Tag: giving

Love With Equality, Not Partiality

Love With Equality, Not Partiality by Kirk Hunt

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

James 2:8-9 NKJV
Read also James 2:1-13

God’s people are commanded to love with equality, not partiality. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves. That includes the folks who look or sound different. Especially those souls who may never be able to benefit us.

Our modern world has given us many opportunities to demonstrate God’s love. Especially poignant are the refugee crises that impact every continent on Earth (except Antarctica). War, famine, and disaster have uprooted millions who seek only peace, safety, and the absence of hunger.

God’s people should reach out to the nearest souls who need to be shown God’s love. We are His instruments, not free-agents. We should act in His grace and power, and demonstrate His love and mercy.

God does not always send angels. More often, He sends men and women who love God enough to love His children. No matter how they look or sound.

To those in crisis and desperation, the help they receive is a godsend. The hands that receive bless the hands that deliver. In that moment, the difference between supernatural angels and mortal men and women can be hard to discern.

Think: “God loves all of His children equally. I should do the same.”

Pray: “Lord, help me to love all of Your children with equality and compassion.”

Copyright © March 2022, 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.

Except This Foreigner?

Except This Foreigner? by Kirk Hunt

So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?   Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”

Luke 17:17-18 NKJV

They kept their distance per the Law but that did not stop them from calling out to Jesus for mercy.  They were lepers, men still alive, but rotting to death.  Jesus sent them to the priests to be declared clean of their living putrefaction.  None said thank you for their miraculous healing, “except this foreigner.”

He could not take another step.  His slow, cruel death sentence had been lifted.  His desperate separation from friends and family was ended.  His days of being despised and feared were over.

How could you not be grateful?  Why would you refuse to thank God for the enormous mercy and miraculous goodness you had just received?  Looking at his restoration, this nameless foreigner knew the priests could wait.  His gratitude on the other hand, could not.

So he did what the native-born would not.  He ran to Jesus and kneeled to Him in thankfulness.  The same voice that cried for mercy now cried out glory to God.

All ten received the same miracle blessing.  All ten had their miserable and degrading suffering ended through healing and restoration.  Only the foreigner, the man who should not have received anything, bothered with gratitude or appreciation.

What mercy have you received?  What mercy have you given?  Did you show gratitude to God for the privilege given to you or through you?

Think:      God’s mercy is for native-born and foreigner alike.  Am I grateful for what I receive?

Pray:         “Lord, help me to give and receive Your mercy freely, and with gratitude.”

 

Copyright © August 2019, 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.

Cast Your Bread

Cast Your Bread by Kirk Hunt

Cast your bread upon the waters,
For you will find it after many days.
Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,
For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 NKJV

Too often we worry too much about ourselves.  We are God’s people.  We are the sheep of His hand.  If we trust God, should we also worry or hoard His blessings?  Go ahead and cast your bread on the waters of circumstance.

I get it.  For a season, I fretted about something I had to give.  I give in faith and amazingly enough, I have never run out.  God taught me to give and trust Him to give again.  The people I served and blessed with my gift?  A bonus, over and above the approval of my God.

God commands our open, giving hands, and promises our hands will gather again.  And give again.  The advantage of giving per God’s Word is that He always provides more for us to give.  It can get to the point where we give out before His provision does.

First, we must act in faith, and purpose.  Then we must work in patient expectation.  Finally, we receive again.  God promised we will find more provision in the days to come, if we first give to others. 

God has already given to you.  Will you give to others?  Your obedience will please Him and bless you.

Think:      God promises that if I give, I will also receive.  Do I really trust God?

Pray:         “Lord, help me to freely give per Your commands.”

 

Copyright © July 2019, 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.

Giver Of Victory

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“Giver Of Victory” By Kirk Hunt

 

I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Acts 20: 35 NKJV

 

It is my privilege to be a platelet donor. To be a giver, I must endure pin pricks, needle stabs and intrusive questions. Still, I get to literally share my good health with others.

 

Treatment with platelets is a serious business. Serious burn victims receive platelets. Cancer patients receive platelets. Organ transplant patients receive platelets. “I will stay on this end of the donation, thank you.”

 

My platelets are a gift to those who receive them. They are fighting for their lives. I pray my small contribution is just what they need to win the battle.

 

You have a gift, given from God. It is precious and life-giving to those who receive it. Do you give it?

 

There may be some inconvenience in the giving. You may be a little drained after the donation. They are fighting for health, restoration or even just hope. Your contribution may be just what they need to win the battle.

 

There are epic battles being fought around you. Far too often the stakes are greater, and more eternal, than a beating heart. It may not be the literal blood from your veins, but you can spare something they need. I pray your contribution is just what they need to win the battle.

 

Think:             I really am more blessed to give than to receive.

 

Pray:            “Father-God, I thank You for every opportunity to be a giver.”

 

 

Copyright © June 2015, Kirk Hunt

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