Month: June 2017

Father-God’s Will

“Father-God’s Will” By Kirk Hunt

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.

Matthew 10: 29 NKJV

Poppa made me get in the truck and go to work with him.  Did I appreciate learning a trade and work ethic?  Not at the time.  In retrospect, I am thankful Poppa compelled me.  Consider now the Father’s will.

We confuse God’s best path for us with pleasant things and placid events.  We act as if we think God only loves us when we lounge on flowery beds of ease and comfort.  Instead, He loves us most when He allows us to reach our limits in desperation and distress.  It is in the place of our extremes that we can best hear and respond to His voice.

He is omniscient.  He sees all of our situation, no matter where we are.  He is omnipotent.  No matter how far we are past our limits, He is well within His power.  He is omnipresent.  You cannot go where He is not or even get there before Him.

No matter how hard and difficult your circumstances, God is right there with you.  He is caring for you, despite your pain.  His strength carries you no matter how weak you feel.  His grace comforts you, no matter how many tears you cry.

The skills Poppa taught me have carried through my life.  I still do not completely understand all of God’s will for my life.  All I know is that I worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:31).

Think:        One day I will understand God’s will for my life.  Until then I will be obedient.

Pray:           “Lord, help me to follow Your will for my life, regardless of how I feel now.”

 

Copyright © July 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.

Poppa’s Hands

“Poppa’s Hands” By Kirk Hunt

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.   My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

John 10:28–29 NKJV

The scene plays in my mind with thoughts of peace, safety and golden warmth.  I was 4, maybe 5 years old.  I sat on the front pew of Prayer Temple (now Nash Temple) and examined Poppa’s hands with rapt fascination.  To my innocent young eyes his hands seemed without limit and without equal.  50 years later, my opinion is better informed, but no less convinced.

Even then his hands were scarred and rough from years of hard labor.  His hands were strong from pulling electrical cable or cutting wires.  In later years I would watch him switch seamlessly from casual displays of raw strength to deft demonstrations of control and finesse. 

Despite how gnarled and unattractive they appeared, Poppa’s hands were a blessing of rare quality and strength.  Poppa ministered to, provided for and gave protection to his family and anyone who sought his help.  His hands were instruments of deliverance and provision.

Consider now the hands of Father-God.  God’s hands are omnipresent, omnipotent, guided by his omniscience and motivated by His bottomless love for you.  His hands are a place of peace, safety and warmth for every soul that will seek Him.  And even for some souls who flee Him.

I sit in Father-God’s hands.  It is a place of peace safety and golden warmth.  With each passing day, my opinion is better informed and more convinced of His love and provision for me.

 

Think:        The best place to be is in the hands of Father-God. 

Pray:           “Lord, guide me every day with Your loving hands.”

 

 

Copyright © June 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.

Exacting Usury

“Exacting Usury” By Kirk Hunt

After serious thought, I rebuked the nobles and rulers, and said to them, “Each of you is exacting usury from his brother.” So I called a great assembly against them.

Then I said, “What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?

Nehemiah 5:7,9

 

The working people of Jerusalem and Judah were being oppressed.  Men were first exacting usury, then selling men and women, sons and daughters, into slavery.  Who was inflicting poverty, pain and hardship on the people of Judah?  The leadership of Judah exploited their own.

 

Nehemiah openly rebuked the leadership of Judah regarding their corrupt government.  They were deliberately violating God’s laws plus making Judah an object of contempt among the nations.  He demanded restitution, giving back what they stole, from the nobles and rulers. 

 

Kleptocracy, rulership by thievery, is not a new concept.  Exploiting others, just because you can, seems to an epidemic throughout ancient and modern nations.  Not even my beloved nation of birth, the United States of America, is immune.

 

Unfortunately, all enemies are not hostile foreigners.  All too often, your oppressor is a familiar and friendly-looking countryman.  Too often, the very people who should be insuring your wellbeing are instead enriching themselves.  At your expense.

 

As one of God’s people, you are called to be honest and fair dealing with everyone.  Do not be fooled: Exacting usury can take a lot of different forms.  God judgment will come.  Keep your hands clean.

 

Think:        Exploiting others violates God’s laws and invites His judgment. 

Pray:           “Lord, guide me in honest and fair dealing with everyone.”

 

Copyright © June 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.

Becoming A Delightful Land

“Becoming A Delightful Land” By Kirk Hunt

“And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,”
Says the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 3:12
Please also read Malachi 3:8–12

 

You can be a delightful land, if you choose.  All it takes is to be a giver.  If you are generous in fact and nature, men and women, boys and girls, will see the glow of God through your life.

 

Malachi 3:10 is a promise of God.  “If you give, He will bless.”  Your platform may be small or large.  Your capacity may be expansive or limited.  What matters is your determination to serve and honor God through what you give.

 

You can do your generous acts in secret and anonymity.  God’s omniscience will see your sincere heart anyway.  His delight, in you honoring Him, will still fall on your life.

 

Yes, your giving must include finances.  Your giving should also include your talent and especially your time.  Consider that your time, talent and treasure may not all go to the same recipient, at the same time.

 

Nor is your giving limited to your personal resources.  Channeling or enabling organizations and others is just as important as what you give yourself.  Becoming delightful is never a zero-sum game.  The more you do, the more you become able to do, and the richer your joy in service and giving.

 

God rewards His faithful daughters and sons.  Do what you can, right where you are.  Watch as you become blessed and even more blessing. 

 

Think:        Generosity of act and spirit, even in secret, makes you visibly blessed and blessing.

 

Pray:           “Lord, help me to give so I can honor You.”

 

Copyright © June 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