But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Luke 22:32 KJV

Simon Peter, in the hours following this statement, would show his flaws.  Peter would hack off someone’s ear in rage.  He would then turn in the same moment and flee in panic.  Later he would deny he even knew Jesus.

Jesus saw all of this coming, in advance.  He took this moment, when perhaps he should have been preparing Himself for crucifixion, to prepare Peter.  He told his strongest man to strengthen those around him.

Peter would cry later, in remorse and guilt.  He would discover just how little he knew about Jesus.  Or Peter.  When this tough-guy fisherman “wept bitterly,” he had hit rock bottom.

For all of his demonstrated flaws and shortcomings, Peter remained the strongest of the Disciples.  At least he made the (misguided) effort to defend Jesus.  None of the other Disciples were close enough to be accused.

With his face rubbed in the worst of his failing, Peter clung to his faith.  With his soul tattered and battered, Peter refused to let go of his knowledge of Jesus.  When Peter got up, the others looked to him for strength and leadership.

If you are holding onto your faith, you have strength enough to share.  No matter what has happen in your past, you have what others need.  The kith and kin in your circle need what you have.  Strengthen your folk.

Think:                        Despite my flaws and shortcomings, I have strength to give.

Pray:              “Lord, help me to strengthen the folk around me.”

Copyright © January 2012, Kirk Hunt

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Romans 8:29 NIV

Prototypes are common in engineering, science and manufacturing. The more radical the design or concept you want to prove, the more likely you spend the time and money to build a complete working example. Aircraft, automobiles, and even appliances get prototypes.

Prototypes are like, and not like, the production models that will eventually follow. The sample model is usually fabricated, by hand, by the lead scientists and engineers. Prototypes are never quite standard, but they are of the highest quality. You can always tell a prototype from a regular production model.

Christ Jesus was as radical and revolutionary as they come. His doctrine and truth disrupted the fabric of ancient Israel and His teaching has not yet stopped changing the world. He proved that men and women could live a new, different life of freedom and power.

Jesus proved that mere men and women can live the Christian life. He came not as a one-of-a-kind man, but the first of a large number of siblings. He came as a first-among-many. Are you His brother or sister?

Think: Jesus proved Christianity can be done. All I have to do is live life in His Way.

Pray: “Lord, help me to become more like You as I live every day.”

Copyright © September 2011, 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 Lost Recovered” by Kirk Hunt

It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Luke 15:32 KJV

The parable of the Prodigal Son is told and taught often among Christians. It is a story of loss and hope. It is also a story of faith and attitude.

The father in the story spent his days (and nights) looking and searching. Not for a few coins, but for a misplaced son. I’m certain he would have spent the rest of his fortune to ensure the recovery of the son who wandered off.

The father didn’t console himself that a son stayed. Neither did he write-off the son who strayed. He prayed in hope and expectation. An expectation that led him to search the horizon for a traveler who might never come.

In his heart and spirit he had one expectation: The lost and misplaced would become the found and recovered. His attitude never wavered. His heart never faltered.

What is your hope and expectation today? Have you given up, or given in, about a misplaced life and soul? Keep your faith in our God who recovers the lost. Maintain an attitude of expectation by day and night.

Look to the horizon for a traveler. With hope. In expectation. Keep your party plans close by.

Think: God recovers the lost.

Pray: “Lord, help me to wait with expectation for the recovery of a misplaced son or daughter.”

Copyright © November 2009, Kirk Hunt

“Shelter From The Storm” by Kirk Hunt

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock

Matthew 7:24-25 KJV

In my mind’s eye, I pray about the storm raging outside. When I finish my prayer, with a loud “amen,” it’s still raining. I feel the concussion of thunderclaps in my bones. The house groans and creaks from the fury of the wind.

I wring my hands and fret. My thoughts go to my neighbor across the way. His house went up so much faster than mine. His home has features and advantages mine lacks. Building on the Rock of Jesus has cost me time and money I could have used for other things.

I barely hear the knock over the violent pelt of rain. Grumbling that anyone is out in this storm, I go to the door. My neighbor and his family huddle and shiver on my porch.

Lightning flashes reveal the ruin that was his home. Built on the sand of human wisdom, their house stood no chance against the storm. My simpler, humbler home is now a sanctuary from the chaos outside.

The storm outside still rages, but I no longer mind as much. My hands are suddenly busy, ministering to the spiritually homeless. The sure foundation of my house has proven itself and Him.

Think: Obedience to God is its own reward.

Pray: “Lord, teach me the benefits of obeying Your Word.”

Copyright © March 2009, Kirk Hunt

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