AM I WILLING TO PAY THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP?

Posted on October 5, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

DANIEL 3:16-18: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” NLT

OBSERVATION: What is the cost of discipleship? Am I willing to pay the cost? Would I continue to walk in faith if I never received another answer to my prayers? Would I continue to serve God if I faced the ultimate cost, laying down my life for my faith?

There is a current worship song that is popular today on the radio and in churches. The title of this song is ‘Trust In God ‘ by Elevation Worship. It is a catchy song, and there is a lot of the song that I agree with. However, when it gets to the bridge, this is where I struggle. The bridge goes,

I sought the Lord, and He heard, and He answered

I sought the Lord, and He heard, and He answered

I sought the Lord, and He heard, and He answered

That’s why I trust Him, that’s why I trust Him

It raises the question: Why do I trust the Lord? Do I trust the Lord each day because of what He does for me, or is my trust based on something much more important than that? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faced with this very question. As they faced the fiery furnace for refusing to worship the statue of Nebuchadnezzar, would they count the cost of discipleship?

Their answer to King Nebuchadnezzar begins with a wonderful statement of faith!

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.” Daniel 3:17 NLT

They did not waver in their belief in the power and ability of Jehovah God. They would not serve a false god and fully trusted in the power of God, who is always able to save. Yet, their faith and their obedience did not stop there. Would they still trust God if the outcome was different?

“But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:18 NLT

Their faith in God, their obedience to God, their willingness to count the cost of discipleship were not based on WHAT God would do for them. It was based fully and completely on WHO God was and WHO He declared Himself to be. Jehovah was the living God, the Creator of all things, the Holy One, the one who alone was to be praised. It was this belief that spurred their willingness to count the cost of discipleship.

In our consumer-focused mentality, we are willing to trust God for what He does for us. As the song says, “I trust the Lord and He heard and He answered…That’s why I trust Him.” The question is, what would we do if it appeared that He did not hear, that He did not answer? This was the possibility that confronted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and it is the possibility that each of us must face.

This does not mean we have a lack of faith in the power of God. It means that we do not presume upon the actions of God. Our trust in Him, our faith, and our obedience are not contingent upon what He does for me today or tomorrow. My faith must be grounded upon WHO He is and what He has said. It must be anchored upon the person and nature of God, not merely his actions.

“For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV

I praise the Lord that he miraculously rescued Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! I praise God for all the times He has miraculously rescued me. I pray continually for His miracle-working power in the lives of those I love. I believe that Jesus is our Savior, Healer, Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, and soon-coming King!. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Yet, I don’t trust Him today because of what He will do for me tomorrow. I trust Him for what He did for me on the Cross of Calvary, which declares His love and commitment to me for all eternity!

Countless saints have gone before us, laying down their lives for their faith. Hebrews 11 gives us a balanced view of the cost of discipleship. Not everyone received a miraculous deliverance in this life, but everyone who believed received a good report of faith and the full blessings of eternal life in the life to come.

If I were to rewrite the bridge of ‘Trust In God’, it would go:

I praise the Lord for His cross and His mercy

I praise the Lord for His cross and His mercy

I praise the Lord for His cross and His mercy

That’s why I serve Him; that’s why I trust Him!

Until God calls me to heaven or Jesus returns, I will trust the Lord. I will always pray for God’s miraculous intervention in my life and the lives of others. I will contend for victory and healing. Yet, my trust in God will never be based on an answer to prayer. The Cross stands as my foundation of faith. The Cross declares once and for all God’s love, His commitment, and His faithfulness to me and His promises both in this life and the life to come!

Heavenly Father, there is no greater expression of Your love than the Cross of Jesus Christ. Grant me the mercy and grace to walk in the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and the countless saints who lived before me. May I serve You and seek You, not for the provision of Your hand, but for Your glory! Help me to truly count the cost of discipleship!

In Jesus’ Name!

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IS GOD ANGRY AND VENGEFUL?

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

EZEKIEL 33:10-11: “Son of man, give the people of Israel this message: You are saying, ‘Our sins are heavy upon us; we are wasting away! How can we survive?’ As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?” NLT

OBSERVATION: I recently read an article about a pastor in Texas who is denying the Gospel, claiming Jesus did not die for our sins, and declaring that the God of the Old Testament was angry and vengeful, a god that no one would want to serve. This article appeared in my inbox at the same time I was reading the book of Ezekiel.

As you read the Bible, you can isolate passages that can prove almost anything. This is how cults begin and justify their existence. To be honest, if you read only selected portions of Ezekiel, it can appear that God is both angry and vengeful. Yet, if you read the Bible in its entirety and read the passages in context, you will discover how incorrect this assumption is.

So, how does a God of love also act as a God of judgment? Is there a dichotomy in God’s nature? A cursory reading can assume this is true. Yet, a careful reading will reveal the true nature of God.

God is, always has been, and always will be a God of love.

The problem we face in our culture is that we lack a clear understanding of what love is. To many, love is tolerance. Tolerance is love without standards. Tolerance is love without truth. It calls evil good and good evil. It cries out for the criminal while denying the rights of the victim. It approves all kinds of sin but passes final judgment on anyone who does not agree with its definition of love. The common phrase today is,

Love is love is love. But is it?

Love without wisdom, justice, and truth is really no love at all. To protect the criminal while leaving the vulnerable unprotected is not love; it is abuse. To stand for the rights of the born while ignoring the rights of the unborn, in the name of love, is evil. To ignore the Creator of the universe and create one’s own system of righteousness is not love; it is destructive foolishness.

God is love, but God is also holy! God created the world and every creature in it, including every man and woman who has walked the face of this earth. Men and women rejected God’s rule, knowing that to do so would incur God’s wrath against sin. God’s wrath against sin is not His lack of love for His creation. Rather, it is His love striving to protect His creation. Over and over again, we hear God’s heart as he pleads with man to repent and turn back to Him!

“…As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?” (Ezekiel 33:11 NLT)

God takes no pleasure in judgment. God’s heart is for salvation. Man continually rejects God’s heart and continues in his wickedness. When Noah lived, mankind was so evil and had moved so far away from God that God had to pour out His judgment on His creation to save it. Man was on the verge of destroying himself, and God intervened, saving Noah and his family to give mankind a second chance.

Then, God tried working through the nation of Israel. He revealed His nature and power, and gave them His Word. He dwelt with them and guided them to a land that was filled with milk and honey. As they followed God, they prospered. Yet, their story is our story. They continually forgot God’s mercy and love and began seeking other gods, desiring to be like all the nations around them. They left God’s covenant and brought judgment upon themselves.

God made a covenant with Noah and promised that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. God made a covenant with Abraham that through his descendants all the world would be blessed. Noah’s descendants wandered away from God. Abraham’s descendants wandered away from God. It seemed all was lost, and that only judgment awaited mankind once again. This is where we meet the most powerful expression of God’s nature and love.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17 NLT)

When the only option remaining for man’s sin was judgment, God did what no one else would do. God came to His creation and took the full penalty of His wrath for sin upon Himself. Jesus, God incarnate, the Word made flesh, humbled Himself and became a man so He could bear the complete wrath of God for sin.

The cross was God’s answer to His justice.

Yet, it was also His declaration of His great love!

When someone is tempted to think that the God of the Old Testament is an angry God of vengeance, all they need to do is look at the Cross. There are not two Gods in the Bible. God never changed His desire for men and women to walk in the light of His love. Yet, men and women, incapable of doing so, continue to rush toward judgment. The God of the Old Testament, who declared His desire for men and women to live in righteousness, came to earth in the New Testament to make a way so that they could!

This is the Gospel, the Good News! This is the definition of Love!

This is God’s declaration of His love and the fulfillment of the text we quoted from Ezekiel. God does not want anyone to perish. Judgment is God’s strange work. The Cross is His declaration of love to the world and the pathway to live in the fullness of His love for eternity. At the Cross we are invited to exchange our sin, guilt, shame, and brokenness for His mercy, love, and forgiveness.

If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is!

Heavenly Father, there are so many today who are deceived by the world’s angry fist raised in defiance, proclaiming, “God is a God of vengeance!” Yet, louder than their words stands an ‘Old Rugged Cross’ and an ‘Empty Tomb’ that proclaim Your great love for all. Open the eyes of the blind to discover Your love and to believe in the free gift of Your salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord!

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.“ (2 Peter 3:9 NLT)

In Jesus’ Name!

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AM I HUMBLE OR STUBBORN?

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

1 PETER 5:5-7: “In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

OBSERVATION: Am I humble or stubborn? Each day, as I read God’s Word, I try to listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit speaks through the Scriptures by illuminating a passage or a few words of the passage. It is like a divine ‘Stop’ sign. You have to stop, listen, and think before you can move on. This morning I stopped at these familiar verses in First Peter, chapter five, and I sensed the Holy Spirit asking me:

“Are you humble or stubborn?”

I had to stop and think about this for a while. I wanted to reply, “I am humble, Lord!” Yet, when I honestly look at my life, I realize this is not always the case. So, I began to pray. “What are You trying to say to me? As I read and re-read these three verses, over again, one phrase kept coming off the page.

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT)

How many times have I cried out to God in my time of need, only to return to the Cross and pick up the heavy burden I laid down, trying to carry it again? The answer is, too many times to count. In fact, this is one of my lifelong struggles. I cast all my worries and cares on the Lord, but when His timing seems delayed, I pick them back up again.

In my impatience, I stubbornly decide God needs my help!

I need to ask myself this important question. “Does God really need my help?” The answer is obvious, but my actions make it look difficult to answer. Obedience is never easy, but it is never meant to be something I do on my own. Obedience begins when I realize that I have nothing left to move the mountain before me, and I humbly come to the Cross for grace and mercy.

It is easy to lay down my burden at first. The hard part is to leave it at the cross. This is the definition of true humility. It is not the initial recognition that I cannot do this on my own. It is the continued position of trust in the Lord and the refusal to go back, pick up the burden, and try to solve it once again on my own. This is stubbornness. This is the sin that plagued Israel time and time again. This is the sin that so easily trips us up.

And we always have someone trying to get us to pick up our burden again and again!

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT)

A roaring lion is an old, tired lion. They no longer have the ability to kill on their own. The job of the ‘Roaring Lion’ is to roar, scare the prey, and entice them to run toward the young lions, who will kill them, feast, and then leave the leftovers for the roaring lion. The enemy of our souls is that roaring lion. He tries to get us to do the opposite of God’s commands. He is the one who continually says:

“God isn’t going to do anything for you! If you don’t fix this yourself, nothing will happen!”

The roaring lion always tries to get us to pick up our cares and burdens again. We turn from our humility and begin walking in stubbornness. It really is quite foolish when you think about it. But we all struggle with it. I am so thankful Peter does not stop here. He goes on to say:

“Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.” (1 Peter 5:9 NLT)

How do you stand firm against the enemy? You remain in a posture of humility. In other words, you refuse to pick up what you have entrusted to the Lord. You continue in prayer and surrender, and you make your heart ready to obey the Lord as He leads you. Humility is not inactivity. It is simply surrender. It is refusing to try to live life in our own power. It is placing our full trust in the Lord and obeying Him when He says:

“This is the way, walk in it!”

This call to humility comes with a promise. First, we are not alone! That brings me great comfort. I am not the only one struggling with the issues I am facing in my life. Believers all over the world are going through the same thing. The answer for me is the same as the answer for them.

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT)

As we give all our worries and cares to God, we are confident that He hears and is watching over all the concerns of our lives. God wants to bring His healing and help to our lives more than we want to receive them. This is where the promise comes into play. If we resist running away from our humility, if we resist the enemy and stay surrendered to the Lord, God gives us a wonderful promise.

“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11 NLT)

Years ago, the Lord gave me a simple thought. ‘When you are at the point of utmost despair…don’t give up, for you are almost there!’ In other words, don’t run back to the Cross where you have laid down your heavy burden. Trust in the Lord! Yield to His timing! Obey His voice! Stand firm and realize the enemy has no real power. His only power is when we believe the roar more than God’s promise!

I choose to believe God’s promise!

Heavenly Father, this morning, I humble myself under Your loving and mighty hand. You know the concerns of my heart, things I try to carry, the issues I cannot solve or change. I confess that I need You! I run to the Cross and cast all these cares upon You, for I know You care for me. Now, grant me the grace to resist picking them back up again. Deliver me from the enemy (‘Roaring Lion’) and the pitfall of my stubbornness. Let me walk in humility with You each day! Put a song in my heart as I sing…

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

In Jesus’ Name!

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WILL THE NEXT GENERATION SURVIVE?

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

1 PETER 4:18-19: “And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.” NLT

OBSERVATION: What will happen to the ‘Next Generation’? Every generation must ask this question. My father belonged to the generation known as ‘The Greatest Generation.’ He lived during World War II. He and all five of his brothers served in the war. They were all willing to lay down their lives for the safety and survival of the ‘Next Generation.’

My generation, the ‘Baby Boomers,’ was born after this conflict. We grew up in a world that was prospering. The 1950s were a boom decade. The focus was on the nuclear family, owning a home, and building a better life for one’s children. There was a sense of community that does not exist today. Everyone on the street I grew up on knew each other. As neighbors, we were always gathering together for one reason or the other.

As I grew up, this sense of community faded, being replaced by a focus on self. The buzzword that still exists today is “What’s in it for me?” If I did not see anything of personal gain, I was not interested. This self-absorbed lifestyle has been passed on from generation to generation. Today, we live in our personal bubbles. We go to work, drive home, enter our homes, eat, watch TV, and never interact with our neighbors.

Is there any hope for the ‘Next Generation?’

The hope of the ‘Next Generation’ has always been determined by the life of God’s people. The hope of the world – the birth of the Savior, our redemption through the Cross of Jesus Christ – was entrusted to a small nation, chosen by God. God gave His Word and His Son to the Jewish nation. Through the obedience of a few, the salvation of the world would come!

This made me think about the Salmon. Salmon live most of their life in the ocean. Yet, when it comes time to give birth to the ‘Next Generation, ‘ Salmon, as a community, swim upstream in the harshest of conditions to find fresh water and the conditions needed to lay their eggs and give life to the ‘Next Generation.’ This is such a taxing responsibility that most Salmon give their life to complete the process!

Peter, in the closing verses of chapter four, gives us a call similar to the Salmon. First, he reminds us of the gravity of the call.

“And also, ‘If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?’” (1 Peter 4:18 NLT)

We cannot assume we can live our lives in a self-centered way and trust that the ‘Next Generation’ will be alright. Many adults view life as a struggle to achieve so they can kick back and relax during their retirement. The ‘Next Generation’ is someone else’s problem. I have done my part. Let them worry about the future!

Yet, Peter does not see it this way. We are called to engage the ‘Next Generation’ until the day we die or Jesus returns. We are called to keep our hands on the plow. When we are tempted to walk away from the field of life and give the responsibility to someone else, Peter’s words exhort us to remain faithful!

“So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.” (1 Peter 4:19 NLT)

  • “But I’m tired!”
  • “Let someone else do it for a while!”
  • “It’s my time to rest!”
  • “The ‘Next Generation’ will have to take care of themselves!”

Imagine if the Salmon said the same thing.

  • “It’s too hard to swim upstream!”
  • “There will be enough who make it, so why do they need me?”
  • “I just want to stay in the comfortable ocean and play!”

Peter says, “…Keep on doing what is right!” Jesus has promised us every provision and blessing to finish strong. He will never fail me! It may be tough to carry on, but I must carry on. I must live my life in a way that is focused on the ‘Next Generation.’ I have been called with a purpose, and that purpose includes leading the ‘Next Generation’ to Jesus Christ!

I am who I am because of my father and my grandfather. Each one of them gave everything in their life so that I would be successful, know Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord, and live a life that was better than the life they lived. My generation has failed to carry this calling forward in the same way. Yet, I must keep my focus, like the Salmon, and continue to swim upstream, giving all I have to make sure that my life will have an impact for the ‘Next Generation!’

“Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.“ (Psalm 145:3-4 NLT)

Heavenly Father, thank You for my father and my grandfather who were willing to give everything so that I could know Jesus and live an abundant life. Help me to walk in their footsteps and proclaim Your goodness to the next generation. Let me live a life that is focused on proclaiming Your goodness to the ‘Next Generation’ as long as I live or until You return!

Help me to…swim upstream, doing Your will…for the ‘Next Generation‘!

In Jesus’ Name!

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NEW BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT!

Posted on September 16, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal
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THE CURRENCY OF HEAVEN?

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

1 PETER 1:18-20: “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.” NLT

OBSERVATION: What is the currency of heaven? What unlocks the blessings of God in our lives? The answer to this question will make a profound difference in my life. I will either see my Christian life as a continual struggle to obtain the blessings of God, or I will find a place of rest where I live in His provision of grace and mercy.

This year my wife and I celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary. It does not seem possible that all these years have passed. We wanted to make our vacation this year a monumental trip to celebrate this milestone. We are both of German descent and always wanted to travel to Germany. This would be our milestone celebration!

As we prepared for our trip, we found we needed several things. Our luggage was worn and outdated, so we added new luggage to the list. We began to create a mental checklist. Some new travel clothes were in order. We checked all our personal items and supplies. We verified the airline’s requirements and made sure our rental car reservation was correct. It was about one week before our big trip, and I realized I had missed one thing.

I had forgotten to get some German currency (Euros)!

I quickly placed an order for the proper currency with my bank. I wanted to do it with my bank to avoid the extra charges you incur at the airport. My reading told me that many small vendors in Germany did not take credit cards, so the proper currency would be essential for a successful trip. Just two days before the trip, I picked up the currency at my bank, and we were off for our great 50th Anniversary trip!

I found that having the proper currency in Germany was essential. We enjoyed so many wonderful outdoor cafes where we would enjoy a wonderful cup of coffee and a pastry, and most of them did not take credit cards. I took the recommended amount of currency but found it was not enough. I had to get more in the middle of my trip. It is safe to say that, if it wasn’t for the proper currency, our trip would have been an endless search for vendors who accepted credit cards!

How does this apply to my spiritual life? If I do not understand the currency of heaven, I will not be able to walk in the fullness of the blessings of Jesus Christ. It will be the difference between sailing a boat with a strong wind and trying to paddle it to shore with a tiny paddle. Understanding God’s currency will change my trajectory and my fruitfulness.

I heard one preacher proclaim, “The currency of heaven is FAITH!” At first, this sounded right. I thought of verses like, ‘The just shall live by faith’, and ‘Without faith it’s impossible to please God.’ Yet, as I continued to listen, I sensed a common error that is so often made. If faith is the currency of heaven, then my blessing and victory will be determined by what I do. This will place the focus on me rather than on God!

When I read Hebrews 11, I see that the saints of old did many mighty exploits as they walked in faith. Yet, their faith was evident in both victory and suffering. So many people miss the ending of Hebrews 11. It is worth noting.

“Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.” (Hebrews 11:37-40 NLT)

Faith was not the currency of heaven. It did not provide all that God had promised. There was something more valuable that would be required to secure the salvation of mankind and open up the blessings of heaven and eternal life. It was not my effort that would secure this. There was only one person who could. It was Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Jesus willingly submitted to death on the cross for our sins so that He could offer God the currency of heaven for my (our) redemption.

The currency of heaven is the Blood of Jesus Christ!

Peter proclaims,

“For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.” (1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT)

  • What purchased my redemption – the Blood of Jesus Christ!
  • What purchased my eternal life – the Blood of Jesus Christ!
  • What purchased my inheritance – the Blood of Jesus Christ!
  • What purchased the blessings of heaven – the Blood of Jesus Christ!
  • What purchased my justification with God – the Blood of Jesus Christ!
  • What purchased my sanctification in the Spirit – the Blood of Jesus Christ!
  • What purchased my healing – the Blood of Jesus Christ!

The Blood of Jesus Christ is the only currency of heaven. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the complete work of God for my (our) full redemption. Jesus came to the Temple in Heaven and offered up, once and for all, His precious blood as the final payment for all we will ever need.

Faith is not the currency of heaven. Rather, faith is trusting in the completed work of Jesus Christ, knowing that the price (currency) has already been paid. I stand complete in Him, all because Jesus paid the FULL price through His Blood! I don’t need to earn God’s favor or blessing; I simply need to trust in the precious Blood of Jesus Christ, and the windows of heaven and eternal life are opened to me!

As the wonderful chorus reminds me…

It’s Your blood that cleanses me

It’s Your blood that gives me life

It’s Your blood that took my place

In redeeming sacrifice

And washes me, whiter than the snow, than the snow

My Jesus, God’s precious sacrifice

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son! Jesus, thank You for paying the eternal price of redemption with the currency of heaven, Your Blood! Holy Spirit, thank You for opening my heart to receive this wonderful gift, by grace through faith!

In Jesus’ Name!

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HOW TO DEAL WITH ‘SOUL POLLUTION’!

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

JAMES 4:7-10: “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” NLT

OBSERVATION: I grew up in California during the 1960s as a young boy. We did not have 24/7 children’s television programming or electronic screens in our hands to occupy our time. If we wanted to fight boredom during the long, hot days or summer, the only recourse we had was to go outside and play.

A normal summer day was filled with playing over-the-line (a version of baseball with fewer players, basketball, football, or going on a bike ride for hours at a time. We did this in the height of the smog crisis in California. The air really is cleaner today than it was when I was growing up. I remember the grey haze that hung over the Southern California skyline. Yet, it did not dissuade us.

We played under these dark and dirty skies!

A young boy has a lot more stamina than an adult. You can take a fall and get right back up. You can play for hours at a time without tiring. Yet, there was one thing I could not do as a young boy. I could not avoid the effects that playing in the smog had on my body. More times than I can remember, I would have to go home, wheezing because it was hard to breathe. The only thing I found that helped was to drink a cold glass of milk and lie down for a while.

As I read these familiar verses in James, chapter four, I could not help but remember my childhood. I did create the smog; I could not even drive. However, I was affected by the smog every time I went outside to play.

We live in a world that is filled with spiritual and emotional smog. We may not be responsible for it, but every day we live in this world, we feel its effects on our lives.

This made me think about Jesus’ words to Peter on the night of the Last Supper. Peter had refused to let Jesus wash his feet. To Peter, this was a degrading thing for Jesus to do. Jesus told Peter that if he did not allow Jesus to wash his feet, he would have no part in being His disciple. The discourse that follows is very interesting.

“Simon Peter exclaimed, ‘Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!’ Jesus replied, ‘A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” (John 13:9-10 NLT)

Peter was Jesus’ disciple. Peter believed in Jesus. Peter did not need to be saved over and over again. Yet, Peter needed to have his feet washed. In other words, Peter needed the dirt and residue of this world to be washed from his soul. Wearing sandals on dusty roads resulted in dirty feet. You could not avoid it. Playing in the smog affected healthy lungs. And living in a fallen world affects our souls and emotions.

So how do we do this?

We need to be cleansed from ‘Soul Pollution’ daily. James writes one of the Bible’s most practical books. He does not mince words. He is clear and to the point. Here is what James gives as a prescription for dealing with ‘Soul Pollution’.

  • Humble yourselves before God: Like Peter, I need to humble myself before God and realize that my soul (spiritual feet) gets dirty each day and needs cleansing.
  • Resist the Devil: Satan uses ‘Soul Pollution’ as a means to draw me away from God. Resisting is not yelling. I resist the enemy when I choose to obey God!
  • Come close to God: This is a command with a promise. If I come close to God through worship, prayer, and His Word, God will come close to me. In other words, Jesus will wash my ‘spiritual feet’ and protect me! (See 1 John 1:8-9).
  • Sincerely Repent: I need to bring every sin, thought, and bit of ‘Soul Pollution’ to the Lord in sincere repentance. I cannot afford to ignore the dust on my (spiritual) feet. Even the smallest amount of ‘Soul Pollution’ that is left to fester in my life will begin to draw me away from the One who alone can forgive, cleanse, and protect me!

Let God Lift Me: The renewing of the Holy Spirit in my life through God’s Word is like the cold glass of milk I drank when I came home wheezing from the smog, as a young boy. When I bring my ‘Soul Pollution’ to the Lord, He lifts me. He gives me grace. He renews my soul. He fills me anew with the Holy Spirit so that I can face another day with joy and confidence!

‘Soul Pollution’ happens each day we live in a fallen world. We need to know when it is time to come into the presence of God so that we can find grace and mercy before it begins to affect our lives.

Heavenly Father, help me hear Your voice when my soul is weary, and I need to be cleansed and renewed. This morning I humble myself before You. Grant me the grace to resist the enemy by obeying Your Word. I run to You knowing that in Your loving arms I will find the forgiveness, cleansing, rest, and protection I need!

Jesus, wash my ‘spiritual feet’ from ‘Soul Pollution’!

In Jesus’ Name!

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IT’S TIME I GET A WISDOM CHECKUP!

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

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

OBSERVATION: I have regular physicals with my physician. Every year I get my eyes tested. Every six months I go to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned. I meet with my financial advisor once or twice a year to review my investment portfolio. Yet I often neglect one area.

I need a wisdom checkup!

James has a lot to say about wisdom. He shares the promise of wisdom with everyone who asks God in sincere faith. Wisdom is something we all know we need, yet how do we know if we are truly walking in God’s wisdom?

We live in a divided and angry world. The vitriol in our daily discourse is off the charts. On cable news, the angrier the pundit, the more popular they are. We love a good ‘zinger’! In our culture, the rise and popularity of the UFC shows how much we enjoy a good fight!

Yet, can we join the crowd, raise our angry fist in the air, and walk in the wisdom of God? Listen to James as he outlines the character qualities of the wisdom of the world.

“For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” (James 3:15-16 NLT)

I find it significant that James focuses on two things when he speaks about the wisdom of the world. First, it is jealous. It is driven by envy and the lust for power. It will do everything it can to hold on to what it possesses. Second, it is selfish. The focus is never on the needs of others but on how one can get more for themselves. The wisdom of the world lusts for power and is void of any form of true benevolence.

The seriousness of this is found in its source. James is clear: “Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.” Jealousy and selfishness originate from the pit of hell. These are qualities that have destroyed individuals, families, and even entire nations. When we entertain the world’s wisdom, we play with fire and will always get burned!

Contrast: the wisdom of God. As I place myself on the examination table, I need to check my heart to see if the qualities of wisdom are present and growing. The Wisdom of God is…

  • Pure: The Greek word used is ‘hagnos’ which comes from the root ‘hagios’. It is the word that is translated as ‘holy’ and is the very characteristic of God Himself. This wisdom is the very heart and nature of our Creator. It is without blemish or ulterior motive, and is not defiled by my sin.
  • Peace-loving…gentle at all times: Rather than looking for a fight, God’s wisdom always desires to bring peace. There is no guarantee that others will receive this peace. Jesus came to bring His perfect peace, and they crucified Him on a cross. Yet, even when he was reviled, He did not resort to angry responses. He was gentle at all times. One of His last words was, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
  • Willing to yield to others…shows no favoritism and is always sincere: This is the one that really grabbed my heart. It revealed a ‘wisdom deficiency’ in my life. Am I willing to yield to others? Do I show favoritism to those who agree with me? Am I always sincere in my motives? I confess, I have suffered from the familiar malady – ‘Getting the last word!‘ If I am secure in what I believe, then I will approach those who disagree with me with deference, respect, and sincerity. I will not simply let them speak. I will truly listen to their heart!
  • Full of mercy and good deeds…planting seeds of peace for a harvest of righteousness: Jesus loved everyone he encountered, even the Pharisees! When He washed the disciples’ feet, He even washed Judas’ feet, right before Judas betrayed Him. Jesus is the epitome of mercy and good deeds. Yet, they were not without purpose. Jesus was planting seeds of peace for a harvest of righteousness. Not all the seeds would root and take hold, but all were sown with the same heart of grace, mercy, and love! I need to do the same!

This morning, as I receive the Holy Spirit’s report on the condition of my wisdom, I realize how much work my heart needs. My heart needs an infusion of God’s wisdom, the wisdom from above. Most of all, I need to learn to emulate the life of Jesus. When I walk in Jesus’ steps, I walk in the wisdom of God. The wonderful promise is that this is not something we are called to do on our own. We have a helper, a guide, a comforter, a teacher, and a corrector.

“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)

The result of my checkup: I need the Holy Spirit’s work in my life! I need the wisdom of God!

Heavenly Father, this morning I yield my life to You. Holy Spirit, work in my heart. Transform me into the glorious image of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus, cleanse me from all jealousy and selfishness. Help me to walk in Jesus’ steps and sow the seeds of peace in the lives that I encounter. Lead me in the wisdom from above, the Wisdom of God!

In Jesus’ Name!

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

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

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

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

I need wisdom!

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

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

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

God offers it freely to all who will ask!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Jesus’ Name!

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I STRUGGLE WITH FAITH…

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

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

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

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

I still struggle with faith!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Jesus’ Name!

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