“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” – Genesis 2:15

Jules Dervaes and his three adult children live in a 1917 craftsman-style house in Pasadena, California. They are urban homesteaders. In their 1/5 of an acre garden, they annually produce more than 6,000 pounds of food. It provides for more than 90% of their diet and they are able to teach others to be good stewards of the land.

It was during the 1970’s that Jules turned to the Lord and the Bible for instruction.

He learned to be an expert gardener and in the mid-1980’s bought the home in Pasadena. During this season of thanks, Jules wrote: “ Our society has followed the broad way opposed to God’s plan for man; instead of stewards, we have become abusers of God’s creation. As a consequence, we are alienated from ourselves, from each other and from the Creator; and, today, our very existence is threatened.

Taking steps on this journey, I came to realize that the basis of true religion is in how we earn our daily bread. It is not enough just to “have” faith; there must be a demonstration of faith in everyday life, here and now. Thus, I have been following this ancient path back to God, as clearly marked in the Bible. 

I am thankful for dirty, sweaty, manual labor by which I eat my food and through which I learn God’s directions. I am thankful for the blessing of life-giving rain for the harvest.”

Jesus is indeed good and He is the Lord of the Harvest. Today in prayer, thank Him that He provides so much for us and that He truly desires to dwell with us.

“The destination to which my faith is taking me is the work of living in harmony with nature, in community with each other and in conformity with God’s plan of salvation. My hope is to be part of the restoration of God’s Earth—our home.” - Jules Dervaes

God’s Word: “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.” – Psalm 145:15

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

“I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.” – Psalm 119:14

In 1993, Wayne Watson was having a crisis of faith. A close family friend died of leukemia and Wayne’s prayers did not seem to be answered no matter who much he prayed. One evening, he felt the Holy Spirit tugging on his heart to confess Jesus as Lord.

“I was just to believe – and to believe that He always would be sovereign – even though I didn’t feel like it” remembers Wayne.

He sat down at the piano and prayed. He then began to pluck out a tune and began singing from his heart. The result was the praise song “Almighty.”

“The song flowed once I got started,” said Wayne. “It seemed almost like the lyrics wrote themselves. There are songs that take weeks and sometimes years to write. Sometimes they have to sit and age for a season – or two or three – and then I feel like they’re ready to be recorded or written. But this one happened relatively quickly.”

Wayne calls “Almighty” a song of obedience more than a praise song. “I said the things in the song out of an obedient heart,” recalled Wayne.

Let your obedience bring praise to the Lord. Today in prayer, seek to bring honor and glory to Jesus by obeying His Word.

“Almighty, most Holy God Faithful through the ages Almighty, most Holy God Glorious, Almighty God” – Wayne Watson

God’s Word: “I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” – Psalm 119:16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

“On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine--the best of meats and the finest of wines.” – Isaiah 25:6

Author Liao Yiwu is a Chinese author who has written the book “God Is Red.” In the book, Liao interviews different Chinese Christians and learns more about their faith in Christ while living under Communism.

In the chapter entitled “The Feast” Liao visits a poor, rural church when they have come together for a large church dinner.

Liao describes Pastor Zhang’s prayer before dinner: “Zhang was praying. I felt overcome by an entirely different set of emotions. The damp solitary darkness in my dream evaporated around me. His voice, deep and thick, and the melodic words made me think of the beautiful uplifting gospel music of the American blacks or the soul-grabbing chanting of the ancient African tribes.”

After the prayer, the people engaged in lively conversations as they ate dinner. Liao concludes: “At that moment, I remembered a passage from the Bible, which I had read before the trip. ‘On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will make for all people a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines.’ (Isaiah 25:6). It was truly a memorable feast and a celebration of life.”

There is sweetness in worshipping as a church and giving thanks to the Lord. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for the believers in your life and seek to praise and thank God together as believers.

“If any one would tell you the shortest, surest way to all happiness, and all perfection, he must tell you to make a rule to yourself, to thank and praise God for everything that happens to you.” – William Law

God’s Word: “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.” – Psalm 63:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

“Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.” – Psalm 150:1

Holland Davis describes how the song “Let It Rise” was written in Point Loma, California in 1997:

“‘Let It Rise’ was written spontaneously during a time of worship at a Bible Study at the Wednesday night service at Calvary Chapel Point Loma. The study is held in a coffee house and the environment was really distracting. People were walking in and out of the coffee shop, the band wasn't focused and it just wasn't coming together. The song began to literally rise up out of me as a prayer for God's presence to fill the place.

I turned to the band and said follow me - and we just started singing the song. As soon as we did, the room filled up with people and a very strong sense of calm came over the entire coffee shop and not one person moved for the next 45 minutes as we worshipped. God's presence literally filled the room and people started grinning from ear to ear as they were hit with the joy of the Lord. It was one of the most memorable times of worship I've ever had.”

Let your praises rise to heaven to glorify Jesus. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for He is good and His mercies are unending.

“Let the glory of the Lord, rise among us, Let the glory of the Lord, rise among us, Let the praises of the King, rise among us, Let it rise.

Oh oh oh, let it rise, Oh oh oh, let it rise.” – Holland Davis

God’s Word: “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.” – Psalm 150:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” – Psalm 100:4

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln began the national observance of Thanksgiving in November. Through the years Thanksgiving was accepted to be the last Thursday of November.

Then in 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared November 23 to be Thanksgiving Day that year instead of the last Thursday of the month November 30.

Many retailers favored the change, which gave shoppers an extra week of shopping before Christmas. Calendar makers and others were outraged at the change of date.

Football teams did not know which day to play their games.

Twenty-three states followed FDR's change and declared Thanksgiving to be November 23. Twenty-three other states disagreed with FDR and kept the traditional date for Thanksgiving, November 30. Two states, Colorado and Texas, decided to honor both dates.

The same problem happened the following year.

It was not until 1941 that Congress made into law that a unified Thanksgiving would occur on the fourth Thursday of November every year.

Though it is wonderful to give thanks to the Lord on Thanksgiving Day, we should give Him thanks the other 364 days too. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord and praise His name.

“Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day.” – Robert Casper Lintner

God’s Word: “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” – 2 Corinthian 4:15

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Arthur Guiterman was an American writer who lived during the first half of the twentieth century. He is best known for his humorous poems that often appeared in periodicals such as Life, the Saturday Evening Post, Harper's, and the New York Times. But one departure from his humorous poems was “The First Thanksgiving,” describing the Pilgrims first thanksgiving in 1620. Here is his poem:

“The curse of Cain was on the earth;    

The leaden heavens frowned;

The winter closed with cruel dearth    

And gripped the fruitless ground.

Behind us rose the sombre wood,    

Before us stretched the foam —

A thousand leagues of briny flood    

That sundered us from home.

The meagre mussel was our meat;    

We robbed the squirrels' hoard;

Our barren glebe beneath our feet,    

We cried upon the Lord.

"Arouse your souls against despair,"    

The godly Winthrop said,

"And choose a day of fast and prayer,    

For, surely, He who led

Our wanderings across the wave    

Shall hear us when we plead.

And stretch a mighty arm to save    

His people in their need."

Behold! When all is black and drear    

And want assails the land,

How God delighteth to appear    

To work with wond'rous hand!

For, even as we made to deal    

To one that hungered sore,

The utmost handful of our meal,    

A shout arose from shore.

An hundred watching eyes descried    

Through winter's misty pall,

The good ship Lion breast the tide    

With provender for all.

Then joined the voice of first and least    

A hymn of thanks to raise,

Our day of fasting changed to feast    

And prayer gave way to praise

So once in every year we throng    

Upon a day apart,

To praise the Lord with feast and song    

In thankfulness of heart.”

We need to continually remember our blessings and to praise the Lord with thankfulness of heart. Today in prayer, praise the Lord in all circumstances.

“Remember God's bounty in the year. String the pearls of His favor. Hide the dark parts, except so far as they are breaking out in light! Give this one day to thanks, to joy, to gratitude!” – Henry Ward Beecher

God’s Word: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” – Hebrews 12:28

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,” – Galatians 4:4

In the summer of 1975, Jay and Diane Ball planned a vacation for their family. Jay was a maintenance man at the Springs of Living Water Christian Conference Center. Diane worked as the Director of the Conference Center.

Just as the family was ready to travel on the road that morning, Jay received an emergency maintenance call that demanded his attention.

Diane, self admittedly not a patient person, remained in the car. Diane was to speak at a luncheon some 90 miles away at noon. Finally, at 11 a.m., Jay was finished with the emergency. Diane was furious.

But as the family drove down the road, Diane prayed silently.

“I was worried about those women sitting there, with no speaker for their event,” said Diane. “I began to fret.” Then I heard the words ‘In His Time!’ I said them to myself over and over again. Soon I felt the peace that can only come from God.”

When the family made it to the luncheon where Diane was to speak, she found that the luncheon had been unexpectedly delayed. Diane was exactly on time. She shared the praise song “In His Time” with the participants and two years later the song was published.

The Lord is never late; He has perfect timing. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that In His Time He makes everything beautiful.

“In His time, in His time, He makes all things beautiful in His time. Lord, please show me every day, As You're teaching me Your way, That You do just what You say, in Your time.” – Diane Ball

God’s Word: “he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”  - Ephesians 1:9-10

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

“I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise.” – Psalm 138:1

Sienna Hoagland was born prematurely in April 2010.  The little girl had a weak heart and had to have a pacemaker soon after being born. It became apparent to doctors that the only way Sienna would survive long term was to have a heart transplant.

When Sienna turned six months old, a donor’s heart became available. The parents of a little child who had just died made the difficult decision to donate their child’s organs. The child was a perfect match for Sienna.

The doctors at the St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix operated on Sienna for six hours. The little girl came through perfectly and was able to go home for Thanksgiving.

Sienna’s parents Skip and Stephanie struggled how to write a letter that would be delivered to the family that donated their baby's heart.

"We are so grateful," said Skip. "We do feel really bad that they had to lose a child, but we are so happy we had this second opportunity with our daughter. We are very grateful and very sad at the same time."

Stephanie said: “My mind doesn’t stop wondering about those parents who had to make the decision to donate their baby’s organs. But whoever they are, I just can’t possibly thank them enough.”

Jesus Christ has given to all who trust in Him a new heart to thank and praise Him. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for giving you a new heart which you can praise Him.

“I have never committed the least matter to God, that I have not had reason for infinite praise.” – Anna Shipton

God’s Word: “For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.” – Psalm 95:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

On Saturday, October 15, 2011, Bob Pohl began running the Baltimore Running Festivals Half-Marathon. Bob was 55 years old and had been running long distance for over 35 years. Just yards from the finish line, Bob suffered a massive heart attack and fell to the ground.

Baltimore City Police Lt. Col. Ross Buzzuro explained: "I knew it was something serious." The police officer and other emergency responders began working on Bob. They transported him to University of Maryland Hospital and they were able to save Bob.

Three weeks after his heart attack, Bob Pohl was able to walk out of the hospital. He thanked Ross Buzzuro and the other medical responders. "I can never ever express to you my full and sincere appreciation for the actions that you took in giving me back my life."

Life is such a treat," said Pohl. "I've been given a real gift here and I want to make the most of it."

The Lord continually gives us a special gift called “today”. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for the wonderful gift of life and to be able to praise Him today.

“This is the day, this is the day, that our God has made, that our God has made. We will rejoice we will rejoice, and be glad in it, and be glad in it. This is the day that our God has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day, this is the day, that our God has made.” – Les Garrett

God’s Word: “But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, ‘Let God be exalted!’” – Psalm 70:4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”   - Psalm 95:2

In the early 1970’s, Lynn Baird was in the Christian band “Unity.” He lived in Glendale, Arizona and the young pastor took his family to Northern Arizona for a vacation. While staying in a mobile home in a resort area, he walked among the streams and woods. While in the wilderness, the Lord laid a song on Lynn’s heart. When he got back to the mobile home he wrote the lyrics and played the melody. He then took the words and notes and placed them in his desk drawer in his office.

A year later, a fellow musician came into Lynn’s office. As the two talked, Lynn said he had a tune he wanted to share with him. “Come Into His Presence” was favorably received and it was played during worship service the following Sunday. It slowly became a favorite and within 10 years Integrity Records recorded it. The song then began to take off and has been sung throughout the world.

No matter where we are, we can come into Christ’s presence with thanksgiving. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord for He is worthy of our praise.

“Come into His presence With thanksgiving in your heart Give Him praise Give Him praise” – Lynn Baird

God’s Word: “Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God” – Psalm 147:7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

“My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you-- I, whom you have redeemed.” – Psalm 71:23

On November 9, 2011, Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos was home in his native Venezuela. He was at his mother’s home in Valencia, when four gunmen came to the home abducted him. A note later on indicated they had kidnapped the baseball player for money. For the next two days, Venezuelan National Guardsmen searched the area for Wilson.

Then on November 11, commandoes found a remote hideout some 40 miles from Wilson’s mother’s home. A gunfight ensued and Wilson was rescued.

"They didn't physically harm me, but psychologically I underwent very great harm," Ramos said. "I was always praying to God, and thanks to God he gave me the miracle of sending me these wonderful people."

Discussing his rescuers, Wilson Ramos choked up and said, "I wasn't expecting it, the place they were keeping me was very remote. These guys risked their lives to save me and I'm very thankful to them."

Jesus Christ risked His life and laid it down so that we may be redeemed. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for loving you and saving you.

“Even if nothing else called for thankfulness, it would always be an ample cause for it that Jesus Christ loved us and gave Himself for us.” – D.L. Moody

God’s Word: “I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.” – Psalm 71:22

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING 

“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” – 1 Chronicles 16:8

In 1969, Kurt Kaiser worked for Word Music. He began brainstorming with Ralph Carmichael about a project for kids.

The creation was the musical "Tell It Like It Is." Near the end of the project, Kurt had to write a kid’s song that was similar in message to “Just As I Am.”

The next Sunday night, Kurt was in his den with a small fire burning in the fireplace. It was wintertime and Kurt remembers: “I looked into the fire and the thought came to me, ‘… it only takes a spark to get a fire going – and soon all those around…’” Soon the lyrics of “That’s how it is with God’s love” came quickly. Kurt finished the song “Pass It On” in one evening.

He called Ralph the next day and played the “Pass It On.”

Ralph exclaimed: “Oh yeah, Kurt. That’ll sing!”

The song “Pass It On” has become a favorite praise song worldwide. Kurt reflected on writing the song: “Isn’t it amazing what can happen if you take your hands off the ability God has given you and watch what happens?”

The Lord desires us to be thankful for His love and to pass it to others. Today in prayer, give thanks to Jesus and share His love with others.  

“It only takes a spark to get a fire going And soon all those around can warm up to its glowing That's how it is with God's love Once you've experienced it You spread your love to everyone You want to pass it on”– Kurt Kaiser

God’s Word: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. – 1 Chronicles 16:34

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.” – Psalm 136:1

Kristen Bell is an American actress who has been active on stage, in television and the movies. Her personality became grounded when she visited Brazil on a mission trip when she was nineteen. She worked in an orphanage for six weeks and she “came back a completely different person” she said.

Part of her work in Brazil was working in a hospital and she assisted nurses with minor surgeries and even helped bring a few babies into the world.

She realized the blessings she had taken for granted were very special and she became more appreciative.

On her acting career, Kristen said: “I am fully aware of this career’s mortality, that it can be taken away at any moment. So I’m grateful for every single little thing.”

Giving thanks shouldn’t be reserved for the largest events in life. Today in prayer, give thanks to Jesus for every little thing in your life.

“This day and your life are God’s gift to you: so give thanks and be joyful always!” – Jim Beggs

God’s Word: “Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – Psalm 106:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

"The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior! He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me, who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me.” – 2 Samuel 22:47-49

In 1824, British missionary William Knibb and his new bride sailed from England to Jamaica. He began working with the slaves and he ministered at the Baptist church at Falmouth. He regularly had 600 people in attendance and spoke out against slavery.

For fourteen years Reverend Knibb fought for the Abolition of Slavery in the Colonies. Finally the British Parliament agreed that slaves in Jamaica would be freed on August 1, 1838.

On July 31, 1838, Reverend Knibb held a midnight prayer service. The congregation had built an immense coffin and they placed whips, branding irons, chains, fetters of all kinds, slave garments and all the things that represented the terrible slavery system into the box. At the first stroke of the midnight bell, Knibbs shouted out, "The monster is dying." At each stroke of the bell that followed this cry was repeated and the great crowd began to join in the cry. At the twelfth stoke 10,000 voices cried out, "The monster is dead, the monster is dead, let us bury him." They buried the remembrances of slavery and 10,000 voices gave praise to the Lord for their freedom.

In Jesus Christ, we are free. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He frees us from all that would enslave us and we are free to worship Him.

“In their cry for freedom, it may be said, the voice of the people is the voice of God.” – Grover Cleveland

God’s Word: “The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.” – Exodus 15:2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

“Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:3-4

On March 11, 2011, an 8.9 earthquake rocked Japan. When Mary Gray of Beggs, Oklahoma heard the news she became fearful.

Her son, Herman, and his wife and their ten-year-old daughter lived in Japan. "I can't put it into words," said Mary.

Herman Williams is a pastor at Hope Chapel in Okinawa, Japan and his wife Cris serves at Kadena Air Force base.   For the next few hours Mary and her other son Howard clung to the television news. "I was on pins and needles pretty much the whole time," Howard said. As time went on, they prayed and hoped they would hear from Herman. "Just keep them safe; keep them safe Lord," Howard said. Mary said: “I thought, now God you said you would take care of them for me. And I'm depending on you, so I went to praying.” Herman was finally able to call home.

"He said Hi Mama! And I said 'oh praise God, praise God, praise God,'" Mary remembered. Herman and his family had evacuated to higher ground after the earthquake and before the Tsunami hit.

It was a miracle Herman was able to call the United States because most telephone lines were overloaded because of the disaster.

No one is closer to us in times of trouble than Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that we are His people and He is our Deliverer.

"I thank God for the mountains. I thank Him for the valleys. I thank Him for all He’s brought me through. For if I never had a problem. If I had never had to worry. I’d never know what faith in God could do! Through it all, through it all. I’ve learned to trust in Jesus. I’ve learned to trust in God.” – Bill Gaither

God’s Word: “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.” – Psalm 68:19-20

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

“I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.” – Psalm 119:7

In April 2011, the Indian Evangelical Mission (IEM) announced the completion of a major translation. The Kotias, a tribe in India along the Orissa-Andhra border, now have the New Testament in their mother tongue. IEM began its work among Kotia people in the year 1988. For more than 20 years, translators labored in translating the New Testament into Kotias. There are an estimated 2,00,000 people living in the Araku region.

In a dedication ceremony, the IEM General Secretary Rev. P. John Wesley dedicated the Kotia New Testament in the presence of over 500 people, including IEM leaders, missionaries and supporters from several states including Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu. "We praise God for the thousands of Kotia people who will benefit and be built up in faith. We are sure that the Kotia church will now experience phenomenal growth," remarked Wesley.

Praise the Lord for His Word, that we can know Him. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that as we read the Bible, we get to better know our Heavenly Father.

“Christ himself wrote nothing, but furnished endless material for books and songs of gratitude and praise.” – Philip Schaff

God’s Word: “Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.” – Psalm 119:108

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

“There is no one like you, LORD, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.” – 1 Chronicles 17:20

Lenny LeBlanc was a pop and studio musician before coming to the Lord in 1981. In 1991, Integrity Music asked him about doing a worship CD for them.

“I had a deadline and had to write ten songs, or at least three or four great songs that would eventually make it to the CD” said Lenny. “So one morning I began playing the piano. A lot of times, I’ll just hum along with the piano, with no real idea to write about. Or I’ll sing words that don’t make any sense to anyone else, but I’m trying to stir up an idea. But that morning I started singing, ‘There is none like you….’ It just built from there, and another line or two came for the chorus.”

After he had completed the chorus, Lenny took a brief break and thought, ‘Wow, this could really be something good.’

“I went back into the studio, and I sat down at the piano and sang through the chorus a few more times and fine tuned it. And that’s when the weight of it hit me—that it was a wonderful song, and it was going to have a huge impact all over the world. I got on my face and started weeping. I couldn’t control it. I couldn’t believe that God was that good to give me something that great.”

From the first time the song “There Is None Like You” was sung publically in Mobile, Alabama, it has inspired worship and praise throughout the world.

There is no other god like our God. All praise and honor to Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is Lord of all.

“There is none like You No one else can touch my heart like You do I could search for all eternity long And find there is none like You” – Lenny LeBlanc

God’s Word: “Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.” – Psalm 86:8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." - Psalm 107:1

On March 30, 2011, Nathan Cook of Dodge City, Kansas woke up with severe chest pains. He thought he was having a heart attack and asked his wife to call paramedics. As he waited for the ambulance, his legs were numb from the waist down, and the paramedics treated him for a heart attack. But when the doctors examined the 39-year-old pastor, they discovered Nathan had suffered a stroke with three brain bleeds. His doctors then found that Nathan's aorta had ruptured. Nine days after the stroke, Cook suffered two seizures three hours apart that caused his heart to stop. He quit breathing and began slipping toward death. Doctors revived him and he was put on life support. For three and a half weeks he clung to life.

Nathan then had to begin therapy and relearn how to walk and talk.

Doctors examined his heart a few weeks later and saw that it had gotten much stronger. He was able to exercise again and he learned he would not need surgery to repair his heart. "I just said 'Praise God' and walked out with my wife and rejoiced in the fact that God worked with what we felt was our last obstacle," Nathan said. "God did an amazing thing."

Often it is during our darkest days that our Heavenly Father shows us His infinite love for us. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He is good and His love endures forever.

“The praise of God could not be expressed in fewer words than these, ‘For He is good.’” – Augustine

God's Word: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – Psalm 118:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

"I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands." - Psalm 63:4

Laura Monica is a Chun Kuk Do Karate Black Belt. She is also a Christian Praise and worship leader. She loved the exercising and movement of Tai Chi, but she did not like the spiritual connotations associated with it.

She began to teach exercise classes at her church in Marietta, Georgia. She began to combine hand movements with slow motion Bible verses using American Sign Language. The result was Slo Flo, a Christian alternative to Tai Chi.

In 2004, Laura began her exercise company Wholyfit, and started teaching in Texas. Today, there are more than 120 certified instructors in cities all over the U.S. and globally to Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Australia, and England.

Laura describes the premise behind Slo Flo: “The beautiful movements look very similar to the Yang Long Series of Tai Chi, but are actually sentences of praise and worship in American Sign Language with names like, “Savior, Jesus, Move Mountains.”

Whether it is in a church service or while exercising, we can praise Jesus and bring glory to His name. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that in everything we can praise and honor Him.

“We stand and lift up our hands For the joy of the Lord is our strength We bow down and worship Him now How great, how awesome is He” – Chris Tomlin

God’s Word: “Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!”  - Psalm 66:1-2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

“and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.’” –Job 1:21

Mark Hall, the frontman for the Christian band Casting Crowns, tells how their son “Praise You in This Storm” came about.

He met nine-year-old Erin Browning on Valentine's Day, 2004 at Westover Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. Erin loved Casting Crowns and Mark found out she had cancer and stayed in touch via email with Erin and her mother Laurie.

Through the next few months, the Brownings tried several cancer treatments, but they all failed. But Erin’s faith did not waiver. She loved having her mother read to her from the Bible.

Mark remembers: “On June 21, 2004, I e-mailed Laurie to tell her that I was writing a song for Erin entitled ‘Praise You in This Storm.’ Upon the news, Erin screamed so loud that it hurt Laurie's ears. Erin never got to hear the song, but Laurie heard it for the first time when her mother bought the CD on the day it was released and took it to the school where Laurie works. The two women sat in the car, listened to the song, and ‘cried and cried and cried.’”

Erin went home to be with the Lord on November 1, 2004, praising Jesus with her last breaths on earth.

Life can be incredibly difficult, but do not let any circumstance stop you from praising to the Lord. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for your life. Ask Him to give you faith to praise Him in the storms of life.

"And I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

And every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm" - Mark Hall

God’s Word: “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5:20

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

"For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." - Romans 1:21

In 1728, at the age of 15, Jean-Jacques Rousseau ran away from his home in Geneva. He met up with the kindly Protestant noblewoman, Françoise-Louise de Warens. She became like a foster mother and rescued him from destitution no less than four times.

Rousseau became a philosopher, writer, and composer of 18th-century Romanticism. His political philosophy sparked the French Revolution. It was Rousseau’s philosophy of a Social Contract which led to modern political development.  

But when Rousseau prospered and Madame de Warens became indigent, he did little to help her.

By his own account he sent her 'a little' money when he inherited the family fortune in the 1740s. But the philosopher refused to send more. In his Confessions, Rousseau later hailed her as "the best of women and mothers,” yet he refused to answer her letters.

Madame de Warens spent her last two years alone, bedridden, never hearing from Rousseau. In 1761, she died; her death was most likely caused from malnutrition.

Ingratitude is an odious, selfish sin. Today in prayer, confess any sin of ingratitude and be grateful to the Lord and to others.  

“Ingratitude is always a kind of weakness. I have never seen that clever men have been ungrateful.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

God's Word: "People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy" - 2 Timothy 3:2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2011, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING