“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” – 2 Peter 1:5-7

James A. Reed was born in 1861 in Ohio. He grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and studied law at Coe College. He arrived in Kansas City in 1887, and began a law practice. In 1896, Reed was appointed county counselor, and in 1898 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Jackson County. Reed continued up the political ladder and was sworn in as a U.S. Senator in 1911. In 1932, he narrowly missed winning the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

James Reed was an outspoken man who did not mince words. In an article written in 1929, H. L. Mencken of the American Mercury wrote: “To be a fraud is safer and happier in Washington today than it has been since March 4, 1911. For James A. Reed, after eighteen years in the Senate, has hung up his sword and gone home to Missouri.”

In one of the most forceful speeches ever delivered before the Senate, observed with great truth: “The majority crucified Jesus Christ; the majority burned the Christians at the stake; the majority established slavery; the majority jeered when Columbus said the world was round; the majority threw him into a dungeon for having discovered a new world; the majority cut off the ears of John Pym because he dared advocate the liberty of the press.”

We need to resolve in our lives to follow the Lord and not the majority. Today in prayer, pray that you would desire to make every effort to follow Christ and to be godly in all that you do.

“Resolved: that all men should live for the glory of God. Resolved second: That whether others do or not, I will.” – Jonathan Edwards

God’s Word: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2003, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF PETER pkennedy@devotional.com