Tell Your Story
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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
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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
Read His Memos
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And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
2 Samuel 23:16-17 KJV
Despite escaping King Saul again, David needed encouragement. The constant pressure and tension of a fugitive’s life exacts a heavy toll. Even on a courageous and valiant man like David.
Into this dark and desperate circumstance, Prince Jonathan brought joy and comfort to his friend’s heart and spirit. How? With a memo.
Not a literal piece of paper or parchment, but a memorandum, none the less. Jonathan repeated a short message, declaring David’s safety and coming coronation as king of Israel. A communication, initialed not by some earthly man, but by Jehovah-Jireh.
Jonathan left his friend by himself, but not alone. Saul’s death warrant could not penetrate God’s sanctuary. Despite danger and peril, David rested in the calm and safety of God’s love.
Scripture is full of God’s promises to you. The Bible records God’s ongoing love, care and protection for you. God’s little memos are full of big promises to you.
Don’t let recent circumstances block your faith. No matter how pressed or pressured today is, God has promised you a tomorrow full of joy, safety and success. Go read the memos.
Think : I need to read God’s memos to me.
Pray: “Lord, Help me to trust Your promises from Your Word.”
Copyright © December 2009, Kirk Hunt
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297 Words
A Subtle Difference
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There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:1 KJV
It doesn’t sound like it, but conviction is a good thing. It serves a useful purpose in the life of seekers and believers. Conviction points out the errors in our lives.
It’s important to say this: Conviction is different from condemnation. Conviction can be defined as “convincing someone of an error.” Condemnation can be defined as “sentencing to punishment.”
Conviction seeks to stop you from stepping off a cliff. Condemnation seeks to shove you off a cliff. Conviction points to improvement, not imprisonment. It’s a subtle, but critical difference.
When the Holy Spirit convicts, there’s a yearning to make things right. In the long-run, we’re thankful for the experience. Despite the short-run discomfort.
Condemnation is an ugly declaration of penalty and separation. There is no effort to restore or repair in condemnation. All of the energy goes to punishment of the prisoner.
It’s a subtle but important difference. Conviction concerns itself with simple correction: Making it right. Condemnation cares only for the penalty phase.
God, our heavenly Father wants to restore us in loving fellowship. The enemy of your soul wants to accuse, then condemn. Surely, you can see the difference.
Think : Conviction is the Holy Spirit pointing in a better direction.
Pray: “Lord, guide me away from my error and toward Your righteousness.”
Copyright © May 2010, Kirk Hunt
Joseph’s Promise
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But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
Genesis 50:20-21 KJV
With tears in his eyes Zaphnathpaaneah, the Pharaoh’s Chancellor, faced the Hebrew men who had wronged him. Their betrayal had cost him years of slavery and prison. With his power and position he could exact a terrible vengeance. With a word, he could have doomed the foreigners.
With tears in his eyes, Joseph faced the brothers who had betrayed and nearly murdered him. Gently, he spoke life. With humility, he promised forgiveness. Joseph promised, then delivered.
His brothers were right to be afraid. Joseph loved his father and while he lived, he would avoid causing him more grief and sorrow. With Jacob dead and buried, Joseph had no reason to restrain his power.
Joseph’s promise is an example of mercy, grace and forgiveness put in action. It would have been too easy to listen to his scars and marks. Instead Joseph listened to God’s Heart.
What promises should you make? Will you speak life and forgiveness, or something else? Will your promises flow from your heart or God’s?
Think : Mercy, grace and forgiveness come from the heart of God.
Pray: “Lord, I promise to follow Your heart .”
Copyright © May 2010, Kirk Hunt
Payout In The Workhouse
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And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
Genesis 41:52 KJV
Zaphnathpaaneah served as Chancellor or Prime Minister to Pharaoh. His position and title delivered a life of wealth, power and privilege. It’s easy to imagine he announced the birth of his second son, to the Egyptian elite, at a stylish and expensive party.
In the quiet and empty mansion, a different man appeared in the mirror. Under the expensive robes were marks from slavery’s chains. Hidden by extravagant jewelery and the tokens of office, lay scars from the jailor’s whip.
Joseph had no illusions about Egypt. Egypt had hurt him. Still, a faithful and blessing God ensured that he prospered, despite it all.
The precious newborn son in his arms told a story of care, provision and protection. God stood near. Hurt never became harm. “Ephraim, my payout.”
Maybe your circumstances have hurt you. Perhaps your road has seemed hard and harsh. God had a plan to preserve whole nations through Joseph. God has a plan for you.
Your barren patch will bloom and feed thousands. Your hurts will become healing for you and others. The God of heaven has a payout for you, right where you are.
Think : God has a payout for me, no matter my current circumstances.
Pray: “Lord, I thank You, in advance, for my coming payout.”
Copyright © May 2010, Kirk Hunt
God’s Back Pay
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And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.
Genesis 41:51 KJV
The birth of a son is normally cause for celebration and joy. Like any first-time father, I’m certain Joseph whooped with joy and pride. Still, the memories of the last 13 years brought some gravity to Joseph’s heart and mind.
“God has caused me to forget.” First, betrayal by his brothers. Then, years of slavery. Finally, false accusation and years of unjust imprisonment. In the glow of his back-pay, Joseph forgot about the prior years.
Perhaps you have been laboring long, hard and without just wages. God has been watching over you the entire time. Recording the hours. Banking your pay.
To others, it will seem you are an over-night sensation. It doesn’t matter how it looks to them. You know that God is simply delivering your back pay.
Just when they thought you were dead, God will deliver your best life yet. Even though you thought you were forgotten and cast aside, God will set you out front and in charge. No one delivers back-pay like God.
Stay faithful. Work to build His Kingdom. Trust that God has your back-pay. At the right time, in the correct place, God will make you forget all that happened before. In joy. With delight. Through blessing.
Think : God rewards the faithful.
Pray: “Lord, I thank You, in advance, for Your Kingdom blessings.”
Copyright © April 2010, Kirk Hunt
The Prince Gets A Princess
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And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
Genesis 41:45 KJV
There is a saying, “God does not always call the equipped, but He always equips the called.” To fulfill his purpose in God’s plan, Joseph needed to look, sound and live like a high-born Egyptian. Against expectation, Joseph’s years as a slave, then a convict, equipped him to serve as Pharaoh’s Chief Executive.
Perhaps you feel you have been denied the good things of life. Maybe you feel that the positive outcomes have been kept from you. God has a royal blessing in store for you.
Probably not a literal royal bride (or groom) but an excellent place in purpose. With an extraordinary space for blessing. God will inflict His best on you, as if from ambush.
His blessing will catch up to you. No matter where, or how far, you have traveled. The right time and place is where God says it is.
As prince Joseph entered his palace, God arranged for everything. Even a princess. As you enter your purpose in God’s Kingdom, God will arrange for everything.
Think : God equips His servants for their call.
Pray: “Lord, equip me for Your purpose, in Your Kingdom.”
Copyright © April 2010, Kirk Hunt
The Prisoner Becomes A Prince
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And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
Genesis 41:39-40 KJV
(Read also Genesis 40:20 through 41:44)
Joseph, despite years in prison, spoke revelation and wisdom. He explained Pharaoh’s dream. He suggested a course of actions. Then he waited.
Maybe Joseph hoped for a pardon. It’s possible he thought he might get a new job as a slave-steward to the new Grain Administrator. Of course, you and I know Joseph had been set-up.
The forgotten man became a foremost minister. He traded his (orange) prison garb for royal robes. The prisoner became a prince in a single hour.
Only God can so suddenly change prisoners into princes. Only the King of the universe can so completely and rapidly reverse the situation of a man. Only God knows the set up he has in store for you.
You thought your unseen hours and unrewarded labors were for nothing? You thought you had been thrown away and forgotten? God has made plans concerning you and His angels are working that plan with care and precision.
You have been set up. All that remains is the pay off. What God promises, God delivers. With interest.
Think : God has set me up, and I am glad.
Pray: “Lord, help me live out Your set up with grace and joy.”
Copyright © April 2010, Kirk Hunt
Ramp Yourself Up
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Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
Be skeptical of the press releases. Discount the glowing documentaries. Ignore at least half the criticisms. They worked hard for their success.
Every accomplished man or woman has a story of long hours of practice and study. Even the gifted and talented labor hard for their successes. Any one, who achieves any thing, leaves tears, sweat and even blood on the training floor.
I encourage you to ramp yourself up. His call on your life requires it. His Word promises you can do it.
Paul directed Timothy to improve his knowledge of Scripture. An accomplished pastor and teacher, Timothy already knew Scripture well. Still, Paul encouraged his protege to study himself up to the next level.
God has a high and mighty calling for your life. Perhaps you’re already living out that calling. To be what God wants you to be, you need to study Scripture as never before.
God calls you to become the best. Being first class requires hard work and long hours. Still, who wants to be second rate?
Think : God has called me to be the best, even though I have to work hard for it.
Pray: “Lord, help me enable and equip myself to build Your Kingdom.”
Copyright © April 2010, Kirk Hunt
