Some Dreams Tell The Story
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“Some Dreams Tell The Story” by Kirk Hunt
And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.
2 Kings 8:5 KJV
The Shunammite woman and her household returned from Philistia. Unfortunately, she found her property occupied by squatters (or worse). Ironically, she now needed to speak to the King (see 2 Kings 4:13).
In between cases, King Jehoram (aka Joram) commanded Gehazi to relate the record of Elisha’s ministries and miracles. Elisha’s resurrection of the dead became a featured story. In the middle of the account, the Shunammite walked in.
Despite the fact that he was now a teenager, the boy remained a miracle. Twice, God had directly intervened in his life (and his mother’s). First, through the prophesy of his birth. Again, at his resurrection. With her hands on her hips, the Shunammite told the story of how God made her dreams come true.
Some dreams tell the story of God’s power, and more importantly, His love. It may be that you have lived your life just to tell God’s story. Put your hands on your hips and tell the story of how God brought your dreams to life.
Think: God gives life to our dreams. Sometimes, so we can tell His story.
Pray: “Father-God, help me to tell Your story with my life and times.”
Copyright © June 2011, Kirk Hunt
Some Dreams Get New Life
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“Some Dreams Get New Life” by Kirk Hunt
When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me why.” “Did I ask you for a son, my lord?” she said. “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?”
2 Kings 4:27-28 NIV
At daybreak, the Shunammite woman watched her little boy run and play. At noon, her dream lay cold and stiffening in an upstairs bedroom. The bitter reality of her situation called for action.
Common wisdom would call for a mortician. Instead, she sent for a driver. She put on her traveling clothes and her “game face.” She had work to do.
The facts and data said, “The dream is over.” Faith and hope said, “It shall be well.” To the driver, she said, “Go hard and fast.”
Sometimes, in the rough and tumble of life, a dream dies. Bitter distress is the normal reaction to such an event. As God’s people, we can respond with faith and hope. If God can bring a dream to life, He can give it new life.
At evening, the Shunammite’s little boy once again ran and played. Her faith had brought new life to her dream. What will your faith bring (back) to life?
Think: God gives life to our dreams. Sometimes, twice.
Pray: “Father-God, life and power are in, and with, You.”
Copyright © June 2011, Kirk Hunt
Some Dreams Do Not Die
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“Some Dreams Do Not Die” by Kirk Hunt
And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
2 Kings 4:16 KJV
Her hands came off her hips and covered her mouth. Her dry, squinting eyes were suddenly wide and full of tears. Elisha’s prophecy released the hidden dream of her heart. The dream lurched from its dark cell into the bright sun of her life.
The tough, self-assured woman of verse 13 suddenly gave way to the tender, vulnerable girl of verse 16. Our dreams have power. Even our hidden dreams. Especially the dreams that should have died.
There you are, building the Kingdom. You have not asked, or expected, a reward for your faithfulness. God will select an unlikely place and space to fulfill your dreams.
God delights in bringing dreams to life. Probably the dreams you had forgotten. Especially the dreams you thought were long since dead.
Your season is coming. A season when you will hold something precious. A season you did not think possible.
Some dreams do not die. Some dreams linger, waiting for God’s power and the right season. Some dreams you did not ask for, but God gave you anyway.
Think: Nothing is impossible for God.
Pray: “Father-God, no dream is impossible with You.”
Copyright © June 2011, Kirk Hunt
Where’s Your Father?
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“Where’s Your Father?” by Kirk Hunt
And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
Matthew 9:27 KJV
My brothers and I all have “Where’s your Father?” stories. The details are different, but the plot remains the same. Despite our own credentials, in spite of our own accomplishments, men and women looked us in the eye and asked, “Where’s Poppa Hunt?”
It took a while, but we all individually figured it out. It was not that the sons of William lacked skills, accomplishments or credentials. Poppa simply commanded a lot of respect. We all learned to live in the shadow of his influence.
As Poppa’s Hunt’s sons, we have all completed tasks Poppa could not. Yet, when folks saw them done, they asked, “When did he teach you that?”
The blind men of verse 27 wanted their vision restored. They appealed to Jesus at the top of their lungs. Jesus , the son of David. After all, only a true son of David, a son of Father-God, could heal blindness.
The restoration of sight flowed from Jesus’ hands, but the credit went to Jesus’ Father. The power flowed from Father-God. “Look at what God has done!”
As you build God’s Kingdom, men and women will look you in the eye and ask “Where’s your Father?” Father-God simply commands a lot of respect. “Look at what God has done!”
Think: Find your source in your Father’s power.
Pray: “Father-God, help me to live as Your son.”
Copyright © June 2011, Kirk Hunt
The Nature Of Sacrifice
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“The Nature Of Sacrifice” 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 [sacrifice] 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
There are two forms of sacrifice: giving or doing. You sacrifice by giving away something you would prefer to keep. You also sacrifice by doing when you would rather be sitting. Either way, the last part is the word, “ouch.”
A sacrifice must mean something to you. It must cost you something. Only then does the act have any meaning for you. Or God.
The money David spent in verse 24 was just the beginning. The altar had to be built. The oxen were prepared. The farm implements were chopped into firewood.
David’s sacrifice brought forgiveness. It is important to note that David could not buy forgiveness. All he could do was show God how sorry he was for his sin. David gave. David did.
God saw sincere and true repentance, in David’s authentic sacrifice. Forgiveness flowed from heaven. It may have hurt, but David renewed his relationship with God.
You may have to give away something precious. It may cost you sweat and blood. What will your sacrifice(s) bring?
Think: Real sacrifice gives real results.
Pray: “Father-God, help me to sacrifice what I must to grow closer to You.”
Copyright © June 2011, Kirk Hunt
Yours To Keep
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“Yours To Keep” by Kirk Hunt
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Romans 11:29 KJV
Your talents are yours. Your calling is permanent. They are gifts from God. Did you say “thank you”?
Yes, I know Romans 11 is about the favored status of the Jews. That does not change the truth of God’s giving. God gives as He chooses. He has already given to you.
Your gifts speak loudly of what He thinks of you. Your calling is unique to you, and you alone. What do you say to Him in return?
What you have is yours to keep. That’s not the question. What are you going to do with them? What is your answer?
Despite what He has given, it will take hard work and persistence to make something of them. Doing nothing with what He has given is wasteful and insulting. Please, do not be that man or woman.
Launching out requires faith and courage. Becoming first-class always demands a price. Getting off the couch and into the deep waters is a great way of saying thank you.
You can choose to squander what He has given. You can choose to make use of what He has provided. I pray your answer involves using the talents you already own.
Think: God has giving me gifts and a calling.
Pray: “Father-God, help me to operate in what You have given me.”
Copyright © May 2011, Kirk Hunt
Blank Check
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“Blank Check” by Kirk Hunt
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:12-13 KJV
Jesus wrote a “blank check” here. “Whatsoever.” Anything? Anything.
Anything Jesus did, you can do better. You have your faith and His power to bring it to pass. All you have to do is believe and ask. Sounds too easy, right?
Do you exercise your faith? How close are you following His will? Do you truly believe in Jesus, the Son of the living God?
Think about it. What stubborn problem or issue is in your life? Do you believe Jesus can? Are you certain He will?
Jesus Himself gave this promise. All you have to do is meet the condition for fulfillment. It is that easy. It is that hard.
Do not feel bad. The Disciples walked with Him and saw with their own eyes. It still took them a while to work it out.
Believe in Jesus. Ask in His name. Short formula. Long results.
Stop believing in the circumstance(s). Stop believing in your resource(s). Start believing in Jesus. The rest is God’s power.
Think: Anything Jesus did, I can do better.
Pray: “Father-God, I ask. In your Son’s Name. Amen.”
Copyright © May 2011, Kirk Hunt
He Sees You
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“He Sees You” by Kirk Hunt
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luke 15:20 KJV
“His father saw him.” Dad’s heart for his son gave him sight and insight. A “great way off” was not just a reference to the physical distance.
Dad scanned the horizon every day, looking for his son. He saw the boy coming home, in his heart. With faith that strong, his physical eyes were compelled to look for the physical manifestation.
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24) is a parable, but it teaches an inescapable truth: God loves you and wants you back. Separation from Him is not normal. Reconciliation with Him is natural.
Perhaps you have left your faith in Him for a time. His love for you has never wavered. His arms are open to you, even now.
Perhaps you have kept your faith, but have stumbled here and there. He loves you, even still. Run back to his open arms.
God loves you. His arms are open and extended to you. Your heavenly Father will see you when you turn back to Him.
Think: Godly loves me. God wants me back.
Pray: “Father-God, I thank You for Your love for me and Your open arms for me.”
Copyright © May 2011, Kirk Hunt
“He Sees You” by Kirk Hunt
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luke 15:20 KJV
“His father saw him.” Dad’s heart for his son gave him sight and insight. A “great way off” was not just a reference to the physical distance.
Dad scanned the horizon every day, looking for his son. He saw the boy coming home, in his heart. With faith that strong, his physical eyes were compelled to look for the physical manifestation.
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24) is a parable, but it teaches an inescapable truth: God loves you and wants you back. Separation from Him is not normal. Reconciliation with Him is natural.
Perhaps you have left your faith in him for a time. His love for you has never wavered. His arms are open to you, even now.
Perhaps you have kept your faith, but have stumbled here and there. He loves you, even still. Run back to his open arms.
God loves you. His arms are open and extended to you. Your heavenly Father will see you when you turn back to Him.
Think: Godly loves me. God wants me back.
Pray: “Father-God, I thank You for Your love for me and Your open arms for me.”
Copyright © May 2011, Kirk Hunt
Rouge’s Gallery
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“Rouge’s Gallery” by Kirk Hunt
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Hebrews 11:39-40 NIV
Hebrews 11 is full of names. From a certain point of view, these men and women are of two completely different characters. The easy view is of Scriptural heroes and saints of God.
The names in Hebrews 11 are a rogue’s gallery of the imperfect and faulty. The list includes murderers, adulterers and the faithless. We are speaking of big failings and huge errors.
What should you expect? The man writing the list, once persecuted Christians. Paul is sticking up for people just like himself.
Still, with their stained records and flawed histories, all of them would gladly stand and testify. Of God’s grace. Of His redemption.
So what makes these folks examples to today’s men and women? Their faith. They did not stay face down in their errors and failings. They got up and kept trying to live out God’s Word.
Yesterday’s failing is not a disqualifier. Keep moving in sincerity and faith. I pray I will see your face and name in a rouge’s gallery of faith.
Think: Godly men and women are not perfect, but they are full of faith.
Pray: “Father-God, give me the faith to pursue You and Your perfection for my life.”
Copyright © May 2011, Kirk Hunt
Power Mothering
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“Power Mothering” by Kirk Hunt
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
Judges 4:4-5 KJV
Deborah was just a simple housewife, except the entire nation looked to her for leadership. Scripture does not record that Deborah birthed any children, but she served as mother to a nation. On her word alone, an army marched and brought deliverance to Israel.
You may not feel like a power Mom right now. Early morning feedings, late morning laundry loads and mid-afternoon taxi driving take their toll. Still, you can be a powerful mother in Zion.
Take time to keep up your relationship with God. Extend your leadership to those around you. Do not be afraid to ride with the troops to God’s appointments.
The modern nation needs power Mothers. We need women who are not afraid to follow after God. Don’t forget to lead others to their divine appointments.
The only real qualification for mother in Zion is a heart that seeks to build God’s Kingdom. That heart will lead you to bless and lead those around you. His power in your life will give you all the authority you need.
Think: You are called to be a power Mom
Pray: “Father-God, help me to be a Mother in Zion, no matter my age or place.”
Copyright © May 2011, Kirk Hunt
Profitable Saints
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“Profitable Saints” by Kirk Hunt
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. (2 Timothy 4:11 KJV)
2 Timothy 4:11 KJV
Apostle Paul wrote these words from a prison in Nero’s Rome. Especially under house arrest, Paul would need reliable, capable, productive people around him. From all of the Christian men in the Roman world, Paul chose to ask for Mark.
Paul needed someone who could help. Paul needed someone who would help. A man or woman who’s output exceeds input is always in demand.
Mark had been less-than-profitable at one point. Prior errors do not disqualify you from serving in God’s Kingdom. The more profitable you are, the quicker everyone gets over your mistakes.
Profitable saints are the men and women who serve the Kingdom. They take on the tasks set before them. They do what must be done. With excellence. With grace.
Do you want to serve His Kingdom? Are you willing to be a go-to man or woman for the sake of the Gospel? All it takes is heart and hands that are willing.
You do not need to be perfect. You may have to learn to be effective. You must be a saint of God. After that, profitability will not be far off.
Think: I can be profitable for God’s Kingdom.
Pray: “Father-God, help me to serve Your with skillfully and effectively.”
Copyright © April 2011, Kirk Hunt
Are You Listening?
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“Are You Listening?” by Kirk Hunt
And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
1 Samuel 25:32-33 KJV
The high-born lady kneeled in the dusty road. She accepted blame before the local warlord for her husband’s error. She gave gifts of freshly prepared food and fresh-cut respect. Using diplomacy, graciousness and humility, she transformed murderous intent into life-affirming gratitude.
Warlord David recognized his peril. His anger, even though righteous and justified, had nearly plunged him into error and sin. Even in his anger, he remained God’s man and listened to reason.
Nabal nearly brought calamity on not just himself, but everyone around him. Despite his churlish and foolish behavior, he received mercy in its truest form. If not for his sake, then Abigail’s.
David listened to Abigail. He heard the truth, wisdom and righteousness in her words. He humbled himself before God and man to call off the attack.
Abigail listened, in horror, to the report of Nabal’s disrespect. She took immediate action to head off imminent disaster. With a heart full of God’s wisdom and Godly humility, Abigail met blood-thirsty anger with heart-winning grace.
Where are you in the picture? Are you listening? If so, are you taking action based on what your hear?
Think: Do I listen as God intends?
Pray: “Father-God, help me to listen to Your truth and wisdom, no matter the source or circumstance.”
Copyright © April 2011, Kirk Hunt
