Month: March 2010

Excluded From Miracles

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“Excluded From Miracles” by Kirk Hunt

But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

Matthew 9:25 KJV

Most of Jesus’ miracles were committed in public. The miracles served as His credentials that His Word came from God. Certainly, excluding witnesses was unusual.

Whether with gracious ushering, or with gruff insistence, the “mourners” found themselves outside. The other Gospel accounts (Mark 5:22-42 and Luke 8:41-56) emphasize the limited audience for Jesus’ raising of the girl. The miracle became famous, after the fact.

Scorn and disbelief are the enemies of Real Faith™. Faith are the acts you commit, in anticipation of what you do not see. Faith and disbelief cannot coexist in harmony.

Jesus’ told Jairus, multiple times, to believe. He did not rebuke his fear and grief. Faith is not the absence of hurt or concern, but is the presence of hope in God.

You can cling to faith, despite your circumstances. It is easy to understand a grieving father’s fears and doubts. I doubt your situation is easy or without issue. Regardless, you must put out your disbelief before your faith can work.

There’s a famous miracle in your future. If you’re willing to put out your disbelief. There’s the door of your heart. Who’s leaving?

Think: Disbelief and faith cannot coexist in your heart. One of them must leave.

Pray: “Lord, help my belief and faith in what You will do in my life.”

Copyright © March 2010, Kirk Hunt

Scorners

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“Scorners” by Kirk Hunt

And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

Matthew 9:23-24 KJV

Please read Luke 8: 49-53

Admittedly, they were professional mourners. These folks were paid to loudly “grieve” and play sorrowful music. The call for them to come came after a signature on the death certificate.

Still, they must have known of Jesus. Clearly, they understood what He said. Their response indicates they thought it through, rationally.

Scorn is more than disbelief. Scorn is active rejection. Scorn and contempt usually arrive, handcuffed together.

How do you respond to Jesus’ announcements and pronouncements for you and yours? Do you respond with faith and belief? Too often, we respond with scorn.

Our professionalism looks at the facts and figures and comes to the logical conclusion(s). Regular thinking can not see the things of God. You will probably react with scorn to Jesus’ impossible statements regarding your life.

Put your professionalism to the side. Check your regular thinking at the door. Respond with faith and trust to Jesus’ promises for you and yours.

True Faith™ is not mindless, but it is at odds with regular thinking. Choose to see with spiritual eyes. Decide to believe what Jesus says, despite the facts and data.

Think: Do I really believe what God says about me and mine?

Pray: “Lord, help me believe, not scorn, what You say for my life.”

Copyright © March 2010, Kirk Hunt

Testify

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“Testify” by Kirk Hunt

“Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

Mark 5:19-20 KJV

“You can’t fool me. That’s him. What are we going to do?”

Imagine the reception that the formerly possessed man received when he came home. His friends and family weren’t sure to embrace him, or flee the scene. Borrowed clothes and sane eyes couldn’t hide his helter-skelter past.

Once everyone decided he had changed, they wanted to know just one thing: How? What had changed a monster back into a man? Who or what had the power to recover a hopeless case?

With every eye on him, the recovered man told his story. “I met a man who reacted with power and compassion instead of fear and dread.” The audience reaction comes as no surprise.

As God’s men and women, we are witnesses to God’s grace. We are the lost souls and hopeless cases that only His power could save. We should tell the story more often.

Testify. They need to hear. You need to remember.

Think: I am a living witness to God’s power. I should be quick to testify.

Pray: “Lord, help me to tell the story of how you changed my life.”

Copyright © March 2010, Kirk Hunt

Soldiers In The Real World

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“Soldiers In The Real World” by Kirk Hunt

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:9 KJV

The battle rages around us every day. Corruption infests a little deeper. Compromise becomes more blatant. Sin gets bolder. I’m sure you noticed.

The place of battle is where you stand: Front office or workshop, building site or sales counter, schoolhouse or jailhouse. You are deployed by divine purpose and heavenly intent. His Hands have placed you there to get the job done.

No matter how you came to be where you are, or why you stay, you are to stand and deliver. Stand as a light of right and hope in the darkness. Deliver the Gospel of Christ to a world that desperately needs Him.

Each day, the darkness encroaches on more of the world. Each day, more souls perish without knowing Him. Won’t you take your place on the battle lines?

The time for battle is now. The soldier is you. Your weapons are spiritual, not natural.

Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is Present, stands with His soldiers. Those who go in His Name are never alone or without His Power. Will you be the one to deliver God’s Salvation?

Think: I have been placed here and now for God’s Purpose.

Pray: “Lord, help me to carry out Your mission in Your way.”

Copyright © March 2010, Kirk Hunt