Month: August 2015

Sometimes I Worry

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“Sometimes I Worry” By Kirk Hunt

 

Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Matthew 6:30 NKJV

 

I believe myself to be a man of faith. Certainly, I was raised by and among people of faith. So why do I sometimes worry?

 

Like Peter, I sometimes look around and see the storm that rages around me. The world can be a scary, predatory place. So say the facts and figures.

 

Faith does not do away with facts and figures. Instead, Scripture says that I should not fret and worry but trust God. I know this in my head. Still, sometimes, my heart pulls in a different direction.

 

Faith is not the absence of difficulty or uncertainty. Faith sees through the smoke and haze to the source of all power and security. Real Faith™ always remembers that God is the sovereign source.

 

So I renew my confidence in God and act like a man of faith. Storm winds may still batter me, but I put my focus on the Master of storms. My faith may be imperfect, but the perfect source of all security and comfort remains my God and savior.

 

Think:             God is my source, so I should never worry, even during difficulties.

 

Pray:               “Father-God, help me to keep my faith in You.”

 

 

Copyright © August 2015, Kirk Hunt

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

Your Capacity

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“Your Capacity” By Kirk Hunt

Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

Exodus 18:21 NKJV

 

Moses called for men of skill, ability and Godly character. The men who came forward were able to help with the governance of the people of Israel. While they were all high quality folks, they did not all have the same capacity.

 

Too often we think that more capacity means more quality. An ambulance has a low passenger capacity, considering its weight and chassis. Its capacity is matched, in excellence, to its purpose.

 

You have a capacity for ministry and service in the Kingdom of God. Do not compare yourself to others. Your capability is matched, in excellence, to your purpose in Him.

 

Should you seek to better yourself in skills, knowledge and capability? Yes, of course. Still, do not look down on yourself, or others, because of what is not done. Bless God that for is accomplished.

 

The “Rulers” of ancient Israel helped with governance, administration and teaching God’s Word. Because of their different capacities there was high caliber and intensely personal contact with everyone in the Exodus. At need, men with different capabilities could be quickly called in to help.

 

You are called there. You are called to do what you do. Be excellent at it.

 

Think:             Be a Godly man or woman of quality, regardless of the details of your capacity.

 

Pray:               “Father-God, help me to be a man or woman of excellence in Your Kingdom.”

 

 

Copyright © August 2015, Kirk Hunt

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

Loving Hearts

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“Loving Hearts” By Kirk Hunt

 

When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

John 8: 10-11 NKJV
Please read John 8:3-11

 

The entire concept of love, especially Christian love, has gotten jumbled in recent history. A loving heart is not blindly permissive, or afraid of holding people accountable. Loving hearts understand that people are imperfect, especially those who stand up for right and righteousness.

 

Jesus did not call for her stoning, but He did not let her off the hook. Godly conviction would lead her to understand her error and an opportunity to amend her life. Condemnation would have ended her life without any chance for a change in her future.

 

Scripture is clear on what is, and is not, sin. Scripture is also clear that God’s people are the recipients of grace and mercy. If we are to impact the culture as Jesus did, we must operate as Jesus did. With mercy. In grace.

 

Love often will convict, but never rushes to condemn. Grace does not condone sin but gives the gift of fresh opportunity. Mercy has the strength to hold back justice and draw in repentance and redemption.

 

Jesus demonstrated His loving heart to her, then you. Can they see your loving heart?

 

Think:             Loving hearts seek to convict rather than condemn.

 

Pray:               “Father-God, help me to have a loving heart, like Your Son.”

 

 

Copyright © August 2015, Kirk Hunt

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

Callus Hearts

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“Callus Hearts” By Kirk Hunt

 

This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

John 8:6 NKJV
Please read John 8:3-11

 

The Pharisees dragged her before Jesus and demanded judgment. They really did not care about truth, justice or righteousness; otherwise they would have put the adulterous man on trial as well. Their callus hearts really only wanted Jesus’ blood, but they would gladly spent her blood to get at Him.

 

Jesus taught against the Pharisees repeatedly and by name. They were a legalistic sect, often using their “commentary” on the Mosaic Law to negate or even reverse the intended meaning of the Law. Their rules, regulations and traditions added only burdens and hardships to anyone trying to live devoutly.

 

Jesus instead taught a new Gospel of love and grace that immediately appealed to the overworked and downtrodden. The Pharisees objected to their new second class status and sought to discredit, if not destroy, Jesus’ ministry. Being hard-hearted themselves, they decided Jesus would be most vulnerable to an opportunity to show mercy.

 

They did not care for the right things, only the things their callus hearts wanted. Jesus saw the clumsy trap for what it was. What they did not count on is that Jesus’ compassionate heart is linked to an intelligent mind and strongest of moral fiber.

 

Think:             A callus heart is willing to hurt or wound others to get what it wants.

 

Pray:               “Father-God, help me to have a heart of compassion and grace for everyone.”

 

 

Copyright © July 2015, Kirk Hunt

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

Rend Your Heart

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“Rend Your Heart” By Kirk Hunt

 So rend your heart, and not your garments;
Return to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm.

Joel 2:13 NKJV

 

Confession is the simple declaration of something you have done. “Career” criminals sometimes confess, but often repeat their crimes. Repentance begins with confession, but ends with a heart that refuses to do wrong again. You will have to rend or tear your heart.

 

Ancient Hebrews would tear their clothes, as a sign of grief or mourning. The “notches” in your suit coat are a relic of that custom. Tearing your shirt is one thing. “Tearing” your heart is another.

 

True repentance is painful. It will require you to face the muck and stench that too often stains human lives, especially your own. You have to come clean with an all-seeing, all-knowing God. While the return to God may be less than pleasant, His restoration will make it worthwhile.

 

His blood will wash your soul. His grace will refresh your spirit. His mercy will rebuild your heart. He is waiting for you to return to Him.

 

He wants to pour His grace over your life like a waterfall. His mercy will carry you over the deepest chasms of your existence. Like any loving father, all He needs to see is your repentant heart.

 

Return to Him. Let His grace and mercy restore you. No matter what happened yesterday, He loves you today. If you repent, you can live your tomorrows in His Presence.

 

Think:             If I return to Him, He will restore me.

 

Pray:                “Lord, I repent. Please restore me in Your Grace and Mercy.”

 

 

Copyright © August 2015, Kirk Hunt

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