Month: August 2012

Follow Your Leadership

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“Follow Your Leadership” by Kirk Hunt

 

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Romans 13:1 KJV

Paul is writing to Christians leaving in pagan Rome.  The most likely Caesar or Emperor of the time?  The notorious Nero.

 

Why did not Paul tell the Christians of Rome to take up arms?  Because all governments are ordained by God.  Ordained is defined as invested officially, or appointed by authority.

 

Does being subject mean following every direction a secular leader gives?  Had the Roman Christians been more obedient to Nero, fewer of them would have been martyred.  Still, they lived and worked in a society with radically different beliefs and morals.

 

Modern day Christians live and work using beliefs and morals radically different from the society-at-large.  Like our ancient Roman brothers and sisters, we are called to live out our lives as light and salt.  Most Western Christians do so without the threat of real or serious persecution.

 

What should modern-day Christians do?  First, remain subjects of the King of heaven.  Second, be subject to the secular government God placed ordained for you.

 

Will you agree with everything?  I hope not.  Still, you must be a good citizen of two Kingdoms.  I am sure you know which has priority.

 

Think:             I am called to live and work as salt and light under the current government.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to be a good subject first of You, then of the earthy leaders you ordain.”

 

 

Copyright © August 2012, Kirk Hunt

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

Leaders Work Too

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“Leaders Work Too” by Kirk Hunt

 

And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.

Nehemiah 3:5 KJV

The men of Tekoa showed up and worked.  They lived a full day’s travel away from Jerusalem, but they understood the importance of walls around the Capitol city and the Temple.  They brought materials, tools and most importantly, themselves.

 

Still, the men of Tekoa lacked something: Official Leadership.  Obviously, someone worked out all of the logistics and details.  Real men, with a heart for God and the nation, but not the official leaders of Tekoa.

 

The regular men of Tekoa did what needed to be done.  The common citizens worked long hours in the hot, Mediterranean sun.  The common folk shared the risks of enemy attack and shared defense.

 

The wealthy and well-dressed leadership of Tekoa?  They were hard to find.  Or worse, easy to find, but doing nothing.

 

Real leadership is not a title.  True nobility is not an accident of birth.  Both require being in the thick of what must be done, even at the risk of dirt or danger.

 

Are you one of the common folks?  Lead out in what you know needs doing.  Be the leader who builds the Kingdom.

 

Are you leadership in the Kingdom?  Put your back in it.  Prove your worthiness for the title.  Demonstrate the reason you hold the position.

 

Think:            Building God’s Kingdom requires everyone, especially leadership, to work.

 

Pray:              “Lord, let me lead out in building Your Kingdom.”

 

 

Copyright © August 2012, Kirk Hunt

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

Everyone Works

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“Everyone Works” by Kirk Hunt

 

And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters. (Nehemiah 3:12 KJV)

Nehemiah 3:12 KJV

The task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was a political, economic and even spiritual necessity.  The nation would continue to flounder, until the expensive, expansive and exhausting work was completed.  Under Nehemiah’s leadership, Israel took on this vital task.

 

Shallum, as an individual, shouldered repairing a section of the wall.  A resource hungry act, even for a wealthy ruler, Shallum looked for support.  Shallum’s daughters stepped forward and supported their father.

 

Did the daughters personally carry stone blocks and swing hammers?  Perhaps.  Scripture is silent on the exact nature of their support.  What is important is that in concert with their father, and the rest of the nation, they supported the important work of restoring Jerusalem.  Help is help, no matter what.

 

As a Christian, you are called to support God’s Kingdom.  If you can not do the actual, hands-on labor, then step up and give the support you can give.  Your part is needed.  Your part is important.

 

Others did bigger sections of the wall.  Still others completed the various gates and towers.  They all did their part in re-building Jerusalem.  What is your part in (re-)building a spiritual Jerusalem where you stand?

 

Think:            Building God’s Kingdom requires everyone to work.

 

Pray:              “Lord, I want to work on building Your Kingdom.”

 

 

Copyright © August 2012, Kirk Hunt