Month: April 2018

Buying Reconciliation

“Buying Reconciliation” By Kirk Hunt

But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.”   And Jacob said, “No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me.

Genesis 33:9–10 NKJV

The murderous hatred of Esau did not soften; instead, it transformed into brotherly love.  Not suddenly with gifts, but slowly in the two decades of separation from his twin brother.  Whatever Jacob’s opinion of Esau before, he is delighted by his brother’s acceptance in reconciliation.  “You were pleased with me.”

Reconciliation is rarely a complicated business.  Restoring relationships is almost always a lavishly expensive affair.  The cost in swallowed pride and forgiven offensives starts high, then grows with each passing day.  Unwinding, or flat forgiving, old grievances can take more out of you than you think or know.

Jacob’s wealth and blessings could not buy off his conscience or wrongdoing.  He had to face his brother and fix their relationship.  Unsure of his brother’s response (400 men), Jacob faced the regional warlord with nothing but courage and determination.

The fortune in livestock Jacob gave to Esau was not a bribe.  It was an apology.  Esau’s embrace of Jacob restored peace and joy, too long absent between them.  Tears, of joy and relief, marked the return of brothers to each other’s life.

It is not too late or too hard for you.  Spend your time, money and tears on reconciliation.  Use your every skill and resource to restore the relationship.  It will be a bargain at twice the price.

Think:       Reconciliation is expensive but satisfying.

Pray:         “Lord, help me find the way to bring us back together.”

 

Copyright © April 2018, 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.

Profane And Idle Babblings

“Profane And Idle Babblings” By Kirk Hunt

But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.    And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort

2 Timothy 2:16–17 NKJV

 

It was not that long ago that cursing and foolish talk was a negative.  Men and women would demonstrate their education, or refinement, by speaking in words and phrases that you would proudly repeat to others.  It seems now that profane and idle babblings pervades throughout society and sadly the Church.

Foul language and foolishness are ugly, coming from unbelievers.  Such things are especially foul, coming from those who call themselves Christians.  Christians are called to be a peculiar people.  In this case peculiar refers to careful conduct that puts a positive light on Christ and fellow Christians.

All Christians are a witness regarding Jesus Christ.  Do you testify to the purity and grace of Jesus?  Does your conduct and speech draw, or repel, non-believers? 

Holding yourself to a higher, purer form of conduct and communication will make you stand out.  Trust me, they will notice.  Do they wait eagerly for you to slip up?  Some, yes.

What comes out of your mouth may not be cursing, per se.  You can speak the absolute truth with hurtful intent and wicked motives.  Deliberately, or thoughtlessly, injuring others with your words is just as wicked and sinful as anything else. 

Think:       Is my life and conduct profane or pious?  Am I thoughtful or thoughtless when I speak?

Pray:         “Lord, help me to be a good witness of You.”

 

Copyright © April 2018, 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.

It Shall Be Well

“It Shall Be Well” By Kirk Hunt

And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.

2 Kings 4:23 KJV
Please also read 2 Kings 4: 18-37

“It shall be well.”  The Shunammite heard her little boy’s breathing rattle to a stop.  She felt the living warmth fade from his body.  She laid his cold, still form down to take the only action she knew could help.

“It shall be well.”  Her grim determination testified to her understanding of her situation.  She wanted a different outcome.  Her every word and action demonstrated her unrelenting hope.

“It shall be well.”  Her heart and mind likely swam in grief.  Her faith carried her over all-too-human reactions and feelings.  As she drove hard over the miles, faith kept her in her saddle.

“It shall be well.”  Whatever you are facing.  No matter how it looks to the natural eye.  Regardless of expert opinion.

“It shall be well.”  Speak the words, long before you can see the outcome.  Testify to your coming success, despite your present setbacks.  Use your faith to warm the cold reality of your situation.

“It shall be well.” These words do not prevent hot tears.  They are a prelude to hard work.  Despite all of that, they are still warm comfort and unyielding hope.  Speak the words with real faith™.

“It shall be well.”  God is there, with you.  He sees your entire situation.  He cares.  Do you have the faith to speak the words?

Think:       Faith stands and acts, despite the circumstances.

Pray:         “Lord, I declare, in Your Name, ‘It shall be well.’”

 

Copyright © April 2018, 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.

Itching Ears

“Itching Ears” 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

If you are like me, you hate to be wrong.  Prayerfully, you are also like me, and you sincerely desire the discomfort of real truth over the illusion of fables or myths.   The lust for lies over truth is called “itching ears” by the Apostle Paul.

Human beings prefer to glide from win to win, with nary an uncomfortable factoid to be seen or felt.  God’s people, followers of Jesus Christ, are constantly being battered by inconvenient and even distasteful things like facts, data and Real Truth™.  Last I checked, all of God’s people are also human beings, therefore you may be vulnerable to itching ears.

The unredeemed may be misled.  After all, they do not have God’s power or the Holy Spirit to guide them toward truth or away from error.  God’s people do not have that excuse. 

God gives wisdom to those who ask it of Him.  You do ask for wisdom, do you not?  In order to ask for Godly wisdom, you must first turn your own desires toward the things of God. 

What do you allow yourself to want?  Do you sincerely seek God’s truth or justification for your lustful urges?  Are your ears itching?

Think:       I should direct my desires to God’s truth, no matter how my ears itch for something else.

Pray:         “Lord, give me Your wisdom and truth, no matter what.”

 

Copyright © April 2018, 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.