Tag: confidence

They Cried Aloud

“They Cried Aloud” By Kirk Hunt

So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them.   And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.

1 Kings 18:28–29 NKJV
Please also read 1 Kings 18:18–30

The prophets of Ba’al did not stand a chance.  They cried out to a lifeless idol.  Their numbers, hysteria and blood-letting did not add to the chance of Ba’al appearing or answering.  Instead, they received what a block of wood (or stone, or metal) could give: silence.

Who (or what) do you cry out to?  Do you appeal to financial resources or political power when you need an answer?  Do you appeal to aspects of a bygone era for a solution?  Are you getting a response?

God’s people should cry out to God, not for financial resources.  We should always make our first and only appeal to our Savior, Jesus Christ, not the ballot box.  We should always cry out for His truth and righteousness, not our flawed memory or slanted histories of years past.

I guarantee He will respond.  We may not immediately like His answers, but they are the loving responses of our faithful Father-God.  Father-God is always listening for our voices.  Are you listening to His voice?

Think:        I do not appeal to heaven or elsewhere.  I appeal to Father-God and His Son, Jesus.

Pray:           “Lord, I cry out to You for Your help and salvation.”

 

Copyright © November 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.

Call On The Name

“Call On The Name” By Kirk Hunt

“Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” So all the people answered and said, “It is well spoken.”

1 Kings 18:24 NKJV
Please also read 1 Kings 18:18–24

How would you confront a murderous pagan heresy and wrestle your nation back to true and devout worship?  With political maneuvering and power?  Through economic dominance and manipulation?  Elijah, a true and faithful prophet of God, chose to call on the Name of God.

Elijah did not seek a palace coup.  Scripture does not record that he organized nationwide political or economic movements.  Instead, alone and outnumbered, Elijah chose to call on the Name of God.

Too often it appears that God’s people confuse good human stewardship with God’s power.  I encourage you to righteously and wisely gather, husband and make use of resources.  Still, whatever financial, social or political assets come into your hands may be God’s provision, but they are not God’s power.  God is infinitely bigger than anything mere men and women can control or manipulate.

Faith takes action.  Choosing to appear before Ahab was an act of obedience.  Calling for the showdown with the prophets of Baal was an act of faith in God’s guidance.  Elijah placed himself in a situation far beyond any human means of rescue or retreat.  God’s prophet was confident in God’s power and sovereignty.

Does God enjoy your trust and confidence?  Are you willing to be His agent and instrument in this modern age?  Call on the Name of God, then work and act in true belief and complete confidence in His power.

Think:        We conquer the nations for God’s Kingdom through the Name and power of God.

Pray:           “Lord, help me to daily work in obedience, belief, and faith in Your great Name.”

 

Copyright © October 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.

Take Him Or Her On Faith

“Take Him Or Her On Faith” By Kirk Hunt

 

If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.

Philemon 1:17 NKJV

 

Philemon looked from Paul’s letter to Onesimus’ face. Paul, who may have still had a negative reputation among some Christians, asked his Gospel son to take in a Gospel brother. On faith alone, Paul asked Philemon to simply accept and forgive the man who robbed him.

 

Philemon is arguably the most communication in Scripture. Paul sends Onesimus, an escaped slave, back home to Philemon, his owner. It is implied in the epistle, though not explicit, that Onesimus stole something during his escape.

 

Paul had to trust Onesimus to go back to his owner. Philemon had to trust Paul’s judgment and Onesimus’ change in character. Onesimus had to trust Paul’s judgment and Philemon’s generous and forgiving character. Do you see the thread?

 

Somewhere or sometime during your Christian walk, you will need to take someone on faith. You will have to trust that they are who they say they are, now. No matter what you feel, remember or see.

 

The most calculated judgments always carry a risk. You can never know for certain that it is really different now. You will have to take the chance that the words and character match and are real. You will have to open your arms, and heart, on faith alone.

 

Think:             Only faith with serve for some actions.

 

Pray:             “Father-God, help me to have faith in Your people, not just You.”

 

 

Copyright © April 2015, Kirk Hunt

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

Moving Forward

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“Moving Forward” By Kirk Hunt

 

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:6 NKJV

 

What do you hear when someone speaks of “God’s divine direction?” Does the pillar of fire and smoke come to mind? What is the form and format of moving forward in God?

 

God’s direction and guidance can indeed be miraculous and mystical. Scripture is too full of examples to say otherwise. Still, the visitation of angels is not part of a usual day in an office cubicle. A glory-cloud does not often appear while driving to the supermarket.

 

Does God only speak to Biblical heroes? What about the rest of us? How do mere men and women like us receive guidance? Does God only speak to the high and mighty among us?

 

Your easiest and fastest route to God is His Word. Study Scripture, regularly and often. In those moments of reverent quiet, He will speak with you. Hidden in study, God will find you.

 

It is not that hard or difficult. You can seek God’s direction for your life, today. You do not have to be a spiritual giant to have His Word in your life. His guidance is not for a favorite few.

 

All you have to do is decide you want God’s direction in your life. The only entrance fee is your willingness to make study of His Word a priority for your life. If you seek Him, He will find you. His Word promises you that.

 

Think:            I can have God’s direction for my life through study of His Word.

 

Pray:               “Lord, help me to hear Your heart through Your Word.

 

Copyright © November 2014, Kirk Hunt

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

God Counts You

“God Counts You” by Kirk Hunt


But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:7 (KJV)


Matthew 10:30-31 repeats this passage from Luke’s Gospel almost exactly. Anytime Scripture repeats, you can count on it being important. And what could be more important, than the fact that you are important to God?


You are significant. You are important. You matter to God.


God peers through fog, rain and darkest night for your face. Despite the noise and clatter of churning stars and whirling galaxies, He listens intently for your voice. With all the universe requires of Him, nothing commands God’s attention like you.


Perhaps things have not gone your way in recent days. It could be that you have found yourself feeling lost and ignored. Nothing could be further from the truth.


All it takes is a moment. A second or two of facing toward a loving God who longs to hear from you. What could be more comforting? What could be more reassuring?


No matter what has gone short, or missing, or wrong, God is there. His eternal Hands are around you. As much as He cares for sparrows, He cares so very much more for you.


Think: God is concerned for me.


Pray: “Father-God, help me to have confidence in Your love and concern for me.”



Copyright © February 2011, Kirk Hunt