Take Another’s Burden

Take Another’s Burden by Kirk Hunt

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Galatians 6:2-3 NKJV

Apostle Paul is quite clear that Christians should bear, or take on, someone else’s burden from time to time. We do this as proof that we love our neighbor as ourselves. In recent days, it seems that too many of God’s people love themselves too much to bother obeying Jesus’ command.

Have you ever held a door for someone? Have you ever helped lift or carry a package? Have you ever covered your nose and mouth when you sneezed or coughed? Then you have been, in a very small way, obedient to Christ’s command, best found at Mark 12:30-31.

Of course, doing so requires you to have some measure of love, humility, grace, mercy, and self-sacrifice in your makeup. You must stop and consider the situation and condition of someone else, for a few moments, to see a need. Finally, you must sacrifice your time, money, or talent to do what needs to be done.

All because Jesus commands you. Of course, you are happy to do so, because you are an obedient son or daughter of God. Right?

Too often, we are so haughty or high-minded we fail to think of others the way Jesus would. Would Jesus refuge a refugee, punish the poor, or insist on his own rights to the injury of others? Should you?

Think: Have I taken on someone else’s burden lately?

Pray: “Lord, help me to demonstrate Your love to my neighbors.”

Copyright © August 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.

Healing In The Spit

Healing in The Spit by Kirk Hunt

When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.

John 9:6-7 NKJV

Faced with a blind man, Jesus chose to make mud with His own spit then anointed the man’s eyes. Some would call Jesus’ actions humiliating. The blind man called those same actions healing. Too often, we are more concerned with the means rather than the outcome.

Healing the man’s blindness was the important part. The means of healing were far less important. So the blind endured having spit and mud rubbed on his eyes. He obediently followed Jesus’ instruction to wash his face in a specific location.

The blind man wanted to see. The indignity of his healing quickly gave way to the joy of vision. The price of God’s process is a bargain, considering the outcomes He gives.

Perhaps you feel that God has anointed your life with muddy spit. Maybe You feel humiliated as you follow His instructions to parade around in public before cleaning off the mud. God’s process does not always make sense to us, but His outcomes are always a blessing.

Follow His process and receive His ordained outcome. Your obedience is the price you must pay to receive His blessings. In the end, you will consider the whole process a bargain.

Think: Regardless of the means God chooses, it is the outcome that is important.

Pray: “Lord, help me to see what You doing, not how You are doing it.”

Copyright © March 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.

Bearing With Each Other

Bearing With Each Other by Kirk Hunt

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Colossians 3:12-13 NKJV

Bearing with people is not easy. Folk can be so wrong, so annoying, and so in need of a slap in the head. Instead, we are commanded to treat the worst of them with forbearance which consists of patience, courtesy and dignity. This is so important that the apostle does not frame it as a request.

Keep in mind that folk, at their best, rarely change in a moment. Even when they want to badly. During the transition, they need friends, family and saints to stay with them as they do the work and follow the process.

So, with the rebels or lawbreakers disarmed and at your feet, you are commanded. Show them your best patience. Give them your sincerest courtesies. Blanket them with your richest dignity. Prove that you are one of God’s selected saints.

Somewhere in there, you will need to forgive them. For yourself, not for them. Forgiveness makes your work with and towards them lighter and easier.

Follow the forbearance commandment whether they ask for forgiveness, or not. Because you are commanded to love and forgive others as Christ forgave and loves you. And when you find yourself receiving patience, courtesy and dignity, do the math.

Think: Forbearance is a commandment to God’s people.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be forbearant with everyone, especially other saints.”

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.

Able Men And Women

Able Men And Women by Kirk Hunt

So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.   And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

Exodus 18:24–25 NKJV

Despite his superior abilities and extraordinary accomplishments, Moses could not do it all alone.  Given excellent advice from a trusted advisor, Moses selected able men to help him lead.  Moses demonstrated that strong leaders seek out and make use of other strong leaders.

Whatever your calling or mission for the Kingdom of God, you still have human limits.  You can only be in one place at a time.  You are limited to 24 hours in a single day.  You require sleep, food and exercise.

What is far too much for one can be spread among a group of capable folk.  All it takes is for the executive leader to properly delegate tasks or responsibilities, then follow-up.  While proper delegation is also work, it allows results far beyond the capabilities of a single soul.  And rest for the weary executive.

Moses lived to the age of 120. And his displeasure could still scare folk.  Moses lived and led so long because he enabled others to help him with the work.  His good health, right to the end, was at least in part, because he did not have to it all alone.

Look around and identify the able men and women around you.  Give them part of your Kingdom work.  If Moses could, so can you.

Think:      Am I making good use of capable men and women for the Kingdom?

Pray:         “Lord, help me to share the load with Your capable men and women.”

 

Copyright © December 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.

Too Much For Even You

Too Much For Even You by Kirk Hunt

So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good.   Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out.  For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.

Exodus 18:17–18 NKJV

Moses had been a busy man:  He had led the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Sinai desert.  Through God’s power he had inflicted plagues on the Egyptians, parted the Red Sea for Israel and closed the Red Sea on the Egyptian army.  And leading Israel was still too much for Moses.

Human beings have limits.  Even great prophets and apostles are mere mortals, and therefore have performance and endurance maximums.  You, my brother or sister, cannot do it all.

Proper nutrition and water, regular exercise and adequate sleep help.  Still, there comes a point where you need to hand off some of the work.  If Moses’ anointing and calling had limits, so will yours.

Look around you.  There are men and women who can and will help you.  Use your wisdom, discipline and humility to match the right tasks with the right workers.

Your workers will make mistakes.  You will make mistakes as well.  The work completed will not be done exactly the way you want it done.  In many cases, that is an extremely good thing.

Kingdom work is too much for even the greatest of us.  It is not a surprise that it is too much even for you.  Share the load with your Gospel coworkers.

Think:      God’s greatest men and women have limits.  How will I deal with mine?

Pray:         “Lord, help me to share the load and expand Your Kingdom.”

 

Copyright © December 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.

God Teaches His Teacher

God Teaches His Teacher by Kirk Hunt

So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?   Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”

Exodus 4:11–12 NKJV

After 80 years of living and two different careers, Moses still needed teaching and training.  Standing in front of the miracle of the burning bush, and in the very presence of God, Moses questioned Jehovah and His call.  Patiently, God taught His man how to succeed in a new career.

Even God’s strongest saints can rely too much on facts, figures and “common sense.”  We think younger men (or women) need to lead 603,550 Israelite men (plus wives, children and sojourners) out of Egypt.  Out of all the men and women God could have selected for such a task, Moses is the one He called.

Despite his royal education in Egypt, and extended training in Midian, Moses still needed God to teach him even more for the tasks ahead.  His age did not qualify him enough.  His formal education did not prepare him sufficiently.  Moses needed to be taught before he could complete his calling.

Out of all His saints, is God calling you?  Be obedient to your God and creator, and go.  Still, ask Him to train you for success.  Listen as He teaches you to succeed in your new career.

Think:      I will need God’s teaching and training to succeed in His calling.

Pray:         “Lord, help me to be a good student and worker in Your calling.”

 

Copyright © November 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.

Manipulating The King

Manipulating The King by Kirk Hunt

All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.

Daniel 6:7 NKJV

King Darius’ advisors manipulated him.  Their flattery and appeal to his ego got him to sign a law designed to kill a single man, Daniel.  Were it not for God’s divine intervention, Daniel would have become lion chow.

What was Daniel’s crime that the highest advisors of the Kingdom sought his life?  Daniel, a foreign-born man had achieved high rank.  He also prayed his prayers daily and openly to a foreign God (Jehovah-Jireh).  Daniel’s righteous living matched his prayer life.  The only way to get at Daniel was to manipulate the king into executing him without good cause..

Men and women must seek and labor to do the right thing.  Righteousness does not come naturally or easily.  And there are others who will encourage, or trick you into going down a wicked, evil path.

Your advisors may, or may not, be working in your best interests.  Had King Darius stopped listening to his own ego and self-image long enough, he might have asked why this new but temporary law needed to be signed.  Seek God’s wisdom and insight at all times, no matter how you trust those around you.

Think:      Am I doing what I am doing for my ego or for God’s righteousness?

Pray:         “Lord, help me not to be manipulated by false and wicked advisors.”

 

Copyright © November 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.

The Greatest Among You

The Greatest Among You by Kirk Hunt

“But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.”

Luke 22:26 NKJV

Just a few hours (at most) before Jesus’ arrest in Gethsemane the Disciples bickered.  All of them wrestled with each other for supremacy.  All of them thought they should be called the “greatest” Disciple.

In later days, the Disciples would be the selfless saints who advanced the Kingdom until death itself stopped them

Jesus’ rebuke is less than fierce.  He carefully calls His men to give meaningful service to others instead of demanding conspicuous glory for themselves. Jesus points them to reverent humility rather than ego and self-aggrandizement.

I have too often seen men and women push to be recognized for minimal or trifling achievements.  Not often enough, men and women with extreme or extraordinary levels of accomplishment do not get the recognition they deserve.  The greatest among us know who they are and do not need to elbow their way to the front.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you focus is supposed to be on building God’s Kingdom not your own ego.  If your motivation is self, you can far too easily be let by your lust to satisfy yourself.  The first check on a runaway ego is a relentless focus on Jesus and the things of God. 

By all means, be great in God.  Seek to be the servant who faithfully builds the Kingdom, even if no one sees.  You are not hidden from God and He is far too faithful not to reward you.

Think:      Am I obedient to Christ’s command to achieve much and demand little?

Pray:         “Lord, help me to be the greatest in Your Kingdom by being the greatest servant.”

 

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.

Who Comes Near To You?

Who Comes Near To You? by Kirk Hunt

And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”

2 Kings 5:12 NKJV

Naaman stormed off, offended at Elisha’s response to his request.  The prophet’s promise of healing and restoration was not theatrical enough for him.  Thankfully, Naaman’s men could come near him.

Sooner, or later, you are going to respond the wrong way.  Ego, frustration or misunderstanding will lead you to make matters worse.  Eventually, you are going to miss your chance.  Inattention, urgency or preconception will lead you to walk past the opportunity of a lifetime.

Who in your life can come near and stop you from making a critical mistake of commission or omission?  Perhaps your friend will speak quiet cautions in a back room, or shout accusations at center stage.  Either way, are you willing to hear the truth from someone you trust?

It requires humility on your part.  It requires courage on their part.  Both of you must possess the wisdom to know it needed to be said and why.

“Go wash in a dirty river.  What have you got to lose?”  Who has the heart and head to stop your mistake?  Do you let folks close enough to know when or how to help? 

Naaman nearly walked away from his healing.  Someone close to him refused to remain silent.  Naaman was smart enough to listen.  How about you?

Think:      You need Godly wise people close enough to help you.

Pray:         “Lord, help me keep Your appointed helpers close to my heart and head.”

 

Copyright © March 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.

How To Heal

How To Heal by Kirk Hunt

And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.”  But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, “Indeed, I said to myself, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.’

2 Kings 5:10-11 NKJV

Naaman, and his personal security team, arrived at Elisha’s door in a chariot.  Most men (or women) would go out and greet the visiting general.  Elisha sent a messenger with healing instructions and did not see the man.

Naaman responded with anger.  After all, a man of his importance and combat record deserves more and better attention.  Certainly, Naaman’s mental image of his healing involved ceremony and dignity, not multiple dips in the muddy Jordan River.

Do you want God to heal you?  Then be obedient.  Do you want God to intervene in circumstance beyond your control?  Approach Him with humility.

God does not need to move or act because of your impulses or whims.  His power is absolute and sovereign.  You came to Him because of your needs, not His.  Trust His eternal wisdom for the answers and solutions you need. 

Consider His august majesty and the legions of angels at His beck and call.  Speak your request in humility, knowing the God of all creation has what you need.  When God speaks, respond in obedience, confident that His answer come from His love for you.

Think:      Your healing is going to require humility and obedience.

Pray:         “Lord, I come to You in humility and obedience for my healing.”

 

Copyright © March 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.

Have You Seen?

Have You Seen? By Kirk Hunt

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

Isaiah 6:1 NKJV

The Temple was just as beautiful and impressive as it had always been.  Then suddenly, it was pale in comparison.  The majesty, glory and presence of God filled a space unable to begin to contain so much power, might and eternity.  In that moment Isaiah saw the God of heaven as you should see Him.

Perhaps you are new in Christ.  You may be a seasoned veteran of God’s Kingdom.  Either way, you need to see again.  I pray that you will come into His presence, in His full glory.  I want you to see God, as He should be seen.

We are His children.  He loves us as no other can.  Still, He is a big God and we are a very small part of His creation.  We need to understand what it means for the God of all creation to concern Himself with us.

He is at the center of all things and He designs and plans in love and grace toward us.  With swirling galaxies and nebula, whirling around Him, He turns the loving eye of a father on mere men and women.  With all of creation clamoring to worship our infinite God, He concerns Himself with us.

Isaiah saw and understood.  A very big God, uncontainable in any earthly place or space, concerned Himself with one soul.  Have you seen that the God of creation concerns Himself with you?

Think:      Do I really see God in all of His glory and majesty?

Pray:         “Lord, help me to see You.”

Copyright © December 2018, 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.

He Would Not Drink

He Would Not Drink By Kirk Hunt

And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”   So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord.

2 Samuel 23:17–18 NKJV
Please also read 2 Samuel 23:15–19

 

In a moment of human weakness, David wished out loud for something he knew he could not have.  Through cunning, skill and boldness three of David’s finest soldiers risked their lives to bring David a canteen of water.  In humility and reverence, David would not drink.

Once these three men had been losers.  Or whiners.  Or deadbeatsAfter their time with David they had been transformed into mighty men.  Their hard-won heroism, skill and courage had transformed mere water into an offering fit only for God. 

To the untrained eye, the canteen was full of water from a specific well.  To spiritual eyes, the precious vessel was full of the blood of living champions.  David instinctively knew only God was worthy of their offering.

As leaders in God’s Kingdom, we are privileged: we get to help men and women become champions for, and in, God.  And when they are so much more than anyone expected, there is a temptation to think more of ourselves than we should.  Like David, we must keep our awe of God’s power and humility regarding our role as God’s instruments.

Fulfill the role God has given you.  Be pleased when the “least of these” become mighty men and women.  Remember it is His power that transforms souls.

Think:        They become champions because of God’s power, not mine.

Pray:           “Lord, thank you for guiding me to help others.”

 

Copyright © January 2018, 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.