Month: October 2013

Jesus Knows The Impact

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“Jesus Knows The Impact” By Kirk Hunt

 

But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Mark 4:38 NKJV

 

The little fleet of ships (v. 36) was ambushed by the storm.  Peter and his brother Andrew, plus John and his brother James, were professional fisherman and skilled sailors.  They fished the Galilee, which means they had to be experts regarding that body of water.  Still, the impact of the storm threatened to sink them (v. 37).

 

Bad things happen to people.  Skill, expertise and preparation are not always enough to prevent not-so-good circumstances.  Sooner or later, unfavorable events will include you and yours.

 

Jesus, confident in the skill of His disciples, or exhausted from His ministry, fell asleep in the back of the ship.  Despite the water flooding over the gunwale or the howl of the wind, Jesus slept while His friends grew increasingly panicked.  Jesus woke up to desperate men and a violent, vindictive storm.

 

The disciples question is clearly driven by fear and distress.  Of course Jesus cares.  Yes, His completely human eyes were closed in sleep.  Yes, His complete God-power surrounded them.

 

It may seem that God is “asleep” during your circumstances.  The impact of the storm was not lost on Jesus.  The impact of your circumstances are known to God, and He cares.

 

He sees the impact.  He cares about you and yours.  Call on Him, in faith and confidence.

 

Think:            Jesus sees and cares about the impacts on my life.

Pray:              “Lord, help me to be confident that You know and You care.”

 

 

Copyright © October 2013, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com. 10282013Devo

The Impact Is Never Just You

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“The Impact Is Never Just You” By Kirk Hunt

 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.   And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.

Mark 4:36–37 NKJV

 

Neither Jesus nor the Disciples asked for the other boats to join them.  Still, there they were, traveling along with Jesus.  The storm did not impact just Jesus.  The storm impacted a fleet of ships.

 

Your actions, or inaction, always impact someone.  It is never just about you.  No matter how alone you think you are, what you do takes someone else along.

 

You probably have an intensely personal relationship with some of the folks in your community.  You may be surprised to learn of the influence you have on folks you never imagined know of you, or care about what you do.  Your impact is never just you.

 

Your successes benefit others.  Your losses reduce some else.  Saint or sinner, your community is impacted because of you.  Choose the impact you intend to have.

 

Think through what you say or do.  You cannot be responsible for where others sail, but you can be responsible for your course. Make sure your actions, or stillness, build up God’s Kingdom.

 

Think:            My impact in God’s Kingdom is never just me.

Pray:              “Lord, help my impact to increase Your Kingdom.”

 

 

Copyright © October 2013, Kirk Hunt

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

Seeking Justice

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“Seeking Justice” by Kirk Hunt

 

Thus saith the Lord God; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord God.

Ezekiel 45:9 KJV

 

It is easy to question the justice of ancient Israel’s leaders.  Their error and injustice is recorded in Scripture.  What about leaders, including you, in the modern era?  Do you seek justice in the here and now?

 

“Let it suffice you.”  Injustice is almost always preceded by lust.  Greed is simply the money-focused version of lust.  Be content with what you have, or at least content to pursue more without cheating.

 

God does not forbid His people from having and acquiring.  In fact, Jesus said that He came to give us abundant life.  Still, wealth and advancement does not have to come at the unfair expense of those around you.

 

Pursue God.  He will add everything else to you.  His blessings never flow from swindling or oppressing someone else.  Do your part in righteousness and He will bless you more than you think or imagine.

 

You can win, acquire and live in the big house on the hill.  Just be sure you can face God with a clean record and unstained hands.  It may take a little longer, but His approval is worth the longer route.

 

Think:            Do I pursue justice through my own life and leadership?

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to be an example of Your truth and justice.”

 

 

Copyright © October 2013, Kirk Hunt

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

Rebuking Leadership

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“Rebuking Leadership” by Kirk Hunt

 

After serious thought, I rebuked the nobles and rulers, and said to them, “Each of you is exacting usury from his brother.” So I called a great assembly against them.

Nehemiah 5:7 NKJV

 

 

The leadership, who knew better, violated the Mosaic Law by charging interest on loans, taking land titles from fellow Jews, and assisting in the enslavement of Jewish men and women.  Does this situation sound familiar?  It should.

 

Nehemiah responded to this injustice.  He could see now why Jerusalem remained a broken-down city.  The leaders were focused on stealing from the followers.  No one was focusing on moving the nation forward.

 

A sense of outrage is not enough.  When you see injustice, you must then do something.  Do more than cluck your tongue.  Direct action requires more than wringing your hands.

 

He called a nationwide assembly, and exposed the leadership’s greed, hypocrisy and Law-breaking.  The one man, almost completely alone and friendless, rebuked the many wrongdoers.

 

Using a focus group of one, Nehemiah chose action.  Direct action.  Personal action.  Nehemiah refused to sweep it under the rug.

 

He moved against the leadership.  Armed only with right and righteousness, he challenged the sin and injustice around himself.  In the end, the leadership restored the land titles and stopped demanding interest (Nehemiah 5: 11-13).

 

What should we do, given that we do under grace and truth?  First, we should seek to conduct ourselves with justice.  Second, we should confront injustice when and where we can.  Begin by speaking truth to power.

 

 

Think:            What action do I take to correct injustice?

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to lead in Your truth and justice.”

 

 

Copyright © October 2013, Kirk Hunt

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