Month: August 2011

Quiet Talk

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“Quiet Talk” by Kirk Hunt

 

And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

1 Kings 19: 12 – 13 KJV

Please read 1 Kings 19:11 – 18

 

Elijah sat in the cave while waves of catastrophe rolled over the mountain. Winds, lashed and shattered the stone of the mountain. An earthquake further broke the shredded rock. Finally, a wildfire scrubbed the remaining landscape.

 

Elijah, familiar with the things of God, knew noise when he heard it. The fury, heat and shaking were events, but not notable. God’s whisper brought the prophet to his feet. In reverence, Elijah covered his face and walked from darkness to the shekinah glory-cloud.

 

God is speaking today. Not with clamor and cacophony, but in calm and tranquility. You can hear Him. Hold still a few minutes. Turn everything off for a while.

 

When were you last in silence and stillness? Quiet, not just physically but mentally, allows you to hear His Voice. He has a message for you.

 

Think: I can hear God best in quietness.

Pray: “Lord, help me to listen, in stillness and quiet, to Your Voice.”

Copyright © August 2011, Kirk Hunt

Enough For You

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“Enough For You” by Kirk Hunt

 

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

 

I rolled out of bed to pray. A sharp part of the bed frame gouged me, just above the left knee. The scar is two inches long, and an encourager. In that low place, God’s high grace filled my life.

My sophomore year in college I caught pneumonia. My illness disrupted my schedule on the multiple jobs I was working. Illness made the struggle to complete my classes that much harder. I had never labored so hard, for such small returns, on so many fronts.

Facing the Dean of the College was a discouragement. She was very concerned about her department statistics. She was not nearly as concerned about the hurting and struggling student sitting in front of her.

Still, God did not send His grace through angels. The doctor at the university medical clinic successfully treated my pneumonia. A business officer supplied encouragement, and the money (via all those jobs), that kept me in school. Various kith, kin and classmates helped me through my classes.

The scar is ugly, but it reminds me of a beautiful truth. God’s grace came, not when and as I wanted it, but where and when I needed it. Especially in the low places, God is ready to lift us high.

Think: God’s grace is sufficient for me.

Pray: “Lord, help me to trust in, and operate from, Your grace.”

Copyright © August 2011, Kirk Hunt

Leadership Prayer

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“Leadership Prayer” by Kirk Hunt

 

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 

2 Timothy 2:1—2 KJV

 

Christians are called to pray for leadership. Are they in civil authority over you? Then you are to pray for them.

Paul would have been directing Christian men and women to pray for the Roman Caesar. Would you follow the Biblical commandment to pray for Nero, the great Roman persecutor of Christians? Just as you should pray for your local, state (province) or national leaders.

The commandment is to pray for them so that we can lead a “quiet and peaceable” life, here in the real world. They do not have to be believers. You do not have to be in agreement with their policy or decisions. It is God’s job to sort that part out.

There seems to be chaos and uncertainty through much of the world, these days. Do you really believe that regular men and women have the answers for so many difficult issues? We need unearthly intelligence and thinking to save our world.

As always, God is the answer. Pray that those who hold authority in the world get their orders from God. Only he has the solution that let us lead quiet and peaceable lives.

Think: As a Christian, I am called to pray for my leadership.

Pray: “Lord, help me to build your Kingdom, through prayer.”

Copyright © August 2011, Kirk Hunt

The Gold Door

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“The Gold Door” by Kirk Hunt

 

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV

 

In my heart, there is a gold-plated door. The door has no lock and not much of a latch. That is because of the grace and beauty of the nation on the other side.

Elected officials lead with wisdom and a spirit of servant-hood. Business leaders act with humility and fairness, looking to build the nation at the risk of making a profit. Justice rules with kind words from noble hearts.

Beyond the golden door, men and women, act with grace and move in generosity. Hunger has been banished. Injustice has been exterminated. Peace and joy rule the hand. It is a place and space where Christ is King in the hearts of the citizens.

I know all too well what is on the other side of my real front door. That door has a lock. I have reinforced that door against intruders.

I refuse to believe the nation behind the golden door is impossible. I do, however know where the dream will start to become reality. It will appear first in the hearts of God’s people.

It is not impossible. First, Christians must first make Christ King of their own hearts. The nation will follow.

Think: As a Christian, I am called to remake the world around me in His image.

Pray: “Lord, help me to build your Kingdom, here and now.”

Copyright © August 2011, Kirk Hunt

Haman’s Hate

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“Haman’s Hate” by Kirk Hunt

 

And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

Esther 3:6 KJV

 

I am not surprised that Haman reacted with rage to Mordecai’s disobedience. Haman’s arrogance and contempt for others shines throughout Esther. Violating such a selfish and self-centered world view had to lead to anger.

It is Haman’s determination to commit genocide over a simple insult that I find monstrous. Anger does lead to hate. Hate leads to all manner of destructive acts.

Too many recent events prove that men and woman like Haman walk among us. They seek to destroy rather than build. They are willing to disrupt, or kill, rather than build or work. Haters always build gallows.

Haman’s hate represents the impact of unfettered rage on the lives of the hated, and the hater. Of course, the hater always blames the object of his or her hate. No matter how much they have to twist the facts and figures, haters always arrive at the same destination.

The tragedy is that destination is the gallows. For their own hanging. Sooner, or later.

Be the man or woman who reacts the way God would. In love. With grace.

Think: As a Christian, I am called to love even my enemies, not hate them.

Pray: “Lord, help me to respond in Your love, not my hate.”

Copyright © August 2011, Kirk Hunt