Month: December 2018

…And Worshiped Him

…And 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

They spent months trekking across hundreds (or thousands) of miles.  They braved dangers from violent weather, wild animals or armed marauders to find Jesus.  Then, despite their wealth, education, wisdom and stations, they threw themselves on the stable floor, before the newborn King of Kings.  And worshiped Him.

“They came.  They saw.  They worshiped.”  At great cost.  At great inconvenience.  At great risk.  The Wise Men lived out a lifestyle of worship.

In the hustle and bustle, have you carved out a place and space for worship?  When last did your worship of Jesus really cost you?  How long has it been since your worship of Immanuel (God With Us) was truly inconvenient?  How much risk has there been, or will there be, in the worship you give to the King of Kings?

The various services and ceremonies Christians use as worship are nice and good.  Unfortunately, they can become mechanical and rote.  If you are not careful, you may come to think that is all there is to your worship of Jesus.

Real worship comes from the depth of your heart.  True worship takes you out of your zone and into His.  The best worship involves risk as you invest the best of yourself in recognition of all that is Jesus, your Savior.

The wise men set aside their comfort, safety and dignity to worship Jesus.  When last did you do the same?  When next will you worship Jesus with your all?

Think:      Does my lifestyle truly worship Jesus?

Pray:         “Lord, help me to live in a lifestyle of worship of You at all times.”

 

Copyright © December 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.

The Likeness Of Men

“The Likeness Of Men” By Kirk Hunt

But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

Philippians 2:7 NKJV

Jesus was born in the likeness of most men and women.  Mary and Joseph were people of quite humble means, despite Joseph’s royal lineage.  Were it not for the wise men’s reading of God’s stars or the announcement of the angelic host, no one would have known of Jesus’ birth.

Jesus came in my likeness.  He chose to exclude Himself from the wealth that could smooth His way in the world.  Jesus, despite being a direct descendent of King David was born without the advantages of privilege or position. 

Jesus loved us so much that He decided He had to look like us.  He was determined that salvation would be available to all of us, so He chose the station and lifestyle of the least of us.  The Creator of galaxies and nebula arrived as a baby, helpless except for His loving parents.

He arrived in your image, so that salvation could be extended to all of mankind.  He lived our life so that we would have an example, and proof, that the least of us come live out the Christian life.  All men and woman can live the Gospel life, if they chose to follow His Word.

This Christmas season, I pray that you see Jesus in the faces of men and women from every tribe, language and skin tone.  He came to earth in their likeness, determined to make salvation available to everyone who would chose to accept Him as their Savior and obey His Word.  

Think:      Jesus decided to come in my image.  Have I committed to living in His image?

Pray:         “Lord, help me to live in Your likeness.”

 

Copyright © December 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.

Can God Send You?

“Can God Send You?” By Kirk Hunt

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
“Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?”

Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Isaiah 6:8 NKJV
Please also read Isaiah 6:1–10

Freshly purged of his sin, Isaiah was eligible to answer the call.  Standing in the very presence of God, Isaiah could not miss the call.  Isaiah’s answer echoes still: “Send me.”

Calling is not a spiritual form of conscription.  It is a Godly empowerment for a specific ministry or mission.  You can thwart a God-ordained call on your life, through disobedience and rebellion.

Isaiah chose the better path.  On hearing the call, he responded to God with willingness and obedience.  “Here I stand.  Give me the assignment.”

Calling is best exercised with joy and energy.  What is the difference between an exasperating drudgery and a soul-enriching adventure?  Do you respond God’s call as an inconvenient conscription or life-fulfilling opportunity?

There may be difficulties or dangers.  They might receive you with gladness or reject you with anger.  As much as you want good results, it is more important that you have good obedience.  Let God sort out the hearts that hear God’s Word, spoken with skill and grace.

Let God purge you of sin and error.  Listen carefully to His heart for men and women.  What He asks who to send, raise both hands.

Think:      Am I willing to let God purge me of my sin and impurity?

Pray:         “Lord, purge me of my sin so I can have fellowship with you.”

 

Copyright © December 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.

Are You Purged?

“Are You Purged?” By Kirk Hunt

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar.   And he touched my mouth with it, and said:

“Behold, this has touched your lips;
Your iniquity is taken away,
And your sin purged.”

Isaiah 6:6–7 NKJV
Please also read Isaiah 6:1–10

 

Devout and educated in God’s Word, Isaiah understood his tainted and profane status.  In fact,it would be hard to not understand, standing in the very presence of our pure and holy God.  Still, the seraph does not move in condemnation or rejection. Instead, Isaiah is immediately purged clean of his sin.

God is holy while mankind is tainted by sin.  Thankfully, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross makes it possible for us to again have fellowship with God.  We could not come to Him, so He came to us.

Still, standing (or kneeling, or prostate) before a holy and infinite God we know our human limits. In His love and compassion for us, God reaches out to us in restoration and reinstatement.  We can never earn or deserve fellowship with God.  We can only accept His cleansing in humility and gratitude.

God is holy.  God will remain holy.  You are the one who must be cleansed and purified before fellowship is possible.  Like Isaiah, you must be purged of your sin before His purpose for your life can be completely fulfilled.

God has a purpose and calling for your life.  Before you can completely fulfill your assignment in the Kingdom you must be cleansed.  Like Isaiah, let God purge you.

Think:      Am I willing to let God purge me of my sin and impurity?

Pray:         “Lord, purge me of my sin so I can have fellowship with you.”

Copyright © December 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.