Month: March 2014

Anger: Sometimes You Are Hot

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“Anger: Sometimes You Are Hot” By Kirk Hunt

 

When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables.

John 2:15 NKJV

 

This was no off-the-cuff reaction.  Jesus calmly thought out His response and actions.  He prepared.  Then He executed.  Jesus used His anger for a noble purpose.  Only the thieving merchants and corrupt Priests complained.

 

The merchants were violating the spirit and letter of the Mosaic Law.  Paying kickbacks to the High Priest was corruption, plain and simple.  Jesus refused to tolerate their open, cynical sin and thievery a moment longer.

 

There is a big difference between anger and rage.  Anger can be controlled, channeled and harnessed for positive use.  Anger fuels the determined, orderly, constructive actions of saints.  Rage drives the impulsive, chaotic, destructiveness of a mob.

 

It is too easy, and destructive, to be full of rage.  Not that it stops folks.  Rage blinds you to the real needs in the situation.  Rage blocks helpful, thoughtful solutions.

 

Jesus planned it out.  Jesus did it openly.  I imagine He stood around and waited for the Temple police (John 18:3) to conduct their investigation.

 

What are you angry about?  There is lots of blatant sin and cynical injustice in the world to be angry about.  Are you prepared to use that anger to fuel a thoughtful, constructive response?  It is easy to be a mob.  It is a little harder to be the solution.

 

Think:             Anger is fuel for doing the right thing, the right way.

 

Pray:               “Lord, help me use anger to honor and serve You and Your people.”

 

 

Copyright © March 2014, Kirk Hunt

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

Light In The Dark

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“Light In The Dark” By Kirk Hunt

 

In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’”   Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord

Isaiah 38:1-2 NKJV

 

Sometimes, the news lacks any light or lightness.  Verse 3 records that Hezekiah wept bitterly because of Isaiah’s message.  In too many cases, despite our unending hope in God, the facts and data have only one (grim) conclusion.  Christian men and women also face dark nights and gray days.

 

No matter how hopeless the news, we can always have a hopeful response.  God is always happy to spend time with us, tears and all.  His light shines through the darkest shadows.

 

King Hezekiah turned to the wall.  He turned away from the doctors, the attendants, and even the prophet.  He faced the wall so that he could talk unhindered, and undistracted, with God.

 

Hezekiah had one message from God, but he wanted a different outcome.  He went to God in prayer.  Despite the dark news, Hezekiah had hope in God’s power and grace.

 

Your news may lack any light.  Don’t let that shake your hope and confidence in God.  He is there, at your side.  No matter how dark it seems.

 

If He won’t carry you over, He will carry you through.  Spend time with Him.  He is your hope, and light, despite the news.

 

Think:            God, and His light, is always there for you.

 

Pray:               God, here are my burdens.  I cannot, but You can.

 

 

Copyright © March 2014, Kirk Hunt

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

Deep Roots

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“Deep Roots” By Kirk Hunt

 

He shall be like a tree

    Planted by the rivers of water,

    That brings forth its fruit in its season,

    Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

Psalm 1:3 NKJV

 

Desert trees grow near sidewalks, garden walls and houses.  Often, someone deliberately plants them there.  Despite that, you rarely see roots pushing through a foundation or sidewalk.

 

The relentless heat, scarce water and hard soil of the Arizona desert are hard on trees.  To compensate, the trees have learned to send their roots deep underground.  Once the tree has tapped into the plentiful moisture of the water table, it can flourish.

 

The soil, previously a barrier to growth, physically stabilizes the tree and provides limitless nutrition.  Water, normally hard to get in this region, is now easily and readily available for any amount of growth.  The sun’s brilliance provides more than enough energy for life and living.

 

Your circumstances may seem difficult and harsh right now.  Send your roots deep into God.  Those same circumstances will make you a champion for His Kingdom.

 

Continue to dig deep into His Word through Bible study.  Let your spiritual roots tap into the Holy Spirit through prayer and fasting.  Bask in the brightness of His glory through praise and worship.

 

Your time will come.  Despite the heat and hardness of this time and place, you will not wither.  In fact, you will be shelter and hope for others.  He will sustain you, and more, as you remain faithful.

 

Think:             Are your roots deep in God?  How do you know?

 

Pray:               “Lord, help me send my roots deep into You and the Holy Spirit.”

 

 

Copyright © March 2014, Kirk Hunt

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

The Gift Of Direction

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“The Gift Of Direction” By Kirk Hunt

 

Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you

Exodus 18:19a NKJV

 

Jethro did not ask a question.  He did not make a request.  Jethro gave direction and expected it to be followed.

 

Scripture does not say if Jethro gave his direction out of the public eye.  Nor does it say if Jethro confronted Moses in public.  Scripture does record that Jethro delivered his payload of direction without equivocation or ambiguity.  It is not hard to imagine Jethro, pointing to his wrist sundial, and tapping his foot.

 

Leaders get input from a wide variety of people and sources.  Often, that input comes whether you want it or not.  I would not recommend that you accept direction from everyone.  Still, there should be someone in your life who has the prerogative of being bossy.

 

Moses followed Jethro’s direction to train then task others.  Maybe he was grateful for the direction.  Maybe it did not set well with him.  He followed his direction, regardless.

 

Godly men and women seek God’s direction.  If He does not send angels as His couriers, He most likely will send men and women.  And He does not always send the soft-spoken and gracious folks.

 

Good and wise direction comes from God.  Scripture does not promise that your ego will be stroked at the same time.  Still, seek God’s direction, regardless of the messenger.

 

Think:            Even leaders need to take direction at times.

Pray:              “Lord, help me hear the direction You send.”

 

 

Copyright © March 2014, Kirk Hunt

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