Month: June 2013

God’s Vindication

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“God’s Vindication” by Kirk Hunt

 

Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying,   “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Luke 1:24–25 NKJV

 

Elizabeth and Zacharias were devout, Godly people.  Still, tongues wagged.  They were judged and dismissed as unworthy.  To some folk, their saintly lives were ruined by an empty cradle.

 

Perhaps you know how they feel.  Maybe you did something unfortunate.  Perhaps it is something someone else did.  Either way, you live with the blame and shame.

 

Elizabeth’s miracle conception solved some issues, but brought on others.  God’s timing and grace are always good, but often disruptive.  Still, God’s vindication of their lives is astonishing and complete.

 

Your story is not over.  God’s vindication, proof of His love for you, is on its way.  All you have to do is live in faith now.

 

Elizabeth and Zacharias lived as if everything was okay.  Their lives preached faith in God.  They knew God loved and accepted them.  Eventually, everyone saw God’s love and acceptance for them also.

 

No matter what people say.  No matter what the mirror tells you.  God loves you.  God accepts you.

 

Choose to live your life in Christ.  God’s vindication will arrive.  He will provide glory and blessing that prove how much he accepts and loves you.

 

Think:            God’s vindication is perfect, no matter how disruptive.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to accept the proof of Your love for me.

 

 

Copyright © July 2013, Kirk Hunt

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

In God’s Timing

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“In God’s Timing” by Kirk Hunt

 

Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived

Luke 1:24a NKJV

 

Silenced by an angel, Zacharias went home to his wife, Elizabeth.  There, the prophesy he so cynically questioned came to pass.  The angst and disappointment of a lifetime was swept away by a new life from old parents.

 

Scripture states that both Elizabeth and Zacharias were “well advanced in years.”  “We are too old to conceive.  The time for cradles and midnight feedings are long past.”

 

God has a plan for your life.  He has charted it out carefully.  It is full of exact places, dates and times.

 

Of course, the path and timing of His plan may not make sense to you.  It may violate the sensibilities of everyone around you.  It may be inconvenient and disruptive when it comes to pass.

 

It is still God’s timing.  It remains His plan.  Obedience and grace are your best responses to God’s revelation for your life.

 

You are never too young to achieve big.  You are never too old to nurture new life.  The empty cradle of your life can and will be filled, with more than you ever thought.

 

Zacharias and Elizabeth built a nursery in their old age.  God kicked over the table of their life.  It may have been inconvenient and disruptive, but they sang God’s praises with sincere thanksgiving and true joy.

 

You thought your time was past.  The timing is when He says it is.  And His timing is perfect.

 

Think:            God’s timing is perfect, even when it disrupts my world.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to live and work in Your timing.”

 

 

Copyright © June 2013, Kirk Hunt

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

Keep Your Awe

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“Keep Your Awe” by Kirk Hunt

 

And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.

Luke 1:18 NKJV

 

The terrified and awe-struck man of verse 12 is gone.  In verse 18, a cynical skeptic answers the angel.    How do you know Zacharias crossed the line?  Read verse 20.

 

Every disciple of Jesus lives in obedience to the laws of gravity, thermodynamics and sock disappearance.  Still, we serve a God who can suspend, re-write, or reverse the laws of the universe at will.  The secret of balancing the two extremes is to simply maintain your sense of awe.

 

Faced with an angelic messenger, Gabriel no less, Zacharias was right to respond with reverence and even concern.  Yet his terror turned to disdain, all too quickly and easily.  The message defied the regular rules, but God declared it would happen.  What else is there to discuss?

 

Real Faith™ includes at least some awe.  Part of that awe comes from understanding that a big, infinite God loves small, finite people.  If our big God concerns Himself with little me, then anything is possible.  Anything includes very late-life babies.

 

The things of God often defy all rational explanation.  It is not crazy talk.  It is awesome.

 

Think:            My awe is a correct response to God and His love and concern for me.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to see You with the awe and wonder You deserve.”

 

 

Copyright © June 2013, Kirk Hunt

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

The Real Source

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“The Real Source” by Kirk Hunt

 

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

1 Corinthians 3:6 NKJV

 

I learned my multiplication tables with Mrs. Powell.  I learned to write a paragraph from Mrs. Fender.  I learned the fundamentals of chemistry from Mr. Bibb.

 

Despite all my excellent teachers (I’m looking at you Mr. Knouse), Mom and Dad are still the educators of record.  They provided food, shelter and incentive (twitch) for my education.  They had helpers, but ultimately they were the reason behind my academics.

 

Don’t get me wrong, I logged a lot of hours on study and homework.  I finally learned to take responsibility for my own education.  Mom and Dad still remain the source for my scholarly journey.

 

Paul evangelized the Corinthians.  Apollos discipled the Corinthians.  God made saints of the Corinthians.  When God does not send angels, He sends His people to do His work.

 

The partisanship that emerged among the Corinthians was disruptive, and came from misguided loyalty and appreciation for the instructors.  I would never come to blows over who was the better teacher.  Nor would they want me to do so.

 

Respect and appreciate those that God sends to show you the way.  Learn to work hard on your own discipleship.  Remember that God remains the source of your salvation.  He is the real reason for your increase.

 

Think:            I honor those who teach and train, but God is real reason for it all.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to honor those who serve, but look to You the real source.”

 

 

Copyright © June 2013, Kirk Hunt

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

Being Offensive

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“Being Offensive” by Kirk Hunt

 

And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Matthew 13:57–58 KJV

 

Jesus grew up in Nazareth.  Luke 2 states, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”  How then did this same Jesus offend these same folks?

 

People want command and control over their environment.  That includes you.  Shockingly, for some folks, that includes God.

 

Jesus preached a new and disruptive doctrine of grace and love.  As proof of his God-given authority to do so, He performed miracles on a large, if not massive scale.  The men of Nazareth were offended, because Jesus operated without their permission or endorsement.

 

Jesus was offensive.  He preached Real Truth™ to the powerful and everyone else.  He did not need, want, or ask for, anyone’s permission.

 

When the City Fathers could not control Him, they got mad about it.  Their offense and indignation fed their unbelief.  When they refused to accept Jesus’ God-given truth and authority, they were also rejecting His miracles.

 

Living and speaking God’s truth will offend some people, 100% of the time.  You are still called to be His living letter, written to, and read by, men and women.  Be an  accurate, gracious and loving record of God’s truth.  It is up to your readers to decide how they will respond.

 

Think:            God I want to hear and believe Your Word, no matter how uncomfortable it makes me.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to hear and believe Your Truth, no matter how it makes me feel.”

 

Copyright © June 2013, Kirk Hunt

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