“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” – Proverbs 30:6

Dr. Nelson Glueck was an American rabbi, professor, and archeologist. He served as president of Hebrew Union College from 1947 until his death in 1971. His pioneering work in biblical archaeology resulted in the discovery of 1,500 ancient sites.

Every new discovery in Israel and the surrounding nations provided tremendous confirmation of the accuracy of the Word of God in incredible ways. As a result of these continuing discoveries, Dr. Glueck, wrote in his book, “Rivers in the Desert”, this fascinating statement. “It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a Biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or in exact detail historical statements in the Bible. And by the same token, proper evaluation of Biblical descriptions has often led to amazing discoveries. They form tesserae in the vast mosaic of the Bible's almost incredibly correct historical memory.”

God’s word can withstand all criticism. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that His Word is reliable and is the truth.

“When the Bible speaks, God speaks.” – B.B. Warfield

God’s Word: “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.” – Revelation 22:18

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13

Christian author Max Lucado confessed that as a mature Christian, he began backsliding and drinking alone.

“I kept my preference to myself. No beer at home, lest my daughters think less of me. No beer in public. Who knows who might see me? None at home, none in public leaves only one option: convenience-store parking lots. For about a week I was that guy in the car, drinking out of the brown paper bag.

No, I don't know what resurrected my cravings, but I remember what stunted them. En route to speak at a men's retreat, I stopped for my daily purchase. I walked out of the convenience store with a beer pressed against my side, scurried to my car for fear of being seen, opened the door, climbed in, and opened the can.

Then it dawned on me. I had become the very thing I hate: a hypocrite. A pretender. Two-faced. Acting one way. Living another. I had written sermons about people like me—Christians who care more about appearance than integrity. It wasn't the beer but the cover-up that nauseated me.

[So what] happened with my hypocrisy? First I threw the can of beer in the trash. Next I sat in the car for a long time, praying. Then I scheduled a visit with our church elders. I didn't embellish or downplay my actions; I just confessed them. And they, in turn, pronounced forgiveness over me. Jim Potts, a dear, silver-haired saint, reached across the table and put his hand on my shoulder and said something like this: ‘What you did was wrong. But what you are doing tonight is right. God's love is great enough to cover your sin. Trust his grace.’’

The best thing you can do with sin is to confess it and forsake it. Today in prayer, confess any sin in your life to the Lord. Draw close to Him and receive His gift of mercy.

“A man should never be ashamed to own he has been wrong, which is but saying in other words that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.” – Alexander Pope

God’s Word: “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” – Psalm 32:3-5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” – Proverbs 27:1

Thomas Edison was an America’s greatest inventor holding 1,093 US patents to his name. He invented the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the long-lasting, practical electric light bulb.

In 1911, he made some predictions of what life would be like in 2011. He did correctly foresee smartphones and he predicted that telephones “will shout out proper names, or whisper the quotations from the drug market.”

But Edison made some terrible predictions in the interview, including the following:

"The babies of the next generation will sit in steel high-chairs and eat from steel tables," Edison said. "They will not know what wooden furniture is."

“Gold,” he said, “has even now but a few years to live. The day is near when bars of it will be as common and as cheap as bars of iron or blocks of steel.”

And finally, “Poverty was for a world that used only its hands,” he said; “Now that men have begun to use their brains, poverty is decreasing…. [T]here will be no poverty in the world a hundred years from now.”

We do not know what will happen tomorrow. Today in prayer, confess any sin of boasting in the future and trust in Jesus for all of your days. 

“I never worry about the future, it comes soon enough.” – Albert Einstein

God’s Word: “Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.” – James 4:13-16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free.” – Proverbs 19:5

In the early 1970s, racial tensions threatened to engulf Wilmington, North Carolina. Many African Americans were angry about the slow pace of integration in the town, and violence erupted in February 1971, with clashes between African Americans and the KKK culminating in the firebombing of a white-owned grocery store. Ten African Americans were charged with the bombing and sentenced to long prison terms. A popular cause among civil rights activists, they became known as the Wilmington 10.

A key part of the prosecution’s case was the testimony of a man named Allen Hall, who was supposedly an eyewitness to the alleged crime. Hall was a convicted felon who told the prosecutor that he could help convict the Wilmington 10 if the prosecutor helped him in return. So, in exchange for his testimony, Hall was removed from prison and allowed to stay with his girlfriend in a beach house.

Years later, Hall decided to come clean and admitted his testimony was false. Two other prosecution witnesses then came forward to say the same thing. But for the nine young men and one woman, who comprised the Wilmington 10, they lost nearly a decade in prison.

The Lord hates lying lips and a false witness. Today in prayer, confess to the Lord any lies in your life and seek to be truthful in all that you do.

“The least initial deviation from the truth is multiplied later a thousand fold.” – Aristotle

God’s Word: “A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.” – Proverbs 21:28

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.” – Proverbs 18:16

Scott Lewis was the owner of Scott Machinery in McClellan, California. In the 1990’s, he attended a conference where Bill Bright challenged people to give one million dollars to help fulfill the Great Commission. This amount was laughable to Scott—far beyond anything he could imagine, since his machinery business was generating an income of under $50,000 a year.

Bill asked, “How much did you give last year?” Scott felt pretty good about his answer: “We gave $17,000, about 35 percent of our income.” Without blinking an eye, Bill responded, “Over the next year, why don’t you make a goal of giving $50,000?”

Scott thought Bill hadn’t understood. Fifty thousand dollars was more than he’d made all year! But Scott and his wife decided to trust God with Bill’s challenge, asking him to do the impossible. God provided in amazing ways; with a miraculous December 31 provision, Scott and his wife were able to give the $50,000. The next year they set a goal of giving $100,000. Again, God provided.

Scott wrote me a note saying that in 2001, they passed the one million dollar giving mark. And they have no plans to slow down.  

The Lord blesses those who give. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for all that you have and ask Him how you can faithfully give to others.

“Nothing is really ours until we share it.” – C.S. Lewis

God’s Word: “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” – Matthew 2:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” – Proverbs 17:17

In 2014, Millie Chapman got a text from her best friend Kathryn Dudley at a Yankees game saying she needed a kidney. For Millie, the oldest daughter of Christian singer Amy Grant, the news wasn’t a surprise. Millie had known since they were children that Kathryn had kidney disease Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis. Without missing a beat, Millie texted back offering hers.

Kathryn said no. She knew there was a litany of risks, tests and medications involved for the donor and she didn’t want to put her friend through it.

“I’d walk through queso-flavored fire for you, is literally what she said,” Kathryn recalls. “I still remember it. It was so funny. It was brilliant. We always eat queso, that’s our thing.”

The two 25-year-old women completed the first round of tests; but it was another two years before Dudley’s kidney function permanently dropped to the point that made the transplant immediately necessary.

In January 2017, Millie successfully donated her kidney to Kathryn.

“She’s a special kind of person who makes a decision and that’s it,” Kathryn said.

“My girl needs the premium stuff,” Millie quipped.

We can never love our friends and family too much. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for your family and friends, and ask Him how you can love them deeper.

“God evidently does not intend us all to be rich, or powerful, or great, but He does intend us all to be friends.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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 PROVERBS

“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” – Proverbs 17:14

In an article entitled “Twenty Five Silly Things Church Members Fight Over,” Thom S. Rainer lists the following quarrels that happened in churches:

A 45-minute heated argument over the type of filing cabinet to purchase: black or brown; 2, 3, or 4 drawers.

A fight over which picture of Jesus to put in the foyer. 

A big church argument over the discovery that the church budget was off $0.10. Someone finally gave a dime to settle the issue.

Some church members left the church because one church member hid the vacuum cleaner from them. It resulted in a major fight and split.

Two different churches reported fights over the type of coffee. In one of the churches, they moved from Folgers to a stronger Starbucks brand. In the other church, they simply moved to a stronger blend. Members left the church in the latter example.

The best way to get over a quarrel is to never start one. Today in prayer, confess any sins of anger to Jesus. Ask Him to give you the wisdom when to drop a matter before it becomes a quarrel.  

“You should either avoid quarrels altogether or else put an end to them as quickly as possible; otherwise, anger may grow into hatred, making a plank out of a splinter, and turn the soul into a murderer.”  – Augustine

God’s Word: “It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” – Proverbs 20:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” – Proverbs 16:3

In 1514, Martin Luther first preached against the abuse of indulgences and the way they cheapened grace rather than requiring true repentance. Luther became especially concerned in 1517 when his parishioners, returning from purchasing Johannes Tetzel's indulgences, claimed that they no longer needed to repent and change their lives in order to be forgiven of sin. After hearing what Tetzel had said about indulgences in his sermons, Luther began to study the issue more carefully. He preached about indulgences several times in 1517, explaining that true repentance was better than purchasing an indulgence.

Then Luther crossed a line he knew there would be no return. He wrote a letter to his superiors on October 31, 1517 in which he denounced the sale of indulgence and asked for repayment and removal of the misunderstandings. With the letter he included 95 theses that were to be the basis for a discussion on the topic.

A copy made its way to Rome, and efforts began to convince Luther to change his tune. He refused to keep silent, however, and in 1521 Pope Leo X formally excommunicated Luther from the Catholic Church.

Martin Luther had ignited the Reformation after committing his way to the Lord.

The Lord asks us to commit to the Lord whatever we do. Today in prayer, commit all that you do to the Lord and seek to faithfully seek Him.

"Give me 100 men who hate nothing but sin and love God with all their hearts and I will shake the world for Christ!" - John Wesley

God’s Word: “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” – Psalm 37:5-6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.” – Proverbs 15:18

In 1765, John Singleton Copley was doing very well as the best portrait painter in North America. But he felt stranded in the backwater colony of Boston, thousands of miles away from the nearest art academy. He was clearly a talented painter, but he had been mostly self-taught, and he longed to have a chance to learn from the painting superstars in the academic center of London. So he decided to try to open up a correspondence course of sorts. And to begin that correspondence he painted a picture, packed it up in a crate, walked down to Boston Harbor, put it on a ship, walked back to his studio, and waited to see what kind of feedback he might get about his work from London.

He had to wait a very long time.

It took about a month for the painting to make the crossing to London, and then it was stuck for several weeks in customs, and then it waited a few weeks before it could go on exhibition, and then a friend of Copley’s, Captain R.G. Bruce, wrote him a letter conveying some of the things he’d heard the academicians say. Bruce waited a long while to send it, at which point it took almost eight weeks (sailing now against the current) to return to Boston on another ship. All in all, it was about 11 months before Copley was able to open his friend Bruce’s letter and learn that painters in London thought his work was generally wonderful but that it suffered from being rather “too liney”—and that Copley might consider correcting that fault. Copley was unsure exactly what that meant, and dispatched another letter asking his friend Bruce to inquire further into the matter. This long, patient process became typical of his long-distance education.

One of the toughest lessons in life is learning to be patient. Today in prayer, confess any sin of impatience to the Lord and seek to be a patient person.

“There are three indispensable requirements for a missionary: 1. Patience 2. Patience 3. Patience.” Hudson Taylor

God’s Word: “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” – Psalm 27:14

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.” – John 20:6-8

As a cold-case homicide detective, Jim Warner Wallace called himself a hardcore atheist and "evidentialist" because he believed the truth was always tied to the evidence. Then in 1996, at the age of thirty-five, he investigated the gospels as potential eyewitness accounts to the life of Jesus. As a result, Jim became a Christian. He has authored several books, including “Cold-Case Christianity” and “God’s Crime Scene,” in which he applied principles of cold case homicide investigation to make a case for the Resurrection.

The former Torrance, California detective said the following about his coming to a decision for Christ: “In the end, I came to the conclusion that the gospels were reliable eyewitness accounts that delivered accurate information about Jesus, including His crucifixion and Resurrection. But that created a problem for me. If Jesus really was who He said He was, then Jesus was God Himself. If Jesus truly did what the gospel eyewitnesses recorded, then Jesus is still God Himself. As someone who used to reject anything supernatural, I had to make a decision about my naturalistic presuppositions.”

Jesus died, was buried, and then rose from the grave and is alive today. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord for His Resurrection and that He is alive. Praise the Lord that eternal life awaits us beyond the grave!

“It was the evidence from science and history that prompted me to abandon my atheism and become a Christian.” – Lee Strobel

God’s Word: “Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” – John 20:28-29

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTION FOR EASTER

“But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’

Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” - Luke 23:40-43

In April 2016, the body of 71-year-old Father Rene Robert, of St Augustine, Florida, was found riddled with bullets in Georgia. Authorities said Steven Murray, whom Father Robert had been trying to help for months, killed him. Murray, a repeat offender, had asked the priest for a ride in Jacksonville, Florida, before abducting and murdering him, authorities said.

At the time of the trial, the prosecutor was pushing for the death penalty.

But Father Robert foresaw his possible murder. He had devoted his life to helping society's most troubled people, including convicts and the mentally afflicted. Twenty-two year earlier in 1995, the priest had signed a "Declaration of Life" document, which was witnessed and notarized by a lawyer. Father Robert wrote: "I request that the person found guilty of homicide for my killing not be subject to or put in jeopardy of the death penalty under any circumstances."

The Declaration of Life requested that whoever took his life be spared execution "no matter how heinous their crime or how much I may have suffered."

Archbishop Wilton Gregory said: “He was well aware for the potential violence that might involve his ministry, but he cared for those people nonetheless.”

On Good Friday, Jesus died for our sins. He foresaw his own murder and yet forgave us. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord for forgiving you of your sins.

“God led Jesus to a cross, not a crown, and yet that cross ultimately proved to be the gateway to freedom and forgiveness for every sinner in the world.” – Bill Hybels

God’s Word: “I can assure you that when you speak judgment here on earth, it will be God’s judgment. And when you promise forgiveness here on earth, it will be God’s forgiveness.” – Matthew 18:18 (ERV)

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTION FOR GOOD FRIDAY

“The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.” – Proverbs 12:22

In December 2004, Brian Williams became the news anchor for NBC Nightly News. Six months after Williams joined the program, NBC News was awarded the Peabody Award for its outstanding news coverage of the Hurricane Katrina. The Peabody committee concluded: "Williams, and the entire staff of NBC Nightly News exemplified the highest levels of journalistic excellence in reporting on Hurricane Katrina.”

For more than 10 year, Brian Williams was the journalistic face of news that could be trusted.

Then on February 4, 2015, Williams apologized for and recanted his disproven Iraq War story that he had told on a Nightly News broadcast on January 30, 2003. He had falsely claimed that a military helicopter he was traveling in had been "forced down after being hit by an RPG.”

Soon other news stories he reported on were questioned and found to contain lies.

On February 10, 2015, NBC News President Deborah Turness announced Williams' suspension from Nightly News for six months without pay for having misrepresented the Iraq incident.

Lies are in direct conflict with the Truth. Today in prayer, confess any lies to the Lord and seek to be a person of integrity who walks in the truth.

“White lies are non-existent, for a lie is wholly a lie; falsehood is the personification of evil; Satan has two names; he is called Satan, and he is called the Father of Lies.” – Victor Hugo

“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” – Proverbs 6:16-19

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” – Proverbs 11:3

Monty Roberts grew up around horses in Salinas, California.  He rode before he learned to walk.  He was cast as a stunt double for child actors and he earned a reputation as a great horseman.

Monty dreamed of being a horse trainer. In spite of his reputation as a great rider, he was an inexperienced trainer and had trouble getting clients.  He had only 4 horses to train that wasn’t bringing in nearly enough money to support his family. 

He began work as an apprentice with Don Dodge, one of the most well-known and well-respected trainers in the area.  Don told him to bring two of his horses with him.

After 10 weeks the apprenticeship ended and Monty met with Don.  One of the horses he had brought with him was named Panama Buck.  Don told Monty he should call up the horse’s owner, Lawson Williams, and tell him that he was wasting his money having Monty train the horse because the horse was never going to amount to anything. 

Monty was understandably reluctant to do this, as that would eliminate a quarter of his already meager income.  But Don insisted the most important thing he could do was always tell owners the truth about their horses.

Monty did as instructed but Williams didn’t take the news well. “That’s the last horse you’ll ever get from me!” screamed Williams.

Several days later Monty received a call. “Hello, Mr. Gray here, Joe Gray.”  He went on, “I was having lunch with Mr. Williams yesterday.  He was complaining about you, but from what I heard you must be about the only honest trainer I ever heard of.  Well, I know that Panama Buck horse of his wasn’t any good, and I just want to take a flyer on you.  I have this horse I want to send to you; it’s called My Blue Heaven.” 

From that point on things started to turn around for Roberts.  He gained a reputation as not only a great trainer, but also an honest one. Soon he had more than enough horses to train.  Eventually he would even have the opportunity to train horses for the Queen of England.  And it started when he valued integrity above money.

Guard your good name and maintain integrity in all that you do. As a Christian, you carry Christ’s name with you and often your conduct is your witness. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for His Holiness and integrity and seek to follow Him in all that you do.

“There is no such thing as a minor lapse of integrity.” – Tom Peters

God’s Word: “Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.” – Proverbs 13:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.” – Proverbs 10:12

Dr. Karl Menninger was a pioneer of American psychiatry who radically transformed the world's views on the mentally ill.

Along with his brother, he was the co-founder of the famed Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas. He was author of several books including "Love Against Hate."

Dr. Menninger’s principal premise was that love could cure many psychological problems.

The Menninger Clinic was among the first to actively involve the patient's family and community in his treatment, as well as the entire staff of social workers, nurses and psychologists. 

This treatment began one day when Dr. Menninger called in his clinical staff and proceeded to unfold a plan for developing, in his clinic, an atmosphere of creative love. All patients were to be given large quantities of love; no unloving attitudes were to be displayed in the presence of the patients, and all nurses and doctors were to go about their work in and out of the various rooms with a loving attitude. At the end of six months, the time spent by patients in the institution was cut in half.

Today this treatment is known as milieu therapy and it is practiced widely.

Dr. Menninger said: “Love cures people, both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it.”

In all that we do, we need to love others. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He loves you. Show your appreciation by loving others for Jesus.

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

God’s Word: “He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” – Proverbs 17:9

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.” – Proverbs 9:8

Christian author Gordon MacDonald wrote the following in an article entitled "The Gift of Rebuke”:

“A homeless man in New York City rebuked me one day. I found him going through a trashcan on the side of our Manhattan church building. Frankly, I was irritated, and I said, ‘Hey, when you're through with the can, put it all back, and make sure the lid is on.’ I started to walk away.

‘Just a minute,’ he called out. I turned to face him. He said, ‘I'll be glad to do what you asked if you ask me respectfully.’

Respectfully! He had me. This man knew disrespect when he heard it.

I sucked in my breath and said, ‘You're absolutely right, and I'm so sorry. Sir, when you're finished, it would mean a lot to me if you would please make sure the area is tidy.’

‘I'd be glad to,’ he responded. We shook hands.”

A rebuke can shake us to do great things.  Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you a ready ear and heart and to apply any rebuke so you may become more like Jesus Christ.

"Often times God asks us to take risks in order to be obedient to Him. This is especially true when He speaks to us about our need to confront others when they are unmistakably caught in the cycle of unrepentant sin." - Ritch Grimes

God’s Word: “These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.” – Titus 2:15

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” – Proverbs 8:13

In 1920, the New York Times wrote an editorial on a paper written by Robert H. Goddard. In his paper, Dr. Goddard claimed to have figured out a way to propel a rocket to the moon. The Times sneered at Goddard’s work deriding that a rocket could not travel through the vacuum of space. The article arrogantly concluded: “Of course he only seems to lack the knowledge ladled out daily in highs schools.”

Today, Dr. Goddard is remembered as the father of rocketry. His paper was the groundwork for putting a man on the moon.

On July 17, 1969, as Apollo 11 was streaking toward the moon, the New York Times printed a retraction to their 1920 editorial.

After 49 years, the Times printed the following brief statement: “Further investigation and experimentation have confirmed the findings of Isaac Newton in the 17th Century and it is now definitely established a rocket can function in a vacuum as well as in an atmosphere. The Times regrets the error.”

The sin of arrogance is odious to both God and other people. Today in prayer, confess to the Lord any pride or arrogance in your life. Seek to walk humbly with Jesus in all that you do.  

“The source of sin is pride.” – Augustine

God’s Word: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” – Proverbs 11:2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.” – Proverbs 5:3-4

In May 2015, Pastor Seth Oiler from the First United Methodist Church (UMC) in Newark, Ohio took his own life. The 42-year-old minister died in his church-owned home a week following his admission of engaging in an adulterous relationship.

After confessing to his affair with a church member, Oiler requested a voluntary leave of absence and agreed with Bishop Gregory Palmer that he should use his leave of absence to undergo counseling, both for himself and his family.

Seth left behind a wife and three small children. Both of Seth’s parents were shocked at the affair and of his passing.

In his obituary, his mother wrote:

"Seth was someone who loved life and we will miss him every day. He had a quick smile and a silly laugh that sounded like his dad. We were so proud of our son. Rest in peace Seth."

Adultery pains those involved and those who love them. Today in prayer, look to the Lord and flee from any temptation of adultery.

“Do not commit adultery. Adultery destroys a marriage and is a sin against God and against your mate.” – Billy Graham

God’s Word: “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:18

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” – Proverbs 3:9-10

Pastor Brian Kluth is a popular inspirational speaker on generosity. He tells the following story that occurred at his church in Denver, Colorado: 

“Our 3-year-old church had a chance to buy a $2-million-dollar building for only $500,000 if we could come up with the money in 90 days. I told everyone in the church to be watching for unexpected financial provisions in their life during this 90-day period. A factory worker, named Mike, told me he thought it was stupid for me to tell people to look for unexpected monies so people could give generously to the building project. But the next week, Mike’s factory foreman called him into the office and gave Mike an envelope. Mike thought it was a pink slip saying he was getting laid off or fired. But instead, it was a $500 bonus for his good work. Mike couldn’t believe it. He had never heard of anyone in his factory getting a bonus before. Mike joyfully gave all $500 to the 90-day building fund project.”

The Lord asks us to be a good steward of the money and goods we have. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for all that He has given you and seek to bless others with what you have been given.

“Feel for others - in your pocket.” - Charles H. Spurgeon

God’s Word: “"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings.” – Malachi 3:8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6

One of the bright new lights in the climate change debate is Dr. Michael 'Mike' Hulme. Dr. Hulme is Professor of Climate and Culture in the Department of Geography at King's College London. He is an evangelical Christian and an expert on climate change and is the author of the book “Why We Disagree About Climate Change”.

In his book he argues:

“Rather than putting science, economics, politics or the planet at the centre of the story of climate change I am suggesting that we put the humanities—our self-understanding of human purpose and virtue—at the centre. When we talk about climate change we should not start with the latest predictions from the climate models, nor whether we have passed some catastrophic tipping point; nor whether or not the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change should be trusted. We should start by thinking about what it means to be human. What is the good life and what therefore is an adequate response to climate change?”

Mike has said of his Christian faith, "I believe because I have not discovered a better explanation of beauty, truth and love than that they emerge in a world created - willed into being - by a God who personifies beauty, truth and love.”

We find wisdom when we seek the Lord. And seeking the Lord begins with searching His Word. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He gives wisdom in the Bible and seek Him with all of your heart.

“The wiser man shapes into God’s plan as water shapes into a vessel.” – Ella Wheeler Wilcox

God’s Word: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” – James 1:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

"My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them." - Proverbs 1:10

Kelly Ann Walz was an animal lover. She especially loved wild animals and had a mountain lion, a tiger and a black bear as pets at her Saylorburg, Pennsylvania home. “Teddy,” her black bear, was a 350-pound black bear she had for nine years and raised him from a cub.

Now calling a bear “Teddy” does not mean you've done away with its animal instincts. But Kelly fell to the temptation that Teddy was family and wouldn’t hurt her.

On October 4, 2009, 37-year-old Kelly Ann began cleaning out Teddy’s 15-by-15-foot steel and concrete cage. Suddenly, the bear turned on her and mauled her to death in front of her children and the neighbor's children.

“She’s done it 1,000 times,” said her friend and neighbor, Scott Castone. “And on 1,001, something happened.”

Everyday and in many ways we are tempted to sin. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that in Him we can overcome temptation to sin.

"Few speed records are broken when people run from temptation." - E.C. McKenzie

God's Word: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." - Matthew 6:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2017, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS