Month: December 2013

Hear His Voice

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“Hear His Voice” 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.

1 Kings 19:11-12 NKJV

 

Even the best of us sometimes look for the wrong thing.  We think God speaking must be in some huge, big thing.  Our expectations lead us to miss His voice.

 

If you survey Scripture, God often speaks softly.  He wants to talk with you.  Not as a frowning judge.  He wants a quiet personal chat, face-to-face (Shekinah) with a friend.

 

Elijah watched as wind, then earthquake, and finally fire battered the mountain.  While the storms were attention-getting, they were not God’s voice to His prophet.  A gentle whisper announced God’s presence.  Elijah left the cave and stepped into the powerful presence of God.

 

There was a lot going on around Elijah.  God wanted His prophet to appoint kings and settle nations.  But before Elijah went out, God wanted to just sit and talk.  So God whispered and Elijah answered.

 

Does God speak through cryptic dreams or mysterious visions?  Sure.  Scripture says so.  Does He whisper in quiet stillness?  Scripture says yes, absolutely.

 

Make time in your life to listen.  Let the violent winds, blow past.  Steady yourself while the earth quakes.  Let the raging fires sweep through.  Then go out, into His presence, when you hear His whisper.

 

He wants to speak with you.  Quietly.  Gently.  Personally.  Respond to His whispering voice.

 

Think:            God’s voice is very often heard as a quiet whisper.

Pray:              “Lord, help me to hear Your Voice and spend time in your presence.”

 

 

Copyright © December 2013, Kirk Hunt

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

God Provided Sufficiently

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“God Provided Sufficiently” By Kirk Hunt

 

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

 

Debra was doing the best she could with a small, weak budget.  The shirts were new but on clearance.  All-but-donated-to-charity clearance.  They were last year’s style, and the colors that no one else wanted.  I could barely afford the loud, garish, turn-down-the-volume colors.  Still, God provided sufficiently.

 

I got jokes and amused comments about my shirts from everyone.  It was tolerable until a snide comment from one of my students set me off.  After that I insisted that the next purchase be more sedate colors.  Even at the cost of fewer shirts.

 

I wore the first of my “calmer” shirts and immediately got complaints.  The wild colors were a welcome sight in the Seattle gray.  The students looked forward to the bright, happy shirts that greeted them at early morning classes.  My night students appreciated the eye-opening colors that helped them stay the course through long days of work and school.

 

The loud, raucous shirts were provision and grace.  First for my budget, and then for my students.  Not for the first time, what I thought an embarrassment was really a blessing from God.

 

See His provision through spiritual eyes.  What He has provided is probably not just for you.  Your weak spot is just the place for His provision to shine.  Enjoy the bright colors.

 

Think:            God provides with purpose.

Pray:              “Lord, help me to see and understand your provision.”

 

 

Copyright © December 2013, Kirk Hunt

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

Thankfulness In Peace

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“Thankfulness In Peace” By Kirk Hunt

 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 NKJV

 

Unity.  Peace.  Thankfulness.  All three concepts are bound together.

 

Keep in mind that unity is not the same thing as uniformity.  Unity is when the rough-looking biker-type is serving the vegetables right next to the skinny nerd dishing out the entrée.  And everyone in the food line is thankful they work together.

 

Spike and Specs work together they are both Christ-followers.  Since they are at peace within themselves, they can be at peace with others.  They are grateful, not just for each other, but for the opportunity to advance the Kingdom of God, here and now.

 

Which comes first, the peace or the community or the thankfulness?  Pick one and work for the others.  Do not even think of apologizing if you have all three, just send me the secret formula for that state of affairs.

 

Be grateful your peace comes from God and enables you to have unity with others, especially saints.  Be thankful for your community of saints, which gives you the place and space for peace.   The saints around you are enabled by, and thankful for, the peace of God that has rule within you.

 

Think:            I am grateful for internal peace for myself and my local Church.

Pray:              “Lord, thank You for peace, community and unity.”

 

 

Copyright © December 2013, Kirk Hunt

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