“We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.” – 3 John 1:8

In 1968, evangelist Arthur Blessitt was called by the Lord to make a 12-foot cross and to carry in around the world to every nation. It took 42 years, but Arthur walked over 39,000 miles to share the Gospel through 318 countries and major island groups.

One interesting event happened in West Africa. For two months he hiked through the sweltering heat of the Sahara. What kept him going was the knowledge there was a missionary home that was air-conditioned and they provided nourishing meals. All he kept thinking about was that small oasis and how he could rest for a day or two in air conditioning to become revitalized for the rest of his walk across Africa.

But when Arthur knocked on the missionary home door, the managers explained that they don’t let in just anyone. Only credentialed missionaries could stay there. Arthur explained his ministry and how he had shared the Gospel as he walked across the world. Again, the managers replied: “I’m sorry, you are not a real missionary.”

Arthur was crushed. He continued his walk, tired and hungry. About a mile from the missionary home, a car stopped. They were a couple of teachers who had heard what Arthur was doing.

“We are atheists,” they said. “But we appreciate what you’re doing. Please come to our home and stay with us. It is air conditioned and we have plenty of food.”

Arthur was appreciative for their hospitality and spent the next few days with the couple.

One of the hallmarks of the Christian faith should be our hospitality.  Today in prayer, praise the Lord for the opportunities you have to make others’ feel welcome in your home.

"Hospitality should have no other nature than love." - Henrietta Mears

God’s Word: “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” – 1 Peter 4:9

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth--and not I only, but also all who know the truth-- because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever” – 2 John 1:1-2

Jack Kelly was a USA Today correspondent. In 2001, he was nominated as for the Pulitzer Prize for his eyewitness account of a suicide bomber in Jerusalem. But soon there were whispers that he was fabricating his stories. An investigation at the newspaper began and Kelly was confronted with the inconsistencies. He soon resigned from the Newspaper. A follow on investigation looked at 720 articles written by Kelly. More than 100 of the articles had fabrications, many of them were sensational claims.  

"Right after it happened," Kelley told Christianity Today , "I called my wife, I called my Mom, I called my pastor and then I called my lawyer. I confessed to everybody." Pastor Schmitt says Jack called him "for sure by the end of November, maybe before. He was up front and clearly repentant."

But to this day, Jack Kelly has never made a public acknowledgment of his wrong doing. The USA Today editors, who investigated Kelley’s reporting, said it was “a sad and shameful betrayal of public trust.”

We need to love the Truth, who is Jesus Christ, and to be diligent to tell the truth in all that we do. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Seek to follow Him in truth in all that you do.

"As our knowledge of the universe in which we live increases, may God grant us the wisdom and guidance to use it wisely.'' - John Glenn

God’s Word: “Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.” – Leviticus 19:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” – 1 John 5:13

In October 2011, a computer scientist at the University of Southern California decoded more than 100 pages of a centuries-old text that had been located in East Berlin after the end of the Cold War. With the help of two Swedish researchers, Dr. Kevin Knight of USC spent months deciphering the text from an 18th century secret German society. Knight said he was driven by a puzzle that required him to outwit a centuries-old group's quest for secrecy. He was also inspired by the fact that many others had tried and failed to decipher it.

"I defeated their security!" Knight said. "For me, the fun is in cracking the code. It has passed through a lot of hands, but you persevered and could read what other people couldn't."

Knight and his team have been hailed by their peers for breaking new ground in decoding old cryptic texts.

Thank God that He did not encrypt His message of Salvation. The Lord has plainly stated that those who believe in the name of the Son of God have eternal life! Today in prayer, praise Jesus that you trust in His finished work on the Cross and in Him you have eternal life.

“Some read the Bible to learn and some read the Bible to hear from heaven.” – Andrew Murray

God’s Word: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.” – 1 John 1:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18

Louis Mountbatten was a British naval officer who in April 1942 began the initial preparations for the Allied invasion of occupied Europe. He organized raids against Europe's coastline that harassed the Axis powers.

In October 1943, he became the supreme allied commander, South East Asia Command (SEAC).  It was Mountbatten who was victorious over the Japanese offensive towards India and the reconquest of Burma. In September 1945, he received the Japanese surrender at Singapore.

But Louis Mounbatten was not always brave. As a youngster, he was hesitant about sleeping in the dark: "It isn't the dark," he once told his father. "There are wolves up there."

"There are no wolves in this house," his father firmly declared.

"I daresay there aren't," young Mountbatten replied, "but I think there are.”

Everyone at one time or another is gripped by fear. But the love of Jesus Christ casts out fear. Today in prayer, look to Jesus in all that you do and fear will disappear.

“The wise man in a storm prays to God, Not for safety from danger, but for deliverance from fear.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

God’s Word: “But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.’” – Matthew 14:27

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” – 1 John 4:10-11

On May 22, 2011, a deadly tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri. The EF5 tornado killed 162 people.

As the tornado approached Don and Bethany Lansaw’s home, the couple ran toward their bathroom. Bethany lay in the bathtub and Don cushioned her with pillows. Then the 250-pound man draped his body over Bethany, using his body to shield his 26-year-old wife. Don hung onto the sides of the tub as the wind ripped through their home.

After the storm had passed, Bethany surveyed the damage. Her home was completely destroyed. Then she saw that Don had suffered a deep wound in his side. While he shielded her, something had punctured his abdomen. He died a few minutes later on the bathroom floor.

Bethany suffered only scrapes and bruises. She said there’s no doubt that, if her husband hadn’t shielded her, they both would’ve died. But, she said, Don wouldn’t have allowed that.

“He sacrificed himself for me,” she said. “If you talk to anybody who knows me, you know he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. As many times as people say that, it doesn’t make it easier to comprehend. But I’m always going to remember him as my hero.”

God saw that man was in mortal danger of eternal separation from God because of our sin. He sent Jesus to sacrifice Himself for our sin so that we may live.  Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His love for you and for dying for your sins.

"His purpose in sending Jesus into the world was to show his love and to draw men to himself." - Merrill C. Tenney

God’s Word: “"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” – 1 John 4:1

In 1971, Stewart Traill founded the Forever Family in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Traill was the son of a Canadian pastor. His “Forever Family” believed in communal living and soon 110 communes with over 10,000 members sprung up in Pennsylvania and New York.

Traill changed the name of the "Forever Family" to the "Church of Bible Understanding" in 1976. He preyed on the young and has a teenage following. With the promise of salvation, Traill was able to persuade many young teens to leave their homes and follow him.

His followers worked for the cult’s carpet cleaning business, "Christian Brothers Carpet Cleaning." They had to donate 90% of their income to Traill. He has amassed a fortune and owns four planes and a half million-dollar mansion. According to former members, Traill controls every aspect of members’ lives through harsh criticism, shame, and public humiliation.

The Bible and the Holy Spirit will help guide us in knowing what is from God. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He is Lord and He gives us wisdom what is from God.

“As we well know, the imbecility of ‘profound’ philosophers is so immense that it is exceeded only by the infinite mercy of God." - Giovanni Papini

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.” – 2 Peter 2:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” – 1 John 3:17

In 1977, William Wallace Brown lost his home to creditors in Washington D.C. He lived on the streets for 15 years. In 1989, he spotted George W. Bush entering the church and asked the future president to pray for him.

"No," George answered. "Come inside with us and pray for yourself." William did come in and the church befriended him.

Dr. Dolph Hatfield specifically helped William get into an apartment and helped William pull his life together. In October 2000, when William died at age 68, a large gathering remembered his life. Former members of Congress and prominent professionals attended the burial service. William "really understood that the kingdom of God is for all of us," the Reverend Luis Leon said. "It doesn't matter about ethnic background, race, or class – all the things that we allow to divide us but that in God's eyes are not really important."

Just as Jesus saw and helped people in need, we too must open our hearts, our wallets, and our time to others in need. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for opportunities to minister to others in Christ’s name.

“The answer to the question, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ must always be ‘No! I am my brother’s brother.’” – Paul Klapper

God’s Word: “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN 

“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” – 1 John 3:4-6

Michael Glatze was born in Olympia, Washington in 1975. His mother was a non-denominational Christian and his father was agnostic. His father died of a heart condition when Michael was age 13, and his mother died when he was 19.

He declared he was a homosexual when he was 20 years old. He started the magazine “Young Gay America” and was a frequent speaker on homosexuality issues.

After experiencing a near-death experience with intestinal cramps and stomach pains, Michael found himself turning to and thanking God.

"I realized at that point in time that it was actually God that was the actual thing that I had always been relying on, the core, the center of truth that I had always been turning to, writing on and living my entire life for," he said.

He opened up the Bible and realized the Word of God was not only "good," but also "intelligent, earth-shattering, topical" and "so true."

In 2007, Michael left the homosexual lifestyle. "In my experience, 'coming out' from under the influence of the homosexual mindset was the most liberating, beautiful and astonishing thing I've ever experienced in my entire life," he wrote. Today, he lets others know that homosexuality is a sin and they can leave it through the power of Jesus Christ.

No sin has a grip on us that Jesus Christ cannot break. Today in prayer, confess any sin that is in your life, thank the Lord for His forgiveness, and seek to follow Jesus in all that you do.

"We live in a world full of people struggling to be, or at least to appear, strong in order not to be weak; and we follow a gospel which says that when I am weak, then I am strong. And this gospel is the only thing that brings healing." - N.T. Wright

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” – 1 John 3:1

In 1946, Bill and Thelma Iahn divorced. Thelma took their young son William and vowed Bill would never see their young son again.

The only memory Bill had was a picture of his son on a rocking horse with the inscription that read: “To My Daddy, Dec. 25, 1945.”

Thelma left their home in Leadwood, Missouri not to be heard of again.

Bill longed to see is his missing son, but eventually gave up hope of seeing him again.

Then one day in 2003, Bill's great-nephew, Denny Huff, was chatting with a friend about his Uncle Bill's long-lost son.

The friend happened to be a genealogy buff, and with some surprisingly quick research on the Internet, she produced a name and phone number in Arizona.

"I think we found Billy," said Dennis.

"When you wait that long — 58 years — you just don't think it's going to happen," said 87-year-old Bill.

Bill was then hesitant to contact his son, fearing he would not want to hear from Bill.

But the Lord was working in William’s life too. Two weeks earlier, William’s wife Lydia asked: “Wouldn't it be nice to know what happened to your dad?"

"Then, two weeks later, boom! God gave us an answer," Lydia said.

The two estranged men were reconciled and became family again.

We have a loving Heavenly Father who desires for us to be reconciled to Him and to be His children. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He loves you and you have a Father who loves you in Heaven.

"Our doctrine of equality and liberty and humanity comes from our belief in the brotherhood of man, through the fatherhood of God." - Calvin Coolidge

God’s Word: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” – Galatians 3:26

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” – 1 John 2:28

Ruth Carlisle was a native of Shawnee, Oklahoma and was born in 1907. She, and her husband Robert, were appointed as missionaries to Uruguay in 1940 by the Foreign (later International) Mission Board.

With no Spanish language or cross-cultural training, the Carlisles learned on the job while planting churches, and in 1956, they started a Bible institute in their home in Uruguay.

“Little by little, people came to the Lord. It wasn’t fast,” said Ruth. “Uruguay has never been an easy place to win people.”

She raised eight children and was both a teacher and doctor’s assistant on the mission field.

A car accident severely injured her and Robert. They were in the hospital for weeks.

“It took a lot of hard work, a lot of loving the Lord and trusting Him,” said her son Jason.

Robert went home to be with the Lord in 1978. 

“I remember after my dad died, [my mother] told me, ‘That was the time when I felt God’s closeness more than any other time in my life,’” said Jason. For the next 32 years, Ruth continued on spending hours in prayer and actively ministering to others. In June 2010, at the age of 102, she went home to be with the Lord.

We don’t know how many days the Lord has given us to live. But we know He has given us ‘today’ and so let us live it for Jesus. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that when our days on earth are over, we can worship and serve Him through eternity. 

“A living faith is not something you have to carry, but something that carries you.” – J.H. Oldham

God’s Word: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him” – Colossians 2:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” – 1 John 2:18-19

In the fall of 2005, Gerard Smigel arrived in his dress blue uniform at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball near Atlantic City, New Jersey. He wore the rank of lieutenant colonel and on his chest he wore row upon row of battle ribbons. But as retired Marine Corps master sergeant Fred Montney III and others turned to admire Smigel, little flaws began to appear.

Smigel would excuse himself to go to the "latrine." Marines call the bathroom the "head." Smigel wore one award, a Combat Action Ribbon, upside down. "When I asked him questions, he would get somewhat fuzzy" about details, Montney recalled. He snapped a photo of Smigel, smiling next to his wife, and later called the FBI. Smigel pleaded guilty in June 2006 in federal court to illegally wearing the uniform and medals. He was sentenced to three years of probation and fined $3,000.

There are many people who are deceivers, both in and out of the church. Today in prayer, ask the Lord for wisdom that you may discern and leave anyone who leads you away from Jesus.  

“By entertaining of strange persons, men sometimes entertain angels unaware; but by entertaining of strange doctrines, many have entertained devils unaware.” – John Flavel

God’s Word: “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” – 2 Timothy 4:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world.” – 1 John 2:15-16

In June 2006, Henry Mora, age 63, found some gold dust at his Montclair, California home. He began to dig and his metal detector continued to have positive readings. Henry continued to dig for 10 days. Henry dug a 60-foot-deep hole in his backyard. He told authorities he only intended to go down three or four feet. "I figured, well, maybe there's something down there,” you would logically conclude, right? So I started digging," the semiretired musician said. "It was still beeping, and that just gave me the idea to keep digging," he said. Fire officials called to the scene found two men that Mora hired were inside the hole, using a bucket and rope to remove dirt. "We told him, 'You're done,'" said Montclair fire Captain Rich Baldwin. "It's amazing no one got killed." Henry had caught “gold fever” and it cost him $5000 in digging expenses.  

This world is enticing, but real treasure is found in Heaven. Today in prayer, thank Jesus that the treasures of this world pale in comparison to our Heavenly home.  

"Love not the world, for it is a moth in a Christian's life." - John Bunyan

God’s Word: “but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” – James 1:14

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.” – 1 John 2:12

Immaculée Ilibagiza was born in Rwanda in 1972. She studied Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Rwanda. When the Rwanda Civil War broke out in 1994, Immaculée and seven other women huddled silently together in a cramped bathroom of a local pastor’s house for 91 days. During the genocide, anger and resentment about her situation were literally eating her alive and destroying her faith, but rather than succumbing to the rage that she felt, Immaculée turned to prayer.

Though her weight dropped from 115 pounds to 65 pounds, she began to grow in faith in Christ. Immaculée found peace in prayer and began to pray from the time she opened her eyes in the morning to the time she closed her eyes at night. She utilized her time in that tiny bathroom to teach herself English with only the Bible and a dictionary.

Immaculée's strength in her faith empowered her to stare down a man armed with a machete threatening to kill her. Much later, she came face to face with the killer of her mother and her brother and said the unthinkable, "I forgive you."

Christ has forgiven our sins and we should likewise forgive others. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for forgiving you of your sins.

“We have a free, full, final, forever forgiveness in the atoning work of Christ.” – J. Sidlow Baxter

God’s Word: “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” – Hebrews 8:12

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.” – 1 John 2:10

Jacob Pelletier is a quiet 12-year old who attends Bemis Junior High School in Utica, New York. He received the "Nice Neighbor" award from the City Council on September 20, 2011.

Ten of Jacob’s neighbors individually nominated Jacob for the award. The quiet, young man has a knack of seeing a need and helping others. He has shoveled snow, mowed lawns, walked dogs and house sat when his neighbors that were physically unable to do those chores. He also helped them move boxes and clean their swimming pools. Linda Lemiew, a neighbor who benefited from Jacob’s kindness, said: “Jacob is a very kind and respectful boy. This summer I took a tumble in the neighbor's yard directly behind his yard. Jacob came over to make sure I was alright and extended his hand to help me up. He is very polite and a personable young man.”

Jacob also volunteered as a Student Worship Leader at New Life Presbyterian Church during the summer when one neighbor was unable to attend and assist with the Vacation Bible School Classes. He has been recognized for his quiet leadership and servant heart.  

We need to live in the light and let others see the glory of the Jesus Christ in our lives. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His love and ask Him how you can love and serve others.

“To love another person is to help them love God.” – Soren Kierkegaard

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” – 1 John 2:5-6

Jeremy Camp is a talented Christian musician. On February 5, 2001, his wife Melissa died of ovarian cancer. The 23-year-old Jeremy cried out "Lord, what is happening?"

"Why didn't you heal my wife?" "I had faith. I believed. Why?" he lamented.

The answer he heard from the Lord was not the one he wanted: "You are not supposed to know why. That is not my purpose for you. I want you to have a testimony of walking by faith."

In the past 10 years since his wife’s tragic passing, Jeremy has gone on to sell millions of records and he has won several major Dove Awards.

One of his best-known songs is “I Still Believe” and it is the first song he wrote after Melissa’s death. It is a tribute that during our brokenness, we can still believe in Jesus.

Now more than 10 years after his wife’s passing, Jeremy can say: “There’s still so much He has to teach me just in life anyway, and I’m going to continue to learn until I go be with the Lord.”

We cannot know why everything happens. But we know the Lord wants us to walk with Him and be a testimony for Him. Today in prayer, thank Jesus that in the darkest times of our lives, we can still walk by faith with Him.

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.” – Helen Keller

God’s Word: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” – John 13:15

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.” – 1 John 2:3

On April 12, 2009, Doug White hired a private charter pilot to fly him from Fort Myers, Florida to Louisiana. Fifteen minutes into the flight, the pilot died.

Doug, who was not qualified and did not know how to fly the King Air 200, was in the co-pilot’s seat. His wife and 2 girls were in the passenger seats.

Doug was able to radio ground controllers who found a qualified pilot. The team on the ground guided Doug through the controls. Doug dutifully obeyed their directions and he was able to safely land the aircraft at Fort Myers after an hour of assistance.

The media initially reported there were six people onboard. Doug replied: “If the media wants to erroneously report 6 souls on board, so be it, because #6 was the good Lord Himself. How do I know all of this? I was there.”

The Lord gives us commands because He loves us and cares for us.  Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His goodness. Seek to follow His commandments with all of your heart.

"The secret of true obedience is the clear and close personal relationship to God.  All our attempts after full obedience will be failures until we get access to his abiding fellowship.  It is God's holy presence consciously abiding with us that keeps us from disobeying Him.  I must consciously include the Lord in every thought, activity, and conversation until the habit is established." - Andrew Murray

God’s Word: “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” – John 14:15

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” – 1 John 2:1

Alan Dershowitz is one of the most famous lawyers in the world. Newsweek Magazine has called him one of the nation’s “most distinguished defenders of individual rights.” He graduated from Yale Law School first in his class in 1962. He then went on to join the faculty of Harvard Law where he became the youngest full professor of law in Harvard’s history at the age of 28.

Over the course of his 35-year career as a lawyer, Alan has won more than 100 cases, including defending Patricia Hearst and OJ Simpson. That is a remarkable record for a part-time litigator who handles primarily criminal appeals.

He was lost several high profile appellate cases including Leona Helmsley, a hotel magnate convicted of tax evasion; Michael R. Milken, a Wall Street junk-bond financier who pleaded guilty to six felonies; Jonathan Pollard, a U.S. intelligence analyst who pleaded guilty to spying for Israel; and Mike Tyson, a former heavyweight champion who was convicted of rape.

Even with these losses, author William F. Buckley described Alan Dershowitz as "a master of the law," and "a masterful advocate."

In Jesus Christ, we have the perfect defender. He never loses a case before the Father because He bore our sin on the Cross. Today in prayer, give thanks to Jesus for He is our perfect defense attorney.

“If we sin, we’re not written off the list or kicked out of the family, for we have an advocate, a defense attorney in Jesus Christ.” – Jon Courson

God’s Word: “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” – Romans 8:34

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9

In 1561, Francis Bacon was born in London. He went on to become an English philosopher, statesman, author, and scientist. He first pioneered the scientific method. He served both as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England. King James I knighted him in 1603. He was also a Christian and often wrote about his faith in Christ.

In 1621, Bacon's public career ended in disgrace. After he fell into debt, a Parliamentary Committee found him guilty of twenty-three separate counts of corruption. To the lords, who sent a committee to enquire whether a confession was really his, Bacon replied, "My lords, it is my act, my hand, and my heart; I beseech your lordships to be merciful to a broken reed."

He was sentenced to a fine of £40,000 that was forgiven by King James. He was committed to the Tower of London, but again the King released Bacon only a few days. Parliament barred him from holding future office or sitting in parliament, but he was allowed to keep his knighted titles.

Sin is serious, but God our Good King is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins if we confess them to Him. Today in prayer, humbly confess your sins to Jesus and know He forgives you purifies you from all unrighteousness.

“The confession of evil works is the beginning of good works.” – Augustine

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” – 1 John 1:8

In 1977, Jim Fixx wrote the best seller “The Complete Book of Running.” He is credited with starting America’s fitness craze with running in the late 1970’s. Jim regularly ran eighty miles a week. He 45-year old was the picture of health. It didn't seem possible that a man his age could be in better condition.

Yet on July 20, 1984, at age fifty-two, Jim Fixx died of a massive heart attack while running alone on a Vermont road. Coroners found that one artery was 95% blocked.

His wife, Alice, later said she was certain that Fixx had no idea he suffered from a heart problem. Why? Because he refused to get regular medical checkups and he deceived himself that he was in perfect physical shape. After Jim Fixx's death, doctors speculated that his heart was so strong he may not have had the telltale chest pains or shortness of breath that usually signal arterial heart disease!

We of us sin and fall short of the glory of Christ. Today in prayer, do not deceive yourself. Confess your sins to Jesus Christ and seek His grace.

"The problem with people who have no vices, is that you can be fairly certain that they have some pretty annoying virtues!" – Elizabeth Taylor

God’s Word: “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” – Lamentations 3:40

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:6-7

Louis Zamperini is an “Unbroken” man. He was born in 1917 into an Italian immigrant home in New York City. By age five he was smoking, beating up other kids, and stealing beer from bootleggers.

He had a gift for running and received a scholarship to the University of Southern California. He made the U.S. Olympic team and ran in the 5000-meter Olympic final, placing eighth overall.

When World War II began, Louis joined the Air Force and became a B-24 bombardier. On one mission, his plane was shot down over the Pacific. After 47 days at sea, Louis was one of three survivors to be rescued by the Japanese.  

Then in 1949, Louis’s wife went to a Billy Graham Crusade and gave her life to Jesus. Louis went the next evening and he gave his life to Christ. “I haven’t had a nightmare since the night I made my decision for Christ—1949 till now!” he said.

He has forgiven all of his guards and traveled to Japan, visiting many of those guards in prison, shared his testimony, and led a number of them to Christ.

He has spent the rest of his life telling others to forgive. Louis is now 94 and living in Los Angeles. The book “Unbroken” is Louis’ life story. 

Once we meet Jesus, we need to drop everything else and follow Him. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His fellowship and seek to follow Him in all that you do.

“A habit of devout fellowship with God is the spring of all our life, and the strength of it.” – H. E. Manning

God’s Word: “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” – 1 John 1:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.” – 1 John 1:2

In Canberra, Australia’s capital, is the Australian War Memorial. Built in 1941, it remembers all who have died or participated in the wars of the Commonwealth of Australia.

The Memorial consists of three parts: the Commemorative Area that includes the Hall of Memory with the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier, the Memorial's galleries and museum, and Research Centre, where military personnel records are kept. The Memorial also has an outdoor Sculpture Garden.

In the Commemorative Courtyard is the Pool of Reflection. It is a quiet, serene spot where one can contemplate and reflect on the horrors of war and remember those who had given their lives for their country.

At the head of the Pool is the eternal flame. A flame is widely accepted as a symbol of eternal life. It is a perpetual reminder of the service and sacrifice of more than 100,000 Australians who have given their lives in war.

In the heart of every Christian is an eternal flame that burns brightly for Jesus. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord for His death on the Cross and His gift of eternal life.

“For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity.” – William Penn

God’s Word: “so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” – Titus 3:7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN