Month: December 2017

He First Loved

“He First Loved” By Kirk Hunt

We love Him because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19 NKJV

In prayer, I step out of my mundane living room and into the august grandeur of His presence.  Seated on His Throne, His full glory and holiness shines out, promising nothing but perfect justice and impeccable judgment.  Instead, He first loved me.

Our infinite and all-powerful God is perfection, holiness and justice.  Mankind should have been found guilty in judgment long ago.  Instead, He first loved us. 

Jesus chose to reconcile man to God in righteousness.  Father-God allowed Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross to tear the veil and once again allow us free access to Himself.  He acted because He first loved us.

Grace gives gifts we can never earn or be worthy to receive.  Mercy blocks the results of our sin, despite the condemnation and judgment we have so richly earned and deserved.  After all, He first loved us.

His love is not blind, yet we are precious in His sight.  God moved heaven and earth to make provision for us.  We should understand he did so because He first loved us.

We should return His love with all our hearts and mind.  It should be easy, since He gave the first proof.  He first loved us.

This New Year’s Day, consider the eight words of 1 John 4:19.  Make your plans understanding how He loves you.  Map out your strategies, understanding how much He loves them.  Your work should be easy, considering He loved you first.

Think:        God reached to me first.  How will I respond?

Pray:           “Lord, thank you for loving me first.”

 

Copyright © December 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.

They Worshiped Him

“They Worshiped Him” By Kirk Hunt

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11 NKJV

Waves of men crowded into the little barn to give reverence to a child cradled in a feeding trough.  The shepherds likely came first, especially considering they received divine declaration of the Savior’s birth.  The magi calculated His birth through the stars and prophecies, then came at great expense to recognize His importance.  However they learned of Christ’s birth, they came and worshiped Him.

The shepherds, lowly even among the common folk, likely gave gifts limited to sincere hearts, bowed in awestruck wonder.  The magi were able to add valuable and tangible gifts to their worship, but ultimately they worshiped Him just as the shepherds did.  Early or late, formally educated or practically trained, they worshiped Christ the same way.  Their hearts were humbled before the King of heaven.

As you consider Him this Christmas, think about the manger. Thank Him for a grace that would endure humble circumstances. God gave the ultimate Gift wrapped in literal rags.  Jesus surrendered the glories of Heaven to endure the human condition.

He lived as a mere man among common people, His royal lineage little more than a technicality.  By coming as the least of these, He ensured that all men gained complete and unhindered access to the throne of God.  Before He had a chance to reconcile men to God, wise men, shepherd or magi, worshiped Him. 

Like the magi, or the shepherds, I pray you have found Him and are wise enough to worship Him.  Understand that you do not come to Him empty-handed.  The most important gift He wants is a heart that rejoices in Him and adores His presence.

Give your gifts.  Mere goods do honor Him.  Your heart, on the other hand, delights Him.

Think:        No matter how I know, I know He is Lord and Savior.

Pray:           “Lord, accept the gift of my heart.”

 

Copyright © December 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.

Do Not Condemn

“Do Not Condemn” By Kirk Hunt

When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours?  Has no one condemned you?” 

She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

John 8:10–11 NKJV
Please also read John 8:3-12

Why have modern Christians become so ready to condemn people?  According to Jesus, we are called to save, not destroy, souls (Luke 9:51–56 NKJV).  Christians should always be known to dispense grace and reconciliation. 

Grace and reconciliation are not the same thing as indulgence or permissiveness.  Jesus did not approve of the adulteress’ error, and He commanded her not to sin anymore.  Still, He let her go back to her life, prayerfully convicted to make better choices in the future.

Please understand these definitions (Romans 8:1–2): Conviction is different from condemnation. 

•  Conviction is the act or condition of “convincing someone of error.”
•  Condemnation is the act or condition of “assigning (especially final) punishment.”

Real strength, especially among Christians, is not harsh or heartless.   It is not strength or righteousness to lash, batter or destroy anyone.  The heart of Christ is to save the lost, not destroy them. 

Jesus loves all of His children.  Do you love all of His children?  Consider how God would react to those who hate and attempt to destroy you?

Are you busy convincing others of the need for Christ’s salvation or just trying to punish folks?  Even if they fight and slash at you, you are commanded to love them (1 John 4:20).  Jesus rebuked His Disciples for wanting to destroy.  Are you really a disciple of His?

Think:        Do I really understand conviction is not the same thing as condemnation?

Pray:           “Lord, help me to save not destroy souls.”

 

Copyright © December 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.

Go Disciple Nations

“Go Disciple Nations” By Kirk Hunt

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.   Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”

Matthew 28:16–20 NKJV
Please also read Matthew 28:16–20

The Great Commission is the instruction from Jesus, after His resurrection, to go and make disciples.  While theologians might delve more deeply, for the rest of us, Jesus’ directive is obvious and simple:  Go everywhere and turn all nations to Christ.

Consider that the great power of Jesus’ time on earth was Rome.  Pagan and polytheistic, Rome spent a lot of money and manpower on a brutal campaign: openly killing Christians.  The disciples responded to Rome’s blood-thirsty persecution by winning the nation to Christ.

Jesus did not promise ease or safety, then or now.  Nor did Jesus ask for opinions or consensus.  He gave direction and expected his faithful followers to carry that instruction out.

The early disciples conquered the most powerful and hostile foe imaginable.  They marched in sandals, armed only with faith and Scripture.  They overwhelmed a hostile nation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Your assigned “nations” may be far off or close in.  You, may, or may not, have to learn a new language for faster results.  Sincere disciples of Jesus already speak the languages of love and reconciliation.  True disciples already have all the tools they need for disciple–making.

Modern-day disciples have the same choice as the early disciples.  We are instructed, by Christ, to turn nations to Christ.  Are you choosing to follow your instructions from Jesus?

Think:        Jesus gave me an assignment.  How am I fulfilling my assignment from Jesus?

Pray:           “Lord, help me to fulfil Your Great Commission.”

 

Copyright © December 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.