Month: September 2009

Running Risks

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“Running Risks” by Kirk Hunt

But Barnabas took him [Paul], and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

Acts 9:27 KJV

Please read Acts 15: 37-39 also.

Barnabas, the risk taker took a huge risk on Paul. He wagered his good name, and literal life, that Saul the Inquisitor had become the Paul the Evangelist. He took a similar risk that John the Flake had become Mark the Gospel-writer.

They were risks because history spoke against both men. Apostle Paul himself regretted killing and persecuting saints his entire life. Mark had abandoned Paul at Pamphylia. “The facts are the facts.”

Someone needs you to be a risk-taker. They need you to wager your good name and high standing. Not on a paragon of virtue but on a soul with fresh failures and recent faults.

Barnabas put everything on the line to help someone else achieve their purpose in the Kingdom. In the short run it cost Barnabas something. In the long run, Barnabas is a hero among saints. The two men he saved wrote 14 books in Scripture.

Someone around you needs you to take a risk. In the short run, it may cost you. In the long run, you’ll bless the Kingdom.

Think: God’s Kingdom needs saints who are willing to run the risks.

Pray: “Lord, help me to serve Your Kingdom. Even if it is risky.”

Copyright © September 2009, Kirk Hunt

A Profitable Worker

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“A Profitable Worker” 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

Of all the men available to serve in the Gospel fields, Paul called for Mark. A powerful endorsement, to be sure. Mark did not always enjoy Paul’s high opinion.

Acts 15:37-39 tells a very different story. Paul and Barnabas argued over Mark. For at least a time, their relationship was ruptured. Mark’s imperfect past threatened his future with Paul, and in the Gospel fields.

In the miles and years between the two accounts in Scripture, Mark became a profitable worker. He became worthy of confidence. Somewhere along the line, Mark became a go-to man and a writer of Scripture.

Barnabas wouldn’t let past history kill Mark’s potential. Mark made the investment needed to become profitable. Paul eventually came to understand Mark’s worth to the Gospel.

You can be a profitable worker. All it takes is a willingness to invest your time, talent and treasure in God’s Kingdom. Your past history is not a dis-qualifier.

Maybe you have an unprofitable chapter in your past. Bad credit, or not, get up and start again. You have a profitable season in your future.

Think: I can be a profitable Gospel worker, now and in the future.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be profitable in Your Kingdom.”

Copyright © September 2009, Kirk Hunt

God Provides

“God Provides” by Kirk Hunt

Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.

2 Kings 4:7 KJV

The widow’s sons likely moved with exaggerated caution. The borrowed vessels and pots brimmed full of valuable oil. Breaking something would create a double loss.

God’s provision is always extraordinary. God often gives more than enough. Ask the widow.

She probably ran to pay the debt that threatened her sons. Likely, for the first time since her husband’s funeral, she could spend a coin without an agonizing decision.  Because God provided.

God provided the single jar of oil she poured out. God touched the hearts of friends and neighbors who lent their vessels and pots. God gave the miracle increase of oil that provided for this faithful family.

God provided in their past, then the present and again for the future. She had never been uncared for at any time. Even when she didn’t know it or feel it.

No matter what’s going on in your life, God is there. He provided to get you here. He is providing to keep you here. God is placing in your hand what you need for the future.

God wouldn’t have brought you to this place to leave you now. His faithfulness is working for you at this moment. Get you and yours ready to live in His provision.

Think: God has provided, is providing and will provide for you.

Pray: “Lord, thank You for Your provision in my life; past present and future.”

Copyright © September 2009, Kirk Hunt

Pour Out

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“Pour Out” by Kirk Hunt

So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.

2 Kings 4: 5-6 KJV

I’d like to think there were dozens of different oil pots, jars and vessels everywhere. In my mind’s eye, I see the exaggerated caution of the boys, afraid to move without breaking a borrowed item. With a prayer, or a sigh, the widow started pouring oil.

As each jar, pot or vessel filled up, the sense of excitement grew. Oil continued to fill each vessel in turn. From little comes much. The empty is filled, through a miracle of God’s provision.

“I should have asked old Sarah for hers.” “I could have worked a deal with the potter for more of his.” The prepared capacity is filled. The miracle comes to an end.

God has a miracle of provision for you. Perhaps it’s a need you think could never be filled. Maybe you have a vision, but lack the resources to begin, yet alone finish.

Pour out what you have. Your faith, to use what you have, will draw Him close. Your obedience to Him, will be rewarded. His faithfulness will provide more than you have dreamed.

Think: God always provides. Pour out what you have.

Pray: “Lord, in obedience and faith, I will pour out what I have.”

Copyright © September 2009, Kirk Hunt