Month: February 2016

Press On

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“Press On” By Kirk Hunt

 

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

Philippians 3:12 NKJV

 

From a Roman prison, Paul wrote a letter of instruction and encouragement to the Christian church at Philippa. Despite his evangelism work, and the resulting persecution, Paul understood that he remained a work-in-process. “I press on,” is a statement of faith, as well as fact.

 

Since Christians are imperfect, we work constantly to improve our own characters. At the same time, we also work to bring Jesus to the fallen world around us. We do not give up on them, because God has not given up on us. Given a new morning, we continue to push forward, for the world, and for ourselves.

 

Christians are not excused from life in the real world. Flat tires, bad medical reports and poor self-control happen to God’s people every day. The Christian walk exists in the nitty-gritty realities of here and now.

 

Understanding his own short-comings, Paul sought to build up others. He used an action verb to describe the internal and external work of his life and ministry. Paul made no apologies for being less-than-perfect. He only pointed out that he was working to that end, regardless.

 

So, like Paul, we press on. We are eager to win over hearts and minds to Jesus. Especially, but not exclusively, we labor to bring ourselves to Him.

 

Think:                I push forward to build myself, and His Kingdom, here and now.

 

Pray:                   “Lord, help me to press forward to You.”

 

 

Copyright © February 2016, Kirk Hunt

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

Just Launch

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“Just Launch” By Kirk Hunt

 

Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me, but let me speak just once more: Let me test, I pray, just once more with the fleece; let it now be dry only on the fleece, but on all the ground let there be dew.”

Judges 6:39 NKJV

 

Gideon had already met an angel, face-to-face. He also experienced (even if briefly) the in-dwelling of God’s Spirit; a rare thing in the Old Testament record. With all of Israel’s military might gathered with him at Jezreel, Gideon hesitated to engage with the enemy. Despite his intensive experience with God, and an army at his command, Gideon failed to launch.

 

The miracles of a wet fleece, then a dry fleece were designed to assure Gideon that he was following God’s authentic commands. We can read ahead in Scripture to Gideon’s victory at the end of Judges 7. Gideon had to live through the actual battles and difficulties in order to enjoy the success God promised him.

 

Do not get me wrong. I have done the same thing. With all of God’s presence and assurance, I have hesitated to follow His command. Despite seeing and knowing much, I draw back because I do not know all.

 

As God’s people, we are to love and trust Him more than ourselves. We may not always have our own best interests in heart or mind, but He does. God guides human history with one hand while the other hand holds endless power. We can trust His call to launch.

 

Think:                I want the character to boldly launch when God commands.

 

Pray:                   “Lord, help me to have the courage and obedience to launch at Your command.”

 

 

Copyright © February 2016, Kirk Hunt

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

The Ministry of Training

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“The Ministry Of Training” By Kirk Hunt

 

But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod.

1Samuel 2:18 NKJV

 

Samuel literally began his ministry as a preschooler, if not a toddler. Dressed like an adult priest, he carried out mundane tasks in the Tabernacle, just like everyone else. Still, the “trainee” heard from God, even when the High Priest could not (or would not).

 

Perhaps you are truly in the apprentice phase of your life. Good. Learn all you can. Still, what is your output? Even as a learner, you can bless, benefit and build the Kingdom. Are you willing to be a source of output? Do you have the heart to be a blessing, here and now?

 

Too often we expect that we must be deeply qualified and extensively experienced before we can serve God, or men and women. You can fulfill your calling here, now and as you are. You may be better later, but today you are more than good enough for the tasks before you.

 

Samuel may have been the last of the Judges, but he was also the first of the Prophets. His authority, knowledge and service before God are recorded in Scripture. Still, he started his ministry as a child and delivered God’s Word to Israel’s elite leadership. Before he was considered an adult, or fully capable, Samuel was a heavy-hitter.

 

As you work and train before God, you too are a ministering learner. Your credentials may be thin. Your certificates may be few. Still, for some, what you have to give is a weighty matter. I pray that you deliver what God has given you.

 

Think:                Even while training I can build God’s Kingdom.

 

Pray:                   “Lord, how can I build your Kingdom, today?”

 

 

Copyright © February 2016, Kirk Hunt

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

The Intention Of Training

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“The Intention Of Training” By Kirk Hunt

They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.

2 Peter 2:14 NKJV

 

Training requires a target. High skills and knowledge always requires focus on a specific and deliberate outcome. What is your intention?

 

Peter and Paul both faced men and women who trained their minds and bodies for unrighteous, sinful outcomes. As if doing the wrong thing was easy enough, those souls focused their efforts on the very outcomes God’s people try to avoid. These “cursed children” want sin and wrongdoing to be expanded in the world.

 

History is full of examples of men and women who sought the worst in themselves and others. Millions have suffered, and will suffer in the future, because of the dark and malicious goals of a determined few. Thankfully, the opposite is also true. A few, determined souls can bless and benefit this generation and next.

 

Whose kingdom do you want to build? Do you seek to build the Kingdom of God, here and now? If so, you can be a “blessed child” to everyone around you and to generations to come.

 

Consider what you are training your mind, heart and body to do. The intention of your purpose exposes who you really are. It is my prayer that we will see that you are a child of Father-God.

 

Think:                The intention of my training is building God’s Kingdom.

 

Pray:                   “Lord, I train diligently so I can build your Kingdom.”

 

 

Copyright © February 2016, Kirk Hunt

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