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

In the early 1900’s, many archeologists and historians believed Acts 14 was in error. It recorded that the town of Iconium was in the province of Lycaonia, near the towns of Lystra and Derbe. But the second century Egyptian geographer Ptolemy included Iconium as a part of the province of Cappadocia and not in Lycaonia.

Then in 1910, British archeologist Sir William Ramsay found two inscriptions in the Phrygian language in Iconium. The Phrygian language was in use there for two centuries after Paul's visits. It was the language used in Lycaonia but not in Cappadocia. There was 150 years between Paul’s visit and Ptolemy’s writings. The town of Iconium was in the province of Lycaonia during Paul’s time, but it was administratively shifted to the province of Cappadocia during Ptolemy’s time.

Realizing how accurate the Bible was, Ramsay said, "Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy..this author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians."

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

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

In the fall of 1935, a Wheaton College Christian group met Dr. J. Edwin Orr in Toronto. Dr. Orr was a noted Irish evangelist who was preaching throughout Canada. The students asked Dr. Orr what they should do to see revival at Wheaton College. Dr. Orr said the first thing was to pray. So students Don Hillis, Adrian Heaton, Robert Evans and Jack Murray began to pray fervently during the next few weeks.  

A few months later, Dr. Orr visited Wheaton College in February of 1936. The students asked the evangelist when revival would arrive at Wheaton.

Dr. Orr replied: “Whenever Christians get right with God about their sin.”

The students took it to heart and began to confess their sins to the Lord. And the Lord was faithful. Just about everyone on campus: students, faculty and staff – were touched by the Lord. Approximately 30 percent of the graduating class went into full time Christian ministry.  All because some students desired to be used by the Lord and were not timid in ridding their lives of sin.       

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

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

Joseph Rutherford was born on a farm in Missouri in 1869. Raised in a Baptist family, he was encouraged to go to law school. While in school, Rutherford read Charles Taze Russell's “Millennial Dawn” series of Bible study textbooks. Russell was one of the founders of the Watchtower Society. Rutherford joined the Society and became Russell's attorney.

Upon Russell’s death, Rutherford became leader of the Watchtower Society and led the movement for the next 25 years.

In 1920, Rutherford published a booklet entitled “Millions Now Living Will Never Die.” He insisted that the social order "legally ended in 1914, and since that time has been and is passing away." He believed a new order would replace the old. He also argued: "That these things shall take place within the present generation and that therefore there are millions of people now living on earth who will see them take place". He further stated: "Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews chapter eleven, to the condition of human perfection."

Rutherford, who helped establish the Jehovah’s Witnesses movement, could not have been more wrong.

We should not be boasting about what will happen tomorrow. Today in prayer, confess any sin of boasting and trust in Jesus for all of your days.  

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“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 over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”  – Luke 24:5-7

Paul Tillich was a German Lutheran theologian who immigrated to the United States in 1940. In his book of sermons titled “The Shaking of the Foundations”, he writes about a curious story. The story is in his sermon “Born in the Grave” and he tells of testimony given at the Nuremberg war crimes trials following World War II.

“At the trial a witness appeared who had lived for a time in a Jewish graveyard in Wilna, Poland. It was the only place he — and many others — could live, when in hiding after they had escaped the gas chamber. During this time he wrote poetry, and one of the poems was a description of a birth. In a grave nearby a young woman gave birth to a boy. The eighty-year-old gravedigger, wrapped in a linen shroud, assisted. When the newborn child uttered his first cry, the old man prayed: ‘Great God, hast thou finally sent the Messiah to us? For who else than the Messiah himself can be born in a grave?’”

Jesus has risen from the dead! Hallelujah! Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord that death is not the end and that He is alive. Praise the Lord that eternal life awaits us beyond the grave!

“Angels, roll the rock away; Death, yield up thy mighty prey: See, He rises from the tomb, Glowing with immortal bloom.” – Thomas Scott

God’s Word: “The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” – Matthew 28:5-6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTION FOR EASTER

“Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).” – John 19:17

In 1236, Teutonic Knights returning from the Crusades founded the city of Siauliai, Lithuania. In 1795, the city was incorporated into Russia. Part in defiance and part in seeking hope; many of the citizens took crosses out to a small hill 12 km from the city. By 1895, there were at least 150 large crosses and thousands of smaller crosses on the hill. By 1914, there were 200 large crosses and by 1940 there were 400 large crosses and tens of thousands of smaller crosses on the hill.

In 1944, the Russians recaptured the city from German occupation. Three times in 1961, 1973, and 1975, the Russians leveled the hill. Each time they plowed thousands of crosses under. And after each leveling of the “Hill of Crosses”, the people steadfastly carried new crosses to the hill.

Today there are more than 100,000 crosses of all sizes and shapes on the Hill of Crosses. They were brought there in faith remembering the finished work Jesus did on the Cross.

Christ loved us so much that He carried His own cross up the hill of Golgotha. He died not for any sin that He had committed, but for our sins. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for dying for your sins on that far off Cross on a hill.

"The cross is proof of both the immense love of God and the profound wickedness of sin." - John MacArthur

God’s Word: “They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).” – Matthew 27:33

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTION FOR GOOD FRIDAY

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

In 1996, the Evangemed ministry in Brazil, which combines medical work with evangelistic outreach, was begun. It started when Christ United Methodist Church, a large church in Memphis, Tennessee, decided to build an addition to their church and raise enough money to give 10% of the construction cost for missions. With the funds from Memphis, the Methodist Church of Brazil purchased a motor home and outfitted it as a traveling medical and dental clinic.

A director, Dr. Wilson Bomfim, a Brazilian medical doctor, was hired to oversee the work. Volunteer medical personnel from Brazil and from the United States have contributed to the project and have ministered to thousands of people. Evangemed now has a medical boat traveling up and down the Amazon providing medical and dental services to people in isolated rural regions of Brazil. All of this was accomplished because our faithful Lord and a faithful congregation decided to give above and beyond to others.

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail 

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

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

In April 2011, Miriam Starobin was a seventh-grader at Long Beach Middle School in Lido Beach, New York. Miriam and her best friend, Allyson Golden, had just finished rehearsing the "West Side Story" classic song, "I Feel Pretty," for an upcoming choral competition when their teacher cracked a joke that had the 12-year-olds erupting in laughter.
"Allyson was chewing gum, which she shouldn't have been," Miriam recalled in a mock tattletale voice during an interview in the principal's office. "We were laughing and then the gum gets lodged in Ally's throat. And she stopped laughing, which was weird because Ally laughs a lot."
That's when Miriam noticed Allyson was turning blue. Miriam recalled a popular Nickelodeon cartoon, SpongeBob, where the Heimlich maneuver was demonstrated in the cartoon.
Miriam said: "And I get her up and I do the Heimlich and the gum goes flying out of her mouth." she said.
Allyson said: "I gave her the biggest hug and I was like, 'Miriam you just saved my life. I owe you big time.' And she's just, 'Oh, no, it was no big deal.'"

The two best friends had just grown closer.

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

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

God’s Word: “Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you-- better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.” – Proverbs 27:10

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

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

Samuel Bronfman was a Russian born Canadian who purchased the Seagrams Company in 1928. He turned it into an international corporation that distributed alcoholic beverages.

Sam was known for his temperamental autocrat manner. He feuded openly with family members, especially his brother Allan.

Once a Seagrams executive remembers Sam swearing at Allan in his office. “One evening when the swearing reached an all-time high, I crossed the mezzanine floor to see what was wrong. I had no sooner looked around the corner into Mr. Sam's office when a telephone, torn out of its wall socket, went sailing by my head to crash on the floor. I thought Mr. Sam had gone raving mad. His language was unbelievable...”

Why was Sam so furious? Allan, rather than Sam, had been invited to sit at the head table during a state dinner in honor of the British Queen Mother.

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

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

In early 1994, South Africa was set to have its first free elections. But there was a major obstacle. Chief Buthelezi ’s Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) did not want to participate in the elections.

Buthelezi had in the distant past been a member of Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress (ANC), but he had left many years prior to form the IFP. With strong support from traditionalist Zulus, the country’s most populous group, the IFP was threatening to boycott the April 27 elections.

International statesmen Henry Kissinger and Lord Carrington found they could make no agreement with Buthelezi. Then Michael Cassidy, a South African Christian leader, realized only the Lord could bring an agreement where the IFP would join the elections.

Michael helped organize a “Jesus Peace Rally” that was held on Sunday, April 17, in a rugby stadium in Durban. Twenty-five thousand Christians from all races came forth that day to pray for peace in South Africa. As they sung and prayed, Chief Buthelezi who was in the stadium’s VIP lounge, was touched by the event. He agreed to a mediator’s plan for the election and two days later it was announced that the IFP was entering the elections.

Newspapers called it a “Miracle”.

Michael Cassidy said: "God's hand was in it the whole way.”

What we call a “miracle”, the Lord calls an answer to faithfully seeking Him. Today in prayer, commit all that you do to the Lord and seek to faithfully seek Him.

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

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

In 1897, Pearle B. Wait, a carpenter and cough medicine manufacturer from LeRoy, New York began experimenting with a new food. In the midst of his tinkering, he came upon the idea of mixing fruit flavoring with granulated gelatin. His wife Mary named it "Jell-O" and he made the flavors of strawberry, raspberry, orange and lemon.

Pearle thought it was just another product he could peddle. Unfortunately, sales didn’t go as fast as he wanted, so just a few months after developing this product, he sold all the rights his neighbor, Orator Woodward for $450.
Woodward knew the bargain that he got. Understanding the value of marketing and patience, within two years Jell-O had $250,000 worth of sales. In the course of eight years, Orator turned that $450 investment into a $1 million dollar business.

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

“The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” – Proverbs 13:4

After graduating from high school in 1960 with a C- average, Harrison Ford went off to study English at Ripon College in Wisconsin. He hated class. He began growing his hair and withdrawing more from people. After a while, he began to show symptoms of clinical depression. He'd sleep for days on end, finding it more and more difficult to get up in the mornings. Once he recalls waking after a 3-day nap and he decided to attend a class. Everything moved in slow motion. He got to the class and, unable to turn the handle of the classroom door, he turned around and went back to bed.

his went on throughout his 3-year term. His work went undone and he ignored his classes. "The kindest word to describe my performance," Ford said later "was Sloth". A few days before graduation, the school authorities realized what he'd been up to and withheld his degree.
It wasn’t until he stumbled into acting at a summer stock theater that Harrison Ford became a diligent worker and later a movie star.

The Lord does have a plan for our lives. We need to discover that plan to diligently at it. Today in prayer, confess any sin of laziness and seek to be a diligent worker.

“Laziness grows on people; it begins in cobwebs and ends in iron chains.” – Thomas Buxton

God’s Word: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” – Proverbs 6:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

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

In 1999, Jayson Blair was an "intermediate reporter” with The New York Times.

On May 11, 2003, the front page of The New York Times headlined "Times Reporter Who Resigned Leaves Long Trail of Deception".

The 7000-word article chronicled Blair’s previous four years of reporting. The article reported that Blair had “misled readers and Times colleagues with dispatches that purported to be from Maryland, Texas and other states, when often he was far away, in New York. He fabricated comments. He concocted scenes. He lifted material from other newspapers and wire services. He selected details from photographs to create the impression he had been somewhere or seen someone, when he had not."

Investigators studied the 600 articles Blair wrote and concluded that most of them had blatant lies. The Times summarized the situation, stating: “The widespread fabrication and plagiarism represent a profound betrayal of trust and a low point in the 152-year history of the newspaper.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

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

Reuben Gonzales grew up on the streets of New York City’s Spanish Harlem. He got involved in gang life and his future looked bleak. Then in his late 20’s he got interested in racquetball. At age 36, he became the oldest top ranked player in the sport.

Once Reuben was in the final match of a pro racquetball tournament. In the 4th and final game, at match point, Gonzales made a super kill shot into the front wall to win the game. The referee called it good. Two linesmen affirmed that the shot was in. But Gonzales, after a moment of hesitation, turned around, shook his opponent’s hand, and declared that his shot had hit the floor first. As a result, he lost the match and walked off the court. Everybody was stunned. They couldn't believe that a player with everything officially in his favor, with victory at hand, disqualified himself at match point and lost!
When asked why he did it, Reuben said, "It was the only thing that I could do to maintain my integrity. I could always win another match, but I could never regain my lost integrity."

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

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

On January 8, 2011, Dorwan Stoddard, age 76, and his wife Mavy, age 75, drove to a Safeway supermarket in Tucson, Arizona. They wanted to meet Representative Gabrielle Giffords. As the small crowd listened to the Congresswoman, they heard “pops” and Mavy thought they were firecrackers.

But Dorwan quickly realized they were gunshots and told his wife to dive for some nearby chairs.

Then Dorwan covered his wife with his body to protect her.

The gunman shot Giffords in the head before turning the weapon on the crowd. He shot Dorwan in the head and he died instantly. He shot Mavy in the legs 5 times.  Six people died and 13 were wounded in the senseless attack.

Eight days later at Dorwan’s funeral, Mavy spoke of her husband.

"He made me a better person. He made me kinder. He made me know there are good men," she said, resisting tears. And then, suddenly, she smiled. "He spoiled me rotten," she said. "And oh gosh, it was fun."

"He died for me," she said, her voice firm, "and I have to live for him."

In all that we do, we need to be kind and loving. As Christians, our legacy is to love others. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He loves you. Show your appreciation by loving others for Jesus.

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2008, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

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

In 1979, during the time of the Iranian Hostage Crisis, Greg Livingstone was asked to give a "missions minute" at a large evangelical church on the East Coast. Since he had only one minute to speak, he decided to ask them only two questions. The first one was, "How many of you are praying for the 52 Americans hostages being held in Iran?" 4000 hands went straight up.

Livingstone responded, "Praise the Lord! Now, put your hands down and let me ask you another question…How many of you are praying for the 42 million Iranians being held hostage to Islam?"

Four hands went up. Greg said, "What are you guys? Americans first and Christians second? I thought this was a Bible-believing church!" It was a wake-up call to pray Iran. In 1979, there were fewer than 3,000 believers in Iran. Today, estimates range from 100,000 to 300,000 Christians.

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

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

King Louis XIV of France is one of Europe’s longest reigning monarchs. He ascended to the throne at the age of 4 years old in 1643 and reigned 72 years until his death in 1715. During his time in power, France was engaged in 3 major wars and 2 minor skirmishes. He reformed the government and made it more efficient as well as advancing and the arts.

He was a pious man who had daily devotionals and he established the Paris Foreign Missions Society to bring the Gospel to others.

Louis was also known to be conceited and arrogant. He declared: “I am the State” when referring to the relationship between himself and France. He also believed in the divine right of Kings and the religion of the ruler should be the religion of the realm.

In 1715, as he lay dying, Louis remained arrogant until the last. "Has God," he declared upon his deathbed, "forgotten everything I've done for him?"

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

“The source of sin is pride.” – Augustine

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

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

In 2006, Pastor Blaine Bartel founded Northstar Church in Dallas. Beginning with a few local families, the church blossomed to 600 in weekend attendance in 4 short years. The congregation was in temporary quarters and planning to buy to land and build their own worship facility.
"Our church family made huge sacrifices together to help build that building and acquire that land," Bartel said.
Then in March 2010, Pastor Bartel stepped down from his post as pastor after he acknowledged that he'd had an affair. He and his wife Cathy had been married 28 years and they sought to repair their marriage.
"I've disqualified myself from ministry," Bartel said. "I realize when you stand up to help people as a leader in the church, you have an incredible responsibility to live out that life as well, and I haven't done that."

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

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

Dr. Brian Kluth was the Senior Pastor at the First Evangelical Free Church of Colorado Springs from 1999-2009.  In the fall of 2009 the church commissioned Brian to a newly created full-time staff position as a Generosity Minister-at-large to the body of Christ across the country and around the world.  This new role allows Brian to serve through writing, guest preaching and seminars at churches, conference/seminar speaking, and the development of video and online training and generosity resources.

Brian wrote the following: “While ministering in Africa, I met a Christian worker who raised his 6 children on $10 a month. He told me the story of how children in his village were going blind because of a disease that could be prevented with medicine that only cost 50 cents. He began to pray and ask God to send a rich person to their village to help give the money for the medicine, but no one ever came. As he kept praying, the Lord told him he should give the money to buy the medicine. But with 6 children and only a $10 a month salary, he couldn’t see how he could do this. But he and his family prayed and decided that every month they would buy the medicine to help one child. When I last spoke with him, he'd been doing this for 7 years and had saved 84 children from going blind. And his family saw God meet all of their needs.”

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

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

Early in the twentieth century, the popular belief was Joshua never conquered the town of Jericho. The town of Jericho that Jesus visited was a relatively new Roman town and there were no archeological evidence of an older city.

Ernst Sellin was a German theologian who believed the Bible. He was a pioneer of application of archaeology into Biblical sciences.

From 1907 until 1909, he participated in excavations in the Jericho area. Using descriptions of ancient Jericho found in the Old Testament, Sellin determined that the hill known as Tell es-Sultan was the probable place of ancient Jericho. The team in limited digging uncovered part of the Early- and Middle-Bronze-Age fortification systems. Sellin showed that the Jericho of Jesus’ time was a double city. The older city on Tell es-Sultan was about a mile from the newer Roman city. Excavations made at the site since Sellin have confirmed that there was an ancient city of Jericho and it was suddenly destroyed.

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS

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

George Distler in Orlando, Fla., has developed a BlackBerry application called “NOTXT n' Drive” after a teacher at his daughter's high school was killed when a texting motorist - an older one - crossed a median and struck her car.
"I didn't even realize texting and driving was such a tremendous issue until I got into investigating it," said George. "I was challenged by my teenage daughters."
Distler, who had previously developed games for the iPhone, based the application on the notion that the safest way to deal with your phone while driving is to remove temptation altogether.
His NOTXT runs in the background and, using GPS, automatically restricts texting via a phone's airplane mode when a car reaches 10 mph removing the temptation to text while driving. It deactivates when it detects the car has stopped.
"Nobody's really going to just put the phone down and not use it," he said. "The issue is, we don't police ourselves."

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

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

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN PROVERBS