“The men did the work faithfully. Over them to direct them were Jahath and Obadiah, Levites descended from Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, descended from Kohath. The Levites--all who were skilled in playing musical instruments” – 2 Chronicles 34:12

Robert Estienne was born in Paris in 1503. The son of a humanist printer, he became the proprietor of his father’s press in 1524. He had outstanding command of Greek and Latin, and published many books from antiquity. In 1550, he had to escape France for Geneva because of his Protestant faith.

He is best remembered for the four editions of the Greek New Testament that he printed in 1546, 1549, 1550, and 1551. They are some of the best early translations and printings of the New Testament because of Robert's diligent faithfulness to the original manuscripts.

But his most important legacy was dividing the New Testament into verses. In 1205, Stephen Langton at the University of Paris first divided the New Testament books into chapters.  Robert saw the need for a greater subdivision and painstakingly numbered the 7956 verses in the New Testament. He included the verse numbers in his 1551 edition that was printed in Geneva. For more than 460 years, the verses have remained virtually unchanged, a tribute to his faithful work.

The Lord desires us to be faithful in every task given to us. Today in prayer, give thanks to Jesus for the work He has given you and pray you can be a more faithful worker.

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my little apple tree and pay my debts.” – Martin Luther

God’s Word: “A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” – Proverbs 28:20

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES

“Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the LORD your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.” – 2 Chronicles 9:8

Harry S. Truman was born in Lamar, Missouri in 1884. After finishing high school, he served in the Missouri National Guard and then the Army during World War I. He worked the family farm for the next few years and then became a haberdasher, selling hats. That business failed in 1922 when he was 38 years old. That same year, he was elected eastern judge on the Jackson County Court, only to lose reelection 2 years later.

Then in 1934, Truman ran for the U.S. Senate and he won. Ten years later, President Roosevelt decided to change Vice Presidents and asked Truman to be his running mate.

In April 1945, after only serving 82 days as Vice President, President Roosevelt died, leaving Truman as the new President. 

"Boys," he told a group of reporters in those first days, "if you ever pray, pray for me now. . . . I've got the most terribly responsible job a man ever had." In his first address to the American people, Truman humbly acknowledged how he was thrust into the position. He closed his speech saying: “At this moment, I have in my heart a prayer. As I have assumed my heavy duties, I humbly pray Almighty God, in the words of King Solomon:

‘Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad; for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?’

I ask only to be a good and faithful servant of my Lord and my people.”

The Lord has placed unique men and women into leadership positions. Today in prayer, pray for your leaders that they may lead wisely and be guided by the Lord.

“The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind in other men the conviction and the will to carry on.” – Walter Lippmann

God’s Word: “Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness.” – 1 Kings 10:9

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES

“Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple” – 1 Chronicles 29:3

In 1938, Australian physician Dr. Paul White traveled to Tanzania as a missionary. He ministered in a remote area and after his missionary tour he wrote of his experiences. He became known as the “Jungle Doctor” and his stories illustrated timeless biblical truths.

Once while ministering to a group of lepers, he noticed that two have them had lost their hands. The dreaded disease had left them with just bandaged stumps. But the two men were eager to help the missionaries; so for weeks on end they worked in the deep saw-pit sawing logs into boards for a new part of the bush hospital. When the job was done, each received the sum of thirty shillings. The doctor noticed them dividing the little pile of silver into two parts, and asked why.

When told that one half was for the Lord, Dr. White said to them, “But that's too much. God only asks for a tenth, that is three shillings, not fifteen shillings.”

“But, Bwana,” one of them quickly replied, “we love Him far more than that.”

Let your giving be out of your love for Jesus Christ.  Today in prayer, praise the Lord that you can give so He may be glorified.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

God’s Word: “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” – Proverbs 11:24

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES

“They divided them impartially by drawing lots, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of God among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar.” – 1 Chronicles 24:5

Francis Mitsuo Tomosawa was born in Hawaii in 1930. He grew up in a world of two cultures. At his elementary school, everyone spoke English. After school each day, he went to a Japanese-language school. To his friends, who came from many different backgrounds — Japanese, Chinese, European, Filipino, and native Hawaiian — he was Francis. At home, where he spoke Japanese to his mother and father, he was Mitsuo.

In early 1941, young Francis and his brother were sent to their family’s home in Hiroshima, Japan.

On August 6, 1945, fifteen-year-old Francis looked into the sky and saw an object falling from a B-29 bomber. Then in an instant, the world and Francis’ life were changed forever. He was knocked down and out. When he came to, he saw the horrors of the first atom bomb.

Scholastic Magazine interviewed him 55 years later. One of the last questions the interviewer asked Francis was: “What advice do you have for someone who wants to help the world peace effort?” “Well, I believe that first of all, war starts from individual relationships. If we have racial prejudice or if we hate our neighbors, these feelings have a way of building upon themselves, so that personal feelings grow into public feelings, and public feelings affect the country's leaders. So what starts out as a problem between two people becomes a problem between two countries. We need then to believe that every life is important.”

The Lord is impartial and desires us to also to be free of prejudice. Today in prayer, confess any sin of prejudice and thank the Lord that He is impartial to all people.

“Prejudice is a disease caused by hardening of the categories.” – William Arthur Ward

God’s Word: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” – James 3:17

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2008, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES

“For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.” – 1 Chronicles 16:26

In 1941, on the island of Tanna in the South Pacific, an American appeared to the natives. “John Frum appeared to us in Port-Vila,” Chief Kahuwya said, “and stayed with us throughout the war. John was dressed in all white, like American Navy men, and it was then we knew John was an American. John said that when the war was over, he’d come to us in Tanna with ships and planes bringing much cargo, like the Americans had in Vila.”

Through the years, John Frum has become a “cargo god” and every February 15, the islanders honor their American messiah and pray to him asking for “radios, TVs, trucks, boats, watches, iceboxes, medicine, Coca-Cola and many other wonderful things.”

Daniel Yamyam, a former member of parliament on the island, said: “I’m now a Christian, but like most of the people of Tanna, I still have John Frum in my heart. If we keep praying to John, he’ll come back with plenty of cargo.”

Our hearts are only big enough for One God to live. Let it be the one God, the Maker of Heaven and earth. Today in prayer, confess any idolatry and any love of things. Seek to love and follow Jesus with your whole heart.

“That to which your heart clings is your god.” – Martin Luther

God’s Word: “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.” – 1 Corinthians 10:14

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES

“The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: ‘Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.’” – 2 Kings 17:13

On May 22, 2011, a deadly tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri. The EF-5 tornado, which hit shortly after 5:30 p.m. on a Sunday, killed 162 people and destroyed some 9,000 homes and other buildings as it tore through central Joplin.

Sirens began screaming 20 minutes before the tornado struck. So why were so many people killed in the storm?

"The vast majority of Joplin residents did not immediately take protective action upon receiving a first indication of risk, regardless of the source of the warning," a 40-page study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

In interviews with nearly 100 survivors of the tornado, NOAA officials found that the perceived frequency of warning sirens that night and in previous storms caused people to become "desensitized or complacent to sirens" and to not take shelter.

The report also summarized many people’s response: “the perceived frequency of siren activation in Joplin led the majority of survey participants to become desensitized or complacent to this method of warning. This suggests that initial siren activations in Joplin (and severe weather warnings in general) have lost a degree of credibility for most residents – one of the most valued characteristics for successful risk communication.”

The Lord warns us in order to protect us and to provide for us. Today in prayer, heed God’s Word and do not be complacent in following Jesus.

"The majority of us do not enthrone God, we enthrone common sense. We make our decisions and then ask the real God to bless our god's decision." - Oswald Chambers

God’s Word: “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” – 1 Corinthians 10:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES

“In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of units of a hundred, the Carites and the guards and had them brought to him at the temple of the LORD. He made a covenant with them and put them under oath at the temple of the LORD. Then he showed them the king's son.” – 2 Kings 11:4

George Mueller was a British evangelist and prayer warrior who lived during the nineteenth century. In the course of his life he raised 1,500,000£; he educated and sent out into the world no fewer than 123,000 pupils; he circulated 275,000 Bibles in different languages, with nearly as many smaller portions of Scripture; and he aided missions to the extent of 255,000£. He supported 189 missionaries, and he employed 112 assistants.

This man of faith trusted the Lord with the smallest of details. Because of a bad back, he needed to sit in a special chair. As Mueller was waiting to depart on an ocean voyage, his chair still had not arrived at the dock.

Mueller’s friends offered to buy a substitute chair, but Mueller said no – “Either God will provide the chair, or he’ll give grace to do without it.” Like a Hollywood ending, the chair arrived right on time. Mueller noted, “If the chair had arrived earlier, we might have dismissed the provision of God.”

Wait on the Lord and walk in His perfect timing. Today in prayer, give thanks to Jesus that He is always on time.

“In God, time and eternity are one and the same thing.” – Henry Suso

God’s Word: “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” - Habakkuk 2:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES

“And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” – 2 Kings 6:17

On Christmas Eve 2001, Tobi Gabriel, age 24, left her home in New Brunswick, Canada to rent a movie. She took her 3-year-old son Gage with her. Tobi never returned.

On Christmas morning, Linda Belliveau walked out of her house on the Bay of Fundy. It was cold and wet, when she heard the mournful cry of a baby.

She walked quickly toward the sound and saw little Gage crawling to her. As Linda scooped up the little boy, she saw Tobi’s overturned car that had plummeted over a 100-foot cliff. She also saw Tobi’s lifeless body.

The police were called in and it appeared Tobi’s car had skidded on some black ice and went over the cliff. She was killed instantly. But how had little Gage survived and made it through the freezing, wet rain in remarkably good health?

“I saw two girls. Standing in the water, next to mommy” said little Gage. “Their dresses were white.”

“Did they talk to you?” asked the police officer.

“No. They smiled at me. They smiled at me all night, until that other lady (Linda) came.”

Anglican minister Mel Langille of the local church said: "Angels touch people's lives quite often at times when we are most in need. They were comforting him and keeping him from despair, and letting him feel the warmth of God's love."

There is a reality that is beyond our eyes that only faith can reveal. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He is Lord of all the seen and the unseen.

“My knowledge of that life is small, The eye of faith is dim; But ‘tis enough that Christ knows all, And I shall be with him.” – Richard Baxter

God’s Word: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” – Colossians 3:2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES

“The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves." – 2 Kings 4:1

Jane Haining was born in 1897, on a farm near Dunscore, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. She grew up in the Scottish Church and in 1932 became a missionary in Budapest, Hungary. She was appointed matron of a Girl’s Home and was responsible for some 400 children from six to sixteen.

She had a special heart for the Jewish orphan girls and taught and cared for them.

By 1940, faced with the worsening situation in Europe, the Scottish missionaries were ordered to return home. Jane refused to leave, believing that her children needed her more than ever. She wrote "If these children need me in days of sunshine, how much more do they need me in days of darkness?"

In March 1944, Germany occupied Hungary and soon began to deport the Jews from the Hungarian provinces. Haining was not deterred and stood by her students with great bravery, exposing herself to danger. On April 25, 1944, two Gestapo men appeared at the Mission, searched her office and gave her 15 minutes to get her things ready.

She was deported to Auschwitz and died in the prison camp. She wrote the camp was one last stop “one the way to heaven.”

During the most difficult times, it isn’t “everyone for themselves” but rather “how can I help those who need me?” Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His lovingkindness and seek to be kind to others.

“The greatest thing a man can do for his heavenly Father is to be kind to some of his other children.” – Henry Drummond

God’s Word: “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” – Psalm 82:3-4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES

“As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.” – 1 Kings 11:4 (NIV)

Dan Barker was born in 1949 in California. He became a teenage evangelist at age 15. At 16 he was choir librarian for faith-healer Kathryn Kuhlman’s Los Angeles appearances. He received a degree in Religion from Azusa Pacific University and was ordained to the ministry by the Standard Community Church, California, in 1975. He served as associate pastor in three California churches and was a Protestant missionary in Mexico for two years.

Dan preached for 19 years. He maintained an ongoing touring musical ministry, including eight years of full-time, cross-country evangelism.

He accompanied on the piano such Christian personalities as Pat Boone and wrote the children’s Christian musicals, “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “His Fleece Was White As Snow.”

While in his 30’s, Dan began reading in science, liberal theology and rationalism that led to "an intense inner conflict." Instead of searching for answers in God’s Word, he let the strange theories and thoughts lead him astray. He said: "I just lost faith in faith." In 1983, he publically declared himself an atheist.  

Accepting foolish thoughts leads to foolish choices. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you wisdom to walk in His way in all of your choices.

“However advanced a man may be in piety or age, he is still in danger of falling.” – Charles Simeon

God’s Word: “So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done.” – 1 Kings 11:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES

“Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.” – 1 Kings 8:56

Arthur J. Balfour was born in Scotland in 1848. He was raised in the Church of Scotland and became Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1902.

He was a strong Christian and after his time as Prime Minister, he would often debate atheists. He turned the text of his debate series into the book “Theism and Humanism.” Christian author C.S. Lewis declared that book was one of the most influential books he had ever read.

It is during the early years of World War I that several Jewish men approached Balfour about the idea of a Jewish nation in Palestine. As a student of the Bible, Balfour knew God’s promises that Israel would one day become a nation again. He made the right decision to back the proposal. In November 1917, as a British Diplomat, Balfour declared in a letter his support for “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.”

Arthur Balfour died in 1930 never seeing God’s promise fulfilled. It wasn’t until May 1948 that international support was gained, using Balfour’s Declaration as the basis of support, that Israel once again became a nation.

Every promise the Lord makes, He keeps. Today in prayer, thank Jesus that He keeps His Word, and live by faith in the promises of God.

“The message of promise is the beginning and end of everything that is included in the Bible. It undergirds every word, sometimes openly, sometimes subtly, but it is always there. God’s promises are the common thread that unites the Old and New Testament, the core that makes sixty-six books into one.” – Mark Tabb

God’s Word: “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” – Numbers 23:19

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES

“Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” – 1 Kings 3:7-9

In 2007, the Southern Baptist Convention’s bookstore chain, known as LifeWay, began labeling certain books by certain authors. The chain said these authors "may have espoused thoughts, ideas, or concepts that could be considered inconsistent with historical evangelical theology." Such books, LifeWay said, are relevant "strictly for critical study or research to ... understand and develop responses to the diversity of religious thought in today's postmodern world."

Only a handful of titles actually received the labels and they warned readers to practice discernment when reading the book. The labels provided the address to a website to learn more about the work or author.

But in March 2011, LifeWay quietly suspended the program and disabled the website.

"We have been thinking about doing away with them for some time," said Chris Rodgers, LifeWay's director of product standards and customer relations. "They have kind of become irrelevant. We thought it would be helpful and it wasn't."

In everything we need to practice discernment. Today in prayer, ask Christ to give you wisdom and discernment in all that you do.

“God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede.” – Oswald Chambers

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 THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES

“Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” – 2 Samuel 15:5-6

Louwrens Voorthuijzen was born in 1898 in a small village in Northern Holland. He had a strong interest in religion at an early age. He became a fisherman, and at age 29 he had a religious experience. He sold his fishing boat, moved to Amsterdam, and changed his name to Lou de Palingboer (which means Lou the eel vendor).

He became a fish vendor, and he falsely preached to his customers that he was "the resurrected body of Jesus Christ".

Amazingly he developed a circle of followers. Lou would captivate his audience with a mix of mystical language and down-to-earth humor.

In 1957, a rich supporter bought a large house in the municipality Muiden. They called it the "White House", and his followers lived communally. Lou’s followers believed he was God and that he was also the author of the Bible. Some members of his group rejected medicine in favor of his blessing as a cure for ailment.

Though he never had an extremely large following, Lou was able to lead several people astray until his death in 1968.

There are many charismatic people who want to lead you astray from Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord and give Jesus alone your heart.

“Do your utmost to guard your heart, for out of it comes life.” – Walter Hilton

God’s Word: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

“‘Don't be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.’” – 2 Samuel 9:7

Charles Bradlaugh was one of the leading atheists in Great Britain during the nineteenth century. He founded the National Secular Society in 1866 and became one of the most outspoken critics of Christianity.

On one particular night, he was attacking the Christian faith in a hall in London. At its close he dared any man to answer him if there were anything good about Christianity.

The Chairman of the atheist meeting replied, "No one here is likely to try, Mr. Bradlaugh. We are all of your way of thinking."

However, a gasfitter arose and said, "You all know me. I have been a member of this club for five years. Some months ago I lost my work, and I was ill, and to make matters worse my wife was ill. Not one of you came near me, though my illness was known here. But someone came, and his wife nursed us and provided for us, otherwise neither my wife nor I would have been alive today. That man was a city missionary, whom I had driven away from my door with threats. When I was well enough to think, I asked him why he had been so kind to us, and he told me he had done it for the love of Christ. I say that a religion which will bring a man to the bedside of one who has hated him and cursed him, is a good thing for this life."

One of the best testimonies of Jesus Christ is kindness to others. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for His kindness towards you and seek to be kind toothers.

“To ease another's heartache is to forget one's own.” – Abraham Lincoln

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 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

“Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them. They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.” – 2 Samuel 1:11-12

In 2003, the Christian band MercyMe finished a concert tour when a friend of frontman Bart Millard suffered the loss the twins she had been carrying for five months. Because she was so far along in her pregnancy, it was necessary to deliver the babies. “It was devastating,” Bart recalls. At the funeral, Bart sang “I Can Only Imagine,” a song inspired by the early death of his father that has been played at countless funerals since its release.

Moved by the service, Bart wrote what would become the chorus for the song “Homesick.” But cautious of belittling the moment by “putting it into four or five minutes of music and trying to make it rhyme,” he tucked away the unfinished tune.

Then the funerals continued. Band member Jim Bryson lost his father. Other deaths in Bart’s hometown followed. “It seemed like every other day someone close to us was passing away,” said Bart. “It was overwhelming. And already having a heavy heart, at times you just feel you’re being beat down, like it’s never gonna stop.” In a period of less than six weeks, the band lost eight people close to them.

The eighth, Bart’s 20-year-old brother-in-law, Chris, was a godly man who had recently been struggling. He hit rock bottom in the early hours of Jan. 3, 2004, and paid his sister and Bart a visit.

“He just wanted to know God was real. He didn’t want to doubt anymore. He wanted to see him face to face,” remembered Bart. “We went back and forth for several hours. We said all the right things.” Then Chris left around 4 am, only after promising to meet later that day with a friend of Bart’s who ran a local church’s college group. But Chris never made it to that appointment. On the way home, he fell asleep at the wheel and was killed instantly.

A heartsick Bart finished “Homesick” in time for the band to sing it at Chris’ funeral. Despite his grief, he was glad for the ministry opportunity it provided. “We had this amazing opportunity to share the gospel and talk to his friends,” said Bart. “And that was pretty much the end of the song. It wasn’t meant to go anywhere else so I wadded up the lyrics and threw them away.”

Unlike “Imagine,” which was less of an “I miss my dad” song and more of a pondering of Heaven and what we’ll find there, Bart said “Homesick” “was really just for the situation, for me and my wife and her family. We were confused and angry and broken. The truth is there’s no goodbye in Christ, but the waiting can hurt just the same.”

Mourning the loss of a loved one reminds us how homesick we are to be with them in heaven. Today in prayer, thank Jesus that in Him, we have overcome death and we will see those who trust in Him again in Heaven.

“I close my eyes and I see your face If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbye And in Christ, there is no end So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have To see you again To see you again”– Eugene Kelly, MercyMe

God’s Word: “Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.” – Acts 8:2

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DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

“David said to Saul, ‘Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.’” – 1 Samuel 17:32

On August 21, 2009, Tressel Hawkins, Curtis Hall, and James Phillips went fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. The overnight trip had them sailing on James’ catamaran.  But that night the boat took on water and sank. The three men spent the next eight days in a life raft.

After searching for five days, the U.S. Coast Guard had called off the search for the missing men.

The fishermen rationed salvaged bubble gum, crackers, beer and chips, and used a hose to suck fresh water out of the internal wash-down tank.

A fishing boat finally rescued them some 180 miles out in the Gulf.

“It was on a day-to-day basis everybody actually had their breakdown,” Tressel said. “The power of prayer had us feeling … we were going to make it out of this, but we didn’t know how long we were going to have to endure this.”

In our darkest moments, our Heavenly Father is only a prayer away. Today in prayer, ask the Lord for courage as you face difficult situations.

“Courage: The lovely virtue – the rib of Himself that God sent down to His children.” – James M. Barrie

God’s Word: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” – 1 Samuel 16:7

At 5 feet 7 inches tall, most people do not recognize David Eckstein as a baseball player. He was undrafted out of high school and he did not receive a college scholarship. He made the University of Florida team only after another infielder transferred to a different college and coaches noticed the little guy who spent hours improving his hitting in the batting cages. But in 2006, David made it to the World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals and he was voted the most valuable player. The 31-year-old Eckstein explained his success:

“I'm not as big as the other guys, so I've always known that I had to work real hard. But even with all that, I couldn't do anything without God. It's all Him. Let Him take control. If I go 0 for 4 I just keep working hard and praying. I'm not anxious because I know it will turn out all right. . . . My faith in Jesus is everything to me. You have to understand that He's working in His way. I've got to do everything possible to be prepared, and then to let Him take over.”

In 2006, David released his inspirational children's autobiography, “Have Heart” encouraging children to be all that the Lord desires them to be and to give their heart fully to Him.

The Lord continually is looking for men and women, boys and girls that have a heart for Him. Today in prayer, give Jesus your heart and fully serve Him.

“Let your heart soar as high as it will. Refuse to be average.” – A.W. Tozer

God’s Word: “then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of all men)” – 1 Kings 8:39

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KING

“But Samuel replied: "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” – 1 Samuel 15:22

On March 11, 2011, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said, "In the 65 years after the end of World War II, this is the toughest and the most difficult crisis for Japan.  There were confirmed 15,760 deaths, 5,927 injured, and 4,282 people missing. There were well over 125,000 buildings damaged or destroyed, including damage to three reactors in the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant complex.

Dr. Isaac Saoshiro of Immanuel General Mission in Japan, wrote in an e-mail to Wesleyan church officials: “We take this enormous disaster as a warning to our nation. We need to humble ourselves before the Creator and make a fresh commitment to obey Him.” 

Dr. Saoshiro concluded: “Pray that our whole nation would be turned to the Lord through this tragedy.”

The Lord calls us to follow Him and to obey Him. Are there any areas of your life where you are not following the Lord? Today in prayer, confess any sin in your life and seek to follow Jesus with all of your heart.

“Obedience is a part of the honor we owe to God.” – Thomas Watson

God’s Word: “With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:6-8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

“As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.” – 1 Samuel 12:23

In 1991, Thom Miller stabbed a man and was sentenced to prison at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield. While in prison, he stole a Bible.

"I don't know why I did it," he said. "I wasn't a Christian, but I read the whole thing."

The words were life changing and Thom gave his life to Christ.

"But even at the time, I didn't want to be a minister. I just wanted to be a good man," Thom said. "I wanted to show my mom how good I'd become, and I wanted to be a good father to my children."

Thom began to lead others to the Lord while he was still in prison. He became a model prisoner and was eventually paroled.

In 1999, after his release from prison, he could not find a job. But he could share the good news of Christ.

Today, Thom and his wife Julia minister to thousands of prisoners all over the country.

The Bible can teach us the way of good and right. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for the Bible and teaching us to become more like Jesus.

“Every word of the Bible rings with Christ.” - Martin Luther

God’s Word: “Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.” – Psalm 37:27

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

“So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."” – 1 Samuel 3:9-10

On June 19, 2011, 75-year-old Robert Valderzak of Washington D.C. lost his hearing. He had fallen and fractured his skull that led to the hearing loss.

"He had conductive hearing loss, caused by fluid in his middle ear, as well as loss due to nerve damage," said Dr. Ross Fletcher, chief of staff at the VA Hospital.

Robert, who is battling cancer, is a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Then on August 23, 2011, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook the east coast of the United States. Robert’s daughter and three sons were visiting him at the hospital when the quake hit.

"It shook me terrible -- right out of the bed," said Robert. "But after that it stopped. And my son talked to me, and I could hear his voice."

Tests confirmed Robert's significant hearing improvement. But his doctors think they have a medical explanation for the "miracle."

Dr. Ross Fletcher believes that: "A combination of a drug he was taking and the earthquake event itself likely led to him losing the fluid and gaining back his hearing."

Robert has a different thought: “Why did it happen at that time, with my whole family there? There was God's touch in there.  To me, it was a miracle, a blessing from God up above. Couldn’t ask for a better day.”

The Lord continually speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. But are we listening? Today in prayer, thank Jesus that in this noisy world, we can still hear the words of our Savior.

“The closer you get to the Shepherd, the louder His voice will be.” – Nate Barbour

God’s Word: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” – John 10:27

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

“Eli's sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the Lord.” – 1 Samuel 2:12

In May 2005, Pastor Abraham Kennard was convicted of bilking $9 million from 1,600 churches and nonprofit organizations nationwide. He was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison and ordered to pay $7.9 million in restitution to victims and $598,000 to the Internal Revenue Service.

He was convicted on charges of mail fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering and income tax evasion.

It began when Kennard used his company, Network International Investment Corporation, as a vehicle to scam money from churches in 41 states between May 2001 and October 2002.

Kennard and his family lived the high life and bought cruises and more than a dozen cars, including several Cadillacs and Mercedes-Benzes, prosecutors said.

Jannie Trammel, Kennard’s cousin, lamented: "Because of my relation with him, I didn't see those red flags," she testified. "There's no question people were misled."

We need to be accountable to others and to the Lord and in everything avoid evil. Today in prayer, confess any sin to Jesus and seek His will in all of your ways.

“At the heart of the story stands the cross of Christ where evil did its worst and met its match.” – John W. Wenham

God’s Word: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” – Romans 12:9

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

“So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, ‘Because I asked the Lord for him.’” – 1 Samuel 1:20

In the fall of 1858, leadership from the Methodist Episcopal Church gathered in Indiana for their annual meeting. Thomas Bowman recorded that the conference received a telegram stating that Bishop Matthew Simpson of Pittsburgh was dying. Simpson had just returned from overseas visiting the Holy Land, Egypt, Greece and Turkey. He had subsequently become gravely ill.

The entire assembly knelt and prayed for Matthew Simpson. Thomas Bowman recorded the following:

“The impression seized upon me irresistibly, Bishop Simpson will not die. I rose from my knees perfectly quiet. Said I:

‘Bishop Simpson will not die. Why do you think so? Because I have had an irresistible impression made upon my mind during this prayer.’

Another said:  ‘I have the same impression.’

We passed it along from bench to bench, until we found that a very large proportion of the conference had the same impression.”

Thomas Bowman recorded the exact time when he felt the impression. Months later, Bowman met with Simpson and learned that the attending physician had told Simpson’s wife that death was imminent for her husband and there was nothing more he could do.

An hour later, the doctor returned and Simpson was “recovering rapidly” stated the doctor. “A change has occurred in the disease within the last hour beyond anything I have ever seen; the crisis is past, and the bishop will recover."

The change occurred at the time when the conference was praying for Matthew Simpson.

Our Heavenly Father desires to hear the prayers of our hearts and to answer them. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that our God loves us and answers prayer.

“When I stop praying, the coincidences stop happening.” – William Temple

God’s Word: “Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’ and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” – Psalm 13:3-5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS