BEWARE OF CRAVINGS Wednesday - October 12, 2005

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world.” – 1 John 2:15-16

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reports that more than 17,000 deer die each year after being struck by motorists on state highways. The accidents claimed five human lives in 1994, and a total of 18 in the five years preceding that. In addition to the human equation, insurance companies report the average insurance claim for deer-vehicle collisions is about $1,600.
Paul Shelton, forest wildlife program manager for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, says several factors come into play in assessing the numbers.
"Illinois' deer population continues to increase in certain parts of the state, although the rate of increase has declined substantially within the last several years," Shelton says. "In addition, urban and suburban areas are encroaching into areas used by deer, resulting in more conflicts as deer move from one habitat area to another in the course of their day."
Department of Transportation data show that more than a fourth of all accidents typically occur in November. The three-month span of October, November and December usually accounts for about half of the yearly deer-vehicle accident total and corresponds with the whitetails' annual breeding season or "rut." During this time, bucks are preoccupied with pursuing does and may be oblivious to vehicles. "They're concentrating almost exclusively on reproductive activities," he said, "and are a lot less wary than they normally would be."

Deer aren't the only ones destroyed by preoccupation with sex. An unhealthy view of sex can lead to our own destruction. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for creating sex and pray that all of you would be surrendered to the lordship of Christ.

“We ought not trust our nature, our flesh, no matter how spiritual we think we are.” – Jim Smith

God’s Word: “but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” – James 1:14

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE LETTERS OF JOHN

YOUR TREASURE Tuesday - October 11, 2005

“Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.” – 1 John 2:10

In the mid-200’s AD, Lawrence was a deacon in Rome. He was martyred in 258 A.D. The St. Lawrence River and more than 250 churches in England are named for him. Lawrence served under Pope Sixtus II who was arrested and martyred under the persecution of the Roman Emperor Valerian.
As deacon in Rome, Lawrence was charged with the responsibility for the material goods of the Church, and the distribution of alms to the poor.
Before his death, Sextus’ captors demanded, "Where is the treasure of the church?" The Pope would not tell, and they tortured him to death. He never did tell, but in his agony and pain, Pope Sextus somehow mentioned the name of Archdeacon Lawrence. They took Lawrence captive. "Where is the treasure of the Church?" they demanded, threatening with the same fate that came to the Pope.Lawrence replied, "Governor, I cannot get it for you instantaneously; but if you give me three days, I will give you the treasure." The Governor agreed. Lawrence left. Three days later he walked into the Governor’s courtyard followed by a great flood of people. The Governor walked out onto his balcony and said, "Where is the treasure of your church?" Lawrence stepped forward, and pointed to the crowd that accompanied him -- the lame, the blind, the deaf, the nobodies of society -- and said, "Here are the treasures of the Christian church."

The treasures of this life are the same as those in heaven, other people. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for those people He has brought in your life and treasure them above any earthly thing.

“We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.” – J. B. Priestly

God’s Word: “‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers!’” – Mark 3:33-34

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE LETTERS OF JOHN

TAKE THE FULL DOSE Monday - October 10, 2005

“But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” – 1 John 2:5-6

Alexander Fleming was born at Lochfield, Scotland on August 6th, 1881. He went St. Mary's Medical School, London University and at St. Mary's, he began research under Sir Almroth Wright, a pioneer in vaccine therapy.
In 1928, while working on influenza virus in his cluttered laboratory, he observed that mold had developed accidentally on a staphylococcus culture plate and that the mold had created a bacteria-free circle around itself. He was inspired to further experiment and he found that a mold culture prevented growth of staphylococci, even when diluted 800 times. He named the active substance penicillin.Soon after introducing penicillin, Sir Alexander warned against taking too little of it. An underdose, he said would permit germs to remain in the system thereby allowing one to build up an immunity to the drug. These immune germs could be "passed on to other individuals so that the thoughtless person playing with penicillin treatments may be responsible for the death of another" if not himself as well.
You must carefully follow the directions for penicillin for it to work correctly.

Don’t just claim to love Jesus, obey Him and follow Him. Today in prayer, thank Christ for your life and give all that you are to Him.

“Many people attend just enough religious services to temporarily quiet their conscience; they attend just enough weddings, funerals, and special observances to keep them from longing for a genuine and thorough encounter with God who is so absent from their commitment. They have just enough religion to make them immune to the real thing.” – Andrew Chan

God’s Word: “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."” – 1 Peter 1:14-16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE LETTERS OF JOHN

IF WE WALK IN THE LIGHT Wednesday - October 5, 2005

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:7

Carmen Renee Berry's book, “The Unauthorized Guide to Choosing a Church”, was "inspired by her odyssey from the deeply conservative church of her childhood into the world of seekers and cynics, and back again." She eventually found that the very reason she withdrew from church, her disappointment in church members who often failed to act as Christians, was what drew her back. Carmen said: “I was tired of the whole church thing. I was pretty cynical, very judgmental. But a very significant thing happened to me in November 1999: A close friend of mine committed suicide. It really shook me up and made me realize that it's kind of cool to be cynical, but it can be real dangerous, too. You really don't grow spiritually when you're busy criticizing and sounding arrogant. I made a big turning point there and opened myself up to looking for a spiritual community.”
Carmen writes in her book: “I needed a church, a community of believers. I needed to live in my faith and visit my doubts. Something happens there that simply doesn't when you are alone in prayer or on the Internet. As much as I hate to admit it, my faith is enhanced and enlarged when in relationship to other less-than-perfect human beings.”

We are meant to live in community with Jesus Christ and that means having regular fellowship with other believers. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for the leaders and people in your church and pray for their needs. If you do not have a church, ask the Lord to lead you to a body of believers.

“There is something about being with other people, disagreeing with other people, being human beings, and sharing the Christian journey that really deepens your relationship with God.” – Carmen Renee Berry

God’s Word: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE LETTERS OF JOHN

OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM Tuesday - October 4, 2005

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” – 1 John 1:3

Marie J. Wiebe, an ordained minister for the Evangelical Covenant Church in Camarillo, California, describes her difficult recovery from a massive stroke:
“My long and tiring road to recovery began in a hospital rehabilitation facility. I required maximum assistance, needing two attendants to roll me over in bed and help me to sit up. I also needed them to transfer me to my wheelchair and bedside commode. Initially, I was so weak that even keeping my eyes open for more than a few seconds required maximum effort. I was unable to swallow. Therefore, I was allowed no liquids, and was not able to brush my teeth for three months. My mouth felt like a cotton-lined cave. While I was in rehabilitation, my physical therapy occupied six hours a day for six days a week. I was constantly exhausted. And I was unable to talk with my friends because I slept through their visits!
After those first six months of therapy in the hospital and another six months at home with a live-in caregiver, I developed the ability to swallow without choking, and I was able to move without assistance. I also began to talk clearly enough to be understood. But for a while I stuttered so badly that I couldn't say my own name. Now, when I pray each day, I pray out loud. This has turned out to be my best speech therapy!
Within a couple of years, I was able to preach again, but my speech, vision, and balance made it a challenge. To make it easier, I memorized my sermons. The wonderful support I got from Ken and my children made all the difference!
It has been very hard, though, to lose my independence. I still can't dress myself, so I have to get up according to Ken's schedule. When going out, I rate places in my mind by how handy their bathrooms are.… During all of this, I couldn't have lived one hour without Jesus. Because of my handicap, I cannot live one moment, one hour, or one day on my own.
My stroke came on so suddenly—without any warning. I had never had high blood pressure or high cholesterol, nor a family history of stroke. So it took quite a bit of time for me to adjust. I felt that I had been mowed down in midstream. I had lost my independence in my prime. I had lost my life as I knew it. I felt trapped inside a body that would no longer function.
Since then, my life has changed. I have learned that God values not what I do, but the time I spend with him. He let all the "doing" fall away. Now I spend a lot of time "being" with God. I read and pray and contemplate. I even sing to God! And I am able to read for pleasure without feeling guilty anymore.”

People are created to have relationship, and the primary relationship is between us and our maker. Today in prayer, thank Christ that you were made to fellowship with Him and seek to draw closer to Him this day.

“The stronger your fellowship with God, the stronger your fellowship with people can become. The greater the distance between you and God, the more distance there will be between you and His people.” – Chris Talton

God’s Word: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE LETTERS OF JOHN

The Desire For Eternal Life Monday - October 3, 2005

“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.” – 1 John 1:2

In 1901, the Hollywood Memorial Cemetery had its first interment. Located on Santa Monica Boulevard, it is right next Paramount studios. This well-cared for cemetery contains the beautiful tombs and mausoleums that have been erected in the memory of Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Tyrone Power, Cecil B. DeMille, Marion Davies, and William Andrews Clark. In 1928 the Clark memorial was designated by the Architectural Society of America as the most beautiful building erected during the previous three years. The cemetery itself has been the backdrop for several movies.
Paramount Studios has contributed to the lasting memory of these famous people. They have produced multimedia narratives that can be viewed on video cassette or a computer. The narratives feature still-photographs of the deceased, interviews with friends, and film clips. A visitor can see the mini-biographies of Rudolph Valentino, Cecil B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks, and 1,500 others buried there. The owners want to begin producing these multimedia narratives not just for Hollywood stars, but for anyone buried there.
A visit to any cemetery shows how desperate we are to be remembered after our deaths. But the memorials we can leave in this life are nothing compared to the glory that awaits Christians in the next.

Our hearts desire eternal life and that life eternal is found in Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that eternal life is found in Him and trust your entire life to Him.

“As I go into a cemetery I like to think of the time when the dead shall rise from their graves. ... Thank God, our friends are not buried; they are only sown!” – D.L. Moody

God’s Word: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies’” – John 11:25

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN THE LETTERS OF JOHN