Month: April 2017

Remembrance Of Chains

“Remembrance Of Chains” By Kirk Hunt

Now it happened after these things that the son of the woman who owned the house became sick. And his sickness was so serious that there was no breath left in him.   So she said to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?”

1 Kings 17:17-18 NKJV
Please read 1 Kings 17:14-18

 

Keening in grief, she rocked her son’s cold, limp body in her arms.  It turns out even a poor widow a precious valuable to lose.  Her heart was dominated by remembrance of past sin.

 

When Elijah entered the room, she immediately questioned the great prophet.  Do you wonder about her tone?  Bitter?  Heartbroken?  Angry?  All of the above?

 

Of all the emotions that surged through her heart and mind, guilt pushed to the front.  “Are you here to remind me about my sin?”  Her son’s life was a price for her past transgression(s).

 

You should remember from time-to-time.  What chains of sin or circumstance used to weigh down your soul?  How did God save you?

 

It is too easy to forget.  Human memory does not always remember God’s past salvation during a new crisis.  If He brought you through then, He will bring you through now.

 

God restored her and the boy, even when giving up seemed the only response.  The crisis called for more faith, not panic.  God specializes in hopeless cases and unbreakable chains.

 

No matter what you were then or now, He would love to break your chains today.  Are you willing to offer your situation to Him?  Can you trust Him, for the first time, or one more time?

 

Think:        God will not abandon me now.

Pray:           “Lord, help me remember all that You have done, and will do, for me.”

 

Copyright © April 2017, 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.

 

Rejoice. He Is Risen.

“Rejoice.  He Is Risen.” By Kirk Hunt

And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.   Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

Matthew 28:9–10 NKJV

 

Mary Magdalene and the other disciples intended to complete the sorrowful work of Jesus’ burial.  Instead, they found the tomb empty.  Then Mary had conversation with the risen Jesus.

 

When the founders of other religions (such as Bahá’u’lláh, Buddha, or Mohammed) die they are buried then remain in the grave.  They are no longer available for a personal relationship.  Their direct influence and wisdom is no longer available.

 

The truth of Jesus is revealed by the empty tomb.  The power of Jesus is undeniable because of the empty tomb.  Fresh from overcoming death, Jesus wanted relationship with His Disciples.

 

The risen Jesus is available to anyone who wants Him.  He is available to anyone who seeks Him for a personal relationship.  New wisdom is available to anyone who asks.  His influence is direct and unending.

 

The relationship between Jesus and the Disciples was disrupted, but restored.  To the power of Jesus, death was an inconvenience, overcome on the first Easter morning.  His power, and direct relationship, are available to you.  Will you seek Him out?

 

His sacrifice made salvation available.  His resurrection proved his power over all aspects of creation.  Will you enter into a personal relationship with Jesus?

 

Think:        Jesus is risen from the grave.  What could limit Him?

 

Pray:           “Lord, thank You for the sacrifice and resurrection of Your Son.”

 

Copyright © April 2017, 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

Their Own Desires

“Their Own Desires” By Kirk Hunt

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;   and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 NKJV

 

The classic strategy of a swindler is to promise “something for nothing.”  The desires and lusts betray the “victim” more powerfully than the confidence man or woman.  Unfortunately, this applies to God’s people as much as anyone else.

 

If you want anything more than God, it is a lust.  If you want something enough to alter or deliberately misinterpret God’s Word, it is a lust.  The desires for control, ego or status can be lusts, just like money, sex or power.

 

And there is always someone out there who will tell you what you want to hear.  False teachers (read: con artists) will gear their lessons to the biggest paychecks, not your well-being or Godliness.  Local or national, near or far, the false teachers we heap up for ourselves preach false stories that lead to destruction.  

 

Why do you want what you want?  What does the Bible say about what you want?  What does the Bible say about how you are working to get what you want?  The honest answers to these questions will tell you what you need to know about your desires.

 

Read and study the Bible yourself.  Compare every “teacher” you hear to the Bible, our one true source.  Do not let your own desires lead you astray.

 

Think:        My own desires and lusts will lead me astray, if I let them. 

 

Pray:           “Lord, help me keep my desires on You.”

 

Copyright © April 2017, 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.