Tag: advancement

Can You Be Pruned?

Read

E-Book PDF: Open in New Window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

“Can You Be Pruned?” By Kirk Hunt

 

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

 John 15:2 NKJV

 

Too often, God’s people see the less-than-pleasant events of their lives as, bad, negative or an attack. We do not often enough see the events of our lives as God’s plan for our improvement. This Scripture bluntly says that the pruning of a saint is a good thing.

 

John does not say that pruning is a pleasant or joyful experience. In fact, pruning is defined as, “the selective removal of parts.” All of the real word implements of plant pruning have sharp, cutting edges. Some have motors or engines. Please, do the math.

 

Still, John does say that afterwards, you will bear more fruit. Too often, saints covet the visible stature and success of Godly brothers and sisters. Too often, saints flee the pruning that makes “more fruit” possible.

 

As important as developing a gift or talent is, refining character and integrity is far more significant. Godly character will carry you through when no level of talent can. Righteous integrity will guide you when no amount of giftedness will do the job.

 

God wants to make you beautiful and bountiful. Be glad when you see Him approaching with the saws, shears and clippers. Or, at least, hold still and trust Him and His plan to make you more than you are.

 

Think:           His pruning will make me more, and better, than I am.

 

Pray:               “Lord, do what it takes for me to bear more fruit, in You.”

 

 

Copyright © August 2014, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

The Real Source

Read

E-Book PDF: Open in New Window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

“The Real Source” by Kirk Hunt

 

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

1 Corinthians 3:6 NKJV

 

I learned my multiplication tables with Mrs. Powell.  I learned to write a paragraph from Mrs. Fender.  I learned the fundamentals of chemistry from Mr. Bibb.

 

Despite all my excellent teachers (I’m looking at you Mr. Knouse), Mom and Dad are still the educators of record.  They provided food, shelter and incentive (twitch) for my education.  They had helpers, but ultimately they were the reason behind my academics.

 

Don’t get me wrong, I logged a lot of hours on study and homework.  I finally learned to take responsibility for my own education.  Mom and Dad still remain the source for my scholarly journey.

 

Paul evangelized the Corinthians.  Apollos discipled the Corinthians.  God made saints of the Corinthians.  When God does not send angels, He sends His people to do His work.

 

The partisanship that emerged among the Corinthians was disruptive, and came from misguided loyalty and appreciation for the instructors.  I would never come to blows over who was the better teacher.  Nor would they want me to do so.

 

Respect and appreciate those that God sends to show you the way.  Learn to work hard on your own discipleship.  Remember that God remains the source of your salvation.  He is the real reason for your increase.

 

Think:            I honor those who teach and train, but God is real reason for it all.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to honor those who serve, but look to You the real source.”

 

 

Copyright © June 2013, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Adullam’s Champions

Read

E-Book PDF: Open in New Window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

“Adullam’s Champions” by Kirk Hunt

 

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David:

2 Samuel 23:15–16 KJV

Please also read 2 Samuel 23:8–17

 

Adino, Eleazar and Shammah.  The elite three among David’s forces.  The kind of men to go deep behind enemy lines to get a canteen of water.

 

These are not the same men recruited at Adullam.  They are no longer deadbeats, losers or whiners.  David’s moment of nostalgia and homesickness becomes a chance to display their strength.  And encourage the heart and spirit of their chosen leader.

 

Did these men spring out of the earth, champions?  Scripture does not record that scene.  Instead, Scripture records their act of selflessness and encouragement.

 

God intends for you to become a champion.  Where you start is less important than following His plan for your life.  Your service in His Kingdom is the primary tool to change you.  For the better.

 

Perhaps you already are a champion.  Have you engaged in a heroic effort, just to encourage someone?  Only a champion would unobtrusively schedule a perilous victory for someone else’s benefit.

 

God’s Kingdom is full of opportunities, big and small.  To encourage, bless and build up others in Christ.  His intends for you to be a champion.  Go do your faith hero stuff.

 

Think:            Men and women are made champions in God’s service.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to become the champion You intend.”

 

 

Copyright © April 2013, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Adullam’s Recruits

Read

E-Book PDF: Open in New Window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

“Adullam’s Recruits” by Kirk Hunt

 

And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

I Samuel 22:2 KJV

 

David fled to the cave of Adullam, hunted and hated by King Saul.  There, alone and in need of support, David received his recruits.  Oh, joy.

 

There were not the best and the brightest.  They were not even the middling and muted.  The cast-offs of society made their way to David.  Oh, boy.

 

Scripture says they were in distress, or in debt or discontented.  I call them the losers, the deadbeats and the whiners.  Not the usual starting blocks of an elite fighting unit.  Oh, man.

 

Thankfully, the sentence does not end there.  At least they brought themselves.  That hints that they were willing to invest themselves in something.  By coming to and staying at Adullam, they changed.  Oh, well.

 

Davis became their captain.  Clearly, these undesirable men were willing to accept leadership.  Often, a teachable heart alone can help a man advance from where ever he started.  Oh, great.

 

Adullam’s recruits represent the men and women who come to support you in your calling.  They are unfinished and often undesirable, but with God’s help they can become champions.  Oh, okay.

 

Think:            Men and women finish champions in God’s service, no matter how they start.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to see Your finished work in my brothers and sisters.”

 

 

Copyright © April 2013, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.