Month: August 2017

Evidence Which Dorcas Had Made

“Evidence Which Dorcas Had Made” By Kirk Hunt

Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

Acts 9:39 NKJV

Dorcas’ life was on trial.  There was no judge.  No jury sat in a box.  There were plenty of witnesses, giving evidence.  Life and death hung in the balance.

Her life had impact.  Her good works were tangible and presentable.  The widows gave dramatic, emotional testimony of the life Sister Dorcas lived among them.

What will they say?  Will anyone hold up examples of how you built God’s Kingdom, here and now?  Will anyone speak, or cry, about how you impacted their life?

We know that God’s grace cannot be earned through works or purchased with gifts.  We also know that an evidence of faith is works.  So the tension is that God’s people should be engaged with good works knowing they are strictly the outward evidence of an inward condition.

As a saint of God, you are leaving behind a trail of evidence.  Is your case file thick or thin?  Does it point to a life of faith in God?  Would anyone feel compelled to any action or conclusion after listening to the witnesses?

After hearing the case of Dorcas’ life, Peter prayed that she would be restored to life.  God’s power raised her from the dead. The case of Dorcas’ life was compelling.  Is yours?

Think:        What is the evidence, and who are the witnesses, of my faith in God?

Pray:           “Lord, help me to outwardly demonstrate my inner faith in You.”

 

Copyright © August 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.

After Admonition

“After Admonition” By Kirk Hunt

Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,   knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

Titus 3:10-11 NKJV

Admonition can be defined as authoritative counsel or warning.  Nathan’s confrontation of David (2 Samuel 12:1-15) is a definitive example of how to correct even a powerful leader.  Just as important, even the powerful should respond correctly to truth-speakers.  Paul, speaking to Titus, plainly states there are limits to the effort to help men and women who are in error.

David’s Israel was wealthy and militarily powerful.  Still, Nathan appeared in David’s throne room and rebuked him for his sin and error.  Success or good performance in one area of your life is not an excuse for sin anywhere in your life.

David, thankfully, had the wisdom and imperfect righteousness enough to respond with confession and repentance.  No one is so perfectly righteous, or extraordinarily wise, that they never need authoritative counsel or warning.  With all of his power and authority, King David meekly and obediently accepted Nathan’s rebuke.  David then patiently endured his (painful) process of repentance and restoration.

Christian men and women do not give up on someone the first (or second) time it gets hard.  On the other hand, Jesus Himself said, “Go and sin no more.”  Grace is not a “continue to sin” card.

Titus, on Crete, led folk who tended to go their own way, instead of following God’s path.  Paul the Apostle provided clear instructions on how to handle divisive men and women.  Sooner or later you will give the rebukes, or take the rebukes.  How will you act in that day?

Think:        After being admonished, do I, or others, sincerely seek to make a change?

Pray:           “Lord, help me accept admonishment as one of Your righteous men or women.”

 

Copyright © August 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.

 

Sojourners And Pilgrims

“Sojourners And Pilgrims” By Kirk Hunt

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,   having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

James 3:17 NKJV

Sojourners and pilgrims are temporary residents of a place but make no effort to become permanent citizens.  It is not, nor should be, adversarial.  As followers of Jesus Christ, we are foreigners and voyagers, seeking our final destination in God’s Kingdom.

You are a temporary resident of your place.  No matter what it says on your title deed or mortgage contract.  Christians are (or should be) marching to Zion, the beautiful city of God.

As you travel through this current land, bless and witness to those around you.  Let your honorable, Godly conduct compel men and women to praise and magnify God.  Let your passing through this world seem like a visitation by God to those left behind.

Of course, God’s Kingdom should be established within you.  That is how you can leave His glory behind as a witness and enticement for others to seek God.  You can only teach or demonstrate what you know.

As God’s people, we are only passing through.  By living a truly Godly life, we can leave good works and God’s glory in the wake of our travels.  What we leave behind should lead people to God and His Kingdom.

Think:        I am passing through to God’s Kingdom.  Do others want to join me on my journey? 

Pray:           “Lord, help me to travel to Your Kingdom.”

 

Copyright © August 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.

Without Partiality Or Hypocrisy

“Without Partiality Or Hypocrisy” By Kirk Hunt

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

James 3:17 NKJV

The last few months have been disappointing.  I know partiality and hypocrisy exists in the world.  I suspected even the best of us can have the occasional episode.  I did not realize how blatantly, extensively and intensively it exists among those who are supposed to be the wisest among us.

It is directly related to the source of the wisdom.  Wisdom from above, God’s wisdom, is pure and consistent with God’s character, and God’s Word.  Since God’s wisdom restrains self-serving actions and motivations, men and women often seek other, easier ways to get what they want.

Of course, I expected a lack of Godly wisdom from unbelievers.  What I did not expect was the number of God’s people, especially “leadership,” who embraced earthly, ungodly schemes and cheats.  Suddenly, the actions and characteristics they decried, and held against, were okay on their side. 

Godly men and women are consistent and true.  Godly wisdom holds that what is good for you is good for them.  What God’s Word rebukes in others, rebukes in us as well.  Or would you have stoned the adulterous woman, but not the adulterous man?

God’s people are (still) the light of the world.  Using God’s wisdom, you can live without partiality or hypocrisy.  God’s people may not be perfect, but it should be obvious we live in and from God’s wisdom.  

 

Think:        God’s wisdom is never hypocritical or partial to anyone. 

Pray:           “Lord, help me to seek Your wisdom, above all else.”

 

Copyright © August 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.