ARE MY LOYALTIES DIVIDED? (When I ask for wisdom and it does not come)

Posted on September 4, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

JAMES 1:5-8: “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” NLT

OBSERVATION: I need wisdom! I need wisdom in my role as a husband and a father. I need wisdom in my role as a minister in the church. I need wisdom in my job and in my dealings with others. In all of life…

I need wisdom!

The Scriptures have much to say about wisdom. The Book of Proverbs is a complete book of wisdom. Solomon, writing to his son, exhorts him,

“Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” (Proverbs 4:5-7 NLT)

Getting wisdom is the wisest thing we can do! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom, therefore, is something beyond us. It does not come from within but is a gift from above. Wisdom is the gift of God. It is seeing life from God’s perspective. It is receiving divine direction from the Lord of all Creation. And the wonderful thing about wisdom is,

God offers it freely to all who will ask!

Yet, wisdom is not automatic. We live in a world devoid of wisdom. As we face each new day, each new challenge, will we face it with wisdom? The difference between walking in the wisdom of God and missing God’s will and direction is…Faith! Like salvation and every other blessing from God, wisdom is received by grace through faith! James pulls back the curtain to reveal the struggle of our faith.

“But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7 NLT)

If we do not approach God in sincere faith, we cannot expect to receive His wisdom. James is clear, “…Be sure that your faith is in God alone.” With this statement, James begins to unravel the struggle between our need for wisdom and our receiving wisdom from God. When we approach God, when we ask for wisdom, if our faith is divided, if we are ‘double-minded’ (as the King James translates it), we should “…not expect to receive anything from the Lord!”

That is a pretty strong statement. It is one that I have struggled with over the years. If it is not understood correctly, it can lead to all sorts of errors and legalistic teaching. What is James trying to say? No one approaches the throne of God without any doubts (unless they have received a gift of faith from the Holy Spirit). How can I make sure that my “…faith is in God alone?”

I love James’ answer to this question. It is both insightful and practical. It reveals the struggle I have had throughout my lifetime and the pathway to victory. Listen to James’ explanation of what it means to have a divided loyalty when asking God for wisdom.

“Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” (James 1:8 NLT)

Have you ever faced a situation where you truly needed God’s wisdom? You needed the understanding and guidance of the Lord who sees all, knows your beginning and your end, and who alone can guide you to victory. Yet, when you ask, and the answer does not come immediately, you begin to consider other options.

  • Maybe the Lord needs my help?
  • Maybe I should search the web for answers?
  • Maybe I should reach into my bag of experience and pull out my last response?
  • Maybe I should consult the conventional wisdom of the day?

There is always a struggle between the call to wait on the Lord and to act. The late saint, Corrie Ten Boom, once said,

“The devil smiles when we make plans. He laughs when we get too busy. But he trembles when we pray-especially when we pray together.“

We have to ask ourselves: “Do we really believe the Lord will give us wisdom?” If we do, we will not be tempted to jump to ‘Plan B’ the minute we get restless. We will refuse to find our answers from the wisdom of the world. We will be positioned for action, but we will refuse to move until we hear these words from the Holy Spirit,

“Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you, a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21 NLT)

I love the words of the old hymn, ‘What A Friend We Have In Jesus’:

O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!

May I take the liberty to change the words a bit to fit our context?

O what wisdom we often forfeit,
O what needless confusion we bear,
all because we do not tarry in faith,
waiting on God in prayer!

When I look back on my life, most of my mistakes, most of the times when I found myself at a dead end, many of my failures and disappointments, were caused because I failed to ‘wait on God in prayer’! I became impatient. I began to look for the answer outside of the Lord. I tried to convince myself that God was speaking when it was merely my impatience and presumption. My loyalty was divided between God and the world!

Yet, when I waited upon the Lord, when I refused to take the next step until I heard ‘…This is the way, walk in it…’ I was met with the wonderful wisdom of God. Doors that I could not open were opened. Doors that needed to be closed were closed. I received spiritual discernment, guidance, and the grace to walk in the pathway God had set before me.

I discovered the wonderful Wisdom of God that always leads to life!

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:17-18 NLT)

Heavenly Father, grant me the grace to walk with You and receive the wisdom from above. Shine a light on any area of my heart and life that is compromised by divided loyalties. Keep me from being reluctant to move forward, but give me the fortitude to wait until I hear the Holy Spirit say, ‘This is the way, walk in it!’

In Jesus’ Name!

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I STRUGGLE WITH FAITH…

Posted on September 2, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

HEBREWS 11:1-2: “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.” NLT

OBSERVATION: I struggle with faith. There, I said it. It is not what people want to hear from a pastor. It is not a popular confession among other believers. Yet, it is the truth. I read the first two verses in Hebrews chapter 11, and I say, “What?” This is not exactly the easiest definition to follow.

Some quote Hebrews 11:1 as if they have mastered it, and maybe they have. I may be deficient in my faith. If you have ever struggled with your faith, then you are not alone. I have been a believer for over 53 years, pastored since I was 23, and written several books and training materials and…

I still struggle with faith!

Faith runs counter to how I am wired. I am human and rely on my five senses to navigate through life. I want to see it, hear it, touch it, smell it, or taste it. It is a difficult leap to trust in something that does not meet this criterion. It is easy to put on my ‘Christian mask’ and say all the right things. Peter did this and later denied Jesus. Thomas was a bit more transparent about his doubts.

“They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” (John 20:25 NLT)

Yes, Jesus did admonish Thomas for doubting. Yet Jesus also invited Thomas to face his doubts in a tangible way.

“Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” (John 20:27 NLT)

Now, here is where doubt meets faith. Jesus did not call Thomas to a blind faith. Thomas was invited to touch Jesus! However, the text suggests that Thomas did not touch Jesus. When he encountered the living Christ, something happened in his heart. Grace was imparted. Faith was imparted. What Thomas could not do within himself, the Holy Spirit did within Thomas!

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. (John 20:28 NLT)

Then, Jesus called Thomas and all who would follow Him to the secret and the power of faith.

“Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.” (John 20:29-31 NLT)

Faith is not something we possess. Faith is a gift that is given. Faith is believing without seeing, but not without a personal call and engagement. Jesus called Thomas to Himself. Now, Jesus calls each of us to Himself through His Word. The Word of God, the record of the life of Jesus, His teachings, His promises, His sacrifice, His resurrection, have all been recorded and preserved so that we might believe!

When we hear God’s Word with an open heart, God imparts faith to believe! In essence, each time we turn the pages of Scripture, each time we encounter Jesus, each time we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, Jesus is calling to us…

“…Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” (John 20:27 NLT)

When we receive the Word of God with an open heart, God imparts His grace and faith!

“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” (Romans 10:17 NLT)

This faith, the ability to believe what we do not see; the reality of what we hope for; the evidence of things we do not see; is not something we produce within ourselves. It is the gift of God which comes through His Word, through the Good News of Jesus Christ – the Gospel! We know that salvation is a gift, but we forget that the very essence of our ability to have faith is too!

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV)

God knows we struggle with faith. Faith is not our natural response to life. Left alone, none of us would come to Jesus. Yet, as we abide in His Word, as we hear His voice speaking to us through the pages of Scripture, faith is imparted to us, and God invites us to believe! What was impossible now becomes possible. What we could not do, we are now empowered to do by grace through faith. It is a mystery, but like Thomas, when we encounter the living Jesus, all we can do is raise our hands and say…

“My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28 NLT)

No matter what I am facing, faith is available to me. It is God’s gift. It is imparted by the Holy Spirit through His Word. It lifts me up and gives me hope. It enables me to believe in what I cannot see. It makes what is unseen as real; no, it makes it more real than what I can see, hear, touch, smell, or taste. It raises me up on the wings of eagles and allows me to soar above the struggles I face. It brings me to the living Christ and renews within me a living hope.

My struggle with faith is met with God’s gift of faith as I sit at the feet of Jesus and receive His Word!

Heavenly Father, this morning, I bring my struggle with faith to You. I lay down everything at the foot of the Cross. Like Mary, help me to choose the good portion that cannot be taken away. Help me to abide in Your Word, listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, and receive the gift of Your grace and faith in my time of need! May my doubts be overcome as I daily meet the truth of Your Word!

In Jesus’ Name!

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AM I BORED WITH JESUS?

Posted on August 29, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

JEREMIAH 6:16-17: “This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’ I posted watchmen over you who said, ‘Listen for the sound of the alarm.’ But you replied, ‘No! We won’t pay attention!” NLT

OBSERVATIONS: Have you read ‘So and So’s’ latest book? Have you heard about the new teaching that ‘So and So’ is preaching at ‘That Church’? Why doesn’t our pastor ever teach something ‘New’? Church is getting stale, boring, the same old thing Sunday after Sunday! I am going to start looking around for another church with some life in it!

Have you ever had these thoughts? Have you ever asked these questions? I have. The irony is, as a member of a church, it is easy to fall into these doubts and questions. As a pastor of a church, it is quite another matter. What does the pastor of a church do when the sheep get restless, when whispers of being bored start to fill the hallways and foyer?

The truth is, we are all sheep. Pastors are sheep, leaders are sheep, and members of the church are sheep. Sheep are easily distracted. It is hard to keep their attention. This is why sheep wander off and why one of the most important jobs a pastor/shepherd has is to bring back the wandering sheep.

Yet, how a pastor chooses to do this is the key!

In our churches, we are tempted to follow the world’s trends to spice things up. Why do you think so many churches today look like a rock concert on Sunday morning? The sanctuary is dark, the stage is lit with spotlights on the performers, and the music is so loud you cannot talk to the person next to you. We took a page from the rock concert for our worship services.

Don’t get me started on laser lights and smoke machines. I went into a small church planting one Sunday, and there was smoke hovering over the small platform. When the worship started, you could not see the worship team. It did not enhance the worship; it looked kind of spooky to me. Why do we need such accoutrements in our services?

Jeremiah was tasked with calling the people of God in Jerusalem to repentance and true worship of the Lord. The nation of Judah and the remnant of Jews from the Northern Tribes were proud to have the Temple. They revelled in their services and sacrifices, but the routine soon became boring. They were tempted to look at what the other nations were doing and copy that. This led them into idolatry, and their hearts turned from a sincere devotion to God to one that embraced every new thing found under heaven.

What was God’s message to this backslidden nation? What is God’s message to the church today?

“This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls…” (Jeremiah 8:16a NLT)

God’s message was – RETURN!

Return to the old, godly way, and walk in it! Why was God calling them back to the old, godly way? Because it was the only way they would find rest for their souls. God’s Word, worship, and God’s pathway were the only ways that would lead to life. Is this just a word for backsliding Israel, or is it a word for the church today?

Jesus, in His letter to the Church of Ephesus, shows us how easy it is for a church, once vibrant, once faithful, to begin to die and slip away from the old, godly way.

“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.” (Revelation 2:4-5 NLT)

The Church of Ephesus was not a dead church. They were active, faithful to the Word, and taking a stand against false teaching. Jesus commended them for their hard work twice. Yet, something was happening under the surface. Something was happening in their heart. Their life as a church was becoming routine. They were not gathering with expectation. They were busy in their assigned roles, but they were neglecting the very center of their worship.

They were neglecting Jesus!

The Apostle John, in his first epistle, writes, “We love each other because He loved us first.“ (1 John 4:19 NLT). Jesus rebukes the Church of Ephesus, saying, “You don’t love Me or each other as you did at first.” The Church of Ephesus had begun to settle. They were doing the same thing day in and day out. They were taking everything for granted.

They were getting bored with Jesus!

This is a warning to us all. How does this happen? It happens the same way it does in any relationship. Take a marriage. In courtship, every day is wonderful. Love covers a multitude of imperfections that we will one day discover in both our lives. We wait with great anticipation for each day we can spend together. Then, after marriage, we begin the normal routines of life. Work, children, household duties, bills, and the like. These begin to steal the time we used to spend together. And we are tempted to say,

“I’m bored! Is this all there is?”

This is what happens in our Christian life. Pastors are unusually susceptible to this. We not only have our everyday responsibilities, but we have also taken on additional ones in the church, and caring for people in the church begins to take its toll. We become so involved in the ‘work of the Lord’ that we begin to neglect the ‘Lord of the work’!

This is where we find ourselves vulnerable, bored, and tempted to look for something new. A new job, a new partner, a new church, a new life! Yet, none of these are the answer. The answer does not lie in change but in return. It is to hear the call to the old paths, our first love. It is the call to run to the Cross of Jesus Christ and rediscover the love that we had when we were born again and saved from our sin!

Solomon reminds us in the book of Ecclesiastes,

“History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 NLT)

Nothing, nothing, nothing, can replace the love of God in Christ Jesus! He is our first love. He is the source of love. He alone makes each day new. He gives us grace to live and forgive. He gives us new love for our spouse and children. He renews our love for our church. He reignites our passion to reach the lost. He alone is our hope, our joy, and our salvation. When we begin to get bored…

We are simply drifting away from our first love. We are drifting away from Jesus!

Jeremiah calls us to return to the old paths. Jesus calls us to return to our first love. Both these calls lead to one destination: the Cross of Jesus Christ. This is why Paul proclaimed, and why I need to pray…

“As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.” (Galatians 6:14-16 NLT)

Lord, hear the refrain of this wonderful song as the prayer of my heart!

Lead me to the cross

Where Your love poured out

Bring me to my knees

Lord, I lay me down

Rid me of myself

I belong to You

Oh, lead me, lead me to the cross

Heavenly Father, lead me to the Cross. Lead me to my first love. Lead me to Jesus!

In Jesus’ Name!

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WHAT SHOULD I DO UNTIL JESUS RETURNS?

Posted on August 21, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

TITUS 2:11-14: “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.” NLT

OBSERVATION: What should I do until Jesus returns? How should the promise of His Second Coming impact the way I live? Does the fact that over 2000 years have passed cause me to doubt His Second Coming? Am I living in the power of His ‘Blessed Hope’, and is it changing the way I live?

The first question I must consider is: “Will Jesus really come again?” While many believers say this is a given, many are not as certain. In fact, many today doubt Jesus’ Second Coming. Some have even spiritualized His physical return, saying He has already returned. What does the Bible say to these questions?

Many will doubt His Second Coming!

“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” (2 Peter 3:3-4 NLT)

Jesus will come again in the same way He ascended into heaven, and ALL who are on earth will see Him!

“After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them.“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” (Acts 1:9-11 NLT)

“Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him— even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!” (Revelation 1:7 NLT)

Jesus’ Second Coming is the ‘Blessed Hope’ of the believer!

“…While we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.” (Titus 2:13 NLT)

So, how should these truths influence the way I live? Paul gives Titus some very clear instructions. While I may be tempted to disengage from this world, climb to a proverbial mountaintop, and wait for Jesus’ return, the Bible calls me to a completely different mindset. The promise of His imminent Second Coming should never lull me into complacency as I wait. Rather, it should call me to holy living and engage me in the harvest, leading as many to faith in Jesus Christ as I can before He returns!

Here are the main points Paul outlines to Titus. The ‘Blessed Hope’ of Jesus Second Coming should cause me to:

  1. Turn from godless living and sinful pleasures!
  2. Live an engaged life in this world through the Wisdom of God!
  3. Cultivate my devotion to Jesus and walk in the pathway of His righteousness!
  4. Engage in this present life, walking in the power of the Holy Spirit and committing my life to doing good in the world

Some may object. “What is the use of trying to change the world if Jesus’ return is so imminent?” To this I would answer with two very important considerations.

FIRST – God is on a completely different timetable than I am. In fact, in reality, God exists outside of time. What we see as a delay is but moments in the mind and will of God. Any apparent delay from my perspective is simply God fulfilling His desire that all men come to faith in Jesus Christ!

“But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:8-9 NLT)

(NOTE: I am old enough to have lived through many predictions of Jesus’ Second Coming. We are still waiting, and there are still souls who are lost and need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ! His delay is a wonderful example of His mercy and a call to me to be engaged in His harvest!)

SECOND – I was created in Christ Jesus for good works! My salvation is for a purpose. It is not meant only for my benefit. Jesus has called me, saved me, filled me with the Holy Spirit, and given me a mission. I must roll up my sleeves, proclaim the Gospel, and work to make my world a better place. I need to occupy and engage my world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ until He comes!

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming…A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.” (Matthew 24:42, 45-46 NLT)

As believers, we may differ in our views of eschatology (End Times and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ). We may debate the rapture, the great tribulation, and the millennium. Aimee Semple McPherson, the founder of the Foursquare Church, wisely said,

“In the essentials, unity. In the non-essentials, liberty, and in everything charity. (love)”

I am not suggesting these subjects are not important. However, devoted disciples of Jesus Christ stand on different lines based on their sincere understanding of the Scriptures. What I am proposing is that we all engage in what Paul called Titus to do as we look for the ‘Blessed Hope’, the imminent and sure return of Jesus Christ our Lord and the establishment of His everlasting Kingdom!

There is so much work to do, right now, and my life can make a difference!

Heavenly Father, grant me the grace to live my life in such a way that I am a light to the world and an extension of Your love through tangible acts of kindness and good works. Help me to engage in the ministry of the Gospel and in Your good works, to reach and change this world…UNTIL YOU RETURN!

In Jesus’ Name!

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THE BATTLE FOR TRUTH…

Posted on August 17, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

2 TIMOTHY 3:12-14: “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.” NLT

OBSERVATION: There is a battle for truth today! Never before have we been bombarded by so many voices vying for our attention. With the rise of social media and the fact that everyone can become a newscaster by starting a podcast, the internet and the airways are filled with competing voices. Each one is convinced they hold the corner on the truth.

Who are we to believe?

If this were not enough, with the rise of AI, the lines of truth and falsehood have become even more difficult to define. Each day, AI becomes more refined. Social media is filled with purported news clips created by someone who has nothing better to do than spin a tale and see how many will take the bait. We are living in the Wild West once again!

Those using AI to twist the truth have become the modern-day ‘Snake Oil Salesmen’!

What is the church doing in the midst of all this confusion? While there are faithful shepherds who warn their flocks of this rising deception, many continue with business as usual, preaching a message that blesses but fails to challenge. It leads people to the mountain but not to the Cross. It looks at the world through rose-colored glasses rather than through the lens of Biblical Revelation.

Oh, how we need the faithful exposition of God’s Word in our churches!

What did Paul tell Timothy? Did he tell Timothy that things were going to get better and better in the last days? Did he encourage Timothy to proclaim a message that would make him popular with the masses? What did Paul tell young Timothy?

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT)

Was Paul talking about the world? NO! The world has been evil from day one. Paul was talking about the visible church in the last days. The world does not act religious; the church does. The world does not continue the exercise of religion while denying the power that makes a person godly; the church does. The world does not adjust the Gospel to fit their carnal lifestyles; the church does. Paul was warning Timothy of the visible church in the last days.

Throughout Scripture, there have always been the visible people of God and the faithful remnant. Just as only a few Jews remained faithful to the covenant of God, in the last days, so there will only be a remnant that remains faithful to the Gospel. I wish this wasn’t true. I wish Paul had written something different. Yet, we are witnessing this happen right before our eyes. One by one, whole movements of God that once proclaimed the faithful Word of God are leaving the fold, preaching another Gospel, another Jesus!

This can be depressing unless we continue reading! The true follower of Jesus Christ was never promised a rose garden in the first place. To faithfully stand up for the truth of the Gospel and to proclaim the whole counsel of God’s Word carries a cost. We proclaim the blessings of the Gospel but so many times omit the cost. While salvation and the pathway to heaven are fully paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ, the pathway of discipleship is filled with costs!

“You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:11-12 NLT)

Now, before you throw your hands up in despair, before you are tempted to give up, before you begin to believe all is lost, listen to the exhortation of Paul to young Timothy. We are not left powerless. We are not left without direction. We are not left without hope. God has given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, and we hold the keys to the Kingdom of God and to our continued victory in Christ Jesus!

“But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:14-17 NLT)

How do we navigate through the difficult times ahead? By taking heed of the Holy Scriptures! How do we discern what is true in a day when there are so many voices? We check everything with the Holy Scriptures! How do we walk in wisdom in a day when falsehood abounds? We abide in the Holy Scriptures! How do we check our hearts for sin and equip our lives for righteousness? We read and meditate upon the Holy Scriptures!

Why can we rely on the Holy Scriptures?

  • They are God-breathed!
  • They are inspired by God!
  • They are the revelation of His Nature!
  • They are the source of all truth!
  • God uses them to purify and prepare us for every good work!

The Holy Scriptures are our final source of all matters that pertain unto life and godliness!

Heavenly Father, this morning I run to Your Holy Scriptures! I take shelter in the midst of the storm in Your Holy Scriptures. Purify me. Prepare me. Equip me. Change me into the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ, my Lord! In a day when everyone is claiming to be the source of truth, grant me the grace to abide in Jesus, the Living Word, the author of Your written, objective, and faithful Holy Scriptures!

In Jesus’ Name!

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FOLLOW THE MONEY…

Posted on August 12, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

1 TIMOTHY 6:5: “These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.”

OBSERVATION: I will never forget an experience I had at the movie theatre. I was by myself waiting for the movie to start. In front of me were two men who were talking quite loudly. They were talking about church. As a pastor, I could not help but tune in to what they were saying. One of the men said,

“I don’t like church. The only thing they ever talk about is money!”

I wanted to chime in, but it was not my conversation. As I thought about what the one man said, I must admit there is a great deal of truth to his statement. While it is not an excuse to neglect the gathering of the saints, it is worth consideration and a call to check my heart.

My favorite TV show genre is police drama. I love the mystery of unraveling the details of a crime and discovering the true culprit. One of the major themes used over and over again is, ‘Follow the money!‘ When the detectives follow the money, they usually find their suspect.

What happens in the church when we follow the money? Paul suggests that we will find the true motives of those in leadership and those who are following. Paul says, “To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.” In other words, follow the money! Their emphasis on money will reveal the true motive of their heart.

The TV is filled with preachers who talk more about money than about the Cross for our Lord Jesus Christ. Money, especially money given to their ministry, is a sign of the believer’s faith, not their godly surrender and Christ-like character. No matter what they are preaching, it always pivots to money!

I could go on and on analyzing these false teachers, but I would rather turn my focus to Jesus Christ. Paul exhorts Timothy to do the same!

“If the masters are believers, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. Those slaves should work all the harder because their efforts are helping other believers who are well loved. Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life.“ (1 Timothy 6:2-3 NLT)

What are we supposed to focus on when we teach? Jesus! What is the essence of our message when we preach? Jesus! Who is the beginning and end of our Christian life? Jesus! Who alone holds the wholesome teaching that will lead us into godliness? Jesus!

The late Pastor Robert Schuller was known as the guru of positive thinking. He was a pastor who built a great ministry, a huge church campus, and a worldwide TV ministry called the ‘Hour of Power’. Most of Robert Schuller’s early messages and books focused on the power of positive thinking, using the Scriptures to emphasize his point. Many have followed in his footsteps, but they neglected to take notice of the end of his life!

Something happened to Pastor Schuller near the end of his life. He began to preach the Cross of Jesus Christ. In an interview, he was asked what he would do differently in his ministry if he were starting again. He said, “I would preach the Cross of Jesus Christ!” I think as he reflected on his work, the great buildings, and all he accomplished, he recognized what Paul also discovered.

All of our worldly achievements mean nothing, save the Cross of Jesus Christ!

If I want to discern my heart, follow the money. If I want to test what is being taught, follow the money. If I want to invest my life and resources in a work that will honor God and build His Kingdom, follow the money. I need to remember Jesus’ words,

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:19-21 NLT)

Heavenly Father, search my heart this morning. Set me free from any attraction to the riches of this world. Help me to honor You with my substance as I surrender my heart to You. May my focus, my desire, my love be always the Cross of Jesus Christ. Grant me the grace to live contentedly in this life trusting fully in Christ alone!

“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8 NLT)

In Jesus’ Name!

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THE GREATEST ASSURANCE IN LIFE!

Posted on August 7, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

JOB 19:25-27: “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!”

OBSERVATION: Life is difficult. It is filled with times of blessing and times of great struggle. The follower of Jesus is not removed from either. A believer faces the same struggles as a non-believer, yet with hope. It is this hope, this assurance that makes all the difference!

The Book of Job is a difficult book to read. It is not a book from which one can develop doctrinal statements from every page. It is filled with suffering, misunderstanding, criticism, and man-centered concepts of God and how He works. Job’s three friends, who were miserable comforters, are rebuked by God Himself in the end for their harsh treatment of Job.

Job was really no better. He blamed God for all that he was going through. He proclaimed his innocence as he looked at his actions but failed to look deep within his own heart. There are snippets of truth in every bit of dialogue between Job and his three miserable comforters. Yet there is rarely anything in these dialogues that we can proclaim as absolute truth.

Job’s wife tells him to curse God and die. Job’s friends tell him to repent of his sins. Job maintains his innocence and demands an audience with God. And yet, Job continues to suffer. His friends give him no hope. His family and relatives keep their distance. No one wants to hang around suffering.

Then something happens!

In a rare moment of clarity and faith, after wishing he were dead and proclaiming that the dead have no hope, Job makes a statement that rises above his suffering. It comes from the depth of his heart and reveals the essence of his faith. Buried under all the confusion and pain, the spirit of Job speaks. The words he speaks reveal the reason he endures.

Job is sustained by the hope of the Resurrection!

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!” (Job 19:25-27)

In the midst of all the suffering, amid all the confusion, and in contrast to all the criticism and judgment, the Holy Spirit gives Job clarity, hope, and the strength to endure. This suffering will not last. It is not final. This life is not the end. Even when there appears to be no hope, the believer’s hope remains.

  • My Redeemer lives!
  • My hope is anchored in Him!
  • Jesus will come back to judge the quick and the dead.
  • Jesus will reign in righteousness.
  • My frail physical body will be transformed.
  • I will stand before Him in all His glory.
  • I will never suffer again!

This is what really anchored Job in all his suffering and confusion. It was a hope that eluded his miserable comforters, even his wife. It was not a rational hope. It stood in contrast to all he could see and all he was experiencing. It was a spiritual hope. It was the reality of heaven, the promise of eternal life, the promise of a new life and a new body that would never decay. Its truth is so wonderful that it transforms us from doubt to faith, from despair to hope, from death to life! Job proclaimed…

“I am overwhelmed at the thought!”

This morning I have dear friends whose lives are in the balance. They are battling life-threatening illness and challenges. I am praying for them. I believe that Jesus is their Healer! While I do not have a word from the Lord that I can proclaim, “You are healed!”, I do have a word that I can share with them without hesitation and with full assurance.

“I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!“

God, in the end, healed Job. God is still healing today. We pray for healing with all our hearts, in the name of Jesus. We see some restored and some go to their everlasting home in heaven. I don’t have the answer for that. Those who pretend to are like Job’s three friends. They have an answer for every problem in life and a platitude for every question or objection.

Yet, what I do have, what I can share with confidence and full assurance every time, is, “My Redeemer Lives!” And because He lives, I will never die. This life may end, but it is merely just a step from life to life. My body, which grows old and decays, will one day be fully restored, and I will see Jesus in all His glory. This is the hope of the Resurrection!

This hope sustains me.

It comforts me.

It empowers me to face anything!

“But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies…But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53, 57 NLT)

“But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:1-2 NLT)

“…For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5 NLT)

In Jesus’ Name!

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AM I IGNORING GOD’S GPS?

Posted on August 2, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

ISAIAH 8:20-22: “Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark. They will go from one place to another, weary and hungry. And because they are hungry, they will rage and curse their king and their God. They will look up to heaven and down at the earth, but wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness.” NLT

OBSERVATION: What did we do before GPS? This year I fearlessly drove the autobahn in Germany with my wonderful GPS! I could not read the signs, but Siri safely guided me on my route and told me when to exit and turn. It was wonderful not having to worry about the directions. Yet, there is only one problem.

I didn’t really know where I was going or where I had been!

If I flew to Germany again, picked up my rental car, and began driving without my GPS, I would be in for a real adventure (and not a good one)! My wife and I have a continual debate about the value of using a GPS. Even when I have my GPS on the screen in my car, my wife is looking at the map on her phone, or, if available, is pulling out a good old-fashioned paper map!

There is also the risk that the GPS will take you to the wrong destination! We have become so accustomed to listening and obeying. We don’t question; we just follow. This works most of the time, but it also can lead us into danger or the wrong destination.

I had asked for a small car to drive while in Germany. When I got to the rental counter, the man gladly said, “Mr. Zehnder, good news! You have been upgraded!” At first I thought this was great until I saw the car. They had put me in the largest SUV that VW makes. It was brand new, but it was also twice the size of the car I wanted.

As I followed my GPS blindly to my destination, it led me to my hotel. However, it led me to the hotel’s rear entrance, down one of those cobblestone one-way streets. I could not turn around. As I drove, the road became narrower and narrower. I was driving at around 2 kilometers per hour as I watched the distance between my sideview mirrors narrow and narrow. When I finally made it to the end of the road, there was no more than an inch or two of clearance on both sides.

I think we have begun living our lives like we drive our cars. We listen to our GPS without asking questions. We also listen to the conventional wisdom of the day from the never-ending 24/7 news cycle much the same. Studies have shown how the same event is reported in opposite ways depending on the news outlet you listen to.

Yet, we continue down the road of life, taking a right, then a left, whatever the GPS says.

This is what the nation of Israel and Judah were doing. They were listening to the nations all around them. They desired what the other nations had, and they tried to obtain it by doing what they did. It got so bad that they began to seek mediums and those who consulted the dead for their advice. Isaiah rebukes them strongly!

“Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead?” (Isaiah 8:19 NLT)

Should the living seek guidance from the dead? Should the believer seek guidance from those who don’t know the Lord? Should the believer trust what they hear on the news and let that develop their worldview? Should the believer drive aimlessly down the highway of life with only a worldly GPS, leaving God’s map at home or tucked away in the glovebox?

Listen to the strong words Isaiah writes in answer to these questions.

“Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark. They will go from one place to another, weary and hungry. And because they are hungry, they will rage and curse their king and their God. They will look up to heaven and down at the earth, but wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness.” (Isaiah 8:20-22 NLT)

Jesus taught us the same thing!

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God…so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.” (Matthew 15:8-9, 14 NLT)

With studies showing that only 4-6% of Evangelicals have a Biblical Worldview, it is time to wake up and dust off our spiritual map! Without the Bible, without God’s instructions, we are following those who are walking completely in the dark. They may sound wise, but they are headed straight into a ditch. If we blindly follow them, we will fall into it too! The only result of following the world’s GPS will be trouble, anguish, and dark despair!

Yet, for those who build their lives on the Word of God, who seek His instructions for every journey and every destination, there will be blessing and protection! We cannot rely on circumstances. We cannot trust our emotions. Yet, we can always trust the living, powerful, and active Word of God! It alone is the tool by which the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, gives us spiritual discernment, and transforms our lives into the image of Jesus Christ!

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” (Hebrews 4:12-13 NLT)

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word! Give me a hunger for Your Word. Draw me daily to the pages of my Bible. May I spend time meditating, praying, and applying Your truth to my daily life. Lead me in the pathway of righteousness and protect me from the blind guides who are always trying to get me to take the wrong turn! Let me know Your truth and let Your truth set me free!

“Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 NLT)

In Jesus’ Name!

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IS MY LIFE A LIVING TESTIMONY?

Posted on July 30, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

1 TIMOTHY 1:15-16: “This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.”

OBSERVATION: What do people see when they look at my life? How do I present myself to others? Do I magnify my accomplishments while I hide my failures? Are people drawn to look at the testimony of my life or at me? I need to take a page from Paul’s life as I consider these questions.

When I was 30 years old, I had a short tenure as a Life Insurance Salesperson. Before that, I had worked in the grocery industry while also pastoring a church. Then, for a short time, I worked full-time for a parachurch ministry. However, in less than a year, the parachurch ministry decided to relocate out of the state.

All of a sudden, I found myself out of work!

I owned a home. I had a house payment and a car payment. I needed a job, and I needed one fast! I began to look for work. However, as I went on interviews, the question I was asked over and over again was, “Do you want to work in the grocery (or fill in the blank) industry or pastor a church?”

How could I answer that? I wanted to do both. Yet, I needed to earn money to support my family right now! The only offer I received was from a Life Insurance Company. I had no other offers and no other options. I threw myself fully into my new job. I did not have the option of failing!

I quickly succeeded in my new job and began to receive certificates of achievement and reward plaques. One was for being the company’s ‘Top Rookie Performer’. I had never been recognized like this before. It felt nice. As I walked by my supervisor’s office, I noticed the many plaques and awards on his wall for his accomplishments. I wanted these too! I began to define my life by my success.

Yet at the same time, I began to lose my spiritual focus. All my energy was put into my job. I was working around the clock because I needed to make money. My life focused on selling insurance 24/7. First, my devotional life began to suffer. Then, my prayer life became defined by simple arrow prayers, mostly to succeed at my job. As I drove my car to work one day, I realized I was living in a bubble.

What would my testimony be when people looked at my life?

In life, we can hide behind our certificates and plaques, seek the accolades this world has to offer, and all the trappings of success. Or we can be open about our lives, humble ourselves before others, and seek the Kingdom of God so that others will see Jesus and understand that they too can be saved.

Paul chose the latter and eventually so did I.

Paul never hid behind the mask of a ‘Super Apostle’. He was open about his past and transparent with his present. In fact, he saw himself as the ‘chief of sinners’! This definition would be rebuked by many in the church today. They would say, “You are no longer a sinner! You are a Son of the King!” While this is true, it positions one as superior to others. It points to who ‘I am’ rather than who ‘He is in me’!

It is a testimony that awards a plaque to myself, rather than leads someone to Christ

Why was Paul so transparent about his past, struggles, and weaknesses? I think Paul would be banned from many churches today for his testimony. Yet, Paul was never concerned with what others thought about him. Paul was concerned with only one thing.

Was his life a living testimony to the grace and power of Jesus Christ?

Paul owned his humanity. He owned his past. He shared his present. He was authentic in his testimony. And he did it for this one reason.

“But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:16 NLT)

Paul did not revel in his past failures; he honestly shared them. He did this not to glory in his past mistakes but to shine the light on the greatness of God’s grace. He also did this so that no one would feel like the Gospel was out of reach. The same grace that reached down to him through Jesus Christ was available to all.

If God could save Paul, the ‘chief of sinners’, He could save them!

“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.” (1 Timothy 1:15 NLT)

Paul was accused of proclaiming a Gospel of cheap grace. Yet, this was far from what Paul proclaimed. He pointed to the Cross but did not leave one there. From the Cross, he pointed them to their high calling of God in Christ Jesus. God not only wanted to save us, but also wanted to transform us. And, once again, Paul made this message accessible to everyone. It was not a pathway experienced by the super-spiritual. It was the path assured to everyone who trusted in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior!

“But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” (2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NLT)

What do I want people to see when they look at my life? I want them to see one who is honestly working out God’s calling, day by day, moment by moment, in an authentic way. I want to be honest about my struggles and celebrate God’s grace. I want to get out of the way so that everyone will see Jesus rather than see me.

I want to remove all the certificates and plaques from the wall of my life’s accomplishments and replace them with the Cross of Jesus Christ!

Heavenly Father, help me get out of the way! Help me follow the example of the Apostle Paul and be honest in my testimony so that everyone will see that Jesus’ invitation of salvation is not for the strong but for those who are meek, poor in spirit, and pure (honest) of heart! The only accolade I need in my life is – “Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners, of which I am chief!” Continue to transform me and mold me into the image of Jesus so that my life can be a ‘living testimony’ of His great grace!

In Jesus’ Name!

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IS DOING GOD’S WILL EASY?

Posted on July 28, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

ISAIAH 6:9-10: “And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, ‘Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.’ [10] Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing.” NLT

OBSERVATION: Give your life to Jesus, and you will be filled with joy! Give your life to Jesus, and you will be blessed! Give your life to Jesus, and you will be fulfilled! While all of these things are true, there is one thing that is not…

Give your life to Jesus, and it will be easy!?

The modern version of the Gospel proclaims all the benefits of salvation and omits all the costs. We present the Gospel much like a used car salesman. We talk about all the wonderful features of the car but omit the money and repairs it takes to maintain it.

For our Classic TV fans, this will be a trip down memory lane. Barney Fife, the amiable Deputy on The Andy Griffith Show, was bent on getting a car. Sheriff Andy Taylor warned him to be careful. Barney found a wonderful old car being sold by a sweet old grandmother. He bought the car without getting a mechanic to check it because it looked great, the previous owner’s name was Barney, and after all, you have to trust a sweet old grandmother!

Sunday was a perfect day for a test drive. Barney had the whole crew in his car. Andy, Opey, Aunt Bee, and Thelma Lou. Barney drove down a country road with joy and pride in his new acquisition. Everyone was having a great time until the steering wheel started to come out of the column and the car began making a terrible noise. Buyer’s remorse does not even begin to cover the disappointment when Barney and his crew were towed back into town!

Many Christians feel like Barney. They are promised a land flowing with milk and honey. They are given all the promises and never called to count the costs. The Gospel is reduced to a promise without sacrifice, a journey without problems. Then, the steering wheel starts coming out of the column, and there is a loud banging sound under the hood!

Something is definitely wrong!

Now, put yourself in Isaiah’s shoes for a moment. Standing in the presence of God, beholding His glory, and then cleansed of his sin, Isaiah is willing to do anything for the Lord! When God asks, “Whom shall I send?”, Isaiah joyfully and eagerly says,

“Here I am, Lord, send me!”

Then God gives him the assignment. He is to preach to a hard-hearted people. They won’t receive him. They won’t respect him. They won’t listen to him. It is like the preacher who is up for a Congregational vote, and everyone wants a new preacher! It is a thankless task. It is an impossible task. It is a hard task. Naturally, Isaiah said, “How long should I do this?” God’s reply is sobering!

“…And he (God) replied, “Until their towns are empty, their houses are deserted, and the whole country is a wasteland; until the Lord has sent everyone away, and the entire land of Israel lies deserted.” (Isaiah 6:11-12 NLT)

Wow! Imagine receiving a call to pastor a church. No one likes you. They don’t want to hear the truth. They want someone to tickle their ears, affirm their sinfulness, and promise them a life without sacrifice. One by one, they begin to leave the church. The pastor keeps preaching the whole counsel of God. He prays, asks the Lord to bring revival, and yet no one responds. He is told to remain faithful until the very last person has left the church.

Would you take this assignment? Isaiah did!

While we sit in comfort in our American churches, brothers and sisters all around the world have left everything to take up their cross and follow Jesus. Many have lost their possessions and even members of their own family. They have been forced underground and serve a small contingent of faithful believers. They don’t preach a Gospel of convenience. They preach a Gospel of power and sacrifice. They count it all joy to suffer for righteousness sake. They walk in the footsteps of Isaiah.

Am I willing to do the same?

“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.“ (Matthew 5:10-12 NLT)

Heavenly Father, my heart is stirred this morning. I confess that I enjoy a Gospel of convenience over a Gospel of sacrifice. I want to accumulate blessings, but I am hesitant to pick up Your cross. I want a calling that is filled with success and affirmation. I shrink back from anything that resembles Isaiah’s call. In Your presence, I humble myself and repent! Grant me the grace to count it all joy to follow You wherever You may call, regardless of the outcome and the cost!

In Jesus’ Name!

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