Tag: discipline

Prepared Belly

Prepared Belly by Kirk Hunt

Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 1:17 NKJV

The fish, large enough to swallow a man (or woman) whole, met Jonah at the appointed time and place.  The belly, prepared by God, gave an intimate residence to God’s prophet.  For 72 hours, Jonah had the time and opportunity to consider who is in charge of whom.

Moses stood before a burning bush.  Elijah heard a still, small voice.  An angel appeared to Gideon.  To men and women who are not resisting Him, God speaks and they give their attention readily.  For those who resist Him, God creates circumstance that command your attention.

Keep in mind that resisting God is not the same thing as rejecting God.  Jonah, as a prophet had accepted his calling from God.  Still the prophet decided to be disobedient and resistant to God’s will.  Jonah decided he did not want to be obedient regarding Nineveh, but did not reject God altogether.  Jonah wanted his own way and to retain his place and privilege with God.

In the belly of the fish, God gave Jonah the time and space to consider his decisions and choices.  God prepared a place and (cramped) space for Jonah to remember who is in charge of creation.  Under God’s gracious discipline, Jonah remembered that mere men ought to obey God the first time He speaks.

God’s discipline helps us remember who is supposed to obey whom.  The prepared belly of a circumstance is from God’s love and grace.  Take the opportunity to end your resistance to hear and obey Him.

Think:       Does God have my attention?  How might God command my attention?

Pray:         “Lord, I want to listen and attend to You, when You speak to me.”

 

Copyright © February 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.

Walk The Old Paths

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“Walk The Old Paths” By Kirk Hunt

Thus says the Lord:
“Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;

Jeremiah 6:16a NKJV

 

There is a good chance you did burpees as a youngster. If you are like me, you hated them back then. If you are like me, you hate them still. Regardless, here I am, at my age, doing burpees. The old paths are very often the best route to a prized destination.

 

Hate them if you must, but burpees improve strength, flexibility, endurance and aerobic conditioning. In pursuit of physical fitness, burpees are ridiculously inexpensive but intensely demanding. Still, even professional athletes shy away from the exercise. Even the best of us do not always want to do what is hard. Regardless of the benefits.

 

Every worthwhile achievement demands something from its seekers. A relationship with Father-God is no different. Real spiritual growth demands real spiritual disciplines.

 

Regular prayer. Consistent Bible study. Systematic fasting. They are the price of spiritual strength and intimacy with God. They are the old path, and the only path, to a proper relationship with your heavenly Father.

 

Start today. Commit to being consistent and diligent. It may not seem like much to you, but stay the course. Sooner than you think, you will realize that you are on the shortest, best path to a relationship with God. And He is the most prized destination.

 

Think:                The only good route to God is through the old paths of spiritual disciplines.

 

Pray:                   “Lord, I will follow the old paths to You.”

 

 

Copyright © January 2016, Kirk Hunt

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

Prepare Yourself

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“Prepare Yourself” by Kirk Hunt

 

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Ephesians 6:15 KJV

 

The work required more physical fitness than I assumed.  Walking 4-6 miles a day, in all kinds of weather.  Climbing in and out of the van.  Lifting the bunk lid to get at my stuff.  My deployment required more endurance, strength and flexibility than you get from just sitting at a desk.

 

God prepared an opportunity to reach people, but part of my preparation involved strength and aerobic exercises.  My ability to minister depended on going to the gym.  Who knew service involved so much athleticism?

 

Have you answered God’s call on your life?  Good.  Are you preparing for all aspects of your calling?  I pray you are.  Your full calling will require more than you realize.

 

Exercise and eating correctly?  Sounds mundane, does it not?  Mundane does not mean unimportant.  If you are going to answer your call, go all the way.

 

I worked every work day, and even some of my off days.  , I had the physical resources to do so because of my preparation.  My calling deserved nothing less.

 

Think through all aspects of your calling.  Be prepared for every aspect you know.  Ask God to show you anything you missed.  Your calling deserves no less.

 

Think:            Preparation for my calling involves a whole life commitment.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to be disciplined in every aspect of my calling.”

 

 

Copyright © January 2013, Kirk Hunt

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

Does God Love You?

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“Does God Love You?” by Kirk Hunt

 

For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Proverbs 3:12 KJV

 

I could tell you stories about Momma and Poppa disciplining me.  They were likely to chastise me (or my siblings) at any time or place.  Not once did they ever say, “This hurts me, as much as it hurts you.”

 

Do I remember their discipline with fondness?  Not so much.   Do I appreciate their correction now?  Yes.   Do I doubt their love?  Not one iota.

 

God loves us so much he does not allow us to stay in our error(s).  He corrects us.  He guides us back to His Word and Way, when we stray.

 

When He corrects us, God denies justice.  We do not get all we deserve.  Instead of getting the full penalty of our sins, He guides us back to righteousness with mercy and kindness.

 

Of course, it is better to stay the straight and narrow.  Still, we mere mortals occasionally get out in the weeds.  It is then that His love for us shines most brightly.

 

He brings us back to the right path.  Through His full love.  In His grace.  And sometimes with a switch.  At least it is not with the sword we deserve.

 

He loves you.  More than you know or understand.  Accept His correction.  Even when it hurts a little (or a lot).

 

Think:                        Father, you love me too much to let me stay wrong.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to appreciate your love, even in correction.”

 

Copyright © September 2012, Kirk Hunt

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

Workout

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“Workout” by Kirk Hunt


Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Philippians 2:12 (KJV)


I am a athlete. I became an athlete when I committed to pursue athletics. As I continue to pursue athletics, I remain an athlete.


My sore, tired muscles argue with me. They tell me that I’m not an athlete at all. An athlete would be able to do more, with greater ease.


My muscles lie. I may not be an Olympian, but I am an athlete. Every sweaty workout takes me closer to my goals.


I am a Christian. I became a Christian when I committed myself to Christ. As I continue to pursue Christ, I remain a Christian.


My faults and errors argue with me. They tell me I’m not a Christian at all. A Christian would be better and do better, with greater ease.


My faults and errors lie. I may not be perfected, but I am a Christian. Every spiritual exercise takes me closer to Christ.


Pursue Christ. Whatever takes. Stay at it. No matter what happens. Every workout, especially the sweaty ones, makes you more like Him.


Think: Every day, every spiritual exercise takes me closer to my goal: Christ.


Pray: “Lord, help me to work out my salvation in You.”



Copyright © October 2010, Kirk Hunt