was a pioneer of new forms of ministry outside more conventional parish or chaplaincy structures. He also served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

George related a conversa­tion that he had with a Marxist who had never heard an explana­tion of basic Christianity. The man listened with wonder and sur­prise. Finally, he burst out, “You folk have got it; if only you knew you had it, and if only you knew how to say it!”

We need not worry what to say when we share our hope in Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for giving us the Holy Spirit to guide us in witnessing to others.

“His voice leads us not into timid discipleship but into bold witness.” - Charles Stanley

God’s Word: “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” – Matthew 10:19-20

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” – Matthew 1:24-25

In his book “The Characters of Christmas”, author Daniel Darling writes: “Joseph exhibited the true spirit of adoption. It is a vivid picture both of God’s adoption of us as His children in Christ, but also the call every believer has in welcoming into our homes and communities the world’s most vulnerable and forgotten. It was Jesus’ brother James who would later write that true religion is defined by care for orphans and widows (James 1:27). With Russell Moore we can speculate that perhaps James first learned this by watching Joseph. “Did the image of Joseph linger in James’s mind as he inscribed the words of an orphan-protecting, living faith?”

Ultimately, we don’t know really what happens to Joseph after he is mentioned in that visit by Jesus to the temple at the age of twelve. He doesn’t show up again in the Scriptures, and there is reason to believe that perhaps he met an untimely death. In every other passage of Scripture where the family is featured, it’s only Mary and Jesus’ siblings who are mentioned. Given that he was likely older than Mary and life expectancy for a first-century peasant Jew was not great, it could be that losing His father was Jesus’ first instance of human suffering.”

Rejoice, God has given you a Savior and His name is Jesus. Today on Christmas, give thanks to the Jesus that He is the Savior of the world.  

“If I might comprehend Jesus Christ, I could not believe on Him. He would be no greater than myself. Such is my consciousness of sin and inability that I must have a superhuman Savior.” – Daniel Webster

God’s Word: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” – Isaiah 9:6-7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTION FOR CHRISTMAS †

“To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” – Mark 12:33

Authors Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon, in their book “The Art of Neighboring”, write the following:

“Tom and Angela had lived in their neighborhood for about twelve years without really getting to know many people. They lived in a cul-de-sac of eleven houses and had limited communication and interaction with the people around them. They admitted that this felt strange because they really had a desire to know their neighbors better, but nobody was making the first move…A number of years went by until finally Tom and Angela decided to do something.

One of the biggest factors that had been preventing them from engaging their neighbors was timidity. ..They began by taking one simple step. They switched yards. Their kids had always played in the backyard, and that setting was the social hub of the family. So Tom and Angela simply switched to the front yard. They put up a swing in a front-yard tree and added some lawn chairs; that was about it. Nothing happened at first. Then over the next few weeks, children and even dogs began to migrate into their front yard.

Eventually adults followed. Soon both kids and adults were spending more time in their front yard than they could ever have imagined. And all they had done to attract this traffic was hang out where they could be seen. Then Tom and Angela decided to go a step further by organizing a series of block parties. Surprisingly, the first one they held went over quite well. All the neighbors really needed was someone to step forward and break the ice. Other parties followed…The results were powerful. Barriers were broken down, and people started getting to know each other. Soon they were inviting one another into their homes. Neighbors began to assist neighbors in various way.”

Loving our neighbors not only benefits our neighbors, but also it benefits us. Today in prayer, ask Jesus how you can love your neighbor.

“He alone loves the Creator perfectly who manifests a pure love for his neighbor.” – Bede

God’s Word: “"Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, "'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" – Matthew 19:19

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” – Mark 12:14

In his book “Thrift and Generosity”, John M. Templeton Jr writes:

“A friend once took a car to a mechanic who was able to find several things wrong with it in addition to the original problem. To fix it all would cost about $700. He went to a second mechanic, who said that a lot of what the first mechanic was recommending was not really necessary, at least not right away.

The second mechanic said he could have the car up and running for less than $200, and if the other problems occurred down the line, he would address them then. Not surprisingly, my friend chose car mechanic number two. This mechanic settled for under $200, when he probably could have gotten another $300 or $400 out of his customer. But his honesty and commitment to looking out for what was best for his client earned him a customer for life. What he lost on that first day, he more than made up for in the months and years to come.”

Do the right thing in everything you do. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is our model for integrity and seek to follow Him in all your ways.

"Real integrity stays in place whether the test is adversity or prosperity." - Charles Swindoll

God’s Word: “They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are.” – Matthew 22:16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” – Mark 11:25

Kia Scherr is co-founder of One Life Alliance, a charity she set up in response to the 2008 Mumbai attacks that claimed 164 lives including those of her husband, Alan, and their 13-year-old daughter, Naomi. Alan and Naomi had been visiting India along with 23 others from their Virginia–based spiritual community, the Synchronicity Foundation, when the Islamic terrorists carried out 12 coordinated attacks across the city.

Kia remembers when she received the news of her husband and daughter’s death. ““Are you sure? Both of them?” I kept asking. I’d been desperately holding onto hope and just couldn’t believe that neither had survived. Later I learnt that two of the terrorists had stormed the restaurant. Everyone had dived for cover while the terrorists then proceeded to go from table to table shooting anyone in sight. Alan and Naomi did not survive that attack.

My family all gathered round me and we cried together. In total shock we just stared at the aftermath of the attack on TV trying to understand. That’s when I first saw the face of the loan surviving terrorist. He was a young man about the same age as my sons. Seeing him there the words of Christ just came to me. “Forgive them, they know not what they do”, I said. My family thought I’d gone mad but I explained, “No, I mean it. Since love is lacking here, compassion is what we need.”

No matter what life may throw your way, forgive others. Do not hold a grudge! Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His forgiveness and forgive others as the Lord has forgiven you.

“The man who is truly forgiven and knows it, is a man who forgives.” – Martyn Lloyd-Jones

God’s Word: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” – Matthew 6:12

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’” – Mark 10:21

In 1891, at the age of 14, Jesse Livermore secured employment, as a board boy, posting stock quotes at a Boston, Massachusetts, branch of the PaineWebber stock brokerage. Soon afterwards he began trading stocks. Livermore was considered a pioneer of day trading stocks. He was famous for making and losing several multi-million dollar fortunes. As a result of his work on Wall Street, Livermore was incredibly rich: he was worth $3 million and $100 million after the 1907 and 1929 market crashes, which, adjusted for inflation, would mean that he would have been worth billions of dollars today. However, he somehow managed to lose most of his trading capital (it was never disclosed how he managed to do so). By 1934, Livermore was bankrupt and suspended as a member of the Chicago Board of Trade. In 1940, Jesse committed suicide.

Don’t let money get in the way of your relationship with Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He wants a relationship with you and put all your hope in Christ.

“Nothing I am sure has such a tendency to quench the fire of religion as the possession of money.” – J.C. Ryle

God’s Word: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”– 1 Timothy 6:17

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” – Mark 10:15

Max Lucado in his book “Help is Here” talks about assurance of your salvation: “Seal. You know the verb. You twist a jar lid to seal the pickles. You lick an envelope to seal the letter. You notarize the contract to seal the deal. Sealing declares ownership and secures contents. Sealing is the act that says, “This is mine, and this is protected.” When you accepted Christ, God sealed you with the Spirit. He cocooned you, assuring your safekeeping. Satan might woo you, discourage you, and, for a time, influence you. But he cannot have you. Christ “has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30 NLT). 

It is only by the grace of God that we are saved. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for your new life in Him and learn to trust Him with all of your life.

“I felt myself absolutely born again. The gates of paradise had been flung open and I had entered. There and then the whole of Scripture took on another look to me.” – Martin Luther

God’s Word: “In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’” – John 3:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“‘If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’” – Mark 9:23

In his book “You Are Never Alone”, Max Lucado writes: “Bill Irwin was not the first person ever to walk the Appalachian Trail. He was not the only individual to begin in Springer Mountain, Georgia, and conclude on Mount Katahdin, Maine. Other adventuresome souls have hiked the twenty-one hundred miles, endured the snow and heat and rain, slept on the ground, forded the streams, and shivered in the cold. Bill Irwin was not the first to accomplish this feat. But he was the first in this respect: he was blind when he did it.

He was fifty years old when, in 1990, he set out on the hike. A recovering alcoholic and committed Christian, he memorized 2 Corinthians 5:7 and made it his mantra: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

And that is what he did. He did not use maps, GPS, or a compass. It was just Irwin, his German shepherd, and the rugged terrain of the mountains. He estimated that he fell five thousand times, which translates into an average of twenty times a day for eight months. He battled hypothermia, cracked his ribs, and skinned his hands and knees more times than he could count. But he made it. He made the long walk by faith and not by sight. You are doing the same. Probably not on the trails of the Appalachians, but in the trials of life. …No, you are walking on a road even steeper and longer—the path between offered prayer and answered prayer. Between      

·     supplication and celebration        

·     bent knees and lifted hands        

·     tears of fear and tears of joy        

·     “Help me, Lord” and “Thank you, Lord”

Everything is possible for him who believes in Jesus. Today in prayer, give Jesus all of your concerns and worries and trust in Him.

“I never have any difficulty believing in miracles, since I experienced the miracle of a change in my own heart.” – Augustine

God’s Word: “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.” – Mark 11:23

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” – Mark 8:34-35

The Indian evangelist Sadhu Sundar Singh was fifteen years old when he committed himself to Christ. For the next twenty-five years of his life, he witnessed extensively for Jesus Christ. The country of Tibet was especially on his heart and he would often cross the Himalayan Mountains from India to Tibet as a missionary.

One-time, drifting snow and bitter cold threatened the lives of Singh and his Tibetan companion as they crossed a Himalayan Mountain pass. Fighting the "sleep of death", they stumbled over a mound in the trail. It was a man, half dead. The Tibetan refused to stop but continued on alone. The compassionate Sadhu, however, shouldered the burden the best he could. Through his struggling, he began to warm up, as did the unconscious man. But before reaching the village they found the Tibetan companion - frozen to death. The principles that Jesus taught are still true: whoever shall save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.

The Lord asks us to follow Him, no matter where the road may lead. Today in prayer, thank Jesus that He is Lord for your life. Seek to follow Him always. 

“Believer, Christ Jesus presents you with crosses, and they are no trivial gifts.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

God’s Word: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” – Matthew 16:24

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.” – Mark 7:21-22

In September 2023, Rooldy Alexandre, 54, of Willingboro, NJ, was sentenced to 24 months of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and restitution in the amount of $662,454 for committing pandemic loan fraud in the name of the church for which he served as a pastor and on behalf of other members of the church.

Alexandre was charged with, and pleaded guilty to, two counts of wire fraud in connection with his submission of false applications for U.S. Small Business Administration pandemic loans that are also known as Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans. While he served as the pastor and only employee of a Philadelphia church, the defendant was responsible for the church’s finances and controlled the church’s bank accounts. After the COVID-19 pandemic began, he first applied for a PPP loan using accurate information for the church but was not satisfied with the amount of the loan offered. He then reached out to a person in Florida who had prepared false PPP applications for others and asked that person to help him prepare a new PPP application for the church. The Florida consultant submitted false information about the church in the new application, and based on that false information, the church received an inflated loan of over $260,000. The defendant took a significant portion of the fraudulent loan proceeds for himself. He later submitted a false second-draw PPP loan application on behalf of the church and worked with his sister, Christella Dorval, charged elsewhere, to divert proceeds of the $250,000 loan to himself for personal use.

The natural heart of man is full of every kind of sin. But thanks be to God that all sin can be forgiven at the Cross of Christ. Today in prayer, confess any sin in your heart and seek to follow Jesus in all that you do. 

“You must keep all earthly treasures out of your heart, and let Christ be your treasure, and let Him have your heart.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

God’s Word: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” – Matthew 15:19

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.” – Mark 6:6

Steve Jobs was one of the biggest personalities of our time. He said, “Most people never pick up the phone and ask, and that’s what separates the people who do things from the people who just dream about them.”

When he was 12, Jobs called Bill Hewlett, who co-founded of Hewlett/Packard to ask, “I want to build a frequency counter, and I was wondering if you have any spare parts I could have?” Hewlett laughed at Job’s boldness—and gave him the spare parts—and also a summer job. Jobs said, “I was in heaven.” 

Jesus put it this way.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” (Matthew 7:7)

Our Heavenly Father wants to give us many blessings, if we only have faith and ask. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to strengthen your faith in Him.

"Belief consists in accepting the affirmations of the soul; unbelief, in denying them." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

God’s Word: “Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’” – Mark 9:24

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.” – Mark 5:19-20

In his autobiography “Timebends”, author Arthur Miller tells of his marriage to actress Marilyn Monroe. In 1961, during the filming of “The Misfits”, Miller watched Marilyn descend into the depths of depression and despair. He was fearing for her life as he watched their growing estrangement, her paranoia, and her dependence on barbiturates.

One evening, after a doctor had been persuaded to give Marilyn yet another shot and she was sleeping, Miller stood watching her. "I found myself straining to imagine miracles," he writes. "What if she were to wake and I were able to say, 'God loves you, darling,' and she were able to believe it! How I wished I still had my religion and she hers."

We need to share the love of Jesus with others. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for your family, friends and neighbors and share how God loves you and them. 

"It is high tide to make known the glad tidings in these dark regions of sin and spiritual bondage." - Samuel Marsden

God’s Word: “The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return home and tell how much God has done for you." So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.” – Luke 8:38-39

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.” – Mark 4:20

On a wall in the Museum of Natural Science in Chicago there is a checkerboard with 64 squares. In the lower lefthand corner is a grain of wheat. The display includes this question: "If you doubled the amount of wheat as you move from square to square, how much would you have when you reached the 64th square? A carload? A trainload? You would have enough wheat to cover the country of India six feet deep."

That is the power of multiplication. Suppose you go out and reach one person for Jesus. Stick with that person for six months. Help, encourage and strengthen him. At the end of six months there are only two. At the end of the year there are four of you. At the end of 18 months there are eight; two years, 16. Do you know how many people there would be at the end of 17 years? More than the entire population of the world-more than six billion. Stop and think about what you can do!

The Lord is looking for men and women to follow Him and for those men and women to reproduce their lives in others. Today in prayer, that Jesus that He is using people who avail themselves to Him in order to bring greater glory to God.

"When I see with what little effort souls can be won, I tremble to think of the many opportunities I am missing. We must do what we can - the little things. God will save them." - Malla Moe

God’s Word: “Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” – Matthew 9:37-38

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” – Mark 4:19

Christian author Joyce Meyer writes: “When you worry, it says you think you can solve your own problems better than God can. But you were not built to handle problems in your own strength. You were created by God to be dependent upon Him; so bring Him your challenges in life and allow Him to help you with them. Can you imagine your life without worry? Why not start today to live a worry-free life? Ask the Lord to show you every time you are taking on care instead of casting it off. When He makes you aware of it, be willing to immediately cast it on Him—you will enjoy life so much more. After a period of time, you will actually find it difficult to worry! It just won’t suit you any longer.”

We can overcome fear and worry and we place our faith in Jesus. Today in prayer, cast all of your worries and anxiety on Jesus and believe in Him.

"There is no need for two to care, for God to care and the creature too." - Charles H. Spurgeon

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother.’” – Mark 3:34-35

One day a young girl asked her parents where human beings come from. “Well,” the mother said, “God created Adam and Eve and Adam and Eve had children. Then their children had children. And eventually, that’s how we got here.”

Not being fully satisfied with the answer, the girl asked her father the same question. Where do people come from? That father answered a bit differently than the mother. “Well, a long, long time ago, there were monkeys. Those monkeys evolved and over millions of years, those monkeys became human beings.”

This obviously confused the poor girl, so she goes back to her mother. “Mom” you said God created us and Dad said we evolved from monkeys. So who is right?”

A big smile came over the mother’s face as she said, “sweetheart, it’s very simple. Your father was explaining his side of the family, and I was explaining my side.

Following Jesus is better than family. Today in prayer, give thanks to Jesus and seek to follow them with all your heart.

"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, his precepts! O! 'tis easier to keep holidays than commandments." - Benjamin Franklin

God’s Word: “Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” – Luke 6:46

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” – Mark 2:7

In his book “Evil and the Justice of God”, N.T. Wright writes: “Forgiveness doesn’t mean “I didn’t really mind” or “it didn’t really matter.” I did mind and it did matter, otherwise there wouldn’t be anything to forgive at all, merely something to adjust my attitudes about. We hear a lot today about people needing to adjust their attitudes to things they formerly thought were wrong; but that’s not forgiveness. If I have a wrong attitude toward someone, and if I need to adjust my attitude, if anything, it’s me who needs forgiveness, for my misguided earlier stance. Nor is forgiveness the same as saying, “Let’s pretend it didn’t really happen.”

This is a little trickier because part of the point of forgiveness is that I am committing myself to work toward the point where I can behave as if it hadn’t happen. But it did happen, and forgiveness isn’t pretending that it didn’t; forgiveness is looking hard at the fact that it did and making a conscious choice-a decision of the moral will-to set aside so that it doesn’t come as a barrier between us.”

Jesus is God and He has forgiven you of all of your sins. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for His forgiveness and forgive those who have wronged you.

"Humanity is never so beautiful as when praying for forgiveness, or else forgiving another." - Jean Paul Richter

God’s Word: “The other guests began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’” – Luke 7:49

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. ‘Be clean!’” – Mark 1:41

Thomas G. Long, in his book “Whispering the Lyrics”, writes about a man named Jack Casey, who worked as a member of an ambulance rescue squad. “When he was a child, Jack had oral surgery – five teeth pulled. The little guy was terrified. What he remembered most, though, is the operating room nurse who recognized the boy’s terror and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll be right here beside you no matter what happens.” When Jack woke up after the surgery, she kept her word, and was standing right there next to him.

Twenty years later, Jack’s ambulance team is called out to an accident. A truck has overturned, the driver is pinned in the cab, and they’re using power tools to cut him out of the cab. But gasoline is leaking everywhere and the driver is terrified it’s going to catch fire and incinerate him. So Jack crawls into the cab next to him and says, “Look, don’t worry, I’m right here with you; I’m not going anywhere.” And Jack stayed with the man until they removed him from the wreckage.

Later the truck driver told Jack, “You were an idiot; you know that the whole thing could have exploded and we’d both (have died)!” Jack told him that he just couldn’t leave him.”

Just as Christ is compassionate with us, we need to show compassion to others. Today in prayer, thank Jesus that He is our example of compassion and then be compassionate to others.

"I have long since ceased to pray, 'Lord Jesus, have compassion on a lost world!' I remember the day and the hour when I seemed to hear the Lord rebuking me for making such a prayer. He seemed to say to me, 'I have had compassion upon a lost world, and now it is for you to have compassion.'" - A.J. Gordon

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 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †

“At once they left their nets and followed him.” – Mark 1:18

In her book “Deeply Loved”, Keri Wyatt Kent writes: “Jesus made it fairly simple, at least to start. He said, “Follow me.” The word follow, diluted by our culture, begs for a biblical definition. In English, you can follow the directions (or not); you can follow a sports team (by simply reading the paper or watching TV); you can “follow your bliss” (though that might not get you beyond yourself); you can follow someone on Twitter (even if you don’t actually know them).

When Jesus invited a group of first-century Jewish fishermen and political Zealots to follow him, he didn’t mean “Let’s just keep in touch.” He literally meant, “Come with me, right now. Live as I live. Learn a way of life and faith from me by watching.” And some people did, but others did not. It was hardly surprising that young men working in their father’s fishing business walked away from that. The most highly revered career in that time was to be a rabbi. To “give up” a blue-collar job to become the follower of a rabbi (and therefore go into training as a potential future rabbi) was a no-brainer.

When Jesus calls, you must completely follow Him. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He has called you to follow Him and seek to share the Gospel with others.  

"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important." - C. S. Lewis

God’s Word: “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” – Matthew 19:29

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MARK †