“Pain In The Offering” by Kirk Hunt

 

And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

2 Samuel 24:24 KJV

Please read all of 2 Samuel 24

 

Araunah tried to give away his land, livestock and equipment. David carefully wrote out the bill of sale and paid the full price for everything. David offered his sacrifice and God accepted it. In a moment, David’s tears changed from sorrow to joy.

 

The pain in David’s offering was not the money he paid. David paid a substantial financial sum for Araunah’s farm, but cash wasn’t a problem. David’s hurt came in facing his own error and sin. Repentance cost the most in David’s sacrifice.

 

Our offerings to God ought to cost us something. Often, we are blessed to give from the abundance of God’s blessings. Too often, our offerings require that we dig into our souls and surrender things we’re rather keep: lazy comforts, arrogant self-righteousness, willful disobedience.

 

When we sacrifice those deeply held things, it hurts. When there is pain in the offering, that means you are being open and serious with God and yourself. In the long run, the hot tears and burning heart are a good thing.

 

Think : God wants a real sacrifice from me.

 

Pray: “Lord, help me to sacrifice those things that keep me from You.”

 

 

Copyright © August 2010, Kirk Hunt

“In Heavenly Places” by Kirk Hunt

 

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalms 91:1 KJV

 

It’s been one of those days at work. I sigh and try to focus on my next task. Suddenly, even simple concentration seems beyond me.

 

“Help Lord.” It is the cry of a son to his father. I am a limited man appealing to an infinite God. I dare to ask.

 

In the blink of an eye, everything changes. The cut-rate carpet becomes a gold-plated floor. The harsh florescent light transforms to the warm glow of the Menorah. In my heart and mind I am now at the Mercy Seat and in the presence of God.

 

For a time, I just breathe. His grace and mercy is a rare atmosphere. His provision and care is a rich incense.

 

I stop short of speaking my complaints and questions. Instead, I pour out my gratitude and adoration. My presence in this place of refuge and restoration is solution enough.

 

He draws close. His power is obvious. His sovereignty absolute. His love for me without question.

 

All too soon, I’m back in the workplace. My brief journey to God’s secret place reminds me I live under God’s influence. I dwell in His domain and under His power. It shall be well.

 

Think : No matter where I sit, I live in God’s power and influence.

 

Pray: “Lord, help me dwell in the secret place of Your power and influence.”

 

 

Copyright © August 2010, Kirk Hunt

“Open Our Eyes” by Kirk Hunt

 

And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

2 Kings 6:17 KJV

 

Maybe your relationship with Jesus is so deep and rich that nothing surprises you. Perhaps your relationship with God is so intense that you and He discuss everything in detail. That level is my goal, not my current testimony.

 

Many mornings I wake up and wonder: How is God going to work it out? When? Have I been forgotten?

 

Don’t get me wrong: I trust God. He is sovereign. He has proven Himself over and again. If He says to, I will do it, with all my heart. Still, some days, my too human heart longs to see. On occasion, He has let me peek.

 

Elisha obviously had a close relationship with God. Elisha’s servant lived and worked in the daily presence of God and supernatural miracles. Yet, he needed his eyes opened to see the divine power and provision all around him.

 

God is too faithful to forget you. His power is more than enough for any circumstance. You need your eyes opened to see His presence and purpose in your life.

 

Wanting to see is okay. He understands His children. If we seek His heart and purposes, He will let us peek.

 

Think : I want to see God’s presence and purpose in my life.

 

Pray: “Lord, open my eyes to Your power and provision for my life.”

 

 

Copyright © August 2010, Kirk Hunt

 

We love him, because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19 KJV

 

On the Cross, Jesus gave the final atonement for sin. His sacrifice tore the Veil of Separation. Jesus repaired the rift that separated sinful man from Holy God.

 

What motivated all of this sacrifice and transformation? Love. We could not go to God, so He came to us. It is that simple. It is that easy.

 

His love is complete. His love is pure. His love is perfect.

 

No matter where you are today. No matter what happened yesterday. No matter what comes tomorrow.

 

God loves you. Completely. Purely. Perfectly.

 

Come close to Him. Feel the fond peace of His heart. Rest in the tender safety of His arms.

 

You can not earn His love, but He gives it all the same. You can never deserve His love, but He delights in you anyway. All you need to do is respond.

 

Your love might be incomplete. Your love may be impure. Your love could be imperfect.

 

He knows how you are. Still, He loves you. His arms are stretched out to the worst of sinners. His arms and heart are open even to you. It is that simple. It is that easy.

 

God loves you. Don’t ask. Don’t tell. Just love Him back.

 

Think : God loves me.

 

Pray: “Lord, I accept Your love for me.”

 

 

Copyright © August 2010, Kirk Hunt

“Report To The Battlefield” by Kirk Hunt

 

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2 KJV

 

Just in case you didn’t notice, there’s a war for your soul going on. The enemy of your soul launches frequent attacks. Perhaps daily. It’s important that you report to the battle site and join in the fight.

 

The conflict is both close and far. The territory is simultaneously familiar and foreign. It is in the human mind where we fight to preserve our souls. It is in the twists and turns of our own personalities that the enemy seeks to defeat us.

 

The Apostle Paul gives us a simple command for the enemy’s defeat. Renew your mind. Transform yourself in God’s image and win the day.

 

Easily said. Not as easily done. Still, with God, nothing is impossible. “Let go and let God,” and victory is certain.

 

It starts with one step, report to the battle field. Your commander, the King of Kings is waiting to instruct and guide you. Are you ready for victory?

 

Think : The mind is the battlefield, but Christ is the General of generals.

 

Pray: “Lord, transform me in Your will and image. After that, the battle is won.”

 

 

Copyright © July 2010, Kirk Hunt

 

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Isaiah 49:15 KJV

 

Among the swirling galaxies and streaming pulsars, He listens for a single voice. Legions of angels come and go, but He anticipates a single face. Among the billions of souls that fill the earth, God is especially concerned with you, by name and fingerprint.

 

With all that calls to God, He has reserved a part of Himself for a precious child. Despite all that swirls through the infinite, He has a special focus on a single soul. No matter what else is happening, you have priority with God.

 

It doesn’t matter that someone else disappointed you. The track record of some mere human has nothing to do with Him. You are at the center of His love. You are an ongoing concern to eyes that never sleep or slumber.

 

Perhaps you are tired. Maybe you are hurting. You could be confused.

 

God has time to give rest to your soul. He will stop to sooth your hurts. Patiently, He will answer your questions.

 

You are not forgotten. He listens for your voice. He will be especially delighted to see your face.

 

Think : God loves me. He loves me more than even I can know.

 

Pray: “Lord, I accept the rest and restoration of Your love.”

 

 

Copyright © July 2010, Kirk Hunt

“Wrong Kind, Right Faith” by Kirk Hunt

 

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Matthew 8:13 KJV

 

The Centurion did not just come from the wrong side of the tracks.  He came from the wrong side of the planet.  He was no Peace Corps volunteer, but an officer of a hated, occupying army.

 

A stranger in a strange land, the Centurion did not have any claim or right to ask anything of Jesus.  Still, helmet under his arm, he asked in complete confidence.  The Centurion was the wrong kind of man, but he had the right kind of faith.

 

The Centurion walked away from Jesus with nothing but His Word. In the Centurion’s mind that is all it took. As a soldier, he understood power and authority. He saw both in Jesus.

 

Maybe you are the wrong kind of man or woman. What matters is your faith. You can ask in complete confidence, anyway.

 

Jesus’ Word is true and faithful. What he promised, He will do. All you need, here, there or then is the right kind of faith.

 

Think : All I have to do is ask in faith.

 

Pray: “Lord, Help me to have faith in You, regardless of where, or who, I am.”

 

 

Copyright © June 2010, Kirk Hunt

“Quietly Awesome” by Kirk Hunt

 

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalms 46:10 KJV

 

Find a quiet spot. Sit down. Turn off all of the phones, displays and electronic gizmos. Just sit in the quiet of a gentle breeze and listen as the birds chirp contentedly to God.

 

It is in the quiet moments that God is especially God. He doesn’t need the 24 hour news cycle. You can see and hear His power and exaltedness in the rustle of grass or the warmth of a summer afternoon.

 

You have a part to play in the building of God’s Kingdom on earth. As important as your faithful work is, God is exalted despite it, not because of it. God will be exalted in the minds and hearts of men because of who He is, not because of what we do.

 

Take an opportunity to simply spend time with Him. Not in the stunning majesty of His awesomeness, but in the peaceful stillness of His quietness. While He is always more than we can know, he makes a place and space where we can see Him in calm and stillness.

 

Take the time to watch a sunset or doze in a sunbeam. The quiet peacefulness you hear is God’s glory and power. Watch him be exalted in the quiet stillness

 

Think : God is exalted, especially in the quiet moments

 

Pray: “Lord, Help me to see You in stillness and calm.”

 

Copyright © June 2010, Kirk Hunt

 

He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

John 9:25 KJV

 

It should have been a celebration. There should have been rejoicing with happy tears and ecstatic shouting. Instead the sour faces of a grim inquisition pressed the man. A man guilty of receiving miraculous healing.

 

That morning he was a blind beggar, dependent on the few coins tossed his way in pity. That afternoon light and color flooded through the once dead orbs he called eyes. How they calmed him down, I’ll never know.

 

Still, he finally faced the elite leaders of the synagogue. He didn’t need his new, beautiful vision to see their cynical, ugly intentions. Fearlessly, he told his story, regardless of the consequences.

 

What great and miraculous thing has Jesus done in your life? Are you willing to tell your story? Regardless of their intentions, they need to hear the truth of His power in your life.

 

Whether you face a joyous celebration, or a somber tribunal, tell your story. Explain the change. No one can tell your story better than you can.

 

Think : I need to tell my story of Jesus’ power in my life.

 

Pray: “Lord, Help me to tell my story of You. No matter what the audience looks like.”

 

 

Copyright © June 2010, Kirk Hunt

“Send A Memo” by Kirk Hunt

 

And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

1 Samuel 24:16-17 KJV

 

From the cave he just left, King Saul heard the voice of the very fugitive he hunted. In his right hand, David carried a sharp knife. In his left hand, a severed portion of Saul’s clothes.

 

Despite the standing death warrant, David refused to harm Saul. Not even multiple murder attempts could goad David against the rightful king of Israel. Scripture records that David had pangs of conscience for cutting up Saul’s clothes.

 

Even Saul got the message David sent. He could see David’s righteousness and his own evil. Shamed and convicted, Saul declared the truth of the situation.

 

You need to send a message of grace and mercy. Not with ink and paper, but through actions that leave no doubt. That God loves them still. That God extends His mercy today.

 

Someone in your sphere needs to get the memo. Be a living letter of God’s love and mercy. Deliver the message, loud and clear. How they react is between them and God.

 

Think : I need to send a strong message of mercy and grace to someone near me.

 

Pray: “Lord, Help me to be a living example of Your mercy and grace.”

 

 

Copyright © June 2010, Kirk Hunt