A GOOD FRIDAY PERSPECTIVE!

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

PSALMS 93:3: “The floods have risen up, O Lord. The floods have roared like thunder; the floods have lifted their pounding waves.”

OBSERVATION: Today is Good Friday. It is a day of perspective. It is a day of purpose. It is a day that will forever determine our eternal destiny. The question is, what do I see when I remember Good Friday?

Just one day before Jesus was crucified, He celebrated the Passover with His disciples. He washed His disciples’ feet. He taught them about the importance of serving one another. He celebrated the Passover and instituted the Lord’s Supper. It was the most important gathering of their three years to date.

Then…as the Psalmist writes, the floods came!

Jesus and the disciples left for the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Judas leads a band of soldiers to betray Jesus. Jesus is arrested, and the disciples flee in fear. Jesus is beaten, spit upon, mocked, and tried before the Sanhedrin and then before Pilate. Flogged and set before His accusers, Pilate offers to release Jesus. They cry out with great anger, “Crucify Him!” Jesus is flogged and then led to Calvary to be crucified.

Talk about a flood!

In just a few short hours, the Messiah hung on a cross. Men and women mocked and ridiculed Him as He suffered in agony. The disciples were bewildered and filled with fear. The women who followed Jesus were filled with sorrow. Jesus’ mother mourned as only a mother could for her beloved son. The world grew dark. The enemy’s flood came rolling in. All seemed to be lost. And then, Jesus proclaimed…

IT IS FINISHED!

Some saw it as the end of His suffering. Others saw it as a sign of His defeat. The disciples did not know what to make of it. Yet, Jesus knew what it really was. Jesus was the only one who maintained heaven’s perspective throughout the entire ordeal. There was something different in Jesus’ perspective than those who surrounded the cross.

What was it?

The writer of Hebrews draws back the curtain and gives us insight into what allowed Jesus to submit to the suffering of the cross on Good Friday.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.” (Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT)

Jesus looked beyond the cross. Jesus looked beyond the flood. Jesus held onto the Father’s love, faithfulness, and promise. Jesus knew that His suffering would provide life for all who would believe. Jesus kept His eyes on the joy awaiting Him!

The Psalmist proclaims this same hope. The one verse regarding the flood that I quoted in the beginning was pulled out of context. I did this purposely to illustrate how important perspective is. Jesus endured the most horrible, excruciating form of death because He knew that His Father would not abandon Him and that His sacrifice would open the gates of heaven to all who would believe. Jesus transformed this flood of suffering in such a powerful way that we now call it…

GOOD FRIDAY!

Father, as I read the entire Psalm today, as I meditate on the great sacrifice Jesus made for me, as I remember why today is called Good Friday, change my perspective! Help me to see beyond the flood into Your eternal faithfulness, plan, and promises!

“The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty. Indeed, the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. Your throne, O Lord, has stood from time immemorial. You yourself are from the everlasting past. The floods have risen up, O Lord. The floods have roared like thunder; the floods have lifted their pounding waves. But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore— the Lord above is mightier than these! Your royal laws cannot be changed. Your reign, O Lord, is holy forever and ever.” (Psalms 93:1-5 NLT)

Today really is – GOOD FRIDAY!

In Jesus’ Name!

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DON’T FORGET THE CHILDREN!

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

JOHN 21:15-17: “After breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time, he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” NLT

OBSERVATION: What is the primary call and responsibility of the church? What is the most sacred gift that God can give a husband and a wife? Who has God called us to pour our lives into? Yet who are often forgotten and considered only after everything else?

It is our Children!

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, there was a continuing tension between the disciples and Jesus regarding children. The disciples saw children as a distraction, getting in the way of the important work of ministry. Yet, time after time, Jesus brought the children to Himself and showed how important they were in the Kingdom of God!

“One day, some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.” (Matthew 19:13-15 NLT)

In the final chapter of the Gospel of John, we have the wonderful account of Peter’s restoration and call to ministry. When Jesus originally called Peter, He told Peter to leave his nets and follow Him, learning to become a fisher of men. Yet, after Jesus death and resurrection, following Peter’s denial of Jesus three times, Peter returns to his boat and the comfortable place he had left.

Peter did not feel worthy after his denial, and felt all he could catch was fish!

Yet, the Resurrected Jesus started with Peter right from the beginning. After a night of empty toil with no results, Jesus calls to them from the beach,

“…Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied.” (John 21:5 NLT)

Then, just as Jesus did when He first called Peter, He called out to them in the boat and said,

“…Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.” (John 21:6 NLT)

Peter recognized that something more was happening. He remembered how Jesus had called him at the beginning. Peter was experiencing Jesus’ call all over again. The one who had denied Jesus, the one who felt unworthy, the one who never thought he could be used again, obeyed these words, and in that moment of obedience, Peter’s eyes were opened.

“Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.” (John 21:7 NLT)

What does all of this have to do with children? I am glad you asked. It is in Peter’s restoration, in the confirmation of his calling, that we discover God’s heart and His priorities.

There is a wonderful study of the Greek words used by Jesus and Peter for the word love. Most of our focus on these verses revolves around this interchange and Peter’s restoration. Three times Peter denied Jesus, and three times Jesus asked Peter, “Peter, do you love me?” Yet, it is the call Jesus gives to Peter after this important question that I want to shine a light on.

Jesus gave Peter three charges as He restored Peter to his call to ministry.

  • Feed my lambs.
  • Tend my sheep.
  • Feed my sheep.

I want to focus on the first call. When Peter cried out, “Yes Lord, You know that I love You,” Jesus then said, “Feed my lambs.” The Greek word that Jesus chose in this first call is the word for a lambkin, or a baby lamb. It is the smallest of the flock. It is the one most often overlooked. It is the one who needs the most time, care, and attention.

It is the Children!

When Jesus taught about leaving the 99 to rescue the 1, it was in the context of His call to remember the children. When Jesus taught about the heart needed to enter the Kingdom of God, He was speaking about the children. When the disciples were aggravated by the little ones who seemed to be keeping them from important business, Jesus drew them close and shone His light on the children. Throughout Scripture, we are called, taught, exhorted, and reminded…

Don’t forget the Children!

The Psalmist declared,

“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.” (Psalm 78:4 NLT)

It is so easy to look above and beyond God’s greatest gifts in our lives. Yet, the future of our lives, churches, communities, and our world is our children. They are the Next Generation. They are the ones who will determine the future. The church is always one generation away from decline, unless…

We remember the Children!

Children are not simply a strategy of the Kingdom; they are the essence of the Kingdom. They are the heart of the Father. They are the precious treasure He has entrusted to us. They are the First and Foremost command that He has given to the Church,

“Feed my lambkins!”

Heavenly Father, open our eyes to look upon the harvest. As we do, may we not look over the tender, precious shoots that are sprouting right before us. May we see every child and love them with the love that Jesus showed as He walked this earth. May we seek out the lost lambkins. May the hearts of fathers be turned once again to the hearts of children. Lord, help us always remember…

Don’t Forget the Children!

In Jesus’ Name!

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I HAVE GIVEN THEM MY GLORY…

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

JOHN 17:22-23: “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them, and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”

OBSERVATION: What is the greatest gift that Jesus has given to us? Of course, the first answer is our salvation. What is the greatest gift Jesus has given to us that flows out of our salvation? As believers, what sets us apart and what gives us a uniqueness that is meant to attract others to Jesus Christ?

It is His Glory!

Glory is one of those words that is somewhat hard to pin down. If you asked five people what glory means, you would get five different answers. We sing about glory. We give all the glory to God. We pray, “For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory…”

But…what is glory?

I have been meditating on this question for several days. I must admit that I also cannot give just one answer. So I am left with the question, What did Jesus mean when He prayed to the Father and said, “I have given them the glory You gave Me…”?

The word translated “glory” comes from the Greek word “doxa.” This is where we get our word “doxology.” Doxology is defined as, “A doxology is a short hymn or liturgical expression of praise to God, originating from the Greek words doxa (“glory”) and logos (“word”).” Ok, now we are getting somewhere!

When I read this, I was immediately drawn to the opening chapter of John’s Gospel. John writes,

“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” (John 1:14 NLT)

Jesus, the Eternal Word, became flesh. The essence of God, His Word, lived in Jesus. He was the express image of the Father. He was the Word incarnate. He was the full expression of unfailing love and faithfulness. He carried within His life the full weight, the “doxa” of the Father. The Father proclaimed His approval of the Son when, at Jesus’ baptism, He proclaimed,

“This is my dearly beloved Son who brings me great joy!” (Matthew 3:17 NLT)

So, let’s try to bring all of this together. Going back to Jesus’ High Priestly prayer of John 17, we read,

“For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.” (John 17:8 NKJV)

We are not the Word, but He has given us His Word. We are not the Spirit, but He has given us His Spirit. He has given us the essence of Himself so that we can become like Him. In His Word and through His Spirit, we experience the unfailing love and faithfulness of God. The Word and the Spirit are the source of our unity and our life together in Jesus Christ.

As we abide in Jesus, in His Word, as we walk after the Spirit and grow in his unfailing love and faithfulness, we begin to reflect the very nature of Jesus Christ in the earth. We represent Jesus to the world. As the Father proclaimed His approval of Jesus, He now proclaims His love and approval over us. Yet, this approval is not for our benefit alone. It is the very essence of His nature that is needed to reach a dying world. Jesus proclaims,

“I am in them, and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” (John 17:23 NLT)

How will the world ever see the glory of God if they do not see it working in us? How will the world see in the darkness if we are not the light? John understood this truth, and he wrote in his first Epistle,

“No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.” (1 John 4:12-15 NLT)

Jesus was the Word made flesh. We beheld His glory, glory of the only begotten Son of the Father. His glory was manifested in his unfailing love and faithfulness. Jesus has now given us His Word. The Bible tells us to hide the Word in our hearts. And, the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Spirit who has been given to us. We now, like Jesus, walk in this life with the Word inside us and in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is our source of unity, and this is the power of our love and ability to be faithful to God.

This is the glory of Christ, the glory we beheld, the glory that He has given to us! This glory was given so that we could be one with Jesus and the Father, through the Spirit and the Word. It is our unity, our love, the Word of God working in our lives through the Spirit, that is the testimony of God’s love to a dying world. As Jesus proclaimed,

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35 NLT)

Heavenly Father, this morning I want to give You all the glory, honor, and praise! I stand in awe that Jesus has shared His glory with me! Your Word, Your Spirit, living in me. May I yield to Your Word and Your Spirit as I begin each day. May Your faithfulness and love transform my life. Help me to walk as a light in the darkness. May my life, our lives, be a reflection of Your glory so that many will come to faith in Jesus Christ!

In Jesus’ Name!

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IT’S GRACE, STUPID!

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

DEUTERONOMY 9:5-6: “It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The Lord your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness, and to fulfill the oath he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You must recognize that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land because you are good, for you are not—you are a stubborn people.” NLT

OBSERVATION: IT’S GRACE, STUPID! These are the words that came to mind when I read Moses’ admonishment to the Children of Israel as he prepared them for their conquest of the Promised Land. This statement may sound a bit harsh, but it is true nonetheless. We tend to forget that everything in our Christian life is given to us by grace!

In 1992, during Bill Clinton’s Presidential Campaign, his campaign strategist, James Carville, coined a phrase that would live on in infamy. George H. W. Bush, then President, was in the middle of a recession. The Reagan boom had faded. President Bush’s run for a second term was an uphill climb.

While many issues were debated during this campaign, James Carville coined a phrase for the campaign and the campaign staff that would usher Bill Clinton into the White House. What was that phrase?

IT’S THE ECONOMY, STUPID!

The message was simple. Focus on the economy. Don’t forget that everything in people’s lives revolves around the economy. While there are surely many equally important issues, it is the individual’s pocketbook that drives them to the polls.

I am not linking an earthly campaign to our heavenly focus. All I am trying to do is illustrate how we need to keep the Main Thing…the Main Thing. Our Christian life, our victory in life, our eternal salvation, everything we have been given from the heart and throne of God is a gift of GRACE! So, in the same vein, and with the same emphasis, I say to myself,

IT’S GRACE, STUPID!

Moses reminds the Children of Israel that they were not entering God’s promises because they had earned them or were better than anyone else. If you keep reading, Moses reminds them of all the ways they had failed God along the journey. In fact, their stubbornness and sin resulted in their wandering in the wilderness for 40 years until an entire generation had passed away.

No! It was not their merit. It was not their achievement. It was not their military might that placed them at the threshold of God’s promises. IT WAS GRACE!

God had made a Covenant Promise to Abraham, by grace, and through faith! Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. God gave His promise to Abraham, and to Abraham’s seed, out of His GREAT GRACE!

This grace was not limited to Abraham and to his seed, but it was also extended to all who would call upon the Name of the Lord! We see this in Moses’ instruction and also in Paul’s epistle to the Romans.

“For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing.” (Deuteronomy 10:17-18 NLT)

“So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe…And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” (Romans 4: 16, 23-24 NLT)

IT’S GRACE, STUPID!

And what a wonderful assurance this is. It was GRACE to Abraham. It was GRACE to the Children of Israel. It was GRACE to the widows and orphans. It was GRACE to the foreigners, to the Gentiles. It is GRACE to you and me! We stand as sons and daughters of God fully and completely –

BY GRACE ALONE!

While no one likes to be called stupid, I must admit that when I begin to take credit for anything the Lord has done in my life, I am acting stupid. My salvation and every miracle that God does in my life is a work of His GREAT GRACE! This truth humbles me. It causes me to fall down and worship. It keeps my perspective heavenward. And…It gives all the glory to JESUS CHRIST, my Lord!

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your GREAT GRACE! Thank you for loving me so much that You sent Your Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, my Lord, to die for my sins. Thank You, Jesus, that You rose victoriously from the dead and from the right hand of the Father, You poured out the Holy Spirit into my heart. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for Your continued care, for the blessings You bring each day, and for reminding me that from start to finish…

IT’S GOD’S GRACE!

IT IS TRULY…AMAZING GRACE!

In Jesus’ Name!

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THE PROMISE OF THE KINGDOM (A Communion Meditation)

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

ACTS 1:6-8: “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: Since the final moment of Jesus’ life, there has been a divine tension between the promise of the Kingdom and the fulfillment of this promise. The disciples were focused on the Kingdom, but Jesus turned their attention to the Harvest.

“And He said to them, It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8 NKJV)

We are instructed to pray for the Kingdom, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Yet, we are also called to engage in the Harvest! While our eternal hope lies heavenward, our earthly call lies in the hearts and souls of men, women, and children.

There is a coming Kingdom when all the promises of God, purchased on the Cross of Jesus Christ, will be fulfilled. There will be a New Heaven and a New Earth. God will wipe away every tear. Sin and sickness will be no more. Even the corruption that has affected God’s earthly creation will be done away with.

So what does communion have to do with all of this? It is the focus of our prayer for the Kingdom. It is the call to be engaged in the Harvest. It is the reminder of the fullness of Christ’s provision. It is the declaration that what He has promised will FULLY come to pass.

While we hear of wars and rumors of wars, while we see the effects of sin ravaging our world, while we experience tribulation in this life, the Cross of Jesus Christ, the bread (His body), and the cup (His blood), proclaim that God’s Kingdom is and will come. We may not see the fullness of the Kingdom at the moment.

BUT WE SEE JESUS!

We see Him in the BREAD as our Burden Bearer, our Healer, our Compassionate High Priest.

We see Him in the CUP as our Savior, Redeemer, Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, and soon coming King.

There is nothing that is not addressed and completed in the Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And, while we do not see all things regarding the Kingdom of God yet completely fulfilled,

We do SEE JESUS!

“You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:8-9 NKJV)

So, as we prepare to take communion today, we do so to remind ourselves…

  • Of the PROMISE of the Kingdom.
  • Of our CALL to be engaged in the HARVEST.
  • Of the SURETY of His coming.
  • Of the COMPLETION of all He has promised.

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26)

Jesus, today, we proclaim Your COMPLETE VICTORY through the Cross!

In Jesus’ Name!

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AND THE LIAR IS…

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

JOHN 8:44-45: “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me!” NLT

OBSERVATION: Who is telling the truth today? Angry voices are shouting at the same time, claiming to own the truth. Conservatives hate Liberals. Liberals hate conservatives. Independents hate both sides. All claim to be the source of the truth. And the battle wages on!

When I was growing up, a popular game show was “To Tell The Truth.” It pitted three similarly looking individuals who claimed to be in a specific hobby or profession. The celebrity panel asked each of them one question at a time to determine who was telling the truth. The contestant’s goal was to lie, keeping the truth hidden as long as possible.

Today, we could call this show – “To Tell A Lie.” With a 24/7 news cycle, with social media, with AI, and an abundance of false news bombarding us every day, how does one discern truth from the lie? Without the Bible, we would be like the confused panel on a game show. Yet, Jesus pulls back the curtain for us all!

First, Jesus made it very clear. HE IS THE TRUTH!

“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” (John 14:6 NLT)

The Jews, like many today, rejected Jesus’ claim. Some even accused Jesus of being demon possessed for His bold statements.

“The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?” (John 8:48)

Jesus once again pulls back the curtain to discern the truth from the lie. There are really only two realities in life. There is truth, and there is the lie. If you are embracing part of the lie or the entirety of the lie, you are being influenced and controlled by the devil. Once you pour arsenic into water, you no longer have clean drinking water. The devil is a liar, and all he knows how to do is lie.

“When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

Satan may clothe his lies in pseudo-religion, knowledge, or science, but they are still lies. In fact, he only has the capacity to lie. To tell the truth, God is being consistent with His nature. To tell a lie, the devil is being consistent with his nature. When we embrace even a little of the enemy’s lies, we begin to move away from the truth, and there will be consequences. What is the goal of the enemy and his lies?

“…So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me!” (John 8:44b)

Satan has one goal. It is to keep people from believing in Jesus. He does not need to accuse Jesus of being a complete liar. All he has to do is begin to question Jesus claim of being “THE TRUTH.” If Jesus is not “THE TRUTH,” then we are free to pick and choose the truth we want to believe. And, when we do this, we fall into the enemy’s trap.

  • Doubt replaces faith.
  • Fear replaces peace.
  • Death steals life.

So how do we combat the lying apparatus of the enemy? How do we sift through the myriad of voices that are trying to proclaim that they hold the keys to the truth? How do we live in the light and avoid even the edges of darkness? There is only one way, and Jesus gives it to us in this dialogue in John, chapter 8.

“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)

To discern the truth from the lie, we need to stay close to Jesus! We need to study and hide His teachings in our hearts. We need to filter everything the world shouts at us through the lens of Scripture. We cannot simply embrace what someone says, even when it is a pastor standing behind a pulpit. When someone warns you not to ask questions, be suspicious! We need to be like the Bereans who listened to the Apostle Paul and then went back to their homes to search the Scriptures to see if what Paul had preached was true.

Oh, how we need the Word of God today! Oh, how we need to read it, meditate on it, search its pages, each and every day. Oh, how we need to encounter the living Christ in every page as we allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate His Truth and uncover the lies. What is at stake?

Just our very lives!

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10 NLT)

We can live above the lies this world is hurling in our direction. We can overcome the enemy’s attempts to steal, kill, and destroy. We can walk in the rich and satisfying life Jesus desires to give us. We can know the truth, and the truth can set us 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)

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus! Thank You for Your Truth! Thank You, the Holy Spirit of Truth, who comes to lead us into all truth! Grant me the grace to remain faithful to ALL Your teachings as I daily abide in Your Word!

In Jesus’ Name!

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TELL THEM NOW! (Discerning Divine Opportunities)

Posted on March 9, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

JOHN 4:34-35: “Then Jesus explained: ‘My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.” NLT

OBSERVATION: Do I share my faith with others? Am I discerning the divine opportunities presented each day to tell others about Jesus Christ? As I begin this new day, is sharing my faith even in my agenda, or am I so preoccupied with all the things I “have to do” that I miss the divine opportunities of what I “could do.”

I love the story about the woman at the well. I have heard many messages on this account in Jesus’ life, and I have preached a few myself. Yet, each time I read it, something new touches my heart. This morning, it was Jesus’ statement to the disciples,

“…I have a kind of food you know nothing about.” (John 4:32 NLT)

The disciples had not been with Jesus because they were busy securing their next meal. They were doing what they “had to do!” Meanwhile, Jesus comes to a well, begins a conversation with a Samaritan woman, and does what we all “should do.” Jesus looked for the Father’s divine opportunity to share the Good News with a hungry heart.

While the disciples focused on physical food, Jesus was focused on spiritual food. While the disciples were busy trying to find food, Jesus was offering the Bread of Life to one hungry soul. When the disciples returned, they did not think, “Oh, wonderful! Jesus is sharing the Good News with this woman who needs Him!” No, this is what they thought among themselves.

“Just then, his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” (John 4:27 NLT)

You see, it did not even dawn on them! First, Jewish men did not strike up conversations with women. Second, Jews did not talk to Samaritans. Yet, here was Jesus, engaged in conversation with a woman and a Samaritan woman at that. Jesus, while alone, waiting at the well, saw the Father’s divine opportunity to reach out to a broken, hurting soul.

And Jesus did just that!

How many times do we encounter someone at the well? While we do not go to a physical well to draw water, the well represents the ordinary routines of our lives. It can be the gas station, the supermarket, the local diner, the bank, or just someone we encounter while on a walk. While neither you nor I goes armed with our Bibles every moment of every day, we do carry Jesus in our hearts, and we have a testimony we can share!

Are there divine opportunities we are missing? Are there people we would not normally talk to that Jesus wants us to share His life with? Are we open to interrupting our daily routine and schedule to share the Water of Life with another thirsty traveler?

The disciples missed it. I miss it. Most of us miss it. We see all the things we need to do and miss the most important things God desires us to do. We don’t even see the woman at the well. We are so busy in our lives that we walk right past her. This is why Jesus tells us,

“You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!” (John 4:35-36)

What is Jesus saying? There are divine opportunities all around, hungry hearts all around us, people who need Jesus all around us! The problem is never about the harvest, the divine opportunity; it is always about the laborers. Jesus is not calling us to walk around with a Bible in hand 24/7 and ask everyone we meet to say the sinner’s prayer. Jesus is simply asking us to sow the seed, to be open to God’s divine appointments, and when we recognize one of these divine appointments, to…

Tell Them Now!

“You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” (John 4:37-38 NLT)

Heavenly Father, open my eyes to see the harvest! Jesus, open my eyes to see Your divine opportunities all around me. Holy Spirit, give me boldness to sow the seeds of the Gospel into people’s hearts. Help me to be open and sensitive to the divine appointments you place in my life. Grant me the grace to –

“Tell Them Now!”

Help me to see the person at my well!

In Jesus’ Name!

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WHY DO I BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD?

Posted on March 6, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

JOHN 1:1-5: “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” NLT

OBSERVATION: Is the Bible the Word of God? Can I believe and have confidence in what it says? Is the Bible the final word on all matters that pertain to life? Is the Bible without error? Is the Bible the foundation of my faith? I have been asked these questions all my life, and I have asked them myself.

Why do I believe in the Bible?

The opening verses of the Gospel of John give us a glimpse into the preincarnate Christ. Jesus was the name God took upon Himself when He entered life as a human, being born of the virgin Mary. However, Jesus was not God’s name before this event in human history. Before all time began, Jesus’ name was…

The Logos (Word) of God!

The Bible reveals the true nature of God. The Orthodox Christian faith has always upheld the doctrine of the Trinity. Although the word Trinity does not appear in the Bible, it describes what the Bible reveals about God. The One True God is the unity of three persons in one. There is God, the Father, the Logos, and the Spirit. We see God in all three persons in the very beginning of Creation.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” (Genesis 1:1-3)

God created the heavens and the earth. The Spirit was also involved in creation, and every aspect of creation was initiated by the Word – “God said…” John reveals the significance of this statement when he writes, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,

“God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.” (John 1:3-4 NLT)

The Word, the one who came to this world, who became human and lived among us, the one we call Jesus, was the one who spoke the world into existence. He is the one who gave life to everything that was created. And He is the one who continues to bring life to everyone who believes in His name!

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” (John 1:12-13)

Some may object to this defense of the Bible. They will object, “You are using circular reasoning.” The Bible says that Jesus is the Word of God, and you believe the Bible is the Word of God because Jesus is the Word. Yes, that is circular reasoning, but it is sound circular reasoning. While I believe the Bible to be historically accurate and one of the most complete and documented annals of antiquity, my faith in its divine origin does not rest in these facts. My faith in the Bible rests on my faith in Jesus Christ!

I believe the Bible is the Word of God because Jesus is the Word of God!

The Word already existed before the world was created. The Word was the one by whom all things were created. The Word is the source of all light and life. The Word became a human and lived among us. The Word revealed the very heart and nature of the Father. The Word suffered on the cross bearing our sin and shame. The Word defeated sin, death, and the devil. The Word rose again from the dead and now sits at the right hand of the Father. The Word will come again to judge the quick and the dead – through His Word!

This is why the Bible is sacred. This is why the Bible is to be the foundation of all matters of faith and practice. This is why the Bible, the Gospel message, is the power of God unto salvation. The Bible is the Word of God because…

JESUS IS THE WORD!

One does not come to this knowledge through research and study. This truth is only known by revelation. This revelation comes when I say yes to Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord, when I am reborn by believing in Him, and when the blinders, covering my eyes, are removed by the Spirit of God, and I am given eyes of faith!

“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…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 2:10, 14 NLT)

When I trusted Jesus as my Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit came into my life and gave me the ability to see. What was once foolishness has now become the very foundation of my life. I did not only meet Jesus as Savior and Lord, but I was also introduced to Jesus as the Logos (Word) of God. His Word was opened to me, and I received life from its very pages. In every page of Scripture, I began to see Jesus. He brought His life and light into my life, and I have never been the same since that day.

Why do I believe in the Bible? It is because I have met the author and finisher of my faith. I have encountered the One who was, and is, and is to come. I have met the Logos of God, the living Word, the Word made flesh. No one has to prove to me that the Bible is the Word of God. I know it is God’s Word…

BECAUSE I KNOW THE LOGOS OF GOD! I KNOW JESUS!

In Jesus’ Name!

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HOW CAN I QUIET MY MIND? (To hear God’s voice)

Posted on February 27, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

PSALMS 62:5: “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.”

OBSERVATION: Have you ever been reading the Bible and found your mind drifting off in its own direction? You are reading a passage, and then you start thinking of what you have on your schedule or something that happened that week. You catch your mind drifting and go back to reread the passage. The problem is, I had to do this during my entire devotion time this morning!

I find it hard to relax. I find it even harder to quiet my mind. If I lie on my back when I go to bed, my mind keeps whirling at 60 miles per hour. Sometimes this is a benefit, but when you want to hear from the Lord, it is a competing voice that is demanding attention. Then, I read this verse. It caused me to stop. It caused me to cry out to God.

“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.” (Psalms 62:5 NLT)

The Psalm says – “…all that I am…”. This includes my mind. How do I do this? How do I quiet something that is always running in the background? I can sit in one place, I can quiet my spirit, but how do I quiet my mind? Paul gives us some insight into this question in his second letter to the Corinthians church.

“We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

I have normally thought of these verses concerning negative or sinful thoughts. Yet, the principle is the same. We can’t flip a switch and turn off our minds. Yet, we can capture our thought process and bring it into submission to Christ.

How do we do that?

We really can only consciously think of one thing at a time. This is why when someone asks you a question while you are thinking about something else, you say, “Hold on a minute! I’m thinking about something!” While we can walk and chew gum at the same time, we cannot consciously think about two things at the same time. While our subconscious may be spinning in the background, our battle is with the conscious mind.

What CD and what track will we allow it to play?

The Psalmist gave me hope this morning. It broke my battle with my rapid-firing brain. As I thought about letting ALL that I am wait quietly for the Lord, I read the very next statement and the following verses.

“…For my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.”(Psalms 62:5b-8 NLT)

As I stopped and began to read these verses over and over again, as I meditated on the faithfulness, glory, mercy, grace, and power of God, as I repeated the words over and over in my mind, something wonderful happened. My mind became quiet and submitted to the Word of God, and I could hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit.

It was like the change in a movie theatre when the previews come to an end, and the main attraction begins to play. During the previews, there is constant talk and chatter. Yet, when the main event starts, there is a hush of silence over the crowd. As I made a conscious choice to make God’s Word the main event, there was a hush of silence in my mind. My whirling and competing thoughts were quieted, and God had my attention – front and center!

I found the place of quietness and rest!

Why is quieting our mind with the Word of God so important? The enemy knows that God’s Word is the power that will set us free. It will bring us to the throne room of God in full assurance of faith. It will vanquish the deceitful plans he has for our lives and the weakness in our own flesh. It will keep us from being unfruitful in our lives and in our worship of the Lord. Paul reminds us why it is so important to quiet (renew) our minds with God’s Word.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 NLT)

What is at stake if I don’t quiet my mind, if I don’t “…Let all that I am wait quietly before the Lord…”? Only the knowledge of God’s will for my life. Only the pathway of how to live in a way that is good and pleasing in His sight. Only my peace and the joy of hearing the still small voice of the precious Holy Spirit.

WOW!

Lord help me each day to take time to “…Let all that I am wait quietly before You!”

In Jesus’ Name!

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FIVE LIFE CHANGING LESSONS ON PRAYER…

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

LUKE 18:1: “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.: NLT

OBSERVATION: Have you ever struggled with prayer? Should I pray and thank God for the answer, or should I keep on praying? What should be my attitude in prayer? How am I to approach God? What does faith have to do with it? Luke, Chapter 18, gives us some wonderful insights into these questions.

I love the Word of God. I love it when God speaks to my heart as I am reading familiar verses and then shines His light a little brighter so I can see something I never saw before. This morning, I sensed His light shining on this verse and then the Holy Spirit wonderfully wove the entire chapter together to answer my questions.

How long should I pray?

Many teach that it is a lack of faith to continue praying for the same thing. Yet, Jesus’ teaching about the persistent widow seems to say the exact opposite. The widow was commended for her persistence, and it was this persistence that led the unjust judge to finally answer her request. What if she had given up? What if she had asked once and simply assumed it would be done? Jesus gives us a wonderful promise about persistent prayer.

“Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?” (Luke 18:6-7 NLT)

What should be my attitude when I pray?

Can I be honest with God? Can I share my doubts and fears with Him? Do I have to choose the right words for Him to hear me? Jesus gives us the answer in His story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. One trusted in his personal piety, and the other cried out for mercy and forgiveness. One was renowned for his standing in the community, the other was despised and marginalized. Who did God hear?

“I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14 NLT)

How should I approach God?

Do I need to speak differently when I pray? Do I need to perfectly quote Scripture or choose the right wording for God to hear me? Do I approach God, reminding Him I have faith? Jesus also answers these questions.

“Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” (Luke 18:16-17 NLT)

What do I do when it all seems impossible?

Jesus’ encounter with the Rich Young Ruler gives some important insights into this question. This young man was a devout Jew who was seeking eternal life. He was serious about obeying God’s Law but was blind to his own heart condition. When Jesus addressed his covetousness, the Rich Young Ruler turned and walked away because he was not willing to part with his possessions.

As Jesus addressed His disciples about the difficulty of a rich man entering into the Kingdom of God, the disciples were stunned and asked, “Then who in the world can be saved?” Jesus gives them the answer to this question and our questions on what we do when it all seems impossible.

“He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)

We are now brought full circle as we read about Jesus’ encounter with a blind beggar. As Jesus approached, the blind beggar continued to cry out to Jesus, “Son of David, have mercy upon me!” As the blind beggar continued to cry out, the crowd around him told him to be quiet. Yet, the blind beggar continued and, no doubt, cried out louder and louder so Jesus could hear him.

Many times, people will try to dissuade us from praying and crying out to God. Some will tell us it shows a lack of faith. Others will tell us to give up and move on. Yet, the hungry heart, the heart that is persistent, humble, child-like, and knows that with God anything is possible, continues to pray! The blind man knew that his only chance was with Jesus. He was not going to be silent.

The blind man persisted in prayer!

“When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” (Luke 18:40-42 NLT)

This blind man embodied all the lessons we have considered in this chapter on prayer.

  • He persisted in prayer.
  • He humbled himself before God.
  • He had childlike faith.
  • He trusted in the God of the impossible.
  • He knew that Jesus was his only hope.

This is a picture of prayer that touches both the heart and throne of God. God does not look at the outward appearance or presentation of our prayer. God always, always, always, looks to the heart of the one praying. Our prayer may not be eloquent, but if it is persistent, postured in humility, childlike in our trust, open to the impossible, and anchored fully in Christ, our prayer will be heard and answered.

Sometimes we pray and receive an answer quickly. Other times, prayer is an ongoing spiritual battle that we must, like Moses, keep our hands lifted toward heaven until the battle is won. And, there are also times when our prayer will usher us into our eternal home, where we will receive the fullness of all that we have prayed for.

In all these situations…We continue praying!

Lord, help me be as persistent as the widow, as humble as the Tax Collector, as trusting as a child, open to Your endless possibilities, and not willing to be silenced like the blind beggar. Give me Your grace so that I can continue to come boldly to the throne, through the blood of Jesus Christ, to find grace and mercy in my time of need!

In Jesus’ Name!

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