The Right Mind

The Right Mind by Kirk Hunt

Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.

Luke 8:35 NKJV

The demon-possessed man had been a terror to the Gadarenes. Instead of joy and reverence at his healing, the town elders were unhappy and afraid. Since they asked Jesus to leave, I question if they were in their right minds.

When God moves in His sovereign power, men and women are not always happy. Too often, the disruption of the status quo ruins folks’ plans and arrangements. Also too often, people are uncomfortable with what they cannot control.

The Gadarenes had adapted to the situation of the demon-possessed man. Jesus ruined that adaptation. The power of God through Jesus exceeded their ability to exercise control or authority. Instead of reverence for God’s power, they reacted in fear to Messiah.

Consider how you respond to God’s power in your life. Is your mind right with Him? Do you accept His sovereign authority in joy and reverence, or are you fearful and resentful?

God’s power exceeds us. God’s grace often disrupts our plans and changes our arrangements. Do you respond with a mind right with Him?

Think: When God exercises His power, am I responding with a right mind?

Pray: “Father-God, help me to respond correctly to You and Your sovereign power.

Copyright © March 2023, 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.

After The Mountain

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After The Mountain By Kirk Hunt

 

Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him. Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, “Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child.”

Luke 9:37-38 NKJV

 

They went up the mountain to hear God. There on the mountain they received revelation. As they came down the mountain, they considered what they could share. Still, a single day after the mountain, the Apostles were met, and stumped, by the needs of the people.

 

There is always that special time after your mountaintop experience. It seems the problems bred bigger and tougher while you sat at His feet. God’s revelation to you does not seem to have any relevance to what you are facing.

 

His timing is perfect. Too often, His rhythm seems out of step, and tempo, with events. Trust Him. Even when you are faced by throngs with extra difficult issues.

 

Your deep, powerful experience remains valid. The needs you must now meet, head on, are part of His plan and purpose for you. Stay the course. Be patient with His path for you.

 

The boy was healed. The people were ministered to. Just one day after the Apostles’ revelation at the mountain top.

 

His timing is sometimes a mystery. At first. Grip your revelation from Him with faith. Face forward and do the work. You will use your mountain top, in His rhythm and timing.

 

Think:            Your mountain top experience matters, no matter what you face now.

 

Pray:               “Lord, help me to be patient with the timing and rhythm of Your revelation.

 

 

Copyright © February 2015, Kirk Hunt

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

Down The Mountain

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Down The Mountain By Kirk Hunt

 

Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”

Matthew 17: 9 NKJV

 

Going up the mountain should be a prized opportunity. Seeing on the mountain should be a precious time of revelation and learning. Surprisingly, you should be cautious about what you say after you come down from your mountain top experience.

 

Jesus needed His inner circle, Peter, James and John, to see and understand more about Him. They were ready for the revelations at the mountain top. The rest of the Apostles, yet alone the main body of disciples, were not ready at that time.

 

The Transfiguration is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Yet, for a time, Jesus deliberately limited the audience to this glorious and powerful event. Trust His timing, no matter how much you want to share the extraordinary things you see at the mountain top.

 

Scriptural truth is never to be hidden. Still, Scripture speaks plainly to the idea that everyone is not ready for everything, all the time (Matthew 11:25, Luke 9:44-45, Colossians 1:25-27). All will be revealed to the saints of God. At the correct time, in the correct space.

 

What God reveals to you will be confirmed by Scripture. He reveals more of Himself to those who seek Him in Scripture and prayer. Trust Him when He limits the audience.

 

Think:            I should be circumspect in sharing from the mountain top.

 

Pray:               “Lord, help me to be wise with the knowledge You share with me.

 

Copyright © February 2015, Kirk Hunt

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

On The Mountain

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On The Mountain By Kirk Hunt

 

Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.

Matthew 17: 1-2 NKJV

 

Peter is my friend and brother. He does and says the things I would do, so I do not have to. There on the mountain, in the middle of one of the great mystical events of Scripture, he blurts out words. So there is no silence. Despite the obvious fact that God is speaking.

 

A mountain top experience is a time to hear God. It is an opportunity to hear Him speaking, in a deeper and often unique manner. It is an opportunity to listen. It is a chance to see what He wants you to see, farther and more precisely.

 

That does not mean you turn into a silent stone. Think clearly and deeply. Ask wisely and judiciously. Make the most of the opportunity. Being lead up the mountain is a special, not regular, event. God has decided He has something special to say. The experience may be mystical, but it will also be practical.

 

When you are on the mountain, get all that God is giving. Get all that you can while you are up there. You are going to need what He is saying.

 

Think:            When God speaks, do I listen clearly and completely?

 

Pray:               “Lord, reveal Yourself to me, and help me understand.

 

 

Copyright © January 2015, Kirk Hunt

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

Up The Mountain

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Up The Mountain By Kirk Hunt

 

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

Matthew 17: 1-2 NKJV

 

You cannot see everything you need to see in the valley. You cannot hear everything you need to hear in the middle of the clang and clack of regular life. Sometimes, you need to go up the mountain.

 

Christians often speak of a “mountain top” experience. Jesus’ transfiguration is the prototype event. It was a place and space where Jesus revealed more of Himself to his Apostles.

 

The extraordinary display had a practical purpose. Jesus wanted them to see and understand. Something they could not see, despite their close proximity to Jesus.

 

His glory is part of His divine nature. His continuing unity with Father-God is part of the redemption plan. Even the “inner circle” of Apostles were changed by the experience and revelation.

 

God wants to reveal Himself to you. He needs you to peer into His glory. He wants you to see and understand His purpose.

 

Maybe you need to find a special spot above the tree line. Perhaps you just need to sit still in a quiet spot. Either way, God is speaking to you. Are you listening?

 

Think:            God wants to revel Himself to me. Am I in the right place? Am I listening?

 

Pray:               “Lord, help me find the right place and space so you can reveal Yourself to me.

 

 

Copyright © January 2015, Kirk Hunt

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