Month: November 2009

Draw Near

[display_podcast]

“Draw Near” by Kirk Hunt

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:22 KJV

Draw near. No matter what you did. Regardless of how many times you did it.

Yes, He is holy. Still, He loves you. Come in sincerity. His arms will receive you.

Draw near. Don’t listen to the facts and figures. Over ride your feelings and emotions about the situation.

Faith sees things as they will be, not as they are now. Your faith carries you to Him. His faithfulness ensures He will be there for you.

Draw near. Because Scripture commands it. Because His Holy Spirit requests it.

Obedience ought to compel you. His loving kindness should draw you. Run, don’t walk, to His embrace.

Draw near. That is where His healing power is. In His embrace you will find comfort and restoration.

He wants to give, not take. He desires to bless you, not blast you. God is a good father who loves you, His child.

Draw near. Your soul knows that is where you will find rest and recovery. Your heart senses His loving desire for you.

Let His embrace draw you in. Accept the gifts He want to give you. Go close, where His love dwells.

Think: My response should be to draw near.

Pray: “Lord, help me to accept Your Call to come close.”

Copyright © November 2009, Kirk Hunt

The Effect Of Dedication

[display_podcast]

“The Effect Of Dedication” by Kirk Hunt

And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.

1 Kings 8:63 KJV

After the last workman finished, it was just a house. Was the building beautiful? Without a doubt. Was the cost high? Extravagantly so. Still, it otherwise remained commonplace.

Something happened during the ceremony. It was a shelter like many others, until it was assigned a special purpose. That mundane edifice in Jerusalem became The Temple during the dedication.

Solomon and the priests’ prayers and offerings didn’t suddenly transform the stone and timber. The joint recognition of Israel that the building would serve God did. Dedication is assigning a special purpose to a place, or even person.

The things, and lives, around you do not need to remain commonplace. You can transform the mundane into the extraordinary. Dedication changes everything.

There is no minimum qualification value. No standard for appearance controls your selection. You choose what you dedicate to God. You pick what is reserved for the God of heaven. May I suggest something valuable and precious, like your soul?

Think: You can assign a special purpose in God to anything and anyone. Even yourself.

Pray: “Lord, help me to dedicate my things, and myself, to You.”

Copyright © November 2009, Kirk Hunt

The Lost Recovered

Read

E-Book PDF: Open in New Window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

“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

Provoke Each Other

[display_podcast]

“Provoke Each Other” by Kirk Hunt

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Hebrews 10:24 KJV

Given the opportunity to name a topic for one of these devotionals, my Gospel brother became gleeful. When he finally names a specific topic, it is supposed to be a challenge. A spur to good and Godly work.

Practitioners and experts are the most difficult audience. They appreciate the great displays of expertise, but they see the little slips of imperfection. They share your goals and aspirations, but they also know the craft you are trying to perfect.

Why should I bother with his challenge? Because he’s going to provoke me. To delve further into Scripture. Knowing his heart and expertise in the things of God, I’ll have to labor just a little better.

Ultimately, his challenge is for me to be more like Jesus. Knowing my friend, I can’t half-step. I will have to bring my best.

It is a kind of sibling rivalry. Thankfully, our heavenly Father has an infinite store of love and blessing for all of His children. No one loses the race for Godliness.

Who is challenging you? Who pushes you just a little further into the Arms of Jesus? What does an answer of “no one” say about you?

Think: My brothers and sisters help me get better in Jesus.

Pray: “Lord, help me embrace the men and women who will provoke me toward You.”

Copyright © November 2009, Kirk Hunt

Our Daily Bread

[display_podcast]

“Our Daily Bread” by Kirk Hunt

And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground.

Exodus 16:14 KJV

Like clockwork, for over 40 years, the Israelites woke up to God’s provision. In the middle of a harsh desert environment, food (and dew) arrived every morning. Israel called it manna.

One translation of the word manna is “gift.” A different translation is the phrase “What is it?” God’s provision is always wonderful, but it can also be a mystery.

At least one lesson of manna is to interact with God daily. Excess collections of manna rotted or spoiled during the night. God wanted Israel to depend and interact with Him each day.

How about you? Do you interact daily with God? Is there fresh provision from God’s Word in your mind and heart every morning (or evening)? Do you speak with Him, every day?

We let the business crowd Him out. We choose to spend our time away from Him. Make a commitment for a few minutes a day. Create the habit. Gather your daily measure of God.

The habit and practice will make a difference in your life. It doesn’t need to take hours. It needs to happen daily. Gather your manna, daily. God is there, waiting for You.

Think: Prayer and Bible study are a Christian’s daily bread.

Pray: “Lord, help me not to skip my daily dose of You.”

Copyright © November 2009, Kirk Hunt