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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AN IMPORTANT LESSON FROM JESUS’ TEMPTATION! (“Sola Scriptura!”)

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

LUKE 4:9-12: “Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” NLT

OBSERVATION: What lessons can we learn from Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness? I have heard many sermons preached on these familiar passages, and I have preached a few myself. I am familiar with noting the three types of temptation: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. I am also familiar with the observation that Jesus overcame these temptations with the Word of God.

However, as I read the Gospel of Luke again this year, something jumped out and grabbed my attention. Satan, having taken Jesus to the highest point of the Temple, tempted Jesus with the pride of life. Satan challenged Jesus, “Prove that you are the Son of God!” Yet, it was how he tempted Jesus that is important to note. Satan quoted Scripture from Psalm 91.

“For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.” (Psalms 91:11-12 NLT)

The temptation focused on Jesus’ position and the integrity of God’s Word. Satan did not misquote the verses. He did something even worse. He took two simple verses from the middle of a Psalm and built a doctrine from them. Whenever we are tempted to do the same, we are unwittingly playing into the enemy’s hands.

How did Jesus respond?

This is what grabbed me as I read these verses from the New Living Translation. Jesus did not correct the enemy for the verses he quoted. They were an exact quote from this section of Psalms 91. Jesus withstood Satan’s temptation, not because he misquoted Scripture, but because he neglected to consider ALL Scripture in doing so!

“Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.” (Luke 4:12 NLT)

Jesus said four words that changed everything and defeated Satan’s attempt to get Jesus to succumb to pride. “The Scriptures ALSO say!” Jesus was standing on the Full Counsel of God’s Word, not just two verses from a Psalm. The verses Jesus referred to are found in Deuteronomy.

“You must not test the Lord your God as you did when you complained at Massah. You must diligently obey the commands of the Lord your God—all the laws and decrees he has given you.” (Deuteronomy 6:16-17 NLT)

Jesus’ response pulled back the curtain on one of the easiest and most common errors one can make when interpreting the Scriptures. The Bible is not a book of promise verses that can be plucked out at random and used as one sees fit. When that is done, you can make the Bible say anything. In fact, every cult today that uses the Bible has done that exact thing.

Many current-day theological errors stem from this practice. When we read a specific verse, we cannot use it for our purposes without considering the WHOLE COUNSEL of God’s Word. Martin Luther, during the Reformation, used the term “Sola Scriptura” (Scripture Alone) as his guide to interpreting the Bible. He taught that Scripture has the final authority and we must let Scripture interpret Scripture.

This means we must take into consideration, as Jesus said, what the Scriptures “ALSO SAY!” This means we don’t conclude the meaning of a verse of Scripture until we have consulted the whole counsel of Scripture. As Paul gave his farewell to the Ephesian believers, he proclaimed his faithfulness to this important principle.

“And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:25-27 NKJV)

Psalm 91 proclaimed God’s protection for…“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will (and) find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalms 91:1). Yet, the promises in this Psalm did not mean that you could do something foolish or outside of God’s will and expect Him to always come to the rescue. Jumping off the pinnacle of the Temple would have been an exercise of pride and presumption. So, Jesus drew from the full counsel of God’s Word when He proclaimed…

“The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.” (Luke 4:12 NLT)

When I read something in the Bible, I must always consider what the Scriptures ALSO SAY! I must let God’s Word interpret itself and take into account the Whole Counsel of God’s Word. I must live by the creed – “Sola Scriptura,” Scripture Alone! I must approach God’s word humbly, prayerfully, honestly, and without prejudice. I must let God speak through the Holy Spirit and the written, objective, ultimately authoritative pages of Holy Scripture!

I must give attention to what “…The Scriptures ALSO SAY!”

Heavenly Father, help me to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Help me to consider what the Scriptures ALSO SAY. Give me a humble heart and a hungry spirit as I come to Your Word each day. May I lay all of my personal prejudices, experience, and objectives at the foot of the cross and look to Scripture Alone as my guide!

“We cannot attain to the understanding of Scripture either by study or by the intellect. Your first duty is to begin by prayer. Entreat the Lord to grant you, of His great mercy, the true understanding of His Word. There is no other interpreter of the Word of God than the Author of this Word, as He Himself has said, “They shall be all taught of God” (John 6:45). Hope for nothing from your own labors, from your own understanding: trust solely in God, and in the influence of His Spirit. Believe this on the word of a man who has experience.” (Martin Luther)

“Sola Scriptura!”

In Jesus’ Name!

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FORGIVENESS AND CLEANSING – IS THERE A DIFFERENCE? (Insights From Leviticus)

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

LEVITICUS 14:12, 14: “The priest will take one of the male lambs and the olive oil and present them as a guilt offering, lifting them up as a special offering before the Lord…The priest will then take some of the blood of the guilt offering and apply it to the lobe of the right ear, the thumb of the right hand, and the big toe of the right foot of the person being purified.” NLT

OBSERVATION: Is there a difference between forgiveness and cleansing? I have often pondered this question, especially when I have read John’s first epistle.

1 John 1:7-9: “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” NLT

John proclaims Jesus’ promise to the one who confesses their sins. Jesus will not only forgive their sin, but will also cleanse them from all unrighteousness. These two things are promised to the truly penitent heart. The question to understand is, what is the difference between forgiveness and cleansing?

Leviticus 14 records Moses’ instructions for those who had a skin disease, were healed, and wanted to be declared clean once again. Skin diseases, like leprosy, made a person unclean and separated them from the community. Their relationships were broken, and they were declared unclean. This forced them to live outside of the community. Like a skin disease, sin breaks our fellowship with God and with others. When we sin, we need to be both forgiven and cleansed.

The ceremony and sacrifices involved in the cleansing for one healed of a skin disease are quite interesting. While we do not follow the Old Testament Law, we must remember that these sacrifices were a picture of the final and complete sacrifice by Jesus Christ on the cross. To be healed of one’s skin disease would be the equivalent of being forgiven for one’s sins. We were guilty and separated from God, but now we have been forgiven, and our sins are remembered no more!

Yet, like the person in Leviticus 14, we also need to be cleansed. This does not mean God’s forgiveness is inadequate. It simply means that forgiveness must be followed by a change of direction and a restoration of fellowship. The person with the skin disease was declared healed, but was only declared clean once they completed the sacrifices.

There were three sacrifices involved in cleansing the person with a skin disease. They were:

  • The Guilt Offering
  • The Sin Offering
  • The Burnt Offering

The first sacrifice to be offered was the guilt offering. The guilt offering was an offering for intentional sins. This was the sin of commission. The person knew what they were doing when they sinned against God’s commandments. The offering that was given for forgiveness and cleansing was the guilt offering. When the person with the skin disease offered their guilt offering, the priest did something quite unusual.

Leviticus 14:14-17: “The priest will then take some of the blood of the guilt offering and apply it to the lobe of the right ear, the thumb of the right hand, and the big toe of the right foot of the person being purified. “Then the priest will pour some of the olive oil into the palm of his own left hand. He will dip his right finger into the oil in his palm and sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the Lord. The priest will then apply some of the oil in his palm over the blood from the guilt offering that is on the lobe of the right ear, the thumb of the right hand, and the big toe of the right foot of the person being purified.” NLT

First, the cleansing of the person with a skin disease involved sanctification (setting the person apart) through blood that was applied to the right ear, thumb of the right hand, and big toe of the right foot. Through the blood of the sacrfice the person was forgiven and set apart regarding what they heard (right ear), what they did (thumb of the right hand), and where they went (big toe on the right foot). Yet, it did not stop there.

Second, the cleansing of the person with a skin disease was not complete without consecration through the anointing of God’s presence in their lives. This is symbolized by the placement of the anointing oil, mingling with the blood already applied, that was placed on the right ear (to anoint what they heard), the thumb on the right hand (to anoint what they did), and the big toe on the right foot (to anoint where they would go).

Finally, their acceptance as one cleansed and restored to full fellowship with the community was symbolized when the priest anointed the head of the one who had been healed.

Leviticus 14:18: “The priest will apply the oil remaining in his hand to the head of the person being purified. Through this process, the priest will purify the person before the Lord.” NLT

Once this was complete, the priest would offer the sin offering and finally the burnt offering for the one being cleansed. The sin offering was the offering for unintentional sins. In this way, it differed from the guilt offering. The burnt offering was the offering of the covenant. It symbolized God’s faithfulness and covenant with the one who was offering the sacrifice to the Lord. It was only when all of this was done that we read,

Leviticus 14:20: “…Through this process, the priest will purify the person who was healed, and the person will be ceremonially clean.” NLT

How does this apply to the New Testament believer? We are saved by grace through faith in the complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven of our sins, we become sons and daughters of God, and we are filled with the Holy Spirit of promise. Yet, we are still sinners. We are forgiven, but we all still sin, whether intentionally, unintentionally, or by omission. Whatever the case, sin breaks our fellowship with God. It does not break our relationship after we are saved, but sin does break our fellowship with God.

We are like the person with the skin disease whose fellowship with the community was broken because of their uncleanness. We must come to Jesus and repent of our sin, just like we did when we came to Him for salvation. The Good News is that He is always faithful and just to forgive our sins. Yet, Jesus does not stop there. Jesus also wants to cleanse us from our unrighteousness.

We, too, need to be sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ and consecrated through the infilling of the Holy Spirit. God’s forgiveness is complete, but our fellowship needs to be restored through the Holy Spirit’s cleansing work. We need to be cleansed in what we hear (right ear), what we do (thumb on our right hand), and where we go (big toe on our right foot). True repentance will always be followed by the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit. God desires to restore our fellowship with Him and transform our lives into the image of His Son.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18: “For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” NLT

The ceremony for the cleansing of a person with a skin disease is a beautiful picture of God’s forgiveness and the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are completely forgiven through faith in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ (justification). We are set apart for fellowship (sanctification) and anointed for service (consecration) through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. God always cleanses the one whom He forgives! The Holy Spirit is always working to transform our unrighteousness into His righteousness.

1 John 1:7-9: “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” NLT

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ and the transformational work of the Holy Spirit in my life. Forgive me for the sin that I have committed, was unaware that I had committed, or the good that I omitted to do. Cleanse me and set me apart today in what I hear, what I do, and where I go. Empower me by the Holy Spirit to walk in the pathway of Your righteousness as I leave my unrighteousness at the foot of the cross!

Psalms 23:3: “He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” NLT

In Jesus’ Name!

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THE PATHWAY OF THANKFULNESS (Begins at the Cross!)

Posted on February 14, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

PSALMS 50:14-15: “Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” NLT

OBSERVATION: Am I on the pathway of thankfulness? Is my heart filled with worship and praise for all God has done in my life? As I look over the pathway of my life, am I celebrating the hand of God’s mercy and grace? When I go to the house of worship, is it to bring the sacrifice of praise?

Let’s be honest. Thankfulness is not something that comes naturally. We are born into this world focused on our needs. As we go through life, it is easy to become filled with worry and anxiety as we look toward our future. Our prayers become more about what we need than about giving glory to the One who meets our needs.

Worship in today’s church has become a “me” centered event. It is all about what I get out of the sermon, whether I feel blessed by the music, whether someone is praying for my needs, and whether I am recognized for my service. The focus of our worship is not giving thanks to God; it is bringing our laundry list of needs to Him!

The Jews made their sacrifices the center of their worship. It was all about what they were bringing to God, what they were doing for God. Throughout the history of the Jewish people, we find them offering sacrifices while grumbling about their lives. They expected God’s favor and blessing based on their sacrifices while ignoring the condition of their heart. God made it very clear. He did not need their sacrifices.

Psalms 50:8-10: “I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly offer. But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens. For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.” NLT

God does not need what we do for Him. God desires us to honor who He is and to be thankful. When we approach the altar with the sacrifice of thankfulness, our hearts are focused on Jesus and all that He has done for us. When we look to the cross, we realize that there is nothing more that He needs to do. His work is complete, and everything we will ever need is found in Him!

Romans 8:31-32: “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” NLT

The cross is the source of my thankfulness. If the Father did not spare His only begotten Son, but gave Him up for our sins, then will He not also freely give us all things? The cross is where I meet Jesus for salvation. It is where the Holy Spirit works sanctification, making me more like Jesus. And it is where I will embrace my full redemption when I am clothed with a glorified body and enter into the fullness of eternal life!

This thankfulness causes me to look up to heaven. It lifts me from the mundanity of everyday life. It enables me to,

“…keep the vows you (I have) made to the Most High.” Psalms 50:14 NLT

The blessing of living a life of thankfulness flowing from the cross of Jesus Christ is the promise of God’s faithfulness in answered prayer.

“Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” Psalms 50:15 NLT

Thankfulness keeps me on the pathway of Spirit-empowered obedience. Spirit-empowered obedience leads me to the fountain of God’s grace and mercy. God’s grace and mercy usher me into the fullness of Jesus Christ and the power of His cross!

Paul experienced the power of the cross as He gave thanks to God. As we look upon the cross of Jesus Christ, our focus is on Him and all that He has done for us. What can we do as we gaze upon His cross, remember His great sacrifice, look upon the empty tomb, and remember His promises?

We can offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, giving our lives as living sacrifices through Spirit-empowered obedience to His will! Paul’s exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 is a wonderful way to pray and commit our lives to this call to thankfulness.

Always be joyful.

Never stop praying.

Be thankful in all circumstances,

for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

Do not scoff at prophecies,

but test everything that is said.

Hold on to what is good.

Stay away from every kind of evil.

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way,

And may your whole spirit, soul, and body

be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

In Jesus’ Name!

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