THE BATTLE FOR TRUTH…

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

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

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

Who are we to believe?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why can we rely on the Holy Scriptures?

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

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

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

In Jesus’ Name!

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FOLLOW THE MONEY…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Jesus’ Name!

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THE GREATEST ASSURANCE IN LIFE!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then something happens!

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

Job is sustained by the hope of the Resurrection!

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

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

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

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

“I am overwhelmed at the thought!”

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

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

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

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

This hope sustains me.

It comforts me.

It empowers me to face anything!

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

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

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

In Jesus’ Name!

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AM I IGNORING GOD’S GPS?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus taught us the same thing!

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Jesus’ Name!

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IS MY LIFE A LIVING TESTIMONY?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paul chose the latter and eventually so did I.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Jesus’ Name!

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IS DOING GOD’S WILL EASY?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Something is definitely wrong!

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

“Here I am, Lord, send me!”

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

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

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

Would you take this assignment? Isaiah did!

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

Am I willing to do the same?

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

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

In Jesus’ Name!

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THE ENEMY WITHIN…

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

EZRA 4:1-3: “The enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were rebuilding a Temple to the Lord, the God of Israel. So they approached Zerubbabel and the other leaders and said, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God just as you do. We have sacrificed to him ever since King Esarhaddon of Assyria brought us here.” But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders of Israel replied, “You may have no part in this work. We alone will build the Temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, just as King Cyrus of Persia commanded us.” NLT

OBSERVATION: What is the easiest way to destroy a city, a community, a country, or a church? It is not through obvious attacks from without. Rather, it is by sowing seeds of discord from within. The real enemy we have to fear is…

The Enemy Within!

As you read the Bible and as you study history, you will find countless examples of the enemy of faith and freedom attacking from within. Satan himself poses as an angel of light so that unsuspecting believers welcome him in. This is happening right now in our churches as we witness false teachers growing in popularity and blatant communists infiltrating the sacred halls of our government.

Ezra records this tactic being used to stop the progress of the rebuilding of the Temple. Those who opposed the restoration of Israel feigned allegiance to its creeds and tried to become part of the rebuilding team. Their words were false, and their motive was to hinder and destroy. Fortunately, the leaders in Jerusalem saw through their motives and refused them entrance.

We need this same wisdom to be applied in our churches and our country. The life of a church and the health of a nation have many things in common. A church and a nation are only as healthy as their members. If we allow people with the wrong motives to enter into our leadership, it is the same as adding leaven into a lump of dough. A little leaven leavens the whole lump!

When I pastored, I established a program of Congregational Discipleship. This was a process of leading new people through a series of 3 modules that would communicate both the values and mission of our local Church. The first module was called the Cross Track and focused on two things.

  1. Life Essentials
  2. Church Essentials

When someone wanted to become a part of our church and serve in a capacity of teaching, leadership, or on the worship team, it was required that they attend the Cross Track and make a public commitment to the church body, affirming that they were in agreement with and would support the leadership and the vision and mission of the church. You would be surprised how many people left the church either before or during this first step.

I believe our Discipleship Tracks Program served as a firewall, preventing dissenters from joining the church. We did not demand doctrinal conformity on every aspect of the faith. Yet, we did on the essentials of our faith, salvation, baptism, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and the God-given mission for our local Church. If a person was unwilling to embrace these, it was clear they had a different agenda.

Our citizenship classes in the United States are meant to do much of the same. However, we are allowing people to falsely identify as citizens without a true desire to uphold the Constitution and the three key principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, the inalienable gifts from our Creator. Many now in office are working against our country and trying to destroy it from within. Those who oppose checking a person’s citizenship before voting are revealing their true agenda!

So what do we do, in the church, and in our country? We can take a lesson from the Book of Ezra. The Jews who had returned to Jerusalem were finally cured of their idolatry. They stayed true to God’s Word, and they continued the work of rebuilding the Temple, even in the face of severe opposition. They survived enemies from without, false accusations, and temporary setbacks. God honored their faithfulness and ultimately gave them favor!

In an appeal to Darius, the King of Persia, the Jews in Jerusalem received this reply.

“So King Darius sent this message: “Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the province west of the Euphrates River, and Shethar-bozenai, and your colleagues and other officials west of the Euphrates River—stay away from there! Do not disturb the construction of the Temple of God. Let it be rebuilt on its original site, and do not hinder the governor of Judah and the elders of the Jews in their work. “Moreover, I hereby decree that you are to help these elders of the Jews as they rebuild this Temple of God. You must pay the full construction costs, without delay, from my taxes collected in the province west of the Euphrates River so that the work will not be interrupted.” (Ezra 6:6-8 NLT)

God honors those who are faithful to His Word. God can even turn the hearts of rulers toward the benefit of His people. We are at a crossroads in our nation and in our churches. Each day we hear about another candidate who opposes the very essence of the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. Each day we read of another denomination embracing leaders who are leading it from the faith once delivered to the saints.

This is not a time to give up. This is a time for all believers to engage!

Pastors, lead your churches faithfully and honor the Word of God. Public servants, stand up for the principles that founded our great country. Citizens, pray and vote for candidates who align with God’s Word and the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We can sit back, wring our hands, and cry – “Woe is me!” Or, we can engage with the Gospel of Truth and the principles of sound government.

Communism is like liberalism in the church. It appeals to the lowest common denominator of all and leads them into bondage. Redistribution of wealth breaks the spirit and creativity of a nation. It hinders the generosity of the heart and leads to death. Liberalism in the church leads to a lukewarm spiritual state that keeps people out of heaven and blocks them from ever knowing the truth.

Psalms gives us our marching orders.

“Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands—to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with shackles and their leaders with iron chains, to execute the judgment written against them. This is the glorious privilege of his faithful ones. Praise the Lord!” (Psalms 149:6-9 NLT)

This is not a call for the church to take up arms or engage in a militant uprising. This is a call for the church to worship the One True God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength; and to proclaim the truth of His Word. It is to boldly preach the Cross of Jesus Christ and call all men and women to repentance. It is to fulfill the calling of each local church, in each community, in every corner of our land!

Our nation needs to return to the Constitution and our churches to the Word of God! Only then will we see God’s favor poured out and restored in our land!

Heavenly Father, create in me a clean heart and renew me by Your Spirit. May I commit my life to You in sincere worship and proclaim Your Word, the sword of the Spirit, in boldness and in love. Give us wisdom in these days to walk in Your path and to uphold the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in our land.

In Jesus’ Name!

NOTE: If you would like to learn more about Congregational Discipleship, please visit our webpage and learn about our Discipleship Tracks Program. https://www.localchurchdynamics.org/discipleship-tracks-program

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IS LIFE JUST A ROLL OF THE DICE?

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

ECCLESIASTES 9:11: “I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.” NLT

OBSERVATION: Is life just a roll of the dice? Does everything happen by chance, or is there a predetermined destiny for each person? These questions have been debated for centuries. Some see all of life determined by predestination, and others simply by man’s free will. How we view life will determine how we live it and how we interact with others.

Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. Yet, Solomon was also one of the most flawed men who ever lived. The book of Ecclesiastes is Solomon’s attempt to make sense out of life through wisdom and logic. Each time he tries to do this, he fails. He tries to find the meaning of life in wisdom, pleasure, accomplishments, status, and even folly. His conclusion is always the same…

“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” (Ecclesiastes 1:2 NLT)

In Ecclesiastes 9:11, Solomon observes what frustrates everyone. The fastest runner loses the race. The strongest person loses the battle. The wise go hungry. The skillful person never becomes successful. The educated never achieve their full potential. Life seems like a game of craps, just a roll of the dice. It is all just a matter of chance, being in the right place at the right time.

I have felt that way many times. I have listened to a gifted singer at church and thought, “Why aren’t they playing for thousands?” I have also listened to professional entertainers and wondered, “How did they ever make it?” So much of this life is left to chance. In the music industry, we hear the same story:

“They were in the right place at the right time!”

Yet, this is not the Christian perspective. Solomon is not writing his analysis from the position of a born-again believer. He is writing from a completely human plane. He is exploring life as it is without divine intervention. We can all agree that, without God in our lives, life is just a matter of chance. Yet, when a person turns his or her life to Jesus Christ, a dramatic transformation occurs, and all of life changes!

“…No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)

The verses above give a completely different view of life from Solomon’s. Solomon was looking at life from a human perspective. We are called to look at life “In Christ”, from a godly perspective. Our life in Christ is filled with purpose, hope, and a definite plan. God personally calls, equips, and guides us into our eternal destiny. Our lives are not determined merely by being at the right place at the right time. Our lives, our steps, are determined by the Lord!

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” (Psalms 37:23-24 NLT)

So does this mean Solomon was completely wrong? Is everything in life predestined by God? What part does free will have to play in our lives? I am not trying to open up the centuries-old theological debate. I merely want to point out two facts. (1) Everyone is subject to chance, even the believer. (2) Everyone has a choice to make in how they will respond to life. Even the believer can choose to ignore the plans God has made for them. Free will and God’s destiny are always in tension.

The key is obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit!

“Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.“ (Romans 8:12-14 NLT)

Today, I may get in my car, drive down the road, pick up a nail, and have a flat tire. I was not predestined to have a flat tire. This happened by chance. Yet, how I respond to the flat tire is a matter of my free will. I can respond from a human perspective, or I can be led by the Spirit of God. One will produce anger and frustration; the other will lead me into the pathway of God’s provision and peace.

The question remains: Which path will I choose?

Heavenly Father, I thank You that You have saved me for a purpose! You have called me to a life that is filled with hope for the future. Even in moments of chance, Your hand is ready to lead and provide. Grant me the grace to choose life in the Spirit over a simple life of chance. Thank You that in Christ, everything in life has been redeemed from futility and is being transformed into an eternal destiny and purpose!

In Jesus’ Name!

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JOURNEY THROUGH PSALMS: BOOK ONE

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

If you have enjoyed posts on our blog, check out this collection of previous posts from the Book of Psalms – now available in Print and Ebook format!

Click on the link for more information! https://a.co/d/02zIpcxd

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IMITATE GOD? (Can anyone do this?)

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

EPHESIANS 5:1: “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” NLT

OBSERVATION: Imitate God? Talk about a statement that causes you to stop, dead in your tracks. As I began to read the opening of Ephesians, chapter 5, these two words became a roadblock that made me stop. How can I imitate God? How can the finite emulate the infinite?

Paul doesn’t stop there. He calls us to imitate God – in everything we do! This is not an option but an expectation. Paul writes this as if it were easy. He seems to say, “…after all, you are His dear children.” Children act like their Father, right? This is no big deal. It should be easy. If this is true, why am I struggling just with the thought of it?

When I opened my Bible today, I also opened my Bible App. This was the verse of the day.

“Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God, everything is possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

Humanly speaking, I cannot imitate God. In fact, in my own human wisdom and strength, I will do exactly the opposite of what God would do, almost every time. My life, apart from God, is like a bent arrow. No matter how hard I aim at the target, I always veer off course. Like Paul, I cry out…

“I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” (Romans 7:15 NLT)

So, is the call to imitate God just a pipe dream? Is it given to show us how impossible it is? As Jesus said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible…” Yet, what a wonderful promise that follows these words – “…But with God, everything is possible!”

Paul reveals God’s answer to our inability in the book of Romans.

“The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.” (Romans 8:3 NLT)

What was God’s answer to our inability? It was Jesus! God became a man to fulfill all that we are called to do, perfectly and without sin. Jesus, God in human flesh, fulfilled all of God’s will and then willingly gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. When Jesus cried out, “It is Finished!” He broke the power of sin and death forever. Jesus declared that in Him the impossible becomes possible.

To those who call upon His name, Jesus saves, breaks the power of sin and death, and pours out the Holy Spirit into their lives. It is not in our human strength that we are called to Immitate God. It is in the power of the Holy Spirit who transforms the impossible into the possible. The Holy Spirit leads us into the fullness of God’s life and gives us the power to walk in His steps!

“He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit…For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:4, 14 NLT)

It is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus that lifts me above my impossibilities and freely empowers me with the possibilities of God. These possibilities are without limit. Jesus said, “…But with God ALL things are possible!” even the call to imitate God. We don’t imitate God by trying to obey every single commandment in the Scriptures. We imitate God as we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and walk in the power of His love!

“Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” (Ephesians 5:2 NLT)

This is not a call to human love. It is a call to be transformed and led by the love of God in Christ Jesus. As we deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Jesus, we are transformed in the power of His love. As we abide in His Word, our minds are renewed by the love of God. And, as we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, He leads us in the pathway of God’s love. Then, it hits us!

The Holy Spirit is helping us to imitate God!

Jesus is living in us and through us. We are seeing life through the wisdom of God. We are walking in humility and forgiveness and making choices out of love for God and our fellow man. The old nature is no longer controlling us. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that is changing us from one degree of glory and freedom to the next. We are on the pathway of change, and it is a glorious and miraculous thing!

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

Heavenly Father, thank You for making the impossible possible through Jesus Christ, my Lord! I want to Immitate You. I want to walk today in the power of Your Holy Spirit. I want to be transformed in Your love. Grant me the grace to meet each challenge, each question, each choice, in the power of Your transforming love.

In Jesus’ Name!

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