"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9

In early 1960, Ruby Bridges was one of six black children in New Orleans to pass the test that determined whether they could go to the all-white William Frantz Elementary School. Every morning that fall she walked alone through a heckling crowd to an empty school. White people lined up on both sides of the way and shook their fists at her. They threatened to do terrible things to her if she kept coming to their school. But every morning at ten minutes to eight Ruby walked, head up, eyes ahead, straight through the mob. Two U.S. marshals walked ahead of her and two walked behind her. Then she spent the day alone with her teachers inside that big, silent school building.

Harvard professor Robert Coles was curious about what went into the making of courageous children like Ruby Bridges. He talked to Ruby's mother and reported what she said. "There's a lot of people who talk about doing good, and a lot of people who argue about what's good and what's not good," but there are other folks who "just put their lives on the line for what's right."

The Lord wants us to be people of action, always doing good to help others and to bring glory to God. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He is our greatest example of doing good and seek to do good in all that you do.

"When you are able to do good, do not defer it." - Polycarp

God's Word: "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." - 1 Timothy 6:18

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS   †

"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." - Galatians 6:1

In a sermon entitled “Carry Each Other’s Burdens”, Pastor Brian Bill said:

“I’ve not watched a lot of the American Idol TV show, but I’ve seen enough to know that Simon Cowell, one of the talent judges, enjoys tearing down the talentless. Here are some of his cutting comments:

“If you lived 2,000 years ago and sang like that, they would have stoned you.”

“That was absolutely ghastly. I can truly say if you won, it would be the end of the American music industry.”

“That was dreadful. Is singing something you want to pursue?” The contestant thought for a second and then said, “I can take it or leave it.” With a sinister smile on his face, Simon responded, “Leave it.”

While most of us will never have to face a relentless critic like Simon, many of us have experienced either the brokenness that comes from sin or we’re just trying to bear the burdens that come from life itself. Unfortunately, the church is often the last place where we can find friends who will help carry our burdens. Instead of hearing words of comfort from fellow Christ followers, those who are closest to us sometimes wind up and whack us.”

Everyone needs forgiveness from his or her sins. It is important to gently restore those caught up in sin. Today in prayer, do not shrink away from rebuking sin in others’ lives, but seek to gently restore them to faith in Christ.

"This perfection is the restoration of man to the state of holiness from which he fell, by creating him anew in Christ Jesus, and restoring to him that image and likeness of God which he has lost." - Adam Clark

God's Word: "Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved." - Psalm 80:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS  †

"Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." - Galatians 5:26

Linda Wachner was a hard-driving corporate leader. Rising quickly from department store buyer to be CEO of clothing manufacturer Warnaco, she led a leveraged buyout of the company in 1986. Through acquisitions and strong marketing, Wachner quadrupled the company's size. Warnaco luxury brands such as Chaps by Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein jeans, Speedo swimwear, and Olga bras were sold worldwide in more than 50,000 outlets. The company had $1.95 billion in revenue by 1998.

But Wachner's intense hunger for money, combined with an abrasive and abusive style of management by ego, resulted in her undoing. Her blunt manner began driving away key management talent. Wachner was so confident that the key to success was boosting revenue that she ignored the advice of subordinates and unloaded her line of prestigious brands on discount retail outlets, often at very low prices.

Her conceit drove the company into bankruptcy.

In summing up her tenure at Warnaco, one of her former subordinates commented: "She was the main reason it (the company) fell apart. There is some genius there, but she could not run a $2 billion corporation by herself."

Conceit is a sin - be on your guard against it! Today in prayer, confess any sin of conceit in your life and seek to walk humbly with the Lord.

“Conceit, more rich in matter than in words, brags of his substance: they are but beggars who can count their worth.” – William Shakespeare

God's Word: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS  †

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23

Raynald III was a 14th century duke in what is now Belgium. Grossly overweight, Raynald was commonly called by his Latin nickname, Crassus, which means "fat." After a violent quarrel, Raynald's younger brother Edward led a successful revolt against him. Edward captured Raynald but did not kill him. Instead, he built a room around Raynald in the Nieuwkerk castle and promised him he could regain his title and property as soon as he was able to leave the room. This would not have been difficult for most people since the room had several windows and a door of near-normal size, and none was locked or barred. The problem was Raynald's size. To regain his freedom, he needed to lose weight. But Edward knew his older brother, and each day he sent a variety of delicious foods. Instead of dieting his way out of prison, Raynald grew fatter. When Duke Edward was accused of cruelty, he had a ready answer: "My brother is not a prisoner. He may leave when he so wills." Raynald stayed in that room for ten years and wasn't released until after Edward died in battle. They had to cut the walls open to release him. By then his health was so ruined he died within a year… a prisoner of his own appetite.

The Lord has called us to be self-controlled in all that we do. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for His example of self-control.

"I have been able to conquer an empire, but I have not been able to conquer myself." – Peter the Great

God's Word: “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” – Proverbs 25:28

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS  †

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Galatians 5:19-21

For a young college student, Elliott Rodger was hardly deprived of desirable material things. He had a new BMW sports car, nice clothes, $300 Gucci sunglasses, college tuition fully paid for by his parents, and thousands of dollars in spending money.

Elliott suffered from a mild case of Asperger’s syndrome that made it difficult for him to form friendships. His envious heart easily found other outlets, and he never learned either the importance of human gratitude or the self-destructive effects that runaway envy inevitably entails. Malicious envy directed its gaze upon all sorts of desired goods, not just material things: superior musical or athletic ability; a ready wit; physical beauty; healthy children; a prestigious job; a high IQ; or, as in Elliot Rodger’s case, romantic success with pretty women.

In May 2014, Elliott Roger murdered six young people in Santa Barbara and took his own life because envy had reached its ultimate end.

Envy is an abhorrent sin and one that leads to many other sins. Today in prayer, confess any sin of envy to the Lord and seek to rejoice in other’s successes as you follow Christ.

“Envy is the diabolical sin.” – Augustine

God’s Word: “Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. – Job 5:2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS   †

"The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Galatians 5:14

In September 2019, sixteen-year-old Zac Clark was outside doing yard work with his mother when he heard his neighbor cry for help.

The teen rushed over and found his neighbor pinned underneath a Volkswagen sedan in the driveway.

“I guess the jack broke or slipped and the car fell on top of him from the waist up,” Zac said. “Only thing I could see was his legs and he was struggling.”

Without hesitation, Zac lifted the 3,000-pound car off his neighbor's chest and face.

“He had a couple of cracked ribs and his face was messed up pretty bad, but the doctors told him if I wasn't there, then he'd be dead,” Zac said. “I was thankful that I was put in the opportunity to be able to save someone's life. I thank God for letting me be able to do that.”

Do you love others as Jesus loves you? Today in prayer, seek to love your neighbor for Jesus' glory.

"Love is an act of endless forgiveness" - Peter Ustinov

God's Word: "'The most important one,' answered Jesus, 'is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.'" - Mark 12:29-31

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS    †

"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

E. Stanley Jones was an evangelist to India during the twentieth century and is often referred to as the “Billy Graham of India”.

His granddaughter Dr. Anne Mathews-Younes writes that Jones outlived his life by investing in others.

She wrote “Up until the age of 87, E. Stanley Jones kept up a rigorous and active life – It is estimated that he preached more than 60,000 sermons – sometimes 5-7 a day. I heard him preach that many times a day. I was tired. He was not.”

His ministry to others continues more than 40 years after his death through his books that speak of timeless issues.

On the subject of Christian service, Jones said: “The man is not greatest who has the greatest number of servants, but the man is greatest who serves the greatest number of people.”

When we serve one another, we glorify our Father in Heaven. Today in prayer, thank Jesus that He showed us how to serve. Seek to serve others to bring glory to Christ.

"No man was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” – Calvin Coolidge

God's Word: "The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." - Matthew 23:11-12

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS    †

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." - Galatians 5:1

Booker T. Washington, in his book, “Up from Slavery”, describes the scenes among the blacks on the night of The Proclamation of their freedom. 

“There was no sleep that night,” he wrote. “All was excitement and expectancy. Early in the morning, we were all sent for. The proclamation was read and we were told that we were free and could go when and where we pleased. ... There was great rejoicing, followed by wild scenes of ecstasy. But, he goes on to say, “the wild rejoicing did not last long. By the time the colored people had returned to their cabins, there was a marked change in their feelings. The great responsibility of being free seemed to take possession of them. It was very much like suddenly turning a youth of ten or twelve out into the world to provide for himself. Within a few minutes, the wild rejoicing ceased and a feeling of deep gloom seemed to pervade the slave quarters. Now that they were liberated, they found possession of freedom to be much more serious business than they had anticipated.”

True freedom is found in Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that in Him we are free from sin. 

"We find freedom when we find God; we lose it when we lose Him.” – Paul E. Scherrer

God's Word: "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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS   †

"Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you [from us], so that you may be zealous for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you." - Galatians 4:17-18

William Sangster was a popular Methodist minister in England during the middle of the twentieth century. In his autobiography, he wrote: “I believe that I was born to be a minister. I cannot recall a time in my life when I was without a sense of holy vocation. It did not derive from any conviction in the mind of my parents, who had never so much as entertained the thought. But I felt the pressure of a directing hand upon me from my tenderest years.”

When he was a pastor for the Methodist church in Scarborough, Pastor Sangster had an eccentric member who tried to be a zealous Christian. Unfortunately, the man was mentally deficient and usually did the wrong thing. While working as a barber the man lathered up a customer for a shave, came at him with the poised razor, and asked, "Are you prepared to meet your God?" The frightened man fled with the lather still on his face!

We should be zealous to know Jesus and to make Him known. Today in prayer, thank Christ for the passion that He has for you and seek to be zealous only in knowing Christ deeper.

"Zeal without knowledge is fire without light." – Thomas Fuller

God's Word: "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." - Romans 12:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS †

"What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me." - Galatians 4:15

In an article entitled “What Is Christian Hedonism?” Christian author John Piper writes the following:

“Over the years the name that I have given to my understanding of the massive role joy plays not only in the Christian life, but in all of creation and God’s purposes in it — is Christian Hedonism. And the shortest description of Christian Hedonism is God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.

My pathway into this understanding over the last thirty years or so is mainly affected by Jonathan Edwards, C. S. Lewis, and the apostle Paul, but it does reach back to my father. My father was probably the happiest man I have ever known, and yet he was filled and consumed with the glory of God. So there was this both-and in my father’s life that had to have a resolution or explanation some day. Abundant joy and total commitment to the glory of God had to go together in some way.”

Let Jesus be your joy, not the things of this world. Today in prayer, praise the Lord with all of your heart and seek Him in all that you do.

"The opposite of joy is not sorrow. It is unbelief." – Leslie Weatherhead

God's Word: "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." - John 15:10-11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS   †

"So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir." - Galatians 4:7

In 1841, a young Abraham Lincoln went to a slave auction one day and was appalled at what he saw. He spotted a young woman on the auction block. The bidding began, and Lincoln bid until he purchased her for $150. After he paid the auctioneer, he walked over to the woman, who was Nance Legins-Costley, and said, “You’re free.”

“Free? What is that supposed to mean?” Nance asked.

“It means you are free,” Lincoln answered, “completely free!”

“Does it mean I can do whatever I want to do?”

“Yes,” Abe said, “free to do whatever you want to do.”

“Free to say whatever I want to say?”

“Yes, free to say whatever you want to say.”

“Does freedom mean,” she asked with hope and hesitation, “that I can go wherever I want to go?”

“It means exactly that, you can go wherever you want to go,” Abe answered.

With tears of joy and gratitude welling up in her eyes, Nance said, “Then, I think I’ll go with you.”

We were all once slaves to sin but now freed by our Heavenly Father who has adopted us as His son. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He has made you His child.

"Formerly slaves, Christians, are now both sons and heirs." – James Montgomery Boice

God's Word: "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will" - Ephesians 1:4-5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS   †

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:28

During childhood, Joseph suffered from ill health, which included a long bout of inflammation of the lungs. He had a deformed right foot that turned inwards, due to a congenital deformity. It was thicker and shorter than his left foot. He underwent a failed operation to correct it just prior to starting grammar school. The boy wore a metal brace and a special shoe because of his shortened leg and walked with a limp.

Someone finally took him to Sunday school, but the teacher neglected him. Later the young people ridiculed him and then avoided him because of his crippled condition. As a result, he dropped out of the class with a hatred for the church and the Lord Jesus Christ.  He did, however, continue his studies in school. When he finally earned his doctorate from Heidelberg University, a man slipped his arm around him, saying, “Joseph, I think a lot of you; you and I could do much together. The young man responded warmly to this attention and encouragement, and in time Joseph Goebbels became the propaganda minister for that man: Adolf Hitler! Many wondered afterward what would have happened if that Sunday school teacher had shown love to this apparently unwanted individual, and had led him to the Lord.

We are all equal before Christ’s throne and are precious in His sight. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to expose any prejudice in your life, confess it as sin, and be as impartial as Jesus is in all of your relations.

“Jesus loves the little children, All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, All are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.” - C. Herbert Woolston

God's Word: "Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all." - Colossians 3:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS   †

"For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise." - Galatians 3:18

Millions of golfers know the name Harvey Penick. His first book, Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book, became a surprising best-seller, selling more than 1 million copies in 1992, quickly earning the title of the best-selling sports book of all time.

But by the time Harvey even showed his notes – the genesis for his book – to a local writer, he was nearly 90 years old. Harvey wanted to know if the book was worth publishing. The writer read it, and told him he liked the book. In fact, by the next evening, the same man left word with Harvey’s wife that Simon & Schuster Publishing Company had agreed to an advance of $90,000.

When the writer saw Harvey later, the old man seemed troubled. Finally, Harvey came clean. With all his medical bills, Harvey said, there was no way he could advance Simon & Schuster that much money. It took a while, but finally, the writer convinced Harvey that the publisher would pay him the $90,000 . . . not the other way around!

What a joy to realize that instead of needing to pay God an insurmountable bill for sins already committed, God has decided to give us the priceless gift of grace – our sins are already paid for, in full.

We are all enslaved to sin. But with God’s grace, we can be free. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for His death on the Cross. Thank Him that He is with you and continually gives grace to you.

"No one is safe by his own strength, but he is safe by the grace and mercy of God." - Cyprian

God's Word: "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." - John 1:17

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS         †

“He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” – Galatians 3:14

In July 2021, Marisha Menlove had her 3-year-old twins in her brother-in-law’s new 2021 Malibu boat on Bear Lake in Idaho. She was with two other adults and seven other children. They surfed and wakeboarded, but Marisha said she is most thankful they brought the tube with them. “The wind started to come up, and we thought, ‘Ah, we better get back to the beach,'” she said.

Around 6 p.m., they started heading back to shore for dinner, but they didn’t get very far. Suddenly waves crashed and the engine shut off.

That’s when Marisha grabbed her twins and went for the tube.

“To have a storm like that, where the waves are crashing into this huge boat — hitting the driver, knocking people over in the boat — and then to be on this little tube with 10 kids inside and 4 people holding on, how does the tube not capsize? How does it not deflate?” she said.

Marisha expected the boat to drag the tube down with it as the boat sank. But somehow the rope untied from the boat on its own.

After about 15 minutes in the water, park rangers saved them.

Looking back, Marisha believes someone else was also looking out for them.

“We all know how that happened and we’re grateful. Our family saw a miracle,” she said.

Christ’s death on the Cross was the largest rescue event in history. Today in prayer, give thanks to Jesus that He saved you.

“By the cross, we know the gravity of sin and the greatness of God’s love towards us.” – John Chrysostom

God’s Word: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.” – 1 Timothy 2:5-6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS   †

"All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.'" - Galatians 3:10

In  August 2021, an off-duty Clearwater (Florida) police officer was arrested and charged with driving under the influence early Tuesday morning. Two uniformed Tarpon Springs police officers were parked in marked patrol vehicles when they saw a car being driven erratically as it entered the parking lot where they were parked around 1:10 a.m.  The driver, later identified as 38-year-old Brian R. Tejera, an off-duty Clearwater police officer, parked his car near the officers and began speaking with them. Police said he was acting oddly and making strange comments. One of the officers heard what sounded like a semi-automatic handgun slide being manipulated.

Officers confronted Tejera who voluntarily got out of the car to show he wasn't armed. However, the officers saw a handgun in the car with its magazine removed. When they continued questioning him, officers said Tejera became aggressive.

He was taken into custody and charged with a DUI.

No one is perfect, even those who are tasked to enforce our laws. We all fall short of the letter of the law. Give thanks to Christ, who lived a perfect life, and gives us His grace. Today in prayer, thank God for the law that it points us to His love and grace.

"The utility of the law is, that it convinces man of his weakness, and compels him to apply for the medicine of grace, which is in Christ." - Augustine

God’s Word: “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness." - Genesis 15:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS  †

"Consider Abraham: ‘He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’" - Galatians 3:6

In 1921, George Thomas Speer and his wife Lena, along with other family members started the Speer Family Singers. They were farmers who sang to supplement their income. They were different from the beginning, breaking the barrier in Gospel Music by adding female voices in a field totally dominated by all-male quartets.

In 1922, George sold his farm and the family depended solely on singing. During that time, all-day gospel conventions were common in rural areas of Alabama and surrounding states. The family was nomadic as they sang from town-to-town throughout America’s Great Depression.

George and Lena pioneered early Southern Gospel music writing more than 600 gospel songs. They were early recording artists, as well as early radio and television performers.

The Speer family singers continued singing together for the next 77 years, giving glory to Jesus Christ.

No matter what your circumstance, live by faith in Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, give your concerns to Jesus and trust in Him.

“All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired.”– Martin Luther God’s Word: “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness." - Genesis 15:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS  †

"The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray." - Galatians 2:13

When an English robber called Captain Thunderbolt escaped the law and moved to Vermont in 1818, he began practicing medicine. He took on the name Dr. John Wilson. Often he wore three suits of clothes to escape recognition by making himself look larger and covering up a deformed leg. Just before the man died, he asked his friends to bury him without removing his clothes. But to prepare his body for proper burial, that request could not be honored. The mortician was surprised to find scars from wounds and a withered leg. A search of “Dr. Wilson’s” house revealed a stash of watches, jewelry, and diamonds. The sheriff learned that the “good doctor” was in fact Thunderbolt, a thief in disguise.

Hypocrisy is a sin. Today in prayer, confess any sin of hypocrisy in your life and seek to have integrity in all that you do.

"Do not live one way in private, and another in public.” – Quintilian

God's Word: "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind." - 1 Peter 2:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS  †

"All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do." - Galatians 2:10

In his book “Disruptive Compassion: Becoming the Revolutionary You Were Born to Be”, Hal Donaldson writes that he had flown to India to write about missionaries Mark and Huldah Buntain. While in India, he was able to interview Mother Theresa:

“Where are you from and what do you do?” she asked. “I’m a writer from the United States. I came to Kolkata to write a book on Mark and Huldah Buntain.” Her face seemed to light up. “They have helped many in our city.” “Yes, they have big hearts. May I ask you a few questions?” She nodded. “If it will help them and their work.”

For the next twenty minutes, I scribbled her quotes in my reporter’s notebook, trying not to miss one detail. As I wrote I thought, I feel like I’m talking to my grandmother—without the milk and cookies—rather than a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Repeatedly she deflected my praises. “It’s all because of God,” she said. As our time came to a close, she leaned forward. “Young man, can I ask what you do to help the poor?” Her question wasn’t accusative, demanding, or condescending. It was just a question. But to me, it felt laced with expectation. If I lied to Mother Teresa, I was surely putting my life in jeopardy. So I told the truth. I glanced away and said, “I’m really not doing anything.” She could have condemned me, chastised me, or struck me with a lightsaber and I wouldn’t have blamed her. Instead, she smiled and said, “Everyone can do something.”

We need to continually remember the poor and help provide for their basic needs. Today in prayer, ask Jesus how you can tangibly serve others this week.

"When we serve the poor and the sick, we serve Jesus. We must not fail to help our neighbors, because in them we serve Jesus." – Isabel Flores de Oliva

God's Word: "After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings." - Acts 24:17

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS   †

"But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man" - Galatians 1:15-16

Gardner Calvin Taylor was born on June 18, 1918, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to the Rev. Washington M. and Selina Taylor. His father, born in 1870 to emancipated slaves, was a Baptist pastor and died when Gardner was 13. His mother, who was a teacher, and his aunt, raised him.

After a car crash, he reassessed his life, and heard God’s call to enroll at Oberlin College in Ohio, and earned a divinity degree in 1940. In 1938, while still in college, Gardner became the pastor of Bethany Baptist Church, in nearby Elyria, Ohio.

He would go on to serve at several churches before becoming the senior pastor of the Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn. His impact as a speaker, writer, and political force in the city and in a nation of long-segregated schools, churches, and other institutions reached far beyond his 10,000-member congregation.

In 1979, Time magazine recognized him as one of the seven best Protestant preachers in the nation and conferred on him the title “Dean of the Nation’s Black Preachers.”

The Lord calls each of us to follow Him and to do His will.  Today in prayer, thank Christ for calling you and be faithful in following the Lord’s will.

"The responsible person seeks to make his or her whole life a response to the question and call of God." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

God's Word: "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." - Ephesians 4:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS  †

"I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." - Galatians 1:11-12

In 1992, Chris Korda and Robert Kimberk (Pastor Kim) founded the Church of Euthanasia (also known as CoE) in Boston, Massachusetts.

As stated on its website, it is "a non-profit educational foundation devoted to restoring the balance between Humans and the remaining species on Earth". Its members affirm that this can only turn into a reality by a massive voluntary population reduction, which will depend on a leap in human consciousness to species awareness. According to Korda, it is likely that this church is the world's only anti-human religion.

Its most popular slogan is "Save the Planet, Kill Yourself," and its founding ideology is set in one commandment, "Thou Shalt not Procreate". The church stresses population reduction by voluntary means only. Interestingly, Korda is still alive preaching this evil message.  

Man continues to make up his own false religions. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for revealing Himself to you through the Gospel.

"The true message of good news, that salvation from sin can be found in the sacrificial death of Christ through faith alone, is not a man-made message. It is at once too simple and too magnificent for man's wisdom. It is a transcendent message, a message from beyond our mortal limitations. It is a message from God." - Guy Caley

God's Word: "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. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute." - 2 Peter 2:1-2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS  †

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" - Galatians 1:3

Christian author Frederick Buechner said the following about grace:

“Grace is something you can never get but only be given. There's no way to earn it or deserve it or bring it about any more than you can deserve the taste of raspberries and cream or earn good looks or bring about your own birth. A good sleep is grace and so are good dreams. Most tears are grace. The smell of rain is grace. Somebody loving you is grace. Loving somebody is grace. Have you ever tried to love somebody? A crucial eccentricity of the Christian faith is the assertion that people are saved by grace. There's nothing you have to do. There's nothing you have to do. There's nothing you have to do. The grace of God means something like: "Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It's for you I created the universe. I love you." There's only one catch. Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you'll reach out and take it. Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too.”

It is by God’s grace that we are saved. And it is by His grace we face today and tomorrow. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for His grace and love towards you.

"Between here and heaven, every minute that the Christian lives will be a minute of grace." – Charles H. Spurgeon

God's Word: "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 2:6-7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2021, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN GALATIANS   †