No Greater Love

No Greater Love By Kirk Hunt

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

John 15:13

 

The test came, and three true Americans passed.  Good men refused to stand by and let evil triumph.  For friends they may not have truly met, they proved their greater love. 

 

It is appropriate on this Memorial Day that we Americans recognize this fresh proof that freedom is not free.  It requires men and women, many without arms or armor, to stand in courage.  Some will make the ultimate sacrifice, out of love.

 

Real love requires standing against all enemies, foreign and domestic, natural and spiritual.  Real love stands against sin, hate and violence with grace and truth.  All too often, the enemy of our souls, or his agents, will retaliate viciously.  

 

However they act, God’s people are commanded to respond in love and grace.  Even when provoked, God’s people must respond as Jesus would.  His greater love lives in us and finds its expression through us.  Sometimes at the risk of being known as a hero. 

 

Jesus knew He would face the ultimate test.  He refused to stand by and let mankind continue in separation from God.  Jesus stood in courage and made the ultimate and eternal sacrifice, on the Cross.  He proved that the evidence of greater love requires action.

 

I pray you are never tested this way.  May His wisdom and grace lead you around or past any situation.  Still, do not hesitate to become a known hero.  True heroes are in short supply.

 

Think:        Jesus gave His life to save us from the enemy of our souls.

 

Pray:           “Lord, guide me in Your wisdom, with courage.”

 

Copyright © May 2017, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press.  You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

The Testimony Of Scars

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The Testimony Of Scars By Kirk Hunt

 

The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print [scars] of the nails, and put my finger into the print [scars] of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

John 20:25 NKJV

 

Thomas wanted proof. Like the other disciples, he knew for certain Jesus had died on the Cross. Now, he wanted the same kind of certainty that Jesus again lived. He wanted to see and touch the scars of the living, breathing Jesus.

 

Enough hurt, pain and loss will rattle the confidence, or drain hope from, even those with iron wills and steel souls. Too often, the words of others mean nothing in those dark moments of distress. Only the testimony of scars can speak to those who seem to have lost everything.

 

“See? Jesus brought me through the same crisis.” “His Spirit carried me when I got the same late-night call.” “His grace healed me of the same illness.”

 

God’s people too often hide their scars. By hiding them, we also hide the evidence of God’s power and restoration in our lives. Only survivors have scars. Survivors speak with an authority that exceeds all others.

 

Thomas finally got his living proof of the resurrected Jesus. You also have proof of the resurrected Jesus. His power has brought you through. Your scars are irrefutable proof of His power and authority in the real world.

 

Think:                My scars are irrefutable proof of God’s power and supremacy in my life.

 

Pray:                   “Lord, help me to use my scars to testify of You.”

 

 

Copyright © February 2016, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Proof Of His Love

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Proof Of His Love by Kirk Hunt

 

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 NKJV

 

No complex theological constructions.  No intricate philosophical weavings.  Just cold, hard facts.

 

God loved you first.  He proved his love, first.  His love for you continues, even now.

 

Paul is an especially good example of this proof.  He helped martyr Stephen.  At his conversion, Paul was actively (and effectively) persecuting the Christian Church.  Still, Christ died for Paul, also.

 

God loves you.  Always has.  Always will.

 

Christ died for you.  No matter what you did before.  Regardless of what you are doing now.

 

You can be reconciled to God.  Only you can say, “No.”  He has already spoken and proven his part.

 

How should you respond?  I suggest gratitude and relief.  His sacrifice makes salvation available to you.  All you have to say is, “Yes.”

 

Here is the catch: After you say “yes” to his love, you must return his love.  You will have to live differently.  Let his love help you change completely.

 

Start living out your love for him.  It is that easy.  God is already living out his love for you.

 

The idea is simple.  Do not make it complicated.  There is no tricky language in the verse.  He loved you first.  Respond to that.

 

Think:            God has already proven his love to me.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to accept the proof you have already given me.”

 

 

Copyright © August 2013, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Prototype

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“Prototype” by 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