“Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you.” – Matthew 28:7

In the 1740s, while studying at Oxford, English poet Gilbert West and Baron George Lyttelton agreed that if Christianity was to be discredited, two things were necessary: to disprove the Resurrection and to explain the conversion of Saul of Tarsus in a way that satisfied the skeptics. The two men divided these tasks between themselves, Littleton taking the problem of Saul and West agreeing to research the Resurrection. They invested over a year in their studies, looked at both the internal and external evidence, and then met together to compare notes. Each one was astonished to discover that the other had become a Christian. The proof was too strong, the truth too undeniable. It still is. 

Everyone who believes that Jesus rose from the dead will rise again. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His resurrection and that one day we will see Him and be with Him.

“Belief in the Resurrection is not an appendage to the Christian faith; it is the Christian faith.” – John S. Whale

God’s Word: “In their fright, the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again.'” – Luke 24:5-6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW   †

“For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” – Matthew 25:29

Pastor Jim Bain tells the following illustration:

“Some time ago Linda D. Knox, a widow who lived in a small third-floor room in Chicago, died at age 94.  She was known as a collector of antiques.  After her death, the administrator of her estate found a 50-year accumulation of valuable chinaware, paintings, and unopened crates and trunks stored in more than a dozen dust-filled unlighted apartments.  Not only this but 20 more rooms full of antique furniture were discovered at a River Forest mansion, which Mrs. Knox bought in 1932.  While going through some of the trunks of valuables, a fortune in hidden diamonds was uncovered in the false bottom of one of them.

Her desk held $22,000.00 in uncashed checks, so old they were no longer negotiable.

Now before criticizing the widow for not taking advantage of her riches, we need to ask ourselves if we are taking advantage of ours in Christ.  What real use are we making of the room after room of spiritual treasures which are to be found in the Holy Scriptures?”

No matter what the circumstances, use your talents in such a way that they will bring glory to Christ. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you wisdom on how to best utilize the talents He has blessed you.

“Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no bird sang there except those that sang best.” – Henry van Dyke

God’s Word: “Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” – Mark 4:25

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW  †

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” – Matthew 25:13

On August 15, 2022, two pilots were believed to have fallen asleep and missed their landing during a flight from Sudan to Ethiopia, according to a report by commercial aviation news site Aviation Herald.

The incident took place on board an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-800 en route from Khartoum to Addis Ababa, the report said, "when the pilots fell asleep" and "the aircraft continued past the top of descent."

Data obtained by the website indicates that the aircraft was cruising at 37,000 feet on autopilot when it failed to descend at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, its scheduled destination, on August 15.

Air traffic control was apparently unable to reach the crew despite making several attempts at contact. However, an alarm was triggered when the plane overshot the runway and continued along the route.

The aircraft subsequently began to descend, landing safely around 25 minutes later.

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data shows the aircraft overflying the runway, before beginning its descent and maneuvering for another approach.

"The flight later landed safely after communication was restored. The concerned crew was been removed from operation pending further investigation.

As events unfold each day, we need to keep watch for Christ’s return. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that Jesus Christ will return. Seek to faithfully prepare for His arrival.

“The best way to prepare for the coming of Christ is never to forget the presence of Christ.” – William Barclay

God’s Word: “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” – Luke 12:40

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW   †

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” - Matthew 23:13-14

In a speech in the early years of his rule, Adolf Hitler declared himself "Not a Catholic, but a German Christian". The German Christians were a Protestant group that supported Nazi Ideology. Hitler and the Nazi party also promoted "nondenominational" positive Christianity, a movement that rejected most traditional Christian doctrines such as the divinity of Jesus, as well as Jewish elements such as the Old Testament. In one widely quoted remark, he described Jesus as an "Aryan fighter" who struggled against "the power and pretensions of the corrupt Pharisees" and Jewish materialism.

Hitler stated, "Through me, the Evangelical Protestant Church could become the established church, as in England" and that the "great reformer" Martin Luther "has the merit of rising against the Pope and the Catholic Church."

Hitler made free use of Christian vocabulary. He talked about the blessing of the Almighty and the Christian confessions, which would become the pillars of the new government. He assumed the earnestness of a man weighed down by historic responsibility. He handed out pious stories to the press, especially to the church papers. He showed his tattered Bible and declared that he drew the strength for his great work from it as scores of pious people welcomed him as a man sent from God. Indeed, Adolf Hitler was a master of outward religiosity, with no inward reality!

Be genuine in your faith, not a hypocrite. Today in prayer, draw near to Christ and place your faith in Him.

“Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises, for never intending to go beyond promise, it costs nothing.” – Edmund Burke

God’s Word: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.” – Matthew 23:27

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW  †

“and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” – Matthew 2:2

In his article “Star Of Bethlehem 2022: How, When And Where To See A Bright Christmas Star With Your Naked Eyes”, Jamie Carter theorizes that the Star was a conjunction of planets. He wrote:

“That the ‘Star of Bethlehem’ was an alignment of planets is another popular theory. Remember the “Christmas Star” from 2020 when Saturn and Jupiter aligned? Saturn isn’t actually very bright, but a close apparent pass of bright Jupiter and super-bright Venus could be the source of the “Star of Bethlehem.”

Craig Chester at the Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy states that in the year 2 and 3 B.C. there were two conjunctions of Venus and Jupiter on either side of three conjunctions of “the royal planet” Jupiter with bright “royal star” Regulus. This star has some astrological significance (the wise men were, after all, most likely astrologers)—it’s the star of kingship and was associated with the Lion of Judah.”

During this Christmas season, seek the real star of Christmas - Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for becoming a man.

“The birth of Jesus is the sunrise of the Bible.” – Henry van Dyke

God’s Word: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:8-11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTION FOR CHRISTMAS  †

“Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'” – Matthew 22:37-39

In March 1992, Jeff and Kristi Leeland of Seattle, Washington found out that their baby boy Michael had cancer and needed a bone marrow transplant. Little Michael's older sister Amy was a perfect match, but the cost of the operation was $200,000 and Michael needed to have the transplant done within 90 days to live. To make things worse, Jeff's insurance, at the junior high where he taught, did not cover the procedure.

Fellow teacher Joe Kennedy told his class about Mr. Leeland's situation. Dameon, a seventh-grade boy who walked with a limp and struggled in special education classes, heard about little Michael and visited the Leeland home.

"Mr. Leeland, don't make a big deal out of this, if your baby's in trouble, I want to help out."

Dameon, the kid others teased, reached out his hand and stuffed 12 five-dollar bills into Jeff's hand. It was the Dameon's life savings.

Word got out about "Dameon's gift." Some kids organized a walk-a-thon. Others contacted a local newspaper. Others held a car wash. Soon, the kids' wave of compassion poured out across Seattle. By late May, area TV stations picked up the story. The response to the news stories was overwhelming. Only four weeks after Dameon's gift of $60, the Michael Leeland Fund totaled over $220,000.

Michael got the marrow transplant. He lived. Dameon, the boy who gave sacrificially so another could live, accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior after becoming close with Michael's family. Having struggled for years with physical problems of his own, Dameon died from complications after he got an infection in one of his legs.

Michael Leeland lives on to tell Dameon's story, the unlikely hero, who gave his all to save the life of another and in the process, he received life everlasting.

The Lord desires us to love our neighbor and to actively live our life for Christ. Today in prayer, ask the Lord how you can love your neighbor.

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

God’s Word: “‘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 12:31

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW  †

"Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:26-28

James T. Bradford, in his article “How A Servant Thinks,” concludes: “Before I was married, when I was a student and into my first year as a student pastor at the University of Minnesota, I was leading a discipleship household. I lived with eight other guys, and we tried to establish a Christian community together. We tried to have an order of life together. We would wake up at six every morning, and we would pray together. We would have a Bible study at night before we went to bed. Three times a week, we shared a meal together, with a different guy cooking each time. And we always had guests. We wanted to learn to serve our guests. Typically, it was funny saying grace. Half the guys in the discipleship household had been saved for only six months or so; the others had been Christians a little longer. But every one of them was on fire for God. So I would say, "Let's bless the food." The nine of us, plus our guests, would be seated around the table. When we blessed the meal, these guys would raise their hands and start shouting praises to God. That was how we blessed our meal. The visitors expected nine college guys to start eating immediately. They expected us to grab our bowls and fight over the food. Instead, we were learning to be servants. We believed following Jesus meant we were supposed to be servants, and so we politely ensured our guests were served first. We wanted them to know that the Christian life is about serving others.”

During this Christmas season, seek to serve our great God – Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, ask the Lord how you can serve others in His name.

“Do not be ashamed to serve others for the love of Jesus Christ and to seem poor in this world.” – Thomas a Kempis

God’s Word: “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” – Mark 9:35

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW   †

“Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 19:21-23

In 1988, Jay Sommers won some $5 million in the Michigan state lottery. Only 20 at the time, he was the state’s youngest winner and a splashy poster boy for easy riches. These days? “There ain’t no money left,” said Sommers, now 54.

“I put money in a trust fund and the trustee embezzled $2 million from me. I went into NASCAR and that was fun but expensive — it cost me $200,000 per year. I raced in Daytona and finished fourth. I quit college, which was idiotic. I wound up suing the trustee and won [in excess of $1 million], but he threatened to go bankrupt. So I settled for $800,000. My lawyers got $380,000. I spent about $200,000 on the trial, which I did not know I would be responsible for.”

These days, Sommers said, “I work as a marine mechanic, fixing boats. I’m a normal guy, working 9 to 5.” Winning the lottery, he added, “ruined my life.”

The love of riches has destroyed many men and women. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you wisdom on how to be a steward of the possessions He has blessed you.

“There is nothing wrong with people possessing riches. The wrong comes when riches possess people.” – Billy Graham

God’s Word: “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” – Matthew 19:24

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW   †

“Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:4

In his book “Your Father Loves You”, author J.I. Packer writes the following on humility:

“Humility and a passion for praise are a pair of characteristics which together indicate growth in grace. The Bible is full of self-humbling (man bowing down before God) and doxology (man giving praise to God). The healthy heart is one that bows down in humility and rises in praise and adoration. The Psalms strike both these notes again and again. So too, Paul in his letters both articulates humility and breaks into doxology. Look at his three descriptions of himself quoted above, dating respectively from around A.D. 59, 63, and 64. As the years pass he goes lower; he grows downward! And as his self-esteem sinks, so his rapture of praise and adoration for the God who so wonderfully saved him rises.”

During this Advent Season, remember the Lord and walk humbly with Him. Today in prayer, confess any sin of pride and humbly seek the Lord in all that you do.

“We can never have more of true faith than we have of true humility.” – Andrew Murray

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW  †

“The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” – Matthew 16:1-3

In 1985, Hurricane Elena threatened popular tourist destinations during Labor Day weekend. Elena repeatedly deviated from its forecast path, triggering evacuations of unprecedented extent. The hurricane wrought havoc to property and the environment between southwestern Florida and eastern Louisiana, though lesser effects were felt well beyond those areas. Elena developed on August 28 near Cuba, and after traveling lengthwise across the island with little impact, it entered the Gulf of Mexico and continued to strengthen.

Exasperated weather forecasters with its twisted track triggered numerous evacuations along the US Gulf Coast before it deviated once again from its forecast path. Although it caused nine deaths and $1.3 billion in damage when it came ashore as a Category 3 at Biloxi, Mississippi, it was more disruptive for its erratic nature. According to NOAA, the ever-shifting warning zones caused what was the largest peacetime evacuation in US history at that time.

We often miss forecasting the weather, and that is relatively easy compared to forecasting the times. Today in prayer, worship Jesus and know that He has come into the world to save sinners and He will one day return.

“Jesus Christ is God’s last word. Beyond Jesus Christ, the revelation of God cannot go. Here is God’s plan for all to see.” – William Barclay

God’s Word: “He said to the crowd: "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'It's going to rain,' and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, 'It's going to be hot,' and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time?” – Luke 12:54-56

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW  †

“Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.” – Matthew 11:21

In his book “Some Things Are too Good Not to Be True”, James W. Moore writes: “Carl Michalson, a brilliant young theologian who died in a plane crash some years ago, once told about playing with his young son one afternoon. They tussled playfully on their front lawn when Michalson accidentally hit the young boy in the face with his elbow. It was a sharp blow right to his son’s face. The little boy was stunned by the impact of the elbow. It hurt, and he was just about to burst into tears. But then he looked into his father’s eyes. Instead of anger and hostility, he saw there his father’s sympathy and concern; he saw there his father’s love and compassion. Instead of exploding into tears, the little boy suddenly burst into laughter. What he saw in his father’s eyes made all the difference!

The sharp blow of God’s message to us is - Repentance. But, look into your father’s eyes. What he offers you is forgiveness and that makes all the difference. Repent and you will be forgiven.”

When we repent, we see our Heavenly Father who has been longing for us to return to Him. Today in prayer, repent of any sin in your life and seek Christ’s face.

“One of the most fundamental marks of true repentance is a disposition to see our sins as God sees them.” – Charles Simeon

God’s Word: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” – Acts 3:19

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW  †

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

In the 1840s, when walking was just becoming a source of recreation across Europe, a new type of pedestrian appeared in Paris. He was called a flaneur, one who ambled the arcades and strolled the parks in a silent labyrinth of observation and leisure. Baudelaire identified the flaneur in his essay “The Painter of Modern Life” as the casual observer. The flaneur carried a set of rich associations: the man of leisure, the idler, the urban explorer, and the connoisseur of the street.

By thinking more like a flaneur, we can become more creative; simplify our decisions, and just slow down and take a rest from the rat race of life.

One emblem of that idleness was the fashion among flaneurs to take a turtle for walks and let the reptile set the pace.

Are you tired, and need rest? Today in prayer, come to Jesus and you will find rest in Him.

“Work a modest day then step back and rest. This will keep you close to God.” – William C. Martin

God’s Word: “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.” – Psalm 62:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW   †

“All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” – Matthew 10:22-23

On October 20, 2022, in Kitui South, a province in western Kenya, Somali herders attacked a Christian man named David. David said, “I am a survivor of the recent attacks on Christian farmers here in Kitui South by the Somali camel herders. I was on my farm in Mutha and, at around noon, I got thirsty and decided to walk to the next farm about 2 kilometers away to borrow clean water. Along the way, I found Somali Muslims herding their camels onto someone’s farm. I did not talk to them since they usually kill people who question why they are invading people’s farms and grazing illegally. I went around the camels quietly and, just as I thought I had escaped unscathed, I felt a piercing pain in my back and something like a stone coming out of me.” 

David managed to run away from his attackers who seem to have also fled after shooting him. 

He continued, “I did not fall down immediately because I knew they would come and slaughter me. I ran away as I held my chest, but I did not manage to reach home. I fell under a tree, helpless, and gasping for air. I could not help myself. I was bleeding profusely.” He continued: “I was writhing in excruciating pain, hungry, and thirsty and at that time I asked the Lord to just take my life.” David survived the attack and is living his life for the Lord.

Many Christians in today’s world are being persecuted. Today in prayer, pray for Christians who face persecution daily.

“Persecution for righteousness’ sake is what every child of God must expect.” – Charles Simeon

God’s Word: “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” – Mark 13:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW  †

“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” – Matthew 9:37-38

In 1996, a team of Christians in Kansas City partnered with Campus Crusade for Christ in the Jesus Video Project. Through a new prayer-based, relational distribution approach, more than 10,000 Christian households adopted more than 40,000 probable unchurched neighbor homes. During the year those Christians prayed for them, met with them, and ministered to them. Then, during the Christmas Season, they delivered a gift-wrapped Jesus Film VHS tape with cookies and a personal note to those adopted neighbor homes. After Christmas, each participating Christian home had the natural opportunity to follow up when they saw their neighbors. It grew into the nonprofit “Bless Every Home”.

Today, Bless Every Home gives churches throughout America the tools to get to know their neighbors by name so that they can begin to build relationships with them.

The Lord desires everyone to come to Him. Today in prayer, pray to the Lord that He will raise up more workers to share His Gospel and ask how you can help.

“Every heart with Christ is a missionary, and every heart without Christ is a mission field.” – Dick Hillis

God’s Word: “He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” – Luke 10:2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW  †

“When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” – Matthew 8:10

Hudson Taylor was one of the first missionaries to inland China. He labored for 51 years and began the China Inland Mission. He was responsible for bringing over 800 missionaries to the country who started 125 schools and directly resulted in 18,000 Christian conversions, as well as the establishment of more than 300 stations of work with more than 500 local helpers in all eighteen provinces of China. Historian Ruth Tucker summarizes the theme of Hudson’s life:

“No other missionary in the nineteen centuries since the Apostle Paul has had a wider vision and has carried out a more systematized plan of evangelizing a broad geographical area than Hudson Taylor.”

During an especially trying time on the mission field, Hudson wrote to his wife Maria, who was in England. He said: “We have twenty-five cents and all the promises of God!”

In all that you do, exercise your faith in Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you faith in all that you do and to rest in Him. 

“Faith is seeing the invisible, but not the nonexistent.” – A.W. Tozer

God’s Word: “Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” – Matthew 15:28

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW   †

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” – Matthew 7:6-7

American Missionary Dr. David Fite was arrested in Havana in 1965. He received a six-year sentence on the fabricated charges of illegal currency exchange by a Cuban court. He was also charged with counterrevolutionary activities and ideological diversionism. At the time of their arrests, Fite was a teacher and pastor in Havana.

He was incarcerated for three and a half years before being released in November 1968.

During his imprisonment, every evening at the supper table his children would pray for his release.  In fact, the prayers became such a routine part of constant intercession, that the day Fite got back to his family and asked one of his sons to turn thanks at supper, the boy began:  “Dear God, please let my daddy out of prison—“ and he stopped and looked up then prayed-“Oh, you've answered that one.”

God answers prayer! Today in prayer, bring before Him your needs, worries, and cares, and be confident that He will answer them.

“The whole canon of Bible teaching is to illustrate the great truth that God hears and answers prayer.” – E.M. Bounds

God’s Word: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW  †

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” – Matthew 6:25

A.W. Pink was an English Bible teacher and author. On the subject of worry, Pink wrote: “The best antidote for anxiety is frequent meditation upon God's goodness, power, and sufficiency. When the saint can confidently realize "The Lord is my Shepherd," he must draw the conclusion, "I shall not want!" Immediately following our exhortation is, "but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Nothing is too big and nothing is too little—to spread before and cast upon the Lord. The "with thanksgiving" is most important, yet it is the point at which we most fail. It means that before we receive God's answer, we thank Him for the same—it is the confidence of the child expecting his Father to be gracious.”

Everything is under God’s rule. Today in prayer, put all your worry in Jesus' hands and trust in Him.  

“Stop thinking about your difficulties, whatever they are, and start thinking about God instead.” – Emmett Fox

God’s Word: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW  †

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:23-24

History remembers Stephen A. Douglas as a senator from Illinois who fiercely debated Abraham Lincoln about slavery. But after Lincoln’s presidential victory, there was no better friend than Stephen.

Lincoln said of him, "He and I are about the best friends in the world." He was one of the strongest supporters of the early stages of Lincoln's presidency.  He was given the honor of escorting Mrs. Lincoln to the inaugural grand ball.  As the storm of the Civil War began to boil, many of Lincoln's friends left, but not Stephen.  He amplified his loyalty by touring the South as Lincoln's peace ambassador.  Be begged Southerners not to secede and Northerners to rally behind the president.

His efforts were great, but the wave of anger was greater.  The country did divide, and civil war bloodied the nation.  Lincoln's friend never lived to see it.  He died three months after Lincoln's inauguration.  He was a model of friendship and a model of reconciliation.

Are you estranged from anyone?  Today in prayer, take the first steps of reconciliation. Confess any sin to the Lord, forgive any wrongs that others have done to you, and seek to have restored relationships that are centered on Jesus Christ.

“The number one problem in our world is alienation, rich versus poor, black versus white, labor versus management, conservative versus liberal, East versus West . . . But Christ came to bring about reconciliation and peace.” – Billy Graham

God’s Word: “that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” – 2 Corinthians 5:19

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW  †

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” – Matthew 4:1

In talking about handling sexual temptation, Max Lucado writes: “‘I’m at my desk in a hotel room far from home. The voices that encourage me are distant; the voices that entice me are near. A placard on my nightstand invites me to the hotel lounge “to make new friends in a relaxing atmosphere”. Another on the top on the TV promises late-night movies that will “make all my fantasies come true”. In the phone book several columns of escort services offer “Love away from home”. Voices! Some for pleasure, some for power. The world hammers at your door. Jesus taps. The world promises fleshly pleasure; Jesus promises us a quiet dinner with Him: ‘…I will come in and eat with him, and he with me’ (Revelation 3:20). Which voice will you obey? So how should we handle tempting situations? In two ways: First, by filling your mind with Scriptures so that your first response is always, ‘It is written.’ Second, by keeping your eyes on Jesus. – Years ago my father used to put a bit of meat on the floor near his dog and say, “No!” The dog never touched it. But he never looked at it either, because if he did the temptation to disobey would have been too great. He just kept looking at my father’s face. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Psalm 34v5 says, ‘Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.’”

We each face temptations, but through Jesus can we overcome any temptation. Today in prayer, pray that Jesus would lead you away from all temptation so that you may walk with Him.

“If you're losing the battle against a persistent bad habit, an addiction, or a temptation, and you're stuck in a repeating cycle of good intention-failure-guilt, you will not get better on your own. You need the help of other people. Some temptations are only overcome with the help of a partner who prays for you, encourages you, and holds you accountable.” - Rick Warren

God’s Word: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” – Matthew 6:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW   †

“Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.” – Matthew 1:17

Fernando Hermansson Carabali, 37, began his life in Colombia, where he was left at a monastery as an infant. The nuns took him in and cared for him for a little while, and then they placed him for adoption with a family in Sweden. He grew up there and had a happy childhood with his adoptive family.

As an adult, he began to wonder about his biological family. Then, in the summer of 2021, Fernando received a MyHeritage DNA kit as a gift from a good friend. Four weeks after he sent in the sample, he received the results, and right there at the top of his DNA Match list was a man called Ivan. The estimated relationship was listed as “half-brother.”

Ivan, 35, had grown up in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. He was also born in Colombia and placed for adoption at age 3.

“It came as a bit of a shock,” said Fernando. “I contacted Ivan and I got a quick response. It was fantastic. Ivan is 35, so I have a little brother. It feels unbelievable.”

The two also found two half-sisters Sandra and Angela. Sandra said she can’t live without her siblings now, and advises anyone looking for biological family members: “Don’t give up, search for your family. Anything is possible!”

Though some people have an interesting family tree, only Jesus is the son of Abraham and the son of David. Jesus Christ is the Promised Son. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He became a man, just as our Heavenly Father promised.

“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God.” – C.S. Lewis

God’s Word: “Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli … the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.” – Luke 3:23, 38

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2022, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW    †