Month: December 2016

The King’s Purpose

“The King’s Purpose” By Kirk Hunt

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Matthew 1:23 NKJV

Mankind, through Adam, had caused the separation from God.  As any loving Father would, God made a way to mend the breech.  “God with us,” is both purpose and outcome.

Jesus willingly gave up the eternity and splendor of heaven to walk among us.  Not just for proximity but to give man back what had been lost.  Jesus restored direct access to, fellowship with, God.

Because of Jesus’ sacrifices, we can once against speak directly with God.  Because of His dedication to God’s purpose, we have been restored as God’s sons and daughters.  Jesus has restored walking with God in the garden.

Perhaps your garden is soft and grassy.  It could be that your garden is hard and rocky.  What is important is that you know you have a garden, and that God walks there with you.

We work, live and play in the garden where God has placed us.  Consider this Christmas that God with us is truer now, than it has ever been.  He came and restored the connection.  Now He calls to you, “Come walk with Me.”

You are part of His plan and strategy.  No matter how much you have surprised others, He saw everything about you, long ago.  Take time this season to simply walk with Him.  He has a purpose He wants to reveal you.

Think:        God’s purpose is to walk with me.  Do I walk with Him?

Pray:           “Lord, as I build Your Kingdom, help me to enjoy walking with You.”

 

Copyright © December 2016, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press.  You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

The King’s Celebration

“The King’s Announcement” By Kirk Hunt

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Luke 2:13–14 NKJV
Please also read Luke 2:1–20

Humble shepherds witnessed a celebration by the King.  Literal angels sang of the birth of Jesus, our Messiah.  Scripture does not mention an angelic worship band or praise dancers, but my imagination likes to add them to the scene.

After millennia, evidence of the fulfillment of Genesis 3:15 could be seen by mere men.  Since the fall in Eden, sin kept mankind from full reconciliation with God.  Jesus’ birth was the (earthly) beginning of the process of restoring the fellowship on humanity with God.

And God celebrated.  The long separation of man from God would soon end.  Adam’s breech would be repaired by God’s own son.

Like Jesus, you were born for purpose.  God has a plan for you and your life.  And He will celebrate you in fulfilling the purpose He ordained for you.

The shepherds were not just passive witnesses.  The found their way to Jesus and joined the angels in celebration and worship.  God’s celebrations are open to any with a heart open to Him.

You too can be an active participant in God’s celebrations.  Find your purpose in the Kingdom and begin fulfilling it.  Join in with others who are completing the work for which they are ordained. 

Follow your calling.  Fulfill your purpose.  You may not see or hear a choir of literal angels, but you will feel His joy in your heart, nevertheless.   

Think:        God celebrates the fulfillment of His purpose in my life and others.

Pray:           “Lord, as I and others build Your Kingdom, I look forward to celebrating with You.”

Copyright © December 2016, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press.  You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

The King’s Announcement

“The King’s Announcement” By Kirk Hunt

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.”

Luke 1:30–31 NKJV
Please also read Luke 1:5–38

In Scripture, Gabriel is only called an angel.  Still, he appears in Scripture giving important messages from God.  Announcement of the coming Messiah and Savior surely qualifies as significant.

The announcement of Jesus was not made from the housetops or palaces.  The message was given in private to a young (probably teenage) woman.  The true King’s statement came quietly, but nevertheless with all of God’s authority.

Never confuse fury or decibels with significance and authority.  When the King makes an announcement about your life, you will know.  Do not worry about who else hears Him at the time.

Did Mary completely understand the significance of Jesus’ human birth?  Was she completely aware of her and His part in the reconciliation of man to God?  Two millennia later, scholars still wrestle with Jesus’ redemption of mankind.

Alone, in the quiet, God announced His purpose for Mary’s life, and all of mankind.  There would be glory and wonder, heartache and dismay, in fulfilling her purpose.  With full faith, if not full knowledge, she responded to God’s messenger with humility and obedience.

God has a purpose for you in His Kingdom.  Continue to seek Him until His announcement regarding you.  I pray you respond to His announcement with, “Let it be to me according to Your Word.”

 

Think:        How will I respond to God’s announcement of His purpose for my life?

Pray:           “Lord, help me to fulfill Your purpose for my life in Your Kingdom.”

 

Copyright © December 2016, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press.  You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

 

The King’s Actions

“The King’s Actions” By Kirk Hunt

Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.

Matthew 2:17 NKJV

King Herod actions cannot be seen as anything other than ruthless, cruel and monstrous.  He ordered the death of every male child in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas.  His purpose in murdering babies?  Preserving his station and power.

Warned through a dream from God, the wise men outwitted and outmaneuvered Herod.  Herod then resorted to brute force to achieve his ends.  From his position of power and wealth, Herod delivered death to the cradles and cribs of Bethlehem. 

The result?  God’s omniscience and omnipotence again thwarted Herod.  Jesus and His family found safety in Egypt.  Herod could never have overthrown the building of God’s Kingdom, but he tried.

The massacre of the innocents is not all that is recorded of Herod’s reign.  Herod established the Herodian Dynasty.  He also re-built the Second Temple, expanded the Temple complex, and brought water to Jerusalem.

Herod’s construction projects and political accomplishments are not the mainstay of his legacy.  Instead, he is remembered as a murderous, blood-soaked tyrant who impoverished his own people.

What actions are you taking?  Are they part of building God’s Kingdom?  When you stand before God, the True King, what will He say of your actions?

 

Think:        Are my actions designed to build God’s Kingdom, or something else?

Pray:           “Lord, help me to take the actions that build Your Kingdom.”

 

Copyright © December 2016, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press.  You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.