WHERE’S THE FRUIT? (Kirk, keep the seed in the cup!)

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

GALATIANS 5:22-23: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” NLT

OBSERVATION: Where’s the fruit? When I read these familiar verses and reflect on my life, I cannot help but feel that I fall short of this list. Paul is writing about the true nature of Jesus Christ being manifested in our lives by the Holy Spirit. When I read this list, I see Jesus! When I look at my life, not so much.

Why do we struggle so much with the Fruit of the Spirit? Why does it seem there is always a battle going on within me? The Spirit and my flesh are struggling, pulling me in two different directions. I feel like I am on one of those old-fashioned merry-go-rounds in a playground (the ones they have banned now because they are so dangerous). I am spinning around and around and want to get off, but I don’t know how. Paul writes,

“The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” (Galatians 5:17 NLT)

Will someone please stop the merry-go-round of my life!?

What brings us to this point? Why does it seem so hard to walk after the Spirit and manifest His fruits, the true nature of Jesus Christ? Jesus was right when He said, “Watch and pray, for the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak!” As I pondered these questions, I remembered a moment from my childhood.

I don’t remember my exact age, but it was in grade school. In every elementary school, at some point, a child will have a teacher give them a seed, a cup of dirt, and ask them to conduct a science experiment by watering the seed and watching it grow. All we were supposed to do was to water the seed, keep the cup in the sun, and monitor its growth each day.

That is where I seriously exited from the instructions. I watered my seed, I watched my little cup, but nothing was happening. Perhaps there is something wrong with my seed? Maybe I am not watering it enough? Maybe it needs more air? I know what to do: I will dig it up, inspect the seed, and then put it back in the cup. This little seed needs my help!

Well, you can already guess what happened. The little seed did not need my help. I was the one who needed help. I lacked patience and faith. I thought my efforts would help the little seed grow. I was convinced that without my help, nothing would happen. And, guess what happened? It was my help that kept the little seed from sprouting. When everyone else’s cup had a wonderful little green shoot breaking through the ground, all I had was a patch of brown dirt and a seed in the cup!

This is also true with our spiritual lives. For some reason, I think that Jesus and the Holy Spirit need my help to produce fruit in my life. Surely, it can’t be as simple as trusting in the Lord and walking after the leading of the Holy Spirit. There has to be something I can do to speed up the process! Listen to what Paul has to say in answer to these thoughts and questions.

“For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” (Galatians 5:4-6 NLT)

All my human effort is not needed. If I am trying to be like Jesus by dotting every i and crossing every t, then I am trying to make myself right with God by works of the Law, and I have turned away from the promise of faith. Paul speaks much more boldly than this. He says to try and produce the righteousness of Jesus Christ, the fruit of the Spirit, through our own efforts is to be – “…Cut off from Christ!”

This does not mean we have lost our salvation. It means that we have interfered with the true source of life – Jesus Christ and Him alone! We came to the cross for our salvation just as we were. We brought nothing to the cross but our sins and our faith. We laid down our sins, and by faith He imputed His righteousness to us. The Holy Spirit poured out the love of God into our hearts, and we began a new life, a life in the Spirit! God’s seed was planted, and He desires to cultivate and grow His nature (the fruit of the Spirit) in our lives! In other words…

Kirk, don’t mess with the seed! Let God work in your life!

This sounds easy, but it really is the hardest thing for me to do. I want to get my hands on it. I want to help the process. In fact, I have convinced myself I am essential to the process. And yet, when I am involved, nothing happens. So Paul speaks to me once again and tells me what is missing in my life!

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” (Galatians 5:24-26 NLT)

What is missing during the times when I find myself unfruitful?

THE CROSS!

How easy it is to forget that it was at the Cross that I met my Savior, by grace through faith. And, it is at the Cross that I meet my Sanctifier the same way. My old nature, sins, and self-effort were all nailed to the Cross of Jesus Christ. My new life in Christ was imparted to me by the Spirit. My new life must continue in the Spirit. As Paul emphatically states, “…let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives!” This is the key. This is the pathway to the fruit of the Spirit. This is the only way to experience sustained change and growth in my life. So I hear the Holy Spirit speaking to me…

“KIRK, KEEP THE SEED IN THE CUP!”

All that God desires to do in my life, all that I desire to be, all of the fruit of His nature, is not found through my effort; it is found at His Cross! It is at the Cross that I meet Jesus as my Savior. It is at the Cross that I meet Jesus as my Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier, and Healer. When I am tempted to begin doing things in my own strength, when I want to dig out that little seed and give it some help…

HEAVENLY FATHER, LEAD ME TO THE CROSS!

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

In Jesus’ Name!

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THE PROSPERITY GOSPEL? (What is the Blessing of Abraham?)

Posted on June 25, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

GALATIANS 3:8-9: “What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.”

OBSERVATION: Does the Bible promise every believer a life of prosperity? Is the evidence of one’s faith measured by the job they hold, the house they live in, or the car that they drive? If you sow a seed into someone’s ministry, does the Bible promise you will receive a monetary or physical return of 100%?

Is this the Blessing of Abraham?

The teaching that the blessing of Abraham is a physical and financial blessing for all believers is taken from God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis.

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-3 NLT)

It is then coupled with Galatians 3:9 and the promises of the Covenant that are outlined in Deuteronomy 28:1-14.

“So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.” (Galatians 3:9 NLT)

So, the conclusion drawn is this. If we walk in faith, we are released from the curse of the Law (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Galatians 3:13), and we have become the recipients of the blessings of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; Deuteronomy 28:1-4; Galatians 3:9). It is a logical flow, but is it really what the Bible is teaching?

How do we determine if a teaching is true or false? There are two tests that I always apply. Does it pass the “Whole Counsel Of God” test, and does it pass the reality test? Let’s briefly unpack these two.

First, let’s look at the REALITY TEST.

Some may object to this test, saying it does not disprove the teaching of the Prosperity Gospel, as it only illustrates the lack of faith in those who don’t receive their blessing. Yet, if a Biblical doctrine is true, then it will be true everywhere. The primary place the Prosperity Gospel thrives is in America because America is prosperous. You cannot export this teaching to a third-world country. This message does not translate to the poorest among us, nor should it. The Prosperity Gospel brings the promise of salvation by grace through faith down to the lowest common denominator.

Second, let’s look at the WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD TEST.

The Prosperity Gospel does not pass the test of the Whole Counsel of God’s Word. It does not even pass the test of Galatians, chapter 3. One has to be reading this chapter through the lens of the Prosperity Gospel to even try to make it a proof text for this teaching! What does Paul proclaim as the “Blessing of Abraham” that is available to all believers?

A right standing with God by faith!

“In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.” (Galatians 3:6-7 NLT)

A full pardon from our sins!

“But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” (Galatians 3:13 NLT)

The Promise of the Father – the Holy Spirit!

“Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14 NLT)

Freedom over the power of sin in our lives!

“But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 3:22 NLT)

In a free society, like America, Christians should prosper! The transformation of the believer’s heart in Christ, a Christ-centered work ethic, honesty, love, and respect will open doors in a free society that bring tangible prosperity.

However, in other cultures, one’s faith can result in losing one’s job, position in the community, and even one’s life. They may be relegated to a position far beneath the state held before they professed faith in Jesus Christ.

The Prosperity Gospel is not taught in the Whole Counsel of God’s Word, is not found in Galatians chapter 3, and does not export to every corner of the globe. It is a distorted view of the Bible’s teachings that should be avoided.

I give thanks for all the blessings that God has brought into my life. I pray for God’s blessings upon everyone who names the name of Jesus Christ. Yet, my greatest joy, and the Blessing of Abraham that I now partake in, is the righteousness of God that has been given to me by faith in Jesus Christ’s completed work on the cross. The guarantee and evidence that I have received the blessing of Abraham is the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is a promise that translates to every tribe, every tongue, and every nation!

It is the Promise of Salvation by grace through faith…ALONE!

Heavenly Father, grant me the grace to rightly divide the Word of Truth. I pray that You will keep me from doctrinal errors through the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. Help me to prosper in righteousness, faith, and obedience. Thank you for all the blessings You have placed in my life. However, let them all take second place to the greatest gift of all – the righteousness that is by faith in Jesus Christ, and in Him alone!

In Jesus’ Name!

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LISTEN MORE…SPEAK LESS!

Posted on June 24, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

PROVERBS 17:27-28: “A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.” NLT

OBSERVATION: Has your tongue ever gotten you into trouble? Have you ever said something that you regretted? Have you mastered the art of listening? My answers would be Yes, Yes, and No!

The tongue is a funny thing. It is one of the smallest members of the body, but it can ignite the passions of man. James speaks of the power of the tongue in his epistle.

“And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” (James 3:4-6 NLT)

When I lived in California, I had a sailboat. It was a 26 ft. sailboat that was worthy to sail on the ocean. Even though it was a large boat, it was controlled by a small rudder. The rudder is controlled by a short wooden handle called a tiller. As you sat in the cockpit of the boat, you never moved the tiller very much. Just a slight adjustment would affect the entire direction of the sailboat. So it is with the tongue.

Proverbs tells us why the tongue is so powerful. It is like a tiny spark that can set one’s whole life on fire. It can destroy friendships, shipwreck marriages, and set nations against each other in war!

“Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” (Proverbs 18:20-21)

The tongue can bring death or bring life. As children, we may have sung the little rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Yet – WORDS DO HURT! In fact, they can kill. They can kill one’s self-esteem and one’s faith. They can plant seeds of distrust and division, and they can bring out the vilest qualities in our human nature.

So what is the answer? Solomon writes,

“A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.” (Proverbs 17:27-28)

In other words,

LISTEN MORE…SPEAK LESS!

Even-tempered people do not have to get in the last word. It is the foolish heart that always has to have something to say. It is the carnal heart that speaks before it listens. A wise person prays, as David prayed,

“Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” (Psalms 141:3)

And as James exhorts, we need to learn how to listen!

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” (James 1:19-20 NLT)

So, let’s put it all together. It is hard to listen. We always want to say something. Yet, speaking before we listen is what always gets us into trouble. How can we give an answer when we don’t even listen to the question? And, many times those in our lives don’t want an answer at all. They simply want an empathetic heart that will listen to their heart.

“Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” (Proverbs 18:13 NLT)

I am tired of saying to myself, “I wish I didn’t say that!”. I want to be wise, prudent, and yield my tongue to the Lord Jesus Christ so that He can steer both my heart and my mouth. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Therefore, when Jesus has control of my tongue, He has control of my heart.

A yielded heart will listen more and speak less!

A yielded heart will offer words of life, only after listening.

A yielded heart will pray as David prayed…

“Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalms 19:13-14 NLT)

Heavenly Father, give me a listening heart. Put a guard over my lips and keep me from presumptuous sins. Change my heart as I yield my tongue to You. May the words of my mouth flow from the meditation of a listening heart and be pleasing to You, O Lord my Rock and Redeemer.

In Jesus’ Name!

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HOW TO SPOT A FALSE TEACHER…

Posted on June 18, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

2 CORINTHIANS 11:13-15: “These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end, they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.” NLT

OBSERVATION: How do you spot a false teacher? How do you discern the truth from the lie? Do you need a degree in Christian Apologetics to identify what the truth is, or are there some very basic and simple tests that anyone can use?

With the rise of social media, there has been an explosion of preachers and those who claim to be apostles competing for our attention on social platforms through our phones and computers. Each one claims to be proclaiming the truth. Many proclaim to have an inside track on a new and deeper understanding of God’s Word.

Is this something new to our day and age?

No! Paul was warning against false apostles and false teachers just a few decades after Jesus death, resurrection, and ascension. A generation had not even passed, and false teachers were already infiltrating the church. Imagine what they could have done if they had the social media tools we do now!

Now, with the introduction of AI, it is even more challenging to distinguish the true from the false. What used to take a Hollywood producer to manufacture, anyone with a smartphone and an AI app can create something that looks real and can fool even the careful observer. This can give credence and support to the message they are sharing.

What is the average believer to do?

Paul does not leave us hanging. He does not warn us about an issue without giving us the practical wisdom we need to address it. Before Paul’s warning about false teachers, he shows us how they distort the truth. There are three simple tests we can apply to help us discern truth from lies.

“But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.” (2 Corinthians 11:3-4)

Paul was concerned that the Corinthian believers would be deceived just as Eve was deceived by Satan’s cunning in the Garden of Eden. Paul even warns them that Satan does not come with flames of fire and a pitchfork in hand. Satan comes and poses as an angel of light, so we must have some tangible tests.

THE FIRST TEST: Is the historical Jesus the center of their message?

Is the message of the teacher more about themselves and their faith than about Jesus Christ (come in the flesh, crucified on the cross, risen from the dead, and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father)? The centrality of Jesus Christ is the message of a true teacher and the most important test as to whether they are preaching the truth! The enemy will always try to draw one away from the centrality of Jesus Christ!

“So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies. And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist. Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2:21-23 NLT)

THE SECOND TEST: Is the power of the Holy Spirit working through their message?

Paul was afraid that the Corinthians believers were receiving a “different spirit” than the one they had received. It is easy to substitute emotional manipulation or activity for the moving of the Holy Spirit. Yet, Jesus was clear on how to distinguish a false spirit from the Spirit of God. It is not in what is happening in the externals of life that determines the move of the Spirit of God. It is what is happening in the hearts of men and women as they hear God’s Word. The Holy Spirit will not simply manipulate our circumstances – He will change our hearts!

“And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. [Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.” (John 16:8-11 NLT)

THE THIRD TEST: Are they preaching the True Gospel of Jesus Christ?

The true Gospel of Jesus Christ is – Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. It is salvation by grace through faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ. It does not demand adherence to the Law or any manmade set of rules or expectations. It is not earned by “sowing a seed” into the preacher’s ministry or any other action. It is the FREE GIFT of God, PERIOD! Anything that makes it Jesus + (fill in the blank) is another gospel and not the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

True preachers do not condemn the sinner, but neither do they excuse the sin. They preach the whole counsel of God’s Word. Sin is called sin, and the only remedy for sin and death is the Cross of Christ. Jesus is always the focal point of a true teacher. They do not focus on money. They are not concerned with position. They are only concerned with proclaiming the truth and seeing souls saved by the wonderful grace of God! Paul warns all those who would preach a different Gospel.

“Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9)

There will always be false teachers and apostles trying to draw away the faithful from the truth of the Gospel. God, in His faithfulness, and through the ministry of His true Apostles, has given us these three simple tests. We should apply them regularly, lest we too be drawn away from the faith once and for all delivered to the saints.

1. Are they preaching the historical Christ?

Jesus, God born into this world as a human, living a sinless life, bearing our sins on the cross, dying in our place, defeating sin and death by rising from the dead, ascending victoriously into heaven, and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father.

2. Are they preaching in the power of the Holy Spirit?

Are lives being transformed? Are people being convicted of their sin and turning to Jesus? Are they being empowered to live a godly life, and are they walking in victory over the power of the enemy?

3. Are they preaching the True Gospel?

Is it the message of faith once and for all delivered to the saints, the whole counsel of God’s Word, a faithful proclamation of the Cross, an invitation to be saved by grace through faith alone, apart from works?

Heavenly Father, give me a discerning heart. Help me to apply these three tests to what I hear and also to what I teach. May everything I do be to proclaim Jesus Christ and Him crucified – PERIOD!

In Jesus’ Name!

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DON’T MISS THE MIRACLE! (All Things Are Possible To Him Who Believes!)

Posted on June 13, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

2 KINGS 7:17B-20: “…So everything happened exactly as the man of God had predicted when the king came to his house. The man of God had said to the king, “By this time tomorrow in the markets of Samaria, six quarts of choice flour will cost one piece of silver, and twelve quarts of barley grain will cost one piece of silver.” The king’s officer had replied, “That couldn’t happen even if the Lord opened the windows of heaven!” And the man of God had said, “You will see it happen with your own eyes, but you won’t be able to eat any of it!” And so it was, for the people trampled him to death at the gate!” NLT

OBSERVATION: Are you facing overwhelming odds? Do you find yourself at the foot of a mountain that is too steep to climb? Have you received some bad news that seems unchangeable…short of a miracle from God? In every situation we face in life, we must always keep the door of our hearts open to the miracle power of God. I don’t want to find myself in the position of the King’s officer when all looks hopeless.

I don’t want to MISS THE OPPORTUNITY OF A MIRACLE!

I remember it like it was yesterday! I was 21 years old. It was a quarter to midnight. I was driving to work the graveyard shift at the Grocery Store where I was employed. I was listening to an “Old Time” Gospel preacher. Not really my style, but for some reason, I was captivated by his message. Then, with a billowing voice, he paused and said…

“IF YOU ONLY BELIEVE YOU WILL SEE THE GLORY OF GOD!”

It felt like the whole car began to shake. I sensed the presence and power of God. I knew it was time for me to open my heart to a miracle from the hand of God!

2 Kings 7:17-20 is a remarkable summary of a remarkable story. King Jehoram of Israel and the entire city of Samaria were surrounded by King Ben-Hadad of Aram. The army of Syria established a siege so that Samaria would face famine, internal defection, and ultimate death. All the Aramean army had to do was wait.

Everything looked completely hopeless!

This is when Elisha spoke to King Jehoram. Elisha’s words seemed like empty platitudes in the midst of such dire circumstances. Elisha proclaims to the King,

“…Listen to this message from the Lord! This is what the Lord says: By this time tomorrow in the markets of Samaria, six quarts of choice flour will cost only one piece of silver, and twelve quarts of barley grain will cost only one piece of silver.” (2 Kings 7:1 NLT)

When our circumstances hem us in, when all looks hopeless, when we cannot see past the fog of our distress, we must always keep our hearts open to hear a message from the Lord! It is in the darkest hours of our lives that we need to listen the most. God will always speak to us. God will always lead us. The question is, how will I receive His word?

When the officer who was assisting the King heard Elisha, God’s proven spokesperson, he replied,

“…That couldn’t happen even if the Lord opened the windows of heaven!…” (2 Kings 7:2 NLT)

While every answer from the Lord is not found in a miracle, the position of the King’s officer closed the door on even the possibility of a miracle. He doubted that God had the power to do such a thing. He believed his doubt and fear more than he believed the word from the Lord.

The rest of the story is an interesting turn of events. God Himself stirs up the Aramean army with fear. They fled, leaving all of their possessions and provisions behind. Four lepers, who were facing certain death, decided to surrender and take their chances with the Arameans. When they arrived at the camp, everyone was gone. They ate, they celebrated, they took some possessions, and then they repented, realizing God’s provision must be shared.

God did what the King’s officer said He could not do. God and God alone routed the enemy and laid all of the provisions for the city of Samaria, just as Elisha had predicted. Everyone in the city was saved and participated in the wonderful provision God had given – except for the King’s officer. Placed at the gate to oversee the hungry mob, the officer was trampled underfoot as the mob desperately rushed to the abandoned Aramean camp.

The King’s officer – MISSED THE MIRACLE!

Some teach that God will always work a miracle in our lives if we have enough faith. Others believe that miracles passed away with the completion of the Canon of Scripture. Neither of these positions stands up to the test of the whole counsel of God’s Word. While God does not always work a miracle in my life, I must always position my heart to believe…

HE IS STILL ABLE TO WORK A MIRACLE!

I must never close the door. I must always position my heart in faith. I must always trust Him, listen to His voice, pore over the pages of Scripture, and realize that with God – ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! I want to be like the four lepers who placed their lives in God’s hands and experienced a miracle. I don’t want to be like the King’s officer who closed the door on even the possibility of a miracle!

However God may choose to meet my needs, it is always His grace, mercy, and power that is at work. If He miraculously removes the mountain in front of me, it is the provision of His powerful hand. If He provides me with climbing equipment and tells me to scale the mountain one step at a time, it is still the provision of His powerful hand. In either circumstance, my heart must always trust God’s Word. I must always believe that…

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO HIM WHO BELIEVES!

Heavenly Father, I don’t want to live like the King’s officer. I want to always keep my heart open to Your miraculous power invading the impossible situations in my life. Paul walked in the confidence of Your Miraculous Power. It was not dependent upon his circumstances but in Your nature. And, so, with the Apostle Paul, I open myself to Your miraculous power and love. I proclaim in faith, as Paul proclaimed,

“We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.“ 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 NLT

In Jesus’ Name!

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MAYBE IT’S TIME FOR A “COMMON SENSE” TOUR!

Posted on May 31, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

PROVERBS 2:7-12: “He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted.”

OBSERVATION: Who should I believe? Who is telling the truth? What is real and what is AI? Should I believe what I see or what I hear? Is there any way to find the truth through all the commotion?

Many believe that the source of truth is found in a political party or in the right cable news station. When I grew up, we had 3 news networks. Today, one cannot even count the sources of news outlets, internet sources, and podcasts that profess to give us the news. To many, this has not made it easier to discern what is true. It has simply muddied the waters.

Discerning truth from error does not start from an external source. It begins with my heart. I must truly desire truth. I must be open to truth. I must have an open and honest heart if I am ever going to receive truth. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, writes…

“He (The Lord) grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.”

Truth cannot be divorced from common sense. If it is true, it will make sense. Truth, although veiled, when revealed, makes sense. When one turns their heart toward the Lord, their spiritual eyes are opened, and what they did not understand becomes crystal clear, and it makes perfect sense.

Solomon pleads with his son,

“Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:2-5 NLT)

When we open our hearts to God, when we seek His wisdom, when we concentrate on His understanding, when we hunger for His insight, something wonderful happens. We receive the gift of common sense! We see through all the smoke and mirrors. We begin to discern the truth from the error. We are not caught up in the emotional whirlwind of the world’s pundits.

We are led by the Spirit of God!

“Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted.” (Proverbs 2:9-12 NLT)

Years ago, I did a 10-week series from the Book of Proverbs that I titled “The Common Sense Tour.” I took 10 of the top current cultural issues and looked to the Book of Proverbs for insight. Each week, I would read the entire Book of Proverbs and write down every Scripture that was relevant to this issue. I was amazed by the wisdom and common sense I received as I did this.

In the heated cultural climate we live in, the only way that we can stay grounded and exercise common sense is to cultivate the fear of the Lord in our lives. We fear the Lord as we seek His wisdom, understanding, and truth. As we come to Him with open and honest hearts, He grants us a treasure of common sense. In fact, the Holy Spirit inspired Solomon to write an entire book filled with the common sense we need. It is as relevant today as it was when it was first written.

The wonderful thing about truth is that it never changes. Neither does the nature and condition of man’s heart. The only thing that can change a human heart is the grace of God through faith in the completed sacrifice of Jesus Christ. When we place our complete trust in Jesus, we are born again, filled with the Holy Spirit, and we receive a treasure of common sense!

“When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them, and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.” (1 Corinthians 2:13-14)

So, the next time I read that Facebook post, listen to my cable news channel, or read news in my web browser, how can I discern the truth from error? I need to take a “Common Sense Tour” through the Book of Proverbs (and the entire Word of God). Only as I stay anchored in God’s Word will I be able to discern truth from error and receive His…

“…treasure of common sense!”

In Jesus’ Name!

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WATCH YOUR BLIND SIDE!

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

1 KINGS 2:19-23: “So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak on Adonijah’s behalf. The king rose from his throne to meet her, and he bowed down before her. When he sat down on his throne again, the king ordered that a throne be brought for his mother, and she sat at his right hand. “I have one small request to make of you,” she said. “I hope you won’t turn me down.” “What is it, my mother?” he asked. “You know I won’t refuse you.” “Then let your brother Adonijah marry Abishag, the girl from Shunem,” she replied. “How can you possibly ask me to give Abishag to Adonijah?” King Solomon demanded. “You might as well ask me to give him the kingdom! You know that he is my older brother, and that he has Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah on his side.” Then King Solomon made a vow before the Lord: “May God strike me and even kill me if Adonijah has not sealed his fate with this request.” NLT

OBSERVATION: Am I aware of what is on my blind side? It is easy to go through life oblivious to what is on our blind side. We all have weaknesses in our lives, and our perspective is limited. Without insight from the Holy Spirit or the counsel of a godly friend, we are all vulnerable.

The account of Adonijah’s request to marry Abishag, the virgin nurse who had cared for King David in his final days, seems innocent enough. It was no doubt veiled in words of affection as Adonijah approached Bathsheba and asked her to approach her son, King Solomon, to request on his behalf.

Adonijah had attempted to establish himself as King of Israel while David was still alive. It was Bathsheba who interceded with King David, reminding him of his promise to make her son, Solomon, the next King. King David honored his word to Bathsheba, and Solomon was established as King of Israel.

Those who had gathered around Adonijah, Solomon’s older brother, quickly abandoned him when they learned the news. Adonijah ran to the altar, grabbed its horns, and begged for mercy from King Solomon.

“Word soon reached Solomon that Adonijah had seized the horns of the altar in fear, and that he was pleading, ‘Let King Solomon swear today that he will not kill me!” Solomon replied, “If he proves himself to be loyal, not a hair on his head will be touched. But if he makes trouble, he will die.” (1 Kings 1:51-52 NLT)

Solomon showed mercy towards Adonijah. Adonijah had access to the King’s Court, and, even though the text does not give us this information, from what happens next, we can assume that Adonijah was still scheming how to usurp the throne and establish himself as King.

One thing one could attempt to do in these times, as they positioned themselves to usurp the King’s throne, was to entice his concubines (female attendants) to their side. These female attendants would symbolize their strength and give the usurper valuable information. Adonijah’s request to marry Abishag, David’s nurse, was such a ploy. Yet, it was hidden in the request of romantic love, and even Bathsheeba did not see through it!

What did Adonijah hope to gain from this marriage? Abishag was the closest person to King David in his final days. She cared for him, kept him warm, fed him, and was his constant companion. There was no sexual relationship between the two, but no doubt a strong personal and emotional relationship. It is not difficult to imagine that David confided in her in his final days in ways that he did with no one else.

Adonijah wanted to learn all of these secrets. He wanted to use this marriage to penetrate the inner circle of King Solomon and learn his weaknesses. He craftily planned this rebellion, preying on Bathsheeba’s blind spot, and hoped he could take advantage of King Solomon in the same way.

God protected King Solomon from this deception. In this instance, the Holy Spirit revealed Adonijah’s deception to Solomon and protected him from his blind side. Solomon evaded a takeover threat to his new rule, and no doubt, his mother saw how she was tricked into bringing this request to her very own son.

This is a long breakdown of an event that is revealed in only a few short verses, but books could be written on the subject! We all have blind spots in our lives. Most accidents are not caused by running into something that we see. Rather, they are caused by something we don’t see, something that approaches us from our blind spots. The enemy is an expert in taking advantage of these in our lives.

How do we avoid the blind spots in life that can cause us to make uncalculated mistakes?

My wife has a condition with her eyesight that limits her peripheral vision. While I can see peripherally on my right and left, my wife cannot see on her left and has limited sight on her right peripheral vision. Over the years, she has faced several accidents, thankfully none that were serious, that resulted from cars approaching her on her left side.

Recently, we purchased a new car that has all the bells and whistles of modern safety, including blind-spot warnings! We both feel much better knowing that she has added protection when on the road. This practical application reminds us that we all need adequate protection as we travel on the highway of life. Here are three simple things that act as the blind-side warning system in my wife’s car.

GOD’S WORD: Daily abiding in God’s Word keeps my mind renewed and my focus on the pathway of life. Through God’s Word, I receive daily alerts of the blind spots in my life.

HOLY SPIRIT: As I grow in God’s Word and learn to listen in prayer, I begin to develop a spiritual ear and hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. John writes in his first epistle that it is the Holy Spirit’s anointing in our lives that teaches us and keeps us in the truth (1 John 2:20-21).

GODLY COUNSEL: Solomon writes in the Book of Proverbs, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend…” (Proverbs 27:6 NKJV) A good friend who offers godly counsel can help us see things we normally would miss.

The text does not tell us if King Solomon consulted with anyone after his mother’s request. Yet, I am sure that the final advice his father, King David, gave to him as he assumed the throne, helped Solomon see his blind spots. Without this, and without the Holy Spirit’s help, Solomon might have faced another uprising to unseat him from the throne.

We all need help with our blind spots! The enemy is always trying to take advantage of us and exploit our weaknesses. Yet, when we abide in God’s Word, when we abide in prayer and listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, and when we seek godly counsel from trusted and proven friends, like Solomon, we too can avoid the collisions of life!

Heavenly Father, thank you for this wonderful reminder that I need help dealing with my blind spots. Speak to me each day through Your Word! Help me listen attentively and obediently to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. And, give me the grace to humble myself, allowing others to speak into my life, helping me see my blind spots and weaknesses. As I do these three things, help me walk in the victory that You have set before me.

In Jesus’ Name!

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GOD WILL FULFILL HIS PLAN FOR MY LIFE!

Posted on May 19, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

PSALMS 139:16-18: “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” NLT

OBSERVATION: Does God really have a plan for my life? Is my life just a chain of events without any purpose? Do I have a destiny? Do I live with confidence each day that I am in God’s plan? Will my life really make a difference?

I have not met many people who don’t care about the outcome of their lives. There are those who have been battered by the enemy so long that they have given up, but deep down, they want their life to matter. They want to know they are not just a blip on the screen of life.

We all want to know that we matter!

Psalms 139 is the declaration that you and I matter! We are not an accident. We are not an afterthought in the heart of God. We are not just taking up a slot in life until we die. God has created us with forethought, personal investment, and a unique calling and destiny. Listen to the declarations of the Psalmist as he writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit!

  • Your saw me before I was born.
  • Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
  • Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
  • Your thoughts toward me were precious.
  • Your thoughts about me could not be numbered.
  • You are always with me, no matter where I am.

The Psalmist is not writing about the people of God as a whole. He is writing about himself. He is standing in the place of you and me. He is contemplating the greatness of God that is directed toward one person. He stands in awe as he contemplates God’s great love, design, and purpose directed toward his life.

So, let’s look at that list again, and this time make it personal. God is saying this to you. He is focused on you. He loves you. The Lord says…

  • I saw you before you were born.
  • I recorded every day of your life in My book.
  • I designed every moment of your life for My good purposes before a single day had passed.
  • I am always thinking about you, proclaiming – “You are precious!”
  • I love you more than you can imagine.
  • I am always with you, in every situation, in every trial, in every victory.
  • I am yours, and you are mine!

Most of our lives are lived on the battlefield. We face difficulty, and it is easy to think that God is not in control. We may feel distant from God. We wonder if He is really working in our lives. Psalms 139 speaks to all of these questions and doubts. It is the declaration of God’s heart toward you and me. It is the promise of His faithful love working His good purposes in our lives. It is what Paul proclaims in Romans, Chapter 8.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.” (Romans 8:28-30 NLT)

The Scriptures never promise us a life without difficulty. We live in a fallen world and we have an enemy who is always trying to thwart God’s purposes in our lives. However, the Scriptures promise us that we are not an accident. Our life is not without purpose. And, God is working out His pre-ordained purposes in our lives as He redeems everything in our life and works it toward His good purpose!

If God is for us – who can be against us? If God loves us – who can separate us from His love? If God has an ordained purpose for our lives – who can thwart His purposes? Nothing in this world, no power, no attack of the enemy, can keep us from the high calling of God in Christ Jesus…except ourselves!

We have a choice. We can rest in the declaration of God’s Word over us, or we can capitulate to our doubts and fears. Jesus invites us to His Cross! If I come, just as I am, with all my doubts, fears, and insecurities, He will sustain me. He will be my victory. He will lead me. He will love me into His image.

He will fulfill His good plan for my life!


Just as I am without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee
O Lamb of God, I come, I come


I come broken to be mended
I come wounded to be healed
I come desperate to be rescued
I come empty to be filled
I come guilty to be pardoned
By the blood of Christ the Lamb
And I’m welcomed with open arms
Praise God just as I am

In Jesus’ Name!

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WE NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT! (The Dangers of AI)

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

1 CORINTHIANS 2:4-5: “And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.” NLT

WARNING! THIS IMAGE MAY BE “AI” GENERATED!

OBSERVATION: I was sitting on my chair in the living room. My wife and I were relaxing, drinking coffee, and scrolling on our phones (something we could not even imagine doing when we first got married). Just then, my wife said, “Did you hear this?” Then there was a long pause, and she said…

” Never mind, it’s AI!

We live in a day when anything can be counterfeited. It is almost impossible to distinguish between what is real and what is AI. AI is rapidly taking over our lives. While I rejoice in the great strides AI is making in the realm of medical research, I am nervous about how it is affecting the rest of our lives. I am especially worried about the church!

This concern does not come from one who is a techaphobe. I adopted personal computers when they first came out in the early 80s. I have kept up with all the latest technology ever since. I gladly embrace new technology and have seen how it has been a great help in my personal, business, and ministry life.

However, when I consider AI, I need to take a pause.

When I was a young pastor, I used to have my Bible on my desk, a huge Strong’s Concordance, and several commentaries as I studied and prepared a message. This process was very analog, and I needed to fully rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit. I put in serious time as I studied and prepared. I remember handwriting long lists of Scriptures as I would study a topic in the Bible.

Fast-forward to today. I can Google any question and get a Gemini AI summary answer. I am working on a translation for one of my Children’s discipleship books and using ChatGPT to process it. It would be easy to take the next step. It would be easy to lean fully into AI and allow it to write a book (I get many ads for this since I have published) or prepare a sermon (there are many services now for pastors that will do this!).

This is where I see the great danger of AI!

Paul, when he spoke to the Corinthians, made a clear distinction about how he approached them in his ministry. I am taking some liberty as I look at this Scripture again. I am inserting some words for emphasis only to apply them to this conversation and consideration regarding AI.

“And my message and my preaching were very plain (analog). Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches (AI-generated, without study), I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit (prayer, reflection, meditation, inspiration). I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom (man-made ideas, machine-generated content) but in the power of God (the anointing of the Holy Spirit).” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NLT)

While I know this is not what Paul intended, I think it is still in the spirit of what he wrote. We have already grown so dependent upon multimedia in our presentations. How could we even consider giving a message without a PowerPoint or video to emphasize our subject? How could our worship team lead worship without a sound system, special lighting, or special effects?

Now, consider what would happen if Pastors, Teachers, and Leaders began to rely upon AI (I fear many are already doing this!). Where would the times of prayer and seeking the leading of the Spirit go? Where would the hours of reflection and pouring over the Scriptures go? Where would the sincere originality of expression from God’s unique vessel go? And, most importantly…

Where would the power of God go?

Today, we are facing an onslaught of attacks against our faith. Everything is trying to pull us away from a simple and full dependence on the Holy Spirit. We find ourselves in a time crunch. We think, “I will just take a shortcut this one time.” No one seems to know the difference. So we do it again, and again, and again, until we are depending upon a machine to speak to us instead of the Holy Spirit of God! Paul reminds us why this is so dangerous.

“But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.” (1 Corinthians 2:10-12 NLT)

Revelation comes from the Holy Spirit, through God’s Word, not from AI. Inspiration comes from the Holy Spirit, through God’s Word, not from AI. The anointing that breaks the yoke comes from the power of the Holy Spirit and not from AI. The wonderful blessings of God come through the Holy Spirit and not from AI.

I have used AI to help me plan a vacation to Germany – but I will never let it replace my times of prayer, reflection, meditation, and listening to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit as I meditate upon God’s Word and ask Him to speak to me! A machine can never replace the Holy Spirit. Words of man’s wisdom can never change the hearts of men and women. They may illicit an emotional response, but they can never change their hearts and souls. If we want to be effective in our ministry, in our churches, in our lives…

WE NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT!

Heavenly Father, give me spiritual discernment in this age of machine-generated counterfeits to know the difference between the truth and the deception. Grant me the grace to resist the temptation to rely on anything else except the power of Your Holy Spirit. Help me be a wise steward in how I use all technology and keep my heart from the trap of taking shortcuts to know You and Your truth! Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon me anew today to keep me in the center of Your will!

I am not averse or afraid of AI, but today, as I reflect upon the Scriptures, I choose the Holy Spirit!

In Jesus’ Name!

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A WORSHIP REVIVAL or the HOKEY POKEY?

Posted on May 10, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

ROMANS 12:1: “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

OBSERVATION: What does worship have to do with the Hokey Pokey? As I thought about this verse in Romans, I immediately thought about the Hokey Pokey. My wife and I love to visit Antique Stores, and there was an old sign hanging on the wall that showed two people dancing that said,

“The Hokey Pokey! What if that is what it’s all about?”

Paul calls us to worship at the beginning of Romans, Chapter 12. It is not the usual call to stand up and get ready to sing. Today, we view worship as the 30 minutes of singing before a time of prayer and the sermon. When we hear of a worship revival, it is usually focused on extended times of singing and prayer. Is this what Paul had in mind?

In the Hokey Pokey, you start putting your right hand in. Then you take your right hand out, put it back in again, and shake it all about. You do the Hokey Pokey, and you turn yourself around, and everyone sings…

“That’s what it’s all about!”

The song progresses until you get to the part when you put YOUR WHOLE SELF IN. So, when is it really the Hokey Pokey? When is it really worship? Is it worship when we put our singing in and take our singing out? Is it when we put our prayers in and take our prayers out? Is it when we put our message in and put our message out?

Are any of these truly the way to worship?

Jesus addressed these questions when He quoted Isaiah concerning the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Scribes.

“Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘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.’ For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.” (Mark 7:6-8 NLT)

The religious class in Jesus’ day was doing the Hokey Pokey, and they thought they were truly worshipping God. The only problem was that they never got to the end of the song. They were satisfied with the mechanics of worship but missed the heart of worship. In fact, their heart, their “whole self,” is exactly what they left out of their worship.

Paul is very clear as he calls us to worship. God desires ALL of us. We are to bring ALL of us, our bodies, as a living sacrifice. If we bring our songs but our actions are left to our own choosing, we are not truly worshipping the Lord. Everything else is merely a warm-up if we don’t put our …

“Whole Self In!”

“…I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” (Romans 12:1 NLT)

Our bodies, our entire life, our actions, our attitudes, our hearts, this is the sacrifice God is looking for. It is a complete and absolute surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. If we sing songs but hold back other areas of our life from the altar, we are only in the preamble of worship. If we continue this way, we are in jeopardy of becoming lip worshippers.

God is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. This is both a call to give our hearts and our bodies to the Lord. Our heart (spirit) is to be in submission to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Our body is to be obedient to God’s Word (truth). If we give Him our heart but leave other areas of our lives outside the truth, we are not worshipping the Lord the way He desires.

If Paul were leading the worship service on any given Sunday morning, he would not say, “Okay, let’s all stand and put our right hand in!” No, Paul would call us to put our “whole self in!” Worship is a call of absolute surrender. It is a call to give everything I know and even those I am unaware of to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Only when I do this am I truly worshipping God in spirit and in truth!

Heavenly Father, bring about a revival of worship in my life. Search me and know me. Reveal to me any area of my life that I am withholding from You. May I surrender all. May I offer my body, soul, mind, and strength to You as a living sacrifice, as my true and acceptable worship.

Take my life, and let it be

Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;

Take my moments and my days,

Let them flow in ceaseless praise,

Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

In Jesus’ Name!

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