“What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, ‘Do not covet.’” – Romans 7:7

In his book “Subversive Sabbath”, author Dr. A. J. Swoboda writes the following: “I remember the first time I drove by myself. I had the ability to drive wherever I wanted, with whomever I wanted, however fast I wanted. With the steering wheel in my hands, I had freedom and power. However, to ensure that I did not abuse my newly found freedom and power, there were laws in place.

The government had established a speed limit and required drivers and passengers to wear seat belts. The laws clarify what safe driving looks like, for my benefit and everyone else’s. But the point of the laws is not to keep the laws. Rather, the point of those laws is to remind us what driving safely is all about. In the end, I think God hates law giving.”

Knowledge of the law brings recognition of our own sinful actions. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His law that through it we can recognize our own sin. And then thank Jesus for His grace; for it is in His grace we have life in Him.

“In the maxims of the law, God is seen as the rewarder of perfect righteousness and the avenger of sin. But in Christ, his face shines out, full of grace and gentleness to poor, unworthy sinners.” – John Calvin

God’s Word: “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:56-57

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ROMANS †

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

In her book “Liturgy of the Ordinary”, author Tish Harrison Warren writes: “Confession reminds us that none of us gather for worship because we are “pretty good people.” But we are new people, people marked by grace in spite of ourselves because of the work of Christ. Our communal practice of confession reminds us that failure in the Christian life is the norm. We—each and all—take part in gathered worship as unworthy people who, left on our own, deserve God’s condemnation. But we are not left on our own… Once a close friend visited my church, and she was concerned by this part of our service. She didn’t like that the priest pronounced absolution. She asked, “Don’t we receive forgiveness from God, not a priest?” Why use a go-between? I told her that forgiveness is from God, and yet I still need to be told. I need to hear in a loud voice that I am forgiven and loved, a voice that is truer, louder, and more tangible than the accusing voices within and without that tell me I’m not.”

Our sinful actions would lead to death if it were not for the grace of Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for His gift of grace and eternal life in Him.

“Grace is not sought nor bought nor wrought. It is a free gift of almighty God to needy mankind.” – Billy Graham

God’s Word: “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” – Titus 3:5-7

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ROMANS †

“For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” – Romans 5:10-11

In their 2008 book “Reconcile All Things”, authors Emmanuel Katongole and Chris Rice write: “Sometimes, the Christian faith can be confounding to the outside world. Enemies can become friends, even to the point of caring for and protecting each other. In this short story from the small African country of Burundi, one leader, a university professor, brings two tribes together in a practical way.

Our friend Emmanuel Ndikumana is a Hutu married to a Tutsi in Burundi. As a leader at the university in Bujumbura, he constantly finds himself caught between the Burundi military, dominated by Tutsi, and the predominantly Hutu rebel groups who are fighting the government. But he knows that small things make a difference in the everyday lives of people, so he has formed groups of Hutu and Tutsi students who travel together.

When they come to a military checkpoint, the Tutsi students talk with the soldiers. When they come to a rebel roadblock, Hutu student leaders do the talking while the rest of the students carry on with their own conversations. This way, they are able to confuse both the military and rebel fighters. The Christian vision of hope never disconnects the question of whether we can reconcile the nations from whether we can live in peace and forgiveness with those nearest to us—in our homes, at work, in worship and even on the road.”

Christ has healed the breach between God and man as well as the divide between men. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He has reconciled the world through the Cross and seek to be reconciled to others.

“Why should the world believe in reconciliation when it doesn’t see the church reconciled? And the church is not going to be reconciled even if it gets all of the issues solved. It will be reconciled only through Jesus Christ. He is the Reconciler.” – Richard C. Halvorson

God’s Word: “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” – 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ROMANS †

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

Pastor Lee Rhodes told the following story: “A young lady named Sally took a seminary class taught by Professor Smith, who was known for his elaborate object lessons. One day Sally walked into class to find a large target placed on the wall, with several darts resting on a nearby table. Professor Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone they disliked or someone who had made them angry—and he would allow them to throw darts at the person’s picture.

Sally’s friend (on her right), drew a picture of another woman who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend (on her left), drew a picture of his younger brother. Sally drew a picture of Professor Smith, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on his face! She was quite pleased at the overall effect she’d achieved.

The class lined up and began throwing darts amidst much laughter. Some of the students threw with such force that they ripped apart their targets. But Sally, looking forward to her turn, was filled with disappointment when Professor Smith asked the students to return to their seats so he could begin his lecture. As Sally fumed about missing her chance to throw the darts, the professor began removing the target from the wall.

Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled image of their Savior—holes and jagged marks covered his face. His eyes were virtually pierced out.

Professor Smith said only these words, ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’”

We, who accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, are alive today because He died for us. Today in prayer, thank Christ for His death on the Cross.

“There are some sciences that may be learned by the head, but the science of Christ crucified can only be learned by the heart.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit” – 1 Peter 3:18

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DEVOTIONS IN ROMANS †

“What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." – Romans 4:3

Pastor Darren Pollock wrote: “Once when my daughter was six and my son was two, my mother-in-law noticed my daughter holding a favorite toy just out of my son’s standing reach, and she gently scolded her for teasing him that way. My daughter was quick to respond that she was simply doing what she had seen my son’s physical therapist do with him. My son had some developmental delays that kept him from being able to jump, and this was one of the exercises that the therapist did to develop the right muscles and to teach him to go up on his toes and, eventually, to jump. What looked like teasing to my mother-in-law was actually an exercise that would teach my son to be able to grasp what was now out of his reach.

Similarly, God sometimes holds things we are desperate for out of our reach to exercise our faith muscles and to teach us how to grasp these blessings through a deeper faith in him.”

The Lord rewards men and women who exercise their faith in Him. Today in prayer, give the battles you are facing to Jesus and when He has answered give the credit to the Lord.

“Faith is to believe what we do not see; and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe.” – Augustine

God’s Word: “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” – Genesis 15:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ROMANS †

“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” – Romans 3:20

How do you clear a guilty conscious? For one American, it meant repaying his debts by returning $0.09 to the US Treasury. For another, it meant sending the government $155,502.

For more than 200 years, the Treasury has had a place for those with gnawing guilt to send cash and perhaps absolve them of their sins. It's known as the Conscious Fund.

People have donated because they've stolen supplies while in the military, withheld payments to the IRS, or just found cash lying on the street — all because the thought of keeping someone else's money burned a hole in their conscience.

It all began in 1811, when a donor sent $5 to the Treasury, then under the Madison Administration. The fund was authorized in 1950, and the Conscience Fund has served as the home for anonymous remittances since.

The fund doesn't usually pursue people for their crimes, but it does send thank-you notes.

People send donations anonymously by sending in a money order or a cashier's check; by sending money through relatives or attorneys; or by stuffing cash into an envelope.

Even when the largest donation was made, in 1990, in the amount of $155,502, the Treasury accepted the money without question.

Have you been unconscious to your own sin? Today in prayer, ask the Lord to make you conscious of sin and repent from it. 

“The conscious mind determines the actions, the unconscious mind determines the reactions; and the reactions are just as important as the actions.” – E. Stanley Jones

God’s Word: “When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ This was Job’s regular custom.” – Job 1:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ROMANS †

"What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?” – Romans 3:3

In June 2020, a Nashua, New Hampshire woman and her dog were rescued from a manhole after becoming trapped in the sewer.

Neighbor Roberta Ingham was lying outside, taking a break from work, when she heard the woman’s screams.

A next-door neighbor confirmed she’d heard the same thing. The two determined the screams were coming from underground and called for help.

“She was at the manhole, and the culvert is in the back of my house. So she must have been yelling down the pipe and we could hear her, but she couldn’t hear us,” Ingham said. “We called 911, and we’re trying to explain there's a woman underground.”

Deputy Chief Kevin Kerrigan of Nashua Fire Rescue said the dog had escaped from its owner and ran into the unsecured culvert on the neighboring property. The dog’s owner had then followed it into the narrow underground pipe to rescue the animal before they became stuck about 150 feet into the pipe.

In many ways this incident sums up how our relationship to God can sometimes feel. We’re crying out to him for help, and He can hear us, but we can’t hear Him. We nust remember that God is faithful to His promises, and we can trust that He hears our cries for help.

God is faithful and we can depend on Him. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is truly faithful in all that He does.

“Cast all your care on God! That anchor holds.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson

God’s Word: “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” – 1 Corinthians 1:9

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ROMANS †

“For God does not show favoritism.” – Romans 2:11

Hilaire Belloc (1870–1953), an author, critic, and devout Roman Catholic, lived in a Britain where strong anti-Catholic sentiment prevailed. Known for his passion and unwavering conviction, Belloc decided to run for political office in 1906, fully aware of the challenges posed by the electorate’s prejudices.

At his first campaign speech in Salford, he was asked by a heckler if he was a "papist". He responded:

“Gentlemen, I am a Catholic. As far as possible, I go to Mass every day. This [taking a rosary out of his pocket] is a rosary. As far as possible, I kneel down and tell these beads every day. If you reject me on account of my religion, I shall thank God that He has spared me the indignity of being your representative.”

The crowd cheered and Belloc won the election, despite his Catholic faith.

The Lord alone shows no favoritism in His love. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His impartiality and pray that you will not show favoritism to others.

“Prejudices are the chains forged by ignorance to keep men apart.” - Marguerite Gardiner

God’s Word: “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.” – James 2:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ROMANS †

“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

Author Chris Winfield writes: “I was in a constant state of “poor me.” This all started to change once I began writing a gratitude list every single day for the past 34+ months and it has changed my life profoundly. Here are the 4 most important things I’ve learned on my gratitude journey:

1. It’s Hard at First: My mentor told me to text him three things that I am grateful for every day. Sounds pretty easy right? Well, it wasn’t. When you’ve lived most of your life not focusing on gratitude, it’s not so simple to change that.

2. There Is Always Something to Be Grateful For: No matter what was going on in my life (business problems, I was sick, someone cut me off in traffic) there was always something that I could find to be grateful for (my health, my daughter’s smile, etc.).

3. Gratitude Grows the More You Use It: My gratitude lists started off very basic and I struggled to find things to be grateful for (especially on the really tough days). But once I consistently took action, it became easier and easier.

4. It Can Help Stop Negative Thought Patterns: According to the Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, the average person has about 70,000 thoughts each day! There’s one big problem with this — the vast majority of these thoughts are negative. Gratitude can work to stop these negative thought patterns by replacing it with something positive.”

As we begin this New Year, make every effort to be grateful for all of the Lord’s blessings. Today in prayer, thank Christ for the blessings He has bestowed on you and seek to be grateful to Him and to others throughout the day.

"The man who has forgotten to be thankful, has fallen asleep in life." – Robert Louis Stephenson

God’s Word: “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good” 2 Timothy 3:2-3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ROMANS †

“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” – Romans 1:16-17

Dr. William Rowley writes: “R. C. Sproul points out that diligence matters in sanctification. We may remember Archimedes’ “Eureka!” moment about specific gravity and Newton’s observation of the falling apple as point-in-time events, but they were really the result of diligent study after years of work. Edison’s discovery of a usable filament was not his first try at creating a light bulb. In Sproul’s words, he “did not have much luck, but much work.” We must diligently seek God in our sanctification:

We are to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. We notice that Jesus said that we are to seek these things first. The word that is translated as “first” here is the Greek word protos, which does not mean simply first in a series of many things. Rather, the word carries the force of priority. A more accurate translation of Matthew 6:33 would be “Seek ye first, above all else, the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”

Our own Eureka! moment will not come without seeking first the Kingdom of God. This means work— not works-righteousness to save us, but out of our salvation, diligent, righteous work.”

Living a righteous life is living a life by faith in Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, thank Christ for this New Year and seek to please Him by living by faith.

“The righteousness of God is not acquired by acts frequently repeated, as Aristotle taught, but is imparted by faith.” – Martin Luther

God’s Word: “He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” – Proverbs 21:21

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2025, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN ROMANS †