JESUS PRAYED!

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

MATTHEW 14:22-23: “Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.”

OBSERVATION: What is the most important thing that Jesus did in His earthly ministry? When we read the Gospels, our attention is drawn to the miraculous. Jesus healed the sick, cleansed lepers, opened the eyes of the blind, raised the dead, fed over 5000 with two loaves and five fish, walked on water, calmed the seas, and cast out demons. That is pretty exciting stuff! The one thing we seldom focus on is…

Jesus Prayed!

Imagine how the Logos of God, who lived in complete fellowship with the Father and the Spirit from all eternity, felt when He humbled Himself, became a man, and dwelt among us. Jesus longed for the intimacy He had in heaven. Jesus did not spend time in prayer simply to ask for things as we so often do. Jesus sought a quiet place where He could be alone, to listen to the still small voice of the Spirit, and have intimate communion with the Father.

Matthew, chapter 14, provides two great examples of Jesus praying. Powerful events proceeded from these times of intimacy with the Father and the Spirit. When Jesus learned that John the Baptist had been killed, He sought a quiet place to pray. Jesus loved John and no doubt wanted to hear from the Father. As He prayed, the multitude found Him, and what proceeded from this time of prayer was the feeling of the 5000.

After feeding the 5000, Jesus once again sought a place where He could be alone and commune with the Spirit and the Father. Everything Jesus did proceeded out of His prayer time with the Spirit and the Father. In the Gospel of John, Jesus proclaimed,

John 5:19-20: “So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished.” NLT

Jesus came to do the will of the Father. Jesus laid down His glory and heavenly attributes when He became a man. He was fully God but was no longer omnipresent or omniscient. Jesus grew in wisdom and stature as He abided in the Word, walked after the Spirit, and prayed. It was in the times alone with the Spirit and the Father that Jesus was empowered, equipped, and directed to know and do the will of the Father.

After Jesus finished praying, following the feeding of the 5000, the next thing we read about is Jesus walking on the water! The disciples were struggling in the boat against the wind and the waves. In all of this external confusion, Jesus comes in perfect peace, walking on the water. Peter joins Him, struggles with his faith, is rescued by Jesus, and Jesus enters the boat, calming both the wind and the sea.

Is it any wonder why the disciples, when they were alone with Jesus, said,

Luke 11:1: “Once, Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” NLT

The disciples recognized that the power of God was manifested in Jesus’ life following His times of prayer with the Spirit and the Father. What they didn’t recognize was that the manifestation of God’s power was not the result of what Jesus asked for but the outflow of Who He was with! This is evident in Jesus’ answer to the disciples when they asked Him how to pray.

Luke 11:2-4: “Jesus said, ‘This is how you should pray: “Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.” NLT

Jesus’ prayer life began and ended with worship and communion with the Father through the Spirit! Other manuscripts and accounts add, “…but deliver us from evil, for Yours is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:13, NKJV). It is proper and Biblically accurate to ask for our needs in our time of prayer with the Father. However, the lion’s share of our prayer should be to worship and listen to the Father rather than only ask for our needs!

This is how Jesus prayed!

This is how I need to pray!

Father, forgive me for making my time with You a time primarily to ask You for what I need. Help me to refocus my time of prayer to listen to the still small voice of Your Holy Spirit, speaking through Your Word, and hear what You want me to do. May the times I come apart to pray be filled with these words…

“Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, in me…as it is in heaven!”

In Jesus’ Name!

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THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION!

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

MATTHEW 10:32-33: “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” NLT

OBSERVATION: What is the most important question in life? What is the one question that will determine your eternal future? What is the question that is answered more by how you live than by what you say? Let me share a story with you that will shed light on this question.

I was invited to join a man from our church in a prison ministry that he was involved in. It was really a full circle for me. When I was 19 years old and attending college, I participated in a prison ministry. I would go to the prison with my guitar, share some songs, and a short message. That was a lifetime ago. I had not set foot in a prison since those early years.

The prison I visited was not a maximum security prison. It was holding inmates whose sentences were about to end. They were facing release and entering society once again. We did not go to conduct a worship service and give testimonies. We went to walk in the prison yard and talk with the inmates one-on-one. I felt completely out of my comfort zone.

I am not a big guy. I am 5′ 9″ tall. I look like someone who goes to church. How could I relate to any of these men? Yet, this is why I was here. I pushed myself to begin talking with some of the inmates. What I learned next surprised me.

The inmates were used to having Christian groups talk with them. When I was sharing with one young man, he answered every question I asked him with perfect Sunday School answers. He claimed that Jesus was his Savior and that he read the Bible. He was going to be released soon and was confident he would do better this time around.

As I spoke with him, I prayed. I needed the Holy Spirit to guide me. I sensed he was telling me what he thought I wanted to hear. Then I was prompted to ask him the most important question of life. It is not, “Have you prayed and asked Jesus to be your Savior?” The most important question is,

“Is Jesus your Lord?“

He looked at me a bit puzzled. I asked, “Do you know what a Lord is?” He shook his head, “No.”The conversation changed. I was able to share with him the importance of giving everything to Jesus Christ, to let Jesus be the ruler and king of his life. Was Jesus Lord (ruler, king) over every decision in his life? Did he seek God’s guidance for every decision he made through the Word of God?

Was he confessing Jesus as Lord in both what he said and what he did?

I then had the privilege of sharing with this young man how I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord. I was religious, but I was living for myself. I needed to give everything to Jesus. I needed to begin living for Jesus. The atmosphere changed. He listened intently. I then asked him the most important question of life.

“Do you want to surrender to Jesus as Lord of your life?”

Would Jesus be Lord of all his decisions as he waited for his release? Would Jesus be Lord of all his decisions as he walked through the gates back into society? Would Jesus be Lord when he was greeted by old friends who would quickly try to pull him back into his old way of life? Would Jesus be Lord in how he spent his time once he was free?

Would he confess Jesus as Lord before all men?

Confessing Jesus as Lord is more than a confession from our lips. Jesus made this very clear.

Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” NLT

This young man bowed his head, confessed his sins, and asked Jesus to be Lord of his life!

Before anyone begins to object, saying – “Wait a minute! We are saved by grace, through faith, not by our works!” While that is correct, the flip side of the coin is also true. Salvation is more than saying a prayer. It is surrendering one’s life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This is denying ourselves and taking up our cross to follow Him. True surrender to Jesus’ Lordship will bring visible change in the way we live. It is not only the confession of our mouths that God is interested in.

It is also the confession of our actions!

This is more than what we do. It is WHO we do it for? It is not a call to an external display of false piety. Rather, it is a call to a humble life, devoted to God, and evidenced as we serve others and give glory to Jesus Christ as Lord. It is seeking first His Kingdom, His Righteousness, and His Glory!

One day, we will all give an account for how we have answered the most important question of life. What will my answer be? Will my life confess Him before men?

“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33 NLT)

Heavenly Father, help me to live my life, surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and confessing by my words and my actions that Jesus is Lord!

In Jesus’ Name!

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JUST SAY THE WORD!

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

MATTHEW 8:5-8: “When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, ‘Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.’ Jesus said, ‘I will come and heal him.’ But the officer said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.” NLT

OBSERVATION: Just say the word! This is one of the most powerful statements in the Bible. This is not just my opinion. Listen to what Jesus said after this Roman officer spoke these words.

Matthew 8:10: “When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” NLT

Why did these four words impress Jesus so much? What do these words have to do with faith? The Roman officer was convinced of both the identity of Jesus and the authority of Jesus. This was amplified by what the Roman officer said after these four words.

Matthew 8:9: “I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” NLT

If the soldiers under his command would respond to his command, surely heaven would respond to Jesus’ command. Unlike so many, the Roman officer did not need to “see” Jesus do something. He took Jesus at His word. Jesus’ word was sufficient for him. This is why Jesus marveled at his faith.

Many today confuse the truth of this Scripture. For some reason, we have inverted the understanding of this passage. We have begun to put faith in what we say rather than in what God says. An extreme distortion of faith is the teaching that what we proclaim, we will receive. This is not what we are to glean from this account.

The Roman officer did not place his faith in his request or his confession. His faith was solely anchored on what Jesus said. He did not need Jesus to come to his home to believe. He only wanted to hear Jesus’ words and Jesus’ command. As the Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus fully represented the Father and all the power of heaven. That is why the Roman officer could say…

“Just say the word!”

We don’t have the privilege of having Jesus physically present with us today. Yet, we have the Holy Spirit living within us. And, we have the Word of God in our hands and in our hearts. Whenever we are in need or face great difficulty, all we need to do is place ourselves prayerfully before God’s Word and ask the Holy Spirit to…

Just say the word!

This is not a call to treasure hunt promises in the Bible that say what we want to hear. This is a call to seek the still small voice of the Holy Spirit speaking through the Word of God in the moment of our need and to reveal His will for that moment. This is the difference between the “logos” Word and the “rhema” Word of God.

The “logos” Word of God is the entire revealed and written revelation of God in the Bible. The “logos” of God never changes. There is one interpretation of the “logos” of God. This interpretation of God’s Word remains the same even though my circumstances or needs change. God’s Word stands as the ultimate source of truth in all matters of faith and practice.

God never changes! His Word never changes!

Yet, the Word of God is living and active. The “rhema” Word of God is when the Holy Spirit breathes upon the Word and gives us a personal application for our individual situation. This does not change the interpretation of God’s Word, but it makes the application personal and living. It is as personal and living as Jesus’ interaction with the Roman officer.

The question before me today is, am I willing to believe God’s Word and stand on it without any other change in what I see, feel, or hear? Am I like the Jews who cried out, “Show us a sign!”? Or, am I like the Roman officer who responded to Jesus…

“Just say the word!”

I don’t want to use the Word of God to manipulate God into doing what I want Him to do. Rather, I desire the Word of God to speak to my heart, to change my life, so that I can do what He wants me to do. I am not seeking the promises of God. I want to seek the God of the promises. Running to His Word, opening it each day, I am positioning my heart as I cry out…

Just say the word!

Paul prayed for the gift of revelation. Revelation is not discovering something new or something that we decide on our own. Revelation is when God unveils the unchanging truth of His Word in our hearts so that we can clearly see, hear, and obey Jesus.

Revelation is Jesus!

Ephesians 3:16-19: “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”

Heavenly Father, as I open Your Word each day, help me to see, hear, and obey Jesus! Open my understanding to know how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is! Help me to believe as You…

Just say the word!

In Jesus’ Name!

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WHAT ROAD AM I ON?

Posted on January 1, 2026 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

MATTHEW 7:13-14: “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow, and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. NLT

OBSERVATION: It is a NEW YEAR and a new journey! The past year is in the books and rearview mirror. The year ahead is wide open. As I begin to travel down the highway of life, I need to answer one important question.

What road am I on?

Have you ever been lost? When I lived in Southern California, the mountains were to the North and the flatland to the South. It was easy to correct my directions by simply looking for the mountains. Then, one day, something happened. I was heading home from an area I was unfamiliar with. A dense fog rolled in, and I could not see the mountains. I was driving blind, and I did not know…

What road I was on!

This is very easy to do in life and in our walk with the Lord. Temptation is not always the enemy trying to get us to fall into overt sin. Temptation can be simply taking the wrong turn in life. It is to take our eyes off the road for those few seconds that result in a rear-end collision or driving into a ditch.

It is choosing the wrong road!

Jesus begins his discourse about the pathway of life with two gates. One is narrow, and one is wide. The narrow gate leads to life. The wide gate leads to death. Few enter the narrow gate while the majority of people herd toward the easy and wide gate. The narrow gate only allows for one person to enter at a time. You must leave all your baggage behind, as it will not fit through the gate. The wide gate allows you to take all your baggage with you.

The narrow gate leads to life, abundant life, and eternal life.

The wide gate offers temporary pleasure but ends in death and separation from God.

Yet, Jesus does not only focus on the gate we choose. He also speaks about the road we travel. The gate is narrow, and the road is straight. We do not enter the narrow gate only to resume our journey on the road of our choosing. Rather, the narrow gate leads to a life of discipleship and obedience. Neither of these produces salvation. It is faith alone that allows one to enter the narrow gate. Yet, true faith will be marked by the pathway one travels.

Jesus continues with a contrast of the road one travels.

First, there is the road to fruitfulness (Matthew 7:15-20). The straight way produces the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. There are many today who proclaim to be believers, even teachers in the church. Yet, it is not their words that define their faith; it is their fruit. A life of faith produces a life of faithful action. It is a life that is defined by the character of Christ and the golden rule. It is a life that is growing in the fruits of the Spirit and is invested in helping others. A life that is focused on selfishness and gain is a life that is on the wrong road.

Second, Jesus speaks about the road of obedience (Matthew 7:21-23). The road of life is not judged by what we accomplish. Rather, it is judged by what we become. Jesus made it clear, we can prophesy, cast out demons, work miracles, and still be on the wrong road. Paul made a similar observation in I Corinthians 13.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3: “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.” NLT

Our works do not define the road we are on. A life of accomplishments is nothing if it is not followed by a life of obedience to God and a life of love that is focused on helping others.

Finally, Jesus speaks about two foundations (Matthew 7:24-27). If the road we are traveling is not built on solid rock, it will not stand the test of time. If the road we are traveling is built on the sand of following the way we choose, we will see the foolishness of our choice when we are faced with the floods of life. Only the road that is built on solid rock, the Word of God, will stand against the storms of life. Only the road that produces the fruit of the Spirit, a life of love and obedience, and lives surrendered to the Word of God, will lead to life, an abundant life, and eternal life.

So, it is time to take a look at our map. Are we following a map that we have created, or are we entering the narrow way (salvation by faith in Jesus Christ) and traveling down the straight way (fruitfulness, obedience, and surrender)?

When I was young, my father would go to AAA and get a Trip-Tik that outlined the route he wanted to travel. In life, this would be the broad gate and the wide way. We go where we want, do what we want, and believe what we want. Yet, the narrow gate and the straight way call us to lay down our lives (Trip-Tik), pick up our cross, and follow God’s roadmap for life.

The narrow gate is faith in Jesus Christ, and the roadmap for life is the revealed Word of God in the Bible!

Lord, thank you for faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is Your gift that allows me to enter the narrow gate, by grace through faith in His death and resurrection. Now, as I begin a New Year, grant me the grace and empower me with the Holy Spirit, to stay on the straight way of Your Word!

In Jesus’ Name!

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Posted on December 31, 2025 by Kirk's Devotional Journal
Journey Through Psalms – 1

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ABOVE ALL ELSE! (Priorities for a New Year)

Posted on December 31, 2025 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

MATTHEW 6:33-34: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “ So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” NLT

OBSERVATION: Priorities, priorities, priorities! I know that I need to keep my priorities in order, yet it seems that there are so many things vying for first place in my life. Each day, I face new challenges and opportunities. What will I spend my time on? What will I invest my money in? How will I begin each day?

It is easy for familiar Scriptures to become platitudes in our lives. One of these familiar Scriptures is Matthew 6:33. When I learned this verse, I memorized it from the King James Version.

Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” KJV

Seek ye first the kingdom of God! I know this is supposed to be my priority. However, I, like many, have asked – “How do you do that?” Is Jesus calling us to an activity or an attitude? When I put this statement in the context of the entire chapter, I think Jesus is calling us to realign our attitudes rather than add some new activity to our lives.

I live through the prism of my priorities!

If my priorities are what to eat, wear, or do, this will be the prism of my life. My life will be filled with striving for the things of this life and will be marked by worry and fear. The rise and fall of the stock market will keep me awake at night, and I will worry about the future security of my job. Just one small movement in any one of these could throw me into a downward spiral.

I love what Jesus said to His disciples just before He called them to seek first the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 6:31-32: “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.” NLT

The daily concerns of life dominate the attitudes and thoughts of unbelievers. This is all they have. Their security rises and falls on what happens in this life. Yet, the believer has an eternal perspective on life. And the believer has a Heavenly Father who cares about the concerns of their heart and already knows everything that they need.

Paul reminds us of the love and care of the Father for our lives.

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

God does not expect us to live without care or concern in this life. He understands our needs. Yet, God is calling us to look at life through a different lens. It is the lens of His Kingdom and His Promises. The New Living Translation gives an added focus to this understanding.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.“ (Matthew 6:33 NLT)

Above all else!

This is how we “Seek the Kingdom of God.” We put His Kingdom, His Commandments, His Promise, His Faithfulness, His Love, His Mercy, His Grace…

ABOVE ALL ELSE!

The tyranny of the urgent no longer dictates our lives. We are not discouraged by the changes in the stock market. We are not deflated by bad news. We are anchored in the promise that God is for us. If God gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins, He will also provide for all of our needs. He will direct our paths and provide all the things necessary to live and to fulfill His call in our lives.

Our Heavenly Father knows that we need to work, take care of our families, our homes, and prepare for our future. Yet, to seek the Kingdom of God as our priority is to remember the words – ABOVE ALL ELSE! We need to seek the Lord before we apply for a loan. We need to pray for healing before we run to the doctor. We need to ask for His wisdom before we consult a friend. We need to seek the Lord and His righteous way…

ABOVE ALL ELSE!

Heavenly Father, I thank You that You are for me! I thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, my Lord! I thank You for Your promise to provide all my needs according to Your riches and glory in Christ Jesus. Help me to begin each day by seeking Your will, by meditating upon Your Word, by listening to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, by seeking the Kingdom of God…

ABOVE ALL ELSE!

In Jesus’ Name!

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A NEW YEAR’S FOCUS…

Posted on December 29, 2025 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

MATTHEW 4:17: “From then on, Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” NLT

OBSERVATION: Christmas is in the books for another year. As the year comes to an end, all focus is upon the New Year. There will be new opportunities, adventures, and yes, challenges. As I begin another year, I do so by beginning my yearly devotional journey through the entire Bible. Each year, I begin a few days before New Year’s Day, and I start with the beginning.

The beginning of Creation…

The beginning of Psalms…

The beginning of Jesus’ ministry…

It seems appropriate to begin here as I think about the beginnings of a New Year. There is nothing magical in the turn of a calendar. It is really a psychological game our mind plays. There is nothing that takes place on January 1 that is any different than what takes place on December 31. Yet, each year we approach New Year’s Day with optimism, hope, and prayer.

In a way, much like the Sabbath, New Year’s Day is a gift from God. It is a reminder of the grace and mercy of God. It is a call to realign our minds and hearts to what is important as we review the past year and hope for better things to come in the new year. Within the flick of the calendar page, our hearts cry out to God for His mercy and a beginning!

Lamentations 3:22-26: “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.” NLT

“His mercies are afresh each morning!” This is the hope of the New Year. It is not because the calendar clicks from one day to the next. It is because of the faithfulness of God and His mercy, which promise a new start every morning. We can begin each morning and each New Year with the grace and mercy of God. The coming of the New Year is an invitation to recalibrate our lives. In Jesus’ words, as He began His earthly ministry, it is a time to…

“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” (Matthew 4:17 NLT)

This is the Gospel. Repent of your sins, turn to God, and enter the Kingdom of Heaven! To repent is to turn. I need to turn from everything this past year that has kept me back from living fully in the power of His mercy and grace. As the writer of Hebrews exhorts,

Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” NLT

As I take time to sit before the Lord and His Word, I pray, “Lord, show me every weight in my life that is slowing me down, keeping me from fully walking in Your mercy and grace!” I have a new opportunity to recalibrate and run the race God has set before me. What a gift of God’s faithfulness and love. There is never a time when His mercies are not new, when His love will not meet me at the point of my repentance!

1 John 1:9: “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” NLT

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of new beginnings. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that are new every morning. This morning, as I look. forward to a New Year, I come to the cross anew. I repent of my sin and lay down every weight and all that hinders. Give me Your mercy and grace to run and finish the race that You have set before me! Help me live fully in the Kingdom of Heaven!

In Jesus’ Name!

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THE GIFT OF WORK? (Do I Really Have To Go?)

Posted on December 26, 2025 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

GENESIS 2:1-3: “So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.” NLT

OBSERVATION: “I’d rather be fishing,” was the bumper sticker on the car in front of me. Another familiar one is, “I owe, I owe, so off to work I go.” Is work a drudgery that we have to endure in this life, or is it a gift from God? In a culture that promotes leisure, work has become something many people dread rather than embrace as a gift.

When we read the opening chapters of the Bible, we see the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit actively at work creating the world. Each day of creation was filled with wonders as God created the heavens and the earth. It was a work filled with purpose and design. At the end of each day’s work, God looked at what He had created and declared,

“It is Good!”

After six days of working, God rested on the seventh day. He declared the seventh day holy. The Sabbath was part of God’s covenant with man and was the reward for man’s work. Jesus said that man was not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath for man. In other words, God’s creative purpose for man is that he would be productive in his work for six days and rest fully on the seventh.

If God works, so should we. It is part of our created purpose. When God created man, He said,

Genesis 1:27-28: “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” NLT

Man was created to be creative and productive!

Work was both a calling and a gift from God. Without meaningful work, man is incomplete. All one has to do is look at the effects of a welfare state that elevates government handouts and diminishes the call to find meaning and fulfillment in a good day’s work. Without work, man is incomplete, and his life is robbed of meaning.

Every productive society needs a strong work ethic. A strong work ethic begins with understanding that work is a gift from God. To be creative and productive in life is built into our spiritual and emotional DNA. Without meaningful work, a man becomes lazy, self-centered, and prone to filling his time with things that lead to brokenness and destruction. David fell into sin with Bathsheeba when he failed to do his work as a King and stayed home to lounge around on the roof!

When we view work as a gift from God, we find purpose in what we do and who we do it with. Work is not a curse that we have to endure but a privilege in which we are engaged. Work becomes a holy vocation where we use our gifts and talents in helping others and being productive. We don’t moan as we get out of bed to spend another day of drudgery. We give thanks to God for His gift that enables us to find fulfillment and earn provision for our family.

Many dream of retirement, only to find that they are bored and lonely. I have read of many who die shortly after they retire because their life no longer has meaning. It is not the specific vocation that gives our life meaning. We will all one day stop doing a job that we have held during our lifetime. It is the call to be productive and use our gifts and talents in helping others. It is this call to holy vocation and work that brings meaning!

As a retired pastor, I no longer have the joy of leading a local congregation. Yet, I am engaging my time and talents in a redirected holy vocation. I am using my time to write, get involved in my church, promote Jesus, and help others. I do consulting twice a week and have the joy of choosing a variety of projects and activities each week. Without these opportunities for holy vocation, my life would have little meaning. Instead, my life is filled with new joy and purpose!

I love to work.

I love the work that I have done in the past and the work that God is allowing me to do in the present. I see work as a gift from God, and I awake each morning with joy to get started with His work. My grandfather taught me to give my all to everything I put my hand to, and this work ethic has carried me throughout my life.

Work is God’s gift to all to find His will, fulfillment, and purpose for our lives.

As we look forward to a New Year, I wonder if we need to do some soul-searching and recalibration of our attitude toward our work. If we are in a job that we do not enjoy, then we should come before the Lord and ask Him to either give us joy for this job or to open a new door in the coming year. However, in the process, we should wake up each day and give thanks to the Lord for the ability to go to work. It is His gift, His calling, and His provision. And, it is our privilege and joy!

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of working. Help me to rise each day and give myself to being productive in all I do and a blessing to others. Help me to rejoice in the work of my hands, promote Jesus, and help others! Thank You for Your wonderful gift.

I love to work!

In Jesus’ Name!

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THE SECOND GIFT OF CHRISTMAS…

Posted on December 25, 2025 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

REVELATION 21:3-4: “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: It is Christmas morning! Many families gather around the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve to open their gifts, while others wait until Christmas morning. Small children run towards the tree with hearts filled with joy and wonder as they look upon the wrapped treasure trove of pleasure that awaits them. We give gifts to one another in honor of the great gift that God has given to us in sending His only begotten Son!

John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” NKJV

This is the FIRST Great Gift of Christmas. Yet, there is a SECOND Great Gift that is coming. It is the gift that will usher in God’s full redemption for all who have believed. It will restore man to his created purpose and creation to its original perfection.

It is the gift of Jesus’ Second Coming!

From the closing book of the Old Testament, there were over 400 years before the promised FIRST Gift of the coming of the Messiah. These are known as the silent years, as there were no prophets or revelations from God to His people until the dawn of John the Baptist. It must have seemed like God’s promised Messiah was a forgotten promise to the Children of Israel. Yet, in the fullness of time, God became flesh and was born in a humble manger in the city of Bethlehem.

It has been over 2000 years since that glorious day when angels proclaimed,

Luke 2:10-11: “…Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” NKJV

Messiah had come. Jesus was born. Yet, almost the entire nation of Israel missed the purpose of God’s FIRST Gift. They were looking for a regime change, a ruler who would restore Israel’s prominence in the world. Jesus came as the suffering servant. Jesus came to die in our place and make a way, through the offering of His sinless life, for all who believe to become the children of God!

John 1:11-13: “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” NKJV

For many, much like the Jews who lived during the 400 years of silence, the promise of God’s SECOND Gift seems like something that will never happen. Predictions of Jesus’ Second Coming have come and gone, and the world goes on as it always has. The Bible even speaks of people who will mock the promise of God’s SECOND Gift of Christmas.

II Peter 3:3-4: “…Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” NKJV

Yet, God’s SECOND Gift of Christmas, like the FIRST Gift, is right on time. As Peter continues to write in his second epistle,

II Peter 3:8-9: “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” NKJV

God is not late. In reality, it has only been two days (one day is a 1000 years). Jesus was raised on the third day, and He will return on the third day. The promise of His return is imminent and closer than it has ever been. We have entered the third day. The SECOND Gift of Christmas will be the culmination of the plan of God for all who believe. It will be a gift that will never perish and will fulfill ALL the promises of God!

REVELATION 21:3-4: “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” NKJV

My prayer for you this Christmas is that you will fully embrace God’s FIRST Gift of Christmas so that you will be included in those who have the privilege of opening His SECOND Gift of Christmas and live in the blessings of His presence forever and ever!

Merry Christmas!

Come, Lord Jesus!

In Jesus’ Name!

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THE GRINCH (ANTICHRIST) WHO TRIES TO STEAL CHRISTMAS…

Posted on December 19, 2025 by Kirk's Devotional Journal

I JOHN 4:2-3: “By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.”

OBSERVATION: Everyone is familiar with the story of “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.” Each year, the original animated movie is shown numerous times, as well as the live-action remake. McDonald’s has blowup images of the Grinch in their restaurants to go with their current marketing plan. It seems like the Grinch grows in popularity every year.

The story of the Grinch ends with a heartwarming ending. The unfeeling Grinch, who tried to ruin Christmas for so many, is transformed as he sees that Christmas means so much more than the presents that he stole from all the residents of Whoville. Yet, there is a Grinch at work in the world that never sees this storybook transformation.

That Grinch is the spirit of Antichrist!

The Antichrist is the End-Time figure that will rise against God and God’s elect in the final days of the tribulation. For centuries, Bible scholars have sought to discover the Antichrist’s identity. In doing so, many have missed the important truth that the spirit of Antichrist is already at work in the world. In reality, Satan is the true Grinch that is spreading the spirit of Antichrist in the world and trying to steal Christmas!

How is the spirit of Antichrist at work in the world?

John gives us a direct and pointed answer.

“Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.”

The focal point for John is not one’s belief that Jesus is the Messiah. The focal point is that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. In other words, the enemy of our souls does not care if you are religious as long as your faith is in the wrong Jesus. This is how the spirit of Antichrist has been at work for centuries. It has tried to remove the historical Jesus from the center of our lives and our worship!

If Jesus did not come in the flesh, then He is just a story that someone made up or a spiritual manifestation that no one can prove. If Jesus did not come in the flesh, then He could not be our true High Priest who has experienced our suffering and temptation without sin. If Jesus did not come in the flesh, then He could not be the perfect sacrifice for our sins and die in our place, bearing the full weight and penalty for our sin, and would fail in securing eternal redemption for all who would believe.

If Jesus had not come in the flesh, there would have been no crucifixion, no burying of His body in the tomb of Joseph of Arimethea, and no resurrection on the third day as angels announced His life to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary that Sunday morning. Therefore, if Jesus did not physically die, was not physically buried, and did not physically rise from the dead, our faith is in mere fables and would have no power to deliver from sin, death, and the devil!

So, the spirit of Antichrist is always at work trying to steal the historical Jesus from the heart of Christmas. He tries to do this in so many ways. Yet, the core of all his actions is to get people to dismiss the historical Jesus, the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us, the sinless Lamb of God who suffered for the sins of the world. The enemy of our souls does this by removing Jesus, come in the flesh, from our consciousness and our celebration.

All you have to do is watch any Hallmark movie, and you will see how easy it is to remove Jesus, come in the flesh, from the celebration of Christmas.

The spirit of Antichrist will never see the transformation that took place in the heart of the Grinch. However, for all who trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior, who proclaim that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, there is nothing that can remove Jesus from the heart of their lives or celebration in this wonderful time of year. Yet, this understanding is important for each one of us. While we recognize the spirit of Antichrist is at work in subtle ways, trying to change the meaning of Christmas…

As believers, this Christmas, as throughout the year, we have this wonderful promise.

I John 4:4: “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

Just as the Grinch was unable to steal the joy of Christmas from the hearts of the residents of Whoville, so the spirit of Antichrist is unable to steal the joy of Christmas from the heart of the believer. There is nothing from without that can steal the reality of Jesus Christ and His life from within our hearts. We have the historical record of His life and the inward revelation of the Holy Spirit. While the spirit of Antichrist tries to deceive many, the child of God stands firm in their faith, knowing –

“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world!”

And, that my friend, is a Christmas miracle!

In Jesus’ Name!

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