FAITHFULLY WORK Friday - September 30, 2005

“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

One interesting scene in Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” shows a flashback where Jesus is constructing a table. In it, Jesus is depicted as having a commitment to putting out an excellent product. As a young man, Jesus spent long hours and years working as a carpenter and doing manual work in Joseph’s wood shop. Jesus’ work had to be of the highest quality.
In his book “Dialogue”, the Christian apologist Justin Martyr made a revealing observation about Jesus' work. During Martyr's life in second century Galilee, he saw farmers still using plows made by Jesus some one hundred years earlier.
Theologian Os Guinness writes: "How intriguing to think of Jesus' plow rather than his Cross—to wonder what it was that made his plows and yokes last and stand out." Guinness continues: “We like to speak and act out of the rare moments of inspiration--[but] he requires our obedience in the routine, the unseen, and the thankless."

Do not dismiss the simple labor the Lord has given you. No matter how mundane, if it is work that is done faithfully, it is a spiritual work. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for the work He has given you and seek to work faithfully so that the praise and glory goes to Christ.

“Contentment is the ability to stand constantly and consciously in the presence of God so that he can transform any task into something meaningful.” – Richard Nelson Bolles

God’s Word: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” – Colossians 3:23

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

STAND FIRM IN THE LORD Thursday - September 29, 2005

“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” - 2 Chronicles 20:17

In 1993, Professional golfer Paul Azinger was diagnosed with cancer at age 33. He had just won a PGA championship and had ten tournament victories to his credit.
He wrote, "A genuine feeling of fear came over me. I could die from cancer. Then another reality hit me even harder. I'm going to die eventually anyway, whether from cancer or something else. It's just a question of when. Everything I had accomplished in golf became meaningless to me. All I wanted to do was live."
Then he remembered something that Larry Moody, who teaches a Bible study on the tour, had said to him. "Zinger, we're not in the land of the living going to the land of the dying. We're in the land of the dying trying to get to the land of the living."
Golfer Paul Azinger recovered from chemotherapy and returned to the PGA tour. He's done pretty well. But that bout with cancer deepened his perspective. He wrote, "I've made a lot of money since I've been on the tour, and I've won a lot of tournaments, but that happiness is always temporary. The only way you will ever have true contentment is in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I'm not saying that nothing ever bothers me and I don't have problems, but I feel like I've found the answer to the six-foot hole."

The Lord does not want us to live in fear, He desires us to stand firm in Him. Today in prayer, give your fears and anxieties to Jesus and receive from Him His perfect peace.

"I have never known more than fifteen minutes of anxiety or fear. Whenever, I feel fearful emotions overtaking me I just close my eyes and thank God that he is still on the throne reigning over everything and I take comfort in His control over all the affairs of my life.” – John Wesley

God’s Word: “Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!” – Philippians 4:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD LEADER Wednesday - September 28, 2005

“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

On February 12, 1959, author and historian Carl Sandburg addressed the U.S. Congress on the 150th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth. Calling his speech “Man of Steel and Velvet” Sandburg gave tribute to America’s sixteenth President. Here are some excerpts from his speech:
“Not often in the story of mankind does a man arrive on earth who is both steel and velvet, who is as hard as a rock and soft as drifting fog, who holds in his heart and mind the paradox of terrible storm and peace unspeakable and perfect…
While the war winds howled, he insisted that the Mississippi was one river meant to belong to one country…
While the luck of war wavered and broke and came again, as generals failed and campaigns were lost, he held enough forces… together to raise new armies and supply them, until generals were found who made war as victorious as war has always been made, with terror, frightfulness, destruction… valor and sacrifice past words of man to tell.
In the mixed shame and blame of the immense wrongs of two crashing civilizations, often with nothing to say, he said nothing, slept not at all, and on occasions he was seen to weep in a way that made weeping appropriate, decent, majestic.”

In all aspects of life, the Lord raises up leaders over us. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for the good leaders that He has brought in your life and let some of those leaders know that they encourage you in your walk with Christ.

“Leadership in the Church is different from leadership in the world. To follow Jesus means to become a servant. To become a servant means to become a leader.” – Roddy Chestnut

God’s Word: “Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” – Acts 6:3-4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

WHERE DOES YOUR GIVING GO? Tuesday - September 27, 2005

“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 Chronicle. 29:3

In Brazil, Pastor Stewart Ruch recalls: “I met an 85-year-old Brazilian woman who wore a ring that looked as if it were made from inexpensive tin. The ring had on it a name I didn't know and then a date: 1932. I was getting ready to ask about the ring when my wife, Katherine, beat me to it saying, "Dõna Maria Julia, what does that ring signify? Where did that ring come from?"
She leaned back in her chair and told us that in 1932 the states of Brazil were erupting into a kind of civil war. The other states were coming against the state of San Paulo, whose people were saying, ‘We want a constitution. We want a document that will defend the rights of the people of San Paulo.’
Dõna Maria Julia told us with fierce pride and passion, "I'm a Paulista. I'm a member of the San Paulo state, and I always have been. When the rest of Brazil was coming against our state, we knew we would stand to the last man if we had to. The governor of San Paulo put out an edict: 'Give your gold for the good of San Paulo. We need weapons. We need the ability for soldiers to stand up against the onslaught that's coming.'"
Dõna Maria Julia said, "My mother and my father, along with married couples across San Paulo, took off their golden wedding rings and gave them to the state. I went into my room, and I searched my belongings for something that I could contribute as an eight-year-old girl for the good of San Paulo." She found a silver hairbrush that had been given to her by an aunt. In place of the wedding rings that her parents gave, in place of the silver brush set that she gave, they were given a ring with the date 1932. The inscription on the ring said, "I gave my gold for the good of San Paulo."

Where's your gold going? That's the question Jesus asks. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you wisdom in your giving to what is on Christ’s heart.

“Our emotions become worship when, in response to a truth about God, we give something back to God.” – Tim Keller

God’s Word: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

DON’T SETTLE FOR IDOLS Monday – September 26, 2005

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

In 1991, the Japanese government sought a way to attract endangered albatrosses to the small Izu islands to breed and reproduce. The Yamashina Institute of Ornithology came up with the idea of placing some 100 wooden albatross decoys in the water to help attract the birds to the islands that are some 375 miles south of Tokyo.
The project for the most part worked well and the endangered birds have landed on the islands and breeding has increased. But for Deko, a 5-year-old albatross, the experiment went awry. For two years he has been trying to woo what he believes to be the love of his life. He's built her fancy nests, fought off rival suitors, and spent countless days standing faithfully by her side.
But his one-and-only is a man-made decoy -- and despite the blank stare and wooden personality, he didn’t catch on.
Institute researcher Fumio Sato worries that Deko's infatuation with the decoy is keeping him from meeting a mate.
“He seems to have no desire to date real birds,” Sato observed.

Too often people begin loving and idolizing things instead of having a relationship with the real God. Today in prayer, thank Jesus that He is a person who wants to have a relationship with us and seek to know Him more every day.

“Idolatry is worshiping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that is meant to be worshiped.” - Augustine

God’s Word: “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.” – Exodus 20:4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

A BLESSED PRAYER Friday – September 23, 2005

“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.” – 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

In November 2000, a tiny book entitled “The Prayer of Jabez” was released. The book is based on 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. Author Bruce Wilkinson has broken down the verse to demonstrate how a person can pray for himself or herself to be blessed so that their ministry to others may grow and Christ receives the glory. Used first by Wilkinson in 1972 as a seminary student, he has seen his ministry “Walk-Through-The-Bible” grow from his own standup teaching to a worldwide teaching ministry.
In 2002, Bruce felt the Lord’s call to minister in Africa. He started “Dream for Africa” a faith-based humanitarian movement that helps the poor nations in sub-Sahara Africa find solutions to hunger, poverty, and AIDS prevention. Still praying that the Lord would use him in a way that brings glory to Christ, Bruce prayed in 2003 that 100,000 gardens would be planted in 2004 in Africa. He didn’t know where the volunteers to help plant those gardens would come from nor did he have the materials for those gardens. But miraculously, more than 100,000 new gardens were planted in 2004 that provided food for over 500,000 people in Africa!

The Lord is looking for those men and women who want to be used by Him. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to use you in a way that will bring honor and glory to Him.

“This petition has radically changed what I expect from God and what I experience every day by his power” - Bruce Wilkinson

God’s Word: “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” – Luke 11:9-10

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

TIMING Thursday – September 22, 2005

“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

On the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, Confederate General Robert E. Lee felt that day three would be critical and decisive. General George Pickett’s division had arrived the day before and Lee ordered them to stay where they were so they would be strong for a third-day attack on the Union’s left. But by the end of the second day, the Union held a strong defense all along Cemetery Ridge. Union General Meade’s plan was to wait for Lee’s attack on the third day. General Meade had predicted that Lee would attack the middle, but later changed his mind and started preparing for an attack on the southern end of his line. When Pickett’s charge began with its 13,000 troops, there were less than 6,000 Union infantry soldiers to encounter them. Confederate cannons opened fire to prepare for the charge. For a short while, the Union decided to save ammunition, and stopped firing for a while. The Confederate troops thought the firing was over and must have breathed a sign of relief that their objective might be a little bit easier to reach. The stoppage of firing didn’t last long, however. The Confederates were soon walking directly into the cannon fire and one of history’s worst mistakes. Of the 165,000 soldiers who engaged in this battle, more than 50,000 of them became casualties.The timing of the Battle of Gettysburg and Pickett’s Charge was wrong. Courage cannot undo bad timing.

The Lord has a time for things to take place. We cannot rush His timetable. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you a sensitivity to understand His timetable for your life.

“It doesn’t help to use courage at the wrong time. God’s is as concerned about timing as He is about doing the right thing.” – Jerry Qualls

God’s Word: “In the seventh year Jehoiada showed his strength. He made a covenant with the commanders of units of a hundred: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zicri.” - 2 Chronicles 23:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

A GLIMPSE OF THE HEAVENLY GLORY Wednesday – September 21, 2005

“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

During the American Revolution, Anthony Sherman was one of the soldiers who wintered with General George Washington in 1777 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. He recounted that Washington was a man of prayer and would often go to a quiet place and pray alone. One day, Washington returned from such a time alone looking quite pale. Washington told of a vision he had:
“Looking up, I beheld standing opposite me a singularly beautiful female. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed that it was some moments before I found language to inquire the cause of her presence. A second, a third, and even a fourth time did I repeat my question, but received no answer from my mysterious visitor except a slight raising of her eyes. By this time I felt strange sensations spreading through me. I would have risen but the riveted gaze of the being before me rendered volition impossible. I assayed once more to address her, but my tongue itself had become paralyzed.”
Washington stated that the woman showed him a future vision of America: “I cast my eyes upon America and beheld villages and towns and cities springing up one after another until the whole land from the Atlantic to the Pacific was dotted with them.”
Washington remembered the last words of his visitor: “Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and Union. With these words the vision vanished, and I startled from my seat and felt that I had seen a vision wherein had been shown me the birth, progress, and destiny of the United States.”

The Lord is active in this world and at times will use visions and angelic visits to encourage men and women. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for all that He has revealed and may your heart and eyes be set upon His invisible kingdom.

“Christians should never fail to sense the operation of angelic glory. It forever eclipses the world of demonic powers, as the sun does a candle's light.” – Billy Graham

God’s Word: “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” – Psalm 34:7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

VALUE PEOPLE Tuesday – September 20, 2005

“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

Comedian George Carlin recently experienced the passing of his wife. Here is his profound message to others:
“The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life, not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill...
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.
Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to your little children who look up to you, because they will soon grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all "mean it".
A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.”

God loves people and we are made in His image. We are to treasure each other as He loves us. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His love and seek to share that love with others.

"It is better to take the risk of giving to the undeserving than to take the risk of neglecting the deserving." – Clement of Alexandria

God’s Word: “Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good-- no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.” – Philemon 1:15-17

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

The Temptation To Slide - Monday - September 19, 2005

“He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him.” – 1 Kings 16:31

Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” was a box office smash because it showed a fairly realistic portrayal of the last 12 hours of Christ’s life on earth. It also had a multitude of prescreening events among Christian audiences beginning some 5 months before its release in February 2004. At many of these events, Gibson attended in person and answered questions from the audience.
At the January 2004 pastors' screening of The Passion of the Christ at Willow Creek Church in Illinois, Gibson explained why he used a veiled female figure to portray evil.
Evil "takes on the form of beauty," Gibson said. "It is almost beautiful. It is the great aper of God. But the mask is askew; there is always something wrong. Evil masquerades, but if your antennae are up, you'll detect it."
After the screening, I asked Gibson about his belief in spiritual warfare. "That's the big picture, isn't it?" Gibson replied. "The big realms are slugging it out. We're just the meat in the sandwich. And for some reason, we're worth it. I don't know why, but we are."

There is always a temptation to slide into sin because it is subtle and attractive. But sin isn’t trivial, it is deadly. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you an alertness to temptation and sin and flee from all forms of evil.

“Satan has got men fast asleep in sin, and that is his great device to keep them so. He does not care what we do, if he can do that.” – Catherine Booth

God’s Word: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” – 2 Timothy 3:12-13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS

HE KEEPS HIS PROMISES Friday – September 16, 2005

“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

During the autumn of 2000, a U.S. company began selling an action figure called “Invisible Jim” in Great Britain for about $2.80 apiece. Why was it called ''Invisible Jim?'' Because all you got was the packaging. There was no Jim action figure doll.
The advertising boasted that “Jim” had a ''lack of darting eyes'', possessed “non-gripping hands” and ''realistic fake hair.'' Some of the boasts on the box were that ''as not seen on TV'' and the ''camouflage suit sold separately.'' Hurst Marler, the company, who distributed the non-doll, says they have received no complaints about the empty boxes.
“Invisible Jim” was pitched as an alternative greeting card. The packaging -- printed cardboard wrapped in a clear plastic cover -- costs about 10 cents to make. When it was first introduced, the company fielded calls from customers complaining the doll was missing from their box. But once they got the joke, the interest took off and the media picked up on the spoof and helped improve Invisible Jim's marketability.

With God, there are no empty promises. He keeps His word in all of His promises. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is faithful in all things and place your trust in Him.

“God never made a promise that was too good to be true.” – D.L. Moody

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 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, CHRONICLES AND KINGS