“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:15

Helen Keller was afflicted at the age of 19 months with an illness that left her blind and deaf. She was examined by Alexander Graham Bell at the age of 6. As a result, he sent to her a 20-year-old teacher, Anne Sullivan (Macy) from the Perkins Institution for the Blind in Boston, which Bell’s son-in-law directed. Sullivan, a remarkable teacher, remained with Keller from March 1887 until her own death in October 1936.

Within months Keller had learned to feel objects and associate them with words spelled out by finger signals on her palm, to read sentences by feeling raised words on cardboard, and to make her own sentences by arranging words in a frame. During 1888–90 she spent winters at the Perkins Institution learning Braille. Then she began a slow process of learning to speak under Sarah Fuller of the Horace Mann School for the Deaf, also in Boston.

Helen wrote to famous preacher Phillips Brooks and reflected a spirit of thankfulness that characterized her life: “It fills my heart with joy to know that God loves me so much that he wishes me to live always, and that he gives me everything that makes me happy—loving friends, a precious little sister, sweet flowers, and the warm sunshine, and best of all, a mind that can think and enjoy and a heart that can love and sympathize.”

A heart centered on Jesus is a heart of gratitude. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

“I thank God for my handicaps. For through them, I have found myself, my work and my God.” – Helen Keller

God’s Word: - “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” – Psalm 106:1

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, 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

Josh Baldwin wrote "Thank You Jesus" to express his love for the Lord. He is a North Carolina native who grew up playing drums for his father, a worship pastor. He says that worship is the foundation of his music.

“‘Thank You Jesus’ is very special to me. I wanted a song that was simple and just talked about why I love the Lord,” Josh shares. “I love this song. I love leading it. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of singing it, because it’s such a good reminder of who the Lord is. I have so many reasons to be thankful, so many reasons to be grateful. I have so many reasons to worship. I hope it blesses you. I hope it shifts the atmosphere in your car, in your home, in your church — wherever you’re singing it, wherever you’re listening to it. I hope it just changes the atmosphere around you.”

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, give thanks to the Lord throughout this and every day!

“Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.” – Henry Van Dyke

God’s Word: - “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.” – Hebrews 13:15

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING †

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

In 2022, Terry Fortner celebrated his 25^th Thanksgiving as pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Cabot, Arkansas.

During a doctor’s appointment, the physician noticed swelling in his legs and ordered some more blood work. Terry received the news that he had advanced liver failure.

For the next two months, he underwent tests and he was placed on the transplant list.

“Six days after I got on that list, I got a phone call that they had a found a match for me and to get to the hospital the next morning at eight o’clock,” Terry said. “I was told to be prepared to spend the whole day and not to be disappointed or surprised if the liver didn’t work out.”

The surgery did work out and now Terry has a heightened awareness of gratitude.

“I’m grateful for the person who donated the liver, I’m grateful for the blood donors and I’m thankful for all of the doctors and medical staff. I’m also grateful for my church family and the countless people from literally all over the world who have been praying for me,” he said.

Above everything, Terry is quick to point people to Jesus and give God the glory for every part of his journey. “Most of all, I give God the glory and praise him for what He’s done. I really believe that He decided to start me on this path for some reason. And I’ve trusted Him, whatever the outcome.”

When we stop to give thanks to all that the Lord has blessed us with, there is no end to His mercy. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord for the many blessings in your life.

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” —William Arthur Ward

God’s Word: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” - 1 Chronicles 16:34

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING †

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” - Psalm 42:11

Brandon Lake’s worship song of “Gratitude” is his humble offering of thanksgiving to an infinite God. This gentle ballad explores the tension between Lake’s overwhelming gratitude towards God and the corresponding awareness of the limitations of his own finite humanity.

Lake explains a vision the Lord gave him and his wife “for our home to become a place to host couples and people in ministry who were burned out.” He shared that he saw himself and his wife worshipping with, affirming, and praying for those who were hurting, and felt that through their home God was calling them to set an atmosphere where miracles can happen in people’s lives.

The chorus touches people where they are when they are broken. He encourages the worshiper to forget about oneself and to “get up and praise the Lord.”

It cannot be said enough, praise the Lord in all things. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord for He is good and praise Him at all times.

“Oh come on, my soul

Oh, don't you get shy on me

Lift up your song

'Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs

Get up and praise the Lord” - Brandon Lake

God’s Word: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” - Psalm 43:5

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, 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

“In All Things Give Thanks: A Story From a Man and His Dog”, Craig Conover tells the story of a stranger he met while he was working at a car lot: “He told me that he has always heard that we should give thanks in all things, which he didn’t truly understand until 6 months earlier when his best friend, and wife unexpectedly passed away. They had been happily married for 54 years. It absolutely left him blindsided, since there was no warning. The scripture he had heard his whole life kept popping in his head. “Give thanks in ALL things.” This was something he had always done…but now? During the most painful, difficult time of his life? He decided to try it, to follow the council of the Lord. He starts each morning on his knees thanking the Lord for his beautiful wife and the wonderful years they got to spend together. He said every morning, while thanking the Lord for his wife; he sobs tears of joy. He is able to feel joy and happiness during the hardest trial of his life. He shared that he doesn’t think he could survive without his prayers of gratitude. He misses her so much, but he starts his day with happy filled memories instead of grief and it carries him to the next day.

He looked at me and with all the sincerity he could muster said, ‘IN ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS!’”

During times of hurt, focus on Jesus and give Him thanks. Today in prayer, if you have lost a loved one or a friend this year, give thanks to God that he or she was a part of your life.

“I’m thankful for Thanksgiving…as it helps me refocus on gratitude…pushing all my blessing to the top of my vision.” - Sherri Jorgensen

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

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING †

“Sing for joy in the Lord, you who are right with Him. It is right for the pure in heart to praise Him.” – Psalm 33:1

In an article entitled “Praising God with Our Testimonies”, Dr. Scott Sunquist writes:

“My wife and I once visited a large new church in Los Angeles. After some time of praise, Mary, a local drama student at a large university, came forward to give a testimony. The professor of her introductory acting class had asked all the students to present “something extreme” to the class. Mary decided that, as a Christian, she would write a hymn of love to Jesus and sing it.

The student presenting before her, Alice, took a Bible, led the class out by a trash can on campus, and proceeded to slowly read portions of the Old Testament about commands to make war, God punishing the nations, and sending Israel into exile. She read imprecatory psalms. With each violent passage, Alice would say something like, “Who would ever believe in a God like that?” Then she would tear out the page from the Bible, burn it, and drop the page in the trashcan. It was extreme drama.

This was the warm-up for Mary. She pulled out her guitar, said a brief prayer under her breath, and sang a love song to Jesus. The class was silent and then went home. All, that is, except for Alice, who came forward with tears in her eyes. “That was beautiful. That is the God I want to know. Can you help me get to know Jesus?” And so, after a few days of Bible study and prayer, Alice gave her life to Christ.

The congregation was filled with praise and joy. Then, to add greater praise and thanksgiving, Mary said, “And Alice wanted to come to worship with me today to express her thanksgiving to Jesus.” Sudden praise erupted in the worship service. Mary and Alice hugged, and the worship team spontaneously broke into a song of praise. Some of us cried tears of joy.”

Doing something extreme today and praise the Lord! Someone might be watching and want to know Jesus.

"We must never rest until everything inside us worships God." - A. W. Tozer

God’s Word: “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” – Psalm 32:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING †

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

The praise song “My God Can” was written by Katy Nichole and four of her friends. She said: “I hope this song gives you the confidence to trust fully in God in everything. Let this be your anthem: "I'm standing in the confidence that even though I can't, my God can." It's based on the verse Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

I want to remind you today that even when you don't feel strong, God is strong. His strength never fails. There is nothing impossible with God. He will go before you, and He will exceed every expectation that you've ever had. I want to remind you today that even when you can't do something, God can. And that is something that I have confidence in.”

Feeling weak or defeated? Let Jesus be your strength. Today praise the Lord and know that My God Can.          

“I might not be able to part the waters

Might not be able to calm the storms

Might not be able to make my giants fall 

But good thing I'm not alone 

Cause there is a power that is greater

So I'm not afraid of what's ahead 

I'm standing in the confidence 

That even though I can't 

My God can” – Katy Nichole

God’s Word: “Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him.” – Isaiah 45:24

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING †

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.” – Hebrews 13:15

In an article entitled “The Power of Praise – Part 2”, Carl Joseph writes: “In the New Testament, there are two sacrifices for us to make. We have to offer up our bodies as a living sacrifice. It says it in Romans 12:1. But in Hebrews 13:15, it says, “By Him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.” That is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Friend, if you’re struggling to see a breakthrough in your life, or having trouble seeing your prayers answered, it’s time to praise. It’s time to sacrifice for God and get your praise on in Jesus’ name. Friend, I’ve had some of the most wonderful times praising God. The times of refreshing that you can have in His presence as we praise Him for who He is and what He is about to do in our lives.”

Let praising Jesus be a lifelong habit and let it begin now. Today in prayer, praise the Lord throughout the day.

“There is no greater honor than to praise our creator!” – Carl Joseph

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 2023, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING †

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” – Psalm 150:6

Elevation Worship is a church-led band that was created in 2007. It released the worship song “Praise” in 2023. The song was inspired by several Psalms.

It starts off by proclaiming that all creation should praise God. Elevation Worship explains that this praise extends beyond times of joy. When they face trials, tribulation, and persecution, they will continue to praise. It reaches beyond the church walls, spilled onto the streets, which is heard even by their enemies. They worship because He rules over everything, rose from the grave, is trustworthy, and the source of truth. 

Its most iconic lines are a battle cry:

“My praise is a weapon

Its more than a sound

My praise is the shout

That brings Jericho down”.

“Praise” challenges us to praise the Lord no matter what.

Today in everything praise the Lord.

“As long as I'm breathing

I've got a reason to

Praise the Lord (C'mon), oh my soul

Praise the Lord, oh my soul

I won't be quiet, my God is alive

So how could I keep it inside? (I gotta)

Praise the Lord, oh my soul

(Yeah, praise the Lord)” – Brandon

God’s Word: “Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.” – Psalm 103:1-2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING †

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” - Psalm 73:25-26

In her blog post “When God Meets You in a Hospital Room”, Leah Jolly writes the following: “As difficult as my husband’s illness and diagnosis was, I look back on those difficult weeks as a means God used to sanctify me. In a cold, fourth-floor hospital room, God met me in my darkest hour and taught me about his power to heal and provide for all of my needs. I didn’t ask God to send me or my husband through a devastating medical and financial crisis. However, it was part of his sovereign plan for my life and sanctification. The authors of the Heidelberg Catechism–a 16th century document used by the church to teach Reformed theology and doctrine–explain that, because of God’s sovereign plan, “all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but by his fatherly hand.” Knowing God’s sovereignty and providence is a great comfort to me, even as God’s means of sanctifying me are faith-testing, difficult, and costly. The Heidelberg Catechism reminds us that when we know about God’s providence, “We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing in creation will separate us from his love. For all creatures are so completely in God’s hand that without his will they can neither move nor be moved.” Now, looking back, I’m grateful to God for using means like hospital rooms and chronic illness diagnoses as a means of sanctification and growth for my good and his glory.”

When your flesh fails, praise Jesus. Today in prayer, know that in suffering, the Lord is with you.

“The comfort of Revelation 21 has given me a greater anticipation of heaven. Only in heaven will my husband’s illness be eternally cured and he will be given a disease-free body, free from all complications and limitations. Praise God!” – Leah Jolly

God’s Word: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” – Revelation 21:3-4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING †

“Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.” – Psalm 103:22

Tommy Edman is a utility player for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is also a Christian who is serious about his faith. When he first walked into a major league clubhouse, he saw other men live with integrity on and off the field and “the one thing that was different with them was that they all had their eyes fully set on God.”  

It was then that he realized he had to make a change if he wanted to live up to the potential that God had in mind for him.  

“As soon as I got to be in a clubhouse with them and saw that they lived out that light, not just on TV and on cameras, but also the behind the scenes as well. They were men of integrity. Seeing how those guys conducted themselves at all times throughout the day really made a huge impact on myself and inspired me to turn both eyes to God.”

Every baseball all player has a “walk up song” when they come to the plate and bat. Tommy has chosen the praise song “Lion” by Elevation Worship. He wants to be praising God when he enters the spotlight to bat.

What a blessing we have to be able to praise Jesus all day long! Today in praise, remember the Lord throughout the day and give Him praise.

“Hail, hail Lion of Judah

Let the Lion roar

Hail, hail Lion of Judah

Let the Lion roar

Hail, hail Lion of Judah

Let the Lion roar

Hail, hail Lion of Judah

Let the Lion roar” - Christopher Joel Brown / Steven Furtick / Brandon Lake

God’s Word: “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” – Psalm 103:2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2024, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING †

“LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” – Isaiah 25:1

In December 2021, Cody Carnes released the song “Firm Foundation” (He Won’t)”. Carnes reminds us that when we put our faith in Jesus, we will never be disappointed with the result. “In such a shaky season, it was burning in my heart to write a song that declared what Jesus teaches us in Matthew 7”. “It says, Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Jesus knows the plans He has for us. He plans to do good to us and make us prosper, as He told us so many years ago. The next time trouble comes, if our faith is in Jesus, we can have confidence that we won’t fail, because He won’t fail.

In all you do, look to the Lord, the foundation of your faith. Today in prayer, praise Jesus, our rock because He won’t fail. 

“Christ is my firm foundation

The rock on which I stand

When everything around me is shaken

I've never been more glad

That I put my faith in Jesus

'Cause He's never let me down

He's faithful through generations

So why would He fail now?

He won't, He won't” – Cody Carnes

God’s Word: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” – Matthew 7:24

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING †

“‘but the word of the Lord endures forever.’ And this is the word that was preached to you.” – 1 Peter 1:25

In September 2024, Hurricane Helene ripped through the southeast United States killing more than 230 people.

Cindy Cole's home was completely destroyed in Hurricane Helene — but one item was left untouched. The Bible sitting in her bedroom remained intact after a tree fell on top of her roof in Nashville, Georgia. 

The 62-year-old grandmother said that she was asleep in her bedroom when the storm was passing through on the night of September 26. That's when she heard a voice — something she believed to be divine intervention, she said.

"I had this little voice that kept saying, 'Get up! Go to another room in your house,’" she recalled.

Minutes later a tree collapsed on top of her roof. "I’m thinking it was the Lord telling me to move to another room," she said. 

Cole is praising the Lord for safety and said: “"You cannot touch the word of the Lord. You cannot touch it."

In times of trouble, look to the Lord and praise Him. Today in prayer, praise Jesus, our shield and protector.

“Praise is the rehearsal of our eternal song. By grace, we learn to sing, and in glory, we continue to sing.” – Charles Spurgeon

God’s Word: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” – Isaiah 40:8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING †

“To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever.” – Revelation 5:13

The worship song “Holy Forever” was written by Chris Tomlin and Jenn Johnson. Jenn said: “In heaven, we will join the angels, the saints who have gone before us, and those who are yet to come in the eternal worship of the Lord. “Holy Forever” reminds us of this future, where we will lift our voices with a thousand generations in unison, praising God. This is an encouraging and inspiring reminder of our ultimate victory with Christ. As we sing these songs on earth, we anticipate when we will sing these songs forever to the Lamb in heaven.”

The anthem invites us to lift our gaze and immerse ourselves in the awe-inspiring splendor of the King of Kings and ponder the magnificence of God's glory.

What an invitation to worship the Lord forever. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that you can eternally worship our God. 

“And the angels cry, "Holy"

All creations cries, "Holy"

You are lifted high, holy

Holy forever” – Chris Tomlin

God’s Word: “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,” – Philippians 2:10

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING †

I Will Yet Praise Him            Monday – November 4, 2023

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. – Psalm 42:5

In his book “The Sacred Journey”, Frederick Buechner writes: “One winter I sat in army fatigues somewhere near Anniston, Alabama, eating my supper out of a mess kit. The infantry training battalion that I had been assigned to was on bivouac. There was a cold drizzle of rain, and everything was mud. The sun had gone down.

I was still hungry when I finished and noticed that a man nearby had left something that he was not going to eat. It was a turnip. When I asked him if I could have it, he tossed it over to me. I missed the catch, and the turnip fell to the ground, but I wanted it so badly that I picked it up and started eating it, mud and all.

Time deepened and slowed down. With a lurch of the heart, I saw suddenly that not only was the turnip good, but the mud was good too, even the drizzle and cold were good, even the Army that I had dreaded for months was good.

Sitting there in the Alabama winter with my mouth full of cold turnip and mud, I could see at least for a moment how if you ever took truly to heart the ultimate goodness and joy of things, even at their bleakest, the need to praise someone or something for it would be so great that you might even have to go out and speak of it to the birds of the air.”

In the bleakest of circumstances, you can lift your spirits by keeping your eyes on Jesus. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His goodness. 

“Praise is always a choice. Even in difficult times, we can choose to praise God. I can choose to allow fear and worry to control my heart and mind, or I can choose to praise the Lord and confess that He is in control.” – Billy Taylor

God’s Word: “But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.” – Psalm 71:14

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2023, 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

Timothy Keller, in his book “Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God”, writes:

 Cosmic ingratitude is living in the illusion that you are spiritually self-sufficient. It is taking credit for something that was a gift. It is the belief that you know best how to live, that you have the power and ability to keep your life on the right path and protect yourself from danger. That is a delusion, and a dangerous one.

We did not create ourselves, and we can’t keep our lives going one second without his upholding power. Yet we hate that knowledge, Paul says, and we repress it. We hate the idea that we are utterly and completely dependent on God, because then we would be obligated to him and would not be able to live as we wish. We would have to defer to the one who gives us everything.”

We need to be grateful for all the Lord has given us. Today in prayer, confess any sin of ingratitude and be thankful to the Lord.

“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 2024, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING †