Month: March 2019

Not My Call

Not My Call by Kirk Hunt

Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Acts 10:28 NKJV
Please also read Acts 10

God repeated Apostle Peter’s vision in Acts 10 three times for clarity and understanding.  A man or woman, cleansed by God, is suitable to God.  It is not your or my call, even as a follower of Jesus Christ, to say otherwise.

It is too easy to sit in judgment and declare who is in and who is out.  The ability to dismiss others as “less than” is too frequently done in our day and age.  Like the ancient Pharisees, we add our own rules and expectations to God’s Word, as if we are always correct or have the authority.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to make disciples of all men and women.  Scripture does not say this will be easy nor that unbelievers will be immediately friendly.  Still, we should follow Jesus’ commandments, if we are truly His disciples.

Do not think that this allows us to condone ungodly or unbiblical behavior.  We must first hold each other accountable to God’s Word.  After, we can approach all of God’s children with grace and humility, carefully showing them the way to our loving Father.

All men and women are God’s children.  Show His lovingkindness to all of them.  This opens the door of their hearts and the eyes of their mind to their heavenly-Father.

Think:      All people, even unbelievers, are still God’s children.

Pray:         “Lord, help me to love all Your children as You would.”

 

Copyright © March 2019, 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.

Works Are Good and Profitable

Works Are Good and Profitable by Kirk Hunt

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

Titus 3:8 NKJV

Scripture is clear that faith is an internal matter and salvation is not a matter of doing enough good deeds.  Scripture is just as clear that men and women of faith should perform good works on an ongoing basis.  God’s people are good and profitable to others in the here and now.

The phrase “thoughts and prayers” has become a symbol of lip-service and inaction.  The best demonstration of what you feel or think are concrete actions that help.  What you do with your time, talent and treasure are the game-changers that matter.  Everything else is platitudes. 

Just to be clear:  No one cares about what your heart feels or your head thinks; until the acts of your hands are visible.  A man and woman may be skeptical of your motivations, but they will believe the nutritious food you feed them.  Folks may disagree with your morality but they will approve of the warm shelter you place around them.

Good works open a path for unbelievers to understand.  Your good works give your presentation of the Gospel weight and substance.  It is difficult to ignore the folk who feed, clothe and shelter others.

We all know that words can come easy.  We all know that actions are the best proof of your thoughts and feelings.  Obey Scripture and get to work.

Think:      My works demonstrate my faith in God to hard hearts and skeptical minds.

Pray:         “Lord, help me to demonstrate my faith in You at every opportunity.”

 

Copyright © March 2019, 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.

Who Comes Near To You?

Who Comes Near To You? by Kirk Hunt

And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”

2 Kings 5:12 NKJV

Naaman stormed off, offended at Elisha’s response to his request.  The prophet’s promise of healing and restoration was not theatrical enough for him.  Thankfully, Naaman’s men could come near him.

Sooner, or later, you are going to respond the wrong way.  Ego, frustration or misunderstanding will lead you to make matters worse.  Eventually, you are going to miss your chance.  Inattention, urgency or preconception will lead you to walk past the opportunity of a lifetime.

Who in your life can come near and stop you from making a critical mistake of commission or omission?  Perhaps your friend will speak quiet cautions in a back room, or shout accusations at center stage.  Either way, are you willing to hear the truth from someone you trust?

It requires humility on your part.  It requires courage on their part.  Both of you must possess the wisdom to know it needed to be said and why.

“Go wash in a dirty river.  What have you got to lose?”  Who has the heart and head to stop your mistake?  Do you let folks close enough to know when or how to help? 

Naaman nearly walked away from his healing.  Someone close to him refused to remain silent.  Naaman was smart enough to listen.  How about you?

Think:      You need Godly wise people close enough to help you.

Pray:         “Lord, help me keep Your appointed helpers close to my heart and head.”

 

Copyright © March 2019, 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.

How To Heal

How To Heal by Kirk Hunt

And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.”  But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, “Indeed, I said to myself, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.’

2 Kings 5:10-11 NKJV

Naaman, and his personal security team, arrived at Elisha’s door in a chariot.  Most men (or women) would go out and greet the visiting general.  Elisha sent a messenger with healing instructions and did not see the man.

Naaman responded with anger.  After all, a man of his importance and combat record deserves more and better attention.  Certainly, Naaman’s mental image of his healing involved ceremony and dignity, not multiple dips in the muddy Jordan River.

Do you want God to heal you?  Then be obedient.  Do you want God to intervene in circumstance beyond your control?  Approach Him with humility.

God does not need to move or act because of your impulses or whims.  His power is absolute and sovereign.  You came to Him because of your needs, not His.  Trust His eternal wisdom for the answers and solutions you need. 

Consider His august majesty and the legions of angels at His beck and call.  Speak your request in humility, knowing the God of all creation has what you need.  When God speaks, respond in obedience, confident that His answer come from His love for you.

Think:      Your healing is going to require humility and obedience.

Pray:         “Lord, I come to You in humility and obedience for my healing.”

 

Copyright © March 2019, 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.