Tag: error

Where Is Your Pleasure?

Where Is Your Pleasure? by Kirk Hunt

And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 NKJV

Too often, the truth hurts me. I may flinch, but I refuse to turn away. I have to work hard for it, but I always seek to find pleasure and joy in God’s truth. His truth always brings life and increase for His sons and daughters.

You can always take pleasure in the lies. They are, after all, easier to hear. Unfortunately, the lies always lead to death, loss, and condemnation.

Ask a drug addict. Ask anyone deep in debt. It was fun at first, but the pain and hurt outweigh the temporary pleasures.

The preacher said, “God will only save you from your enemies, not your friends.” God can separate you from an addiction, but you have to want to be clean and stay sober. God can separate you from the lies, but you have to want His truth.

If you want His truth, all you have to do is ask. You may have to work hard to find joy and enjoyment in God’s truth. When you are living in His grace and blessing, it will be worth it.

Think: Do I love God’s truth? Do I find pleasure in His truth or the lie?

Pray: “Lord, help me to love and take pleasure in Your truth.”

Copyright © September 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.

Vote Against

Vote Against by Kirk Hunt

“Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.

Acts 26:9-10 NKJV

People, even Godly folk, make mistakes or wrong choices. Godly men and women (saints) fix their errors when they can. When you discover you made the wrong choice before, vote against error now.

Before his conversion to Christianity, Saul of Tarsus was a vicious and merciless persecutor of Christians. After his conversion on the Damascus road, the same man became a strong supporter of those he once brutalized and murdered. He even changed his name to mark his new choices.

Listening to the very Jesus he once sought to stamp out, Paul the apostle wrote 14 of the New Testament’s 27 books. Each word he wrote down was a vote cast against his prior errors. Each book he completed became a repudiation of his prior life and choices.

Even Godly men and women can make wrong choices. The difference is that God’s saints, when confronted with their error, change their actions. Even if they need a little nudging, God’s saints vote against the wrong and choose the correct.

Think: You must vote against your wrong actions. Changing your name is optional.

Pray: “Lord, give me the strength to follow You correctly in grace and truth.”

Copyright © November 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.

Exposed

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“Exposed” By Kirk Hunt

 

Why have you despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon.

2 Samuel 12:9 NKJV

 

Nathan the prophet told his parable in public. David reacted in righteous indignation at the account of the rich man’s cruel disregard for others. Then Nathan exposed David’s sin, the cover-up and hypocrisy.

 

Thankfully, David had the good sense to respond with shame in his error. His repentance appeared to be sincere and complete. Still, it would have been best if David had refused to sin in the first place. Failing to prevent his indiscretion, David’s cover-up only led to more sin and additional sinners.

 

David was exposed. The adulterous sin he committed was exposed for all to see. So too, the murder he committed also came to light. His smartest play would have been to stay clean. His next smartest play would have been to repent and confess.

 

Even the best of us are tempted to cover up an error or sin. Public shame and humiliation adds to the private guilt and self-reproach. You will be held accountable for your error and sin. Do not add to the tally in a vain attempt to avoid or delay being exposed.

 

Think:             More sin is never a solution.

 

Pray:               “Lord, help me to repent quickly and in sincerity.”

 

 

Copyright © October 2015, Kirk Hunt

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

Do Not Cover Up

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“Do Not Cover Up” By Kirk Hunt

 

And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, “I am with child.”

2 Samuel 11:5 NKJV

 

The conception should have been happy news. Instead, Bathsheba’s baby-to-be was the ultimate evidence of adultery. David, the man after God’s own heart, engaged in a cover up.

 

We cannot know what motivated David as he tried to cover up his sin. Clearly, he wanted to avoid the truth coming out. Instead, the sin count grew, and others were drawn into a growing web of lies and deceit that grew into murder.

 

Of course, the best route is to not become caught up in sin. I understand how easy it is to give that kind of advice. Unfortunately, I am very aware of how difficult it is to live that out. Worse, I understand too well the temptation to sin “just a little more” to keep it under wraps. Scripture, and recent history, are very clear about the outcome of a cover up.

 

The correct solution requires confession then repentance. David, a beloved and wealthy king, could not avoid the consequences of his sin. David’s sin was exposed before his nation. David was convicted before God. And Uriah, and the baby, paid the price for David’s sin and error.

 

God is a forgiving God. He will forgive you. Confess and repent sooner, rather than later.

 

Think:             The first instinct of a sinner is to cover up the sin.

 

Pray:               “Lord, help me to confess and repent of my sin.”

 

 

Copyright © October 2015, Kirk Hunt

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