Tag: accountability

Rebuked The Nobles

Rebuked The Nobles by Kirk Hunt

After serious thought, I rebuked the nobles and rulers, and said to them, “Each of you is exacting usury from his brother.” So I called a great assembly against them. And I said to them, “According to our ability we have redeemed our Jewish brethren who were sold to the nations. Now indeed, will you even sell your brethren? Or should they be sold to us?”

Then they were silenced and found nothing to say.

Nehemiah 5:7-8 NKJV
Full account: Nehemiah 5:1-13

Nehemiah confronted the worst enemies of the emancipated Jews: Jewish nobility and rulers. In a great assembly of the people, Nehemiah publicly rebuked the nobles and rulers for their criminal behavior. Their crimes? Using usury to steal the homes and farms of other Jews and sell Jewish men and women into slavery.

The rich and powerful exploit the poor and weak before Nehemiah’s era. Current events have taught us that greed for money and lust for power still leads people down the same shameful roads. Still, what are you doing about it?

As one of God’s people, you have the calling and purpose of standing up against domestic enemies. It may lead to an uncomfortable public confrontation. I cannot guarantee you that the wrongdoers will repent or become silent.

Nehemiah publicly rebuked the nobles who callously enslaved neighbors and countrymen. How are you going to stand against domestic enemies? Your friends and family are looking to see how you will live out God’s righteousness.

Think: Should I be rebuked as a domestic enemy? How can I help to make things right?

Pray: “Lord, help me to restore men and women in Your righteousness.”

Copyright © January 2021, 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 Master Will Come

The Master Will Come by Kirk Hunt

But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Luke 12:45-46 NKJV
Please also read Luke 12:41-48

In this parable, Jesus is talking to leaders and others with authority. “The Master will come” is not just a warning to followers but especially to those who are supposed to know better. Verses 47-48 are clear that Judgment will fall on everyone, but leaders harder than followers.

Accountability comes for us all. Real justice is merciless and undiscriminating. True justice makes no exceptions and accepts no excuses. True and just servants know that.

Too often, leaders will make excuses: “You do not understand.” “The job is hard.” “I have to make sacrifices.”

No one wants to hear excuses: “Explain yourself clearly and completely.” “Find an easier job.” “Find a less demanding job.” Much of the time, excuses are an attempt to avoid accountability or responsibility.

Not everyone is capable of being a leader or having authority. And for that reason, accountability and responsibility are that much more important. The Master will come and judge us all, but the leaders first.

Think: Judgment will come. Are you ready?

Pray: “Lord, help me to be ready for Your judgment at all times.”

Copyright © June 2020, 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.

Back Seat Companion

“Back Seat Companion” By Kirk Hunt

Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.

Acts 14:19–20 NKJV

The F-15 Eagle is a key component of the US military.  The Eagle’s complex and sophisticated targeting systems allow it to fly and fight with anything from simple air-to-air missiles to super-heavy bunker busters.  Only a team, a pilot and weapons system officer (WSO), team can fly the F-15 to victory.  Two companions, but one mission.

While the pilot “drives the bus,” the WSO works targeting, defense and offense from the back seat.  Both must be skilled and tough.  Neither alone are enough to win.

You need a man or woman who knows the real you.  A strong soul you invited to help you walk God’s Path.  You need a Gospel sibling, who asks hard questions and waits patiently and lovingly for your answers.

There ought to be a Christian man or woman in your life with permission.  If they ask, you have to answer.  If they say it, you must consider their words. 

Your back seat man or woman helps you avoid the missiles and bullets of the enemy.  His prayers form a covering for your soul.  Her Godly advice keeps you working in His will and way.  It is a comfort, knowing he or she is there.

The Godly voice from the back seat is on your side.  She knows what you want to accomplish and intends to help you.  He “gets it” and “gets you.”  Still, their only concern is that you are doing God’s work, God’s way.  Who is in your back seat?

Think:       A Godly companion is a treasure and a necessity.

Pray:         “Lord, help me to find and be a Godly companion.”

 

Copyright © May 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.

Bad Princes

“Bad Princes” By Kirk Hunt

Neither our kings nor our princes,
Our priests nor our fathers,
Have kept Your law,
Nor heeded Your commandments and Your testimonies,

 Nehemiah 9:34 NKJV

 

Nehemiah spent a lot of his time and energy getting national leadership to do the right thing.  The Hebrew word for “princes” (see Strong’s 8269) refers to a “chief (captain), general, governor.”  Nehemiah first called to repentance the very people who should have been the best behaved.  God’s Law was not inadequate or incomplete.  They chose to ignore or violate the Law to line their pockets and fill their purses.

 

Nehemiah faced widespread corruption among those who knew better.  The leaders were supposed to respond according to the Law.  The leaders became rich while the “regular folk” became poor, or in some cases, literal slaves.  The problem was not pagan outsiders.  The problem was greedy or immoral insiders.  Nor could they claim they “did not know.”

 

Modern “princes” include more than members of Congress or State legislatures.  Relatively senior members of the Judicial, Legislative or Executive Branches of government, State or National, are “princes.”  The higher-ranking leaders of Corporations and other Commercial Interests are also “princes” by this definition.  If you have a higher rank, and/or a higher paycheck, you are included in this group.  

 

It is easy to blame foreign strangers.  It is harder work to hold insiders of rank and privilege accountable.  The problem is rarely a marauding outsider.  Much more likely, the problem is an insider who is supposed to be the solution.  

 

If you want compliance with God’s Law, as expressed in Scripture, then you have to get involved.  Do not let a “prince” claim they “did not know.”  Even “princes” can be held accountable, if you have the courage to call them on their unrighteousness. 

 

Think:        It is easy to blame others.  Usually, the problem starts among ourselves.

Pray:           “Lord, help me, and my leadership, to obey Your Scripture.”

 

Copyright © September 2016, 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.

Read

E-Book PDF: Open in New Window | Download

Subscribe: RSS