Tag: circumstances

Give Thanks In Everything

Give Thanks In Everything by Kirk Hunt

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV

God’s people are to give thanks in every circumstance. Not for all circumstances, but in them. There is a significant difference that makes the difference between strong Christians and other folk.

The circumstances you find yourself in have been allowed by God. Father-God is neither surprised nor unable to respond to your situation. Consider the circumstances of Job. The enemy of our souls had to ask permission before anything could happen to Job.

Why does God allow things to happen to us? Perhaps He is polishing your character. It could be he is preparing you to minister to others with intimate, inside knowledge. You may be receiving the outcome of your choices.

Like Job, we must do the best we can with what God allows into our lives. Job stayed faithful with wealth and blessings. Job stayed faithful despite loss and hardship. Good or bad, love God, not what He gives you.

Job gave thanks in his circumstances. His heart was set on God, not on what he could get from God. God’s people who master this are always full of joy and blessing, even when they are at their lowest. It may not be easy, but trust God. He has your best interests in His heart.

Think: Regardless of the upside, or downside, we are to be grateful to God.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be grateful to You, not matter what my circumstances are.”

Copyright © March 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.

He Cried Out

“He Cried Out” By Kirk Hunt

And he said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him out of her arms and carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed.   Then he cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?”

1 Kings 17:19-20 NKJV
Please read 1 Kings 17:14-21

 

She confronted him with the boy’s cold, limp body.  Elijah took the boy’s body from his mother and went to the presence of God.  Alone with all-powerful Jehovah, Elijah used the only tool available to him:  He cried out.

 

Elijah did not understand any more than the widow.  He had no more power over the situation than the grieving mother.  All he could do is ask God for His intervention.  And he did so with force and abandon.

 

The facts are what they are, even to God’s people.  No amount of wishful thinking or force of personality will change the laws of nature.  No matter the circumstances, we can appeal to our heavenly Father.

 

God always answers prayer.  He loves us enough to say “no” when we ask for the wrong things.  He loves us enough to say “wait” when the circumstances are difficult to us.  He loves us enough to comfort us through whatever we are experiencing.

 

His power is absolute.  His will is sovereign.  His love for you is constant and unending.  Cry out to Him, wherever you are.

 

Think:        I can appeal to God in every circumstance.

 

Pray:           “Lord, I cry out to you because You have the power.”

 

Copyright © April 2017, 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.

Hope In The King

“Hope In The King” By Kirk Hunt

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”

Lamentations 3:24 NKJV

I pray that in this New Year you will build God’s Kingdom.  Of course, it would be better (and easier) to do so from a place of great provision and extraordinary favor.  Your circumstances, rich or poor, renowned or reviled, do not define your hope.  Your hope rests in God.

The Book of Lamentations was traditionally written by Jeremiah, at the time of Jerusalem’s destruction by Babylon.  In the figurative or literal smoke of the burning Temple, grief is easy.  Still, Lamentations points to hope.  No matter what our circumstances are, we can rely on God.

Lamentations correctly points out the errors of Judah and her kings.  If anything, God’s judgment was overdue.  Still, there was mercy and grace for the Jewish people, despite God’s discipline.

Regardless of our circumstances, we are in the hands of a loving God.  Even when we are in rebellion against Him.  Even when we are disciplined by Him.  No matter your current circumstances, you can move forward with hope in God. 

Today, you are living in the love, mercy and grace of God.  God has not given you up or turned His heart from you.  No matter what circumstance you are in, you are still loved by Him. 

We can rely on God.  He cares for and nurtures us in all of our situations.  In this New Year, and every other moment of your life, Your hope in Him is never misplaced.

Think:        Do I put my hope in God, instead of my circumstances?

Pray:           “Lord, I choose to hope in You.”

Copyright © January 2017, 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.