Tag: integrity

Leadership Goals

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“Leadership Goals” by Kirk Hunt

 

And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.

Nehemiah 5:1 KJV

 

Nehemiah’s Jerusalem was a fixer-upper at best.  Jerusalem, the capital of the restored nation, remained a wall-less, gate-less, half-ruined city (Nehemiah 1:3).  The people in general were surrounded by hostile nations and individuals, like Sanballat and Tobiah (Nehemiah 2:10).  Worst of all, the Jews were generally impoverished.

 

What would you expect of the nobles and rulers, the Jewish leadership, in a situation like this?  Would they be fierce and selflessly focused on rebuilding the wealth and capacity of the nation?  Would their every waking thought be bent toward the restoration of the nation and the wellbeing of the people?

 

The rulers and nobles, the leadership of the Jews, were enriching themselves.  Wealth gained at the expense of their vulnerable kindred and countrymen.  It was not enough that they were taking title to all of the farms and vineyards in the area (Nehemiah 5:5).  They were forcing the sale of sons and daughters, nephews and nieces, into slavery.

 

Leadership is about achieving good for the organization (nation, business, family).  Leaders are supposed to be concerned with making things better for those lead.  Then, as now, some will selfishly exploit their positions of trust and privilege.

 

You lead someone, somewhere to some place.  At home, on the job or even at Church, someone trusts you to lead with integrity and wisdom.  Who is gaining (or losing) because of your leadership?

 

Think:            Do I lead for God’s goals or my own?

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to lead in Your truth and wisdom.”

 

 

Copyright © October 2013, Kirk Hunt

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

Despised For His Name

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“Despised For His Name” by Kirk Hunt

 

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 

Matthew 5:11 KJV

 

Tuesday morning, at 9:40AM, I was a colleague.  My character would have been described as open and compassionate.  I was seen as intelligent and well-spoken.  10 minutes later, at 9:50AM, everything changed.

 

Did I really say and do so many mean-spirited things in 600 seconds?  Could I suddenly become heartless, judgmental and condemning in those few minutes?  All I am sure of is that the relationship, built slowly in the last two years, went up in proverbial smoke.

 

I confessed to my coworker, “I am a Christian.”  What really got me were his eyes.  I could see the loathing and disgust that suddenly clouded his view of me.  He would gleefully turn me in to anyone rounding up Christians.

 

I happen to know some of the hurts and wounds in his background.  Still, Scripture spells out clearly what is right and wrong.  If righteousness will not bend for me, it will not change for him.

 

My coworker rejected Jesus, not me.  That is why my heart is broken, for him.  Unless God intervenes, he could be lost.

 

Scripture commands me to find a way to love him, anyway.  Jesus’ Great Commission calls me to make him a disciple.  I’m praying that God will open his eyes to the Gospel.  While there is life, and the Holy Spirit, there is hope and a way.

 

 

Think:            A Christ-like life overpowers opposition through His power, grace and love.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to live like You, especially with my opponents.”

 

 

Copyright © March 2013, Kirk Hunt

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

Mordecai’s Gallows

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“Mordecai’s Gallows” by Kirk Hunt

 

And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

Esther 3:2 KJV

 

Mordecai’s defiant and conspicuous act of disobedience does not match his lofty place in high profile politics. Why would an advisor to King Ahasuerus deliberately and pointedly break the king’s command? Mordecai’s unbent knees and straight back certainly made a powerful, and vindictive, enemy of Haman.

His character and integrity lead him to stand straight while others folded. “Consequences be hanged. I won’t do it.” Right on cue, Haman built a 75 foot tall gallows.

What around you needs to be challenged? Is there an injustice near you, crying out for correction? If there is, I suspect God has planted you there “for such a time as this.”

God does not always send angels. Sometimes, He sends saints. Mere men and women, just like you and I, who love God enough to be obedient. Obedient enough to stay while they build a gallows.

Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, because it was wrong. Legal doesn’t mean legitimate. Doing the right thing can be inconvenient. For them. For you.

God needs a man or woman, just like you, to stand against sin and wrong. Let His Grace give you the courage to stay the course. Trust Him to work out the details.

Think: Sometimes, as a Christian, I am called to challenge wrong.

Pray: “Lord, teach me to see the wrong and resist it, in obedience to Your Grace.”

Copyright © June 2011, Kirk Hunt

Are You Listening?

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“Are You Listening?” by Kirk Hunt

 

And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:    And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.

1 Samuel 25:32-33 KJV

 

The high-born lady kneeled in the dusty road. She accepted blame before the local warlord for her husband’s error. She gave gifts of freshly prepared food and fresh-cut respect. Using diplomacy, graciousness and humility, she transformed murderous intent into life-affirming gratitude.

 

Warlord David recognized his peril. His anger, even though righteous and justified, had nearly plunged him into error and sin. Even in his anger, he remained God’s man and listened to reason.

 

Nabal nearly brought calamity on not just himself, but everyone around him. Despite his churlish and foolish behavior, he received mercy in its truest form. If not for his sake, then Abigail’s.

 

David listened to Abigail. He heard the truth, wisdom and righteousness in her words. He humbled himself before God and man to call off the attack.

 

Abigail listened, in horror, to the report of Nabal’s disrespect. She took immediate action to head off imminent disaster. With a heart full of God’s wisdom and Godly humility, Abigail met blood-thirsty anger with heart-winning grace.

 

Where are you in the picture? Are you listening? If so, are you taking action based on what your hear?

 

Think: Do I listen as God intends?

 

Pray: “Father-God, help me to listen to Your truth and wisdom, no matter the source or circumstance.”

 

 

Copyright © April 2011, Kirk Hunt

Live Secure

“Live Secure” by Kirk Hunt

 

Though he [God] slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.

Job13:15 (NIV)

 

Job’s painful sores and boils did not trigger his anger. Grief over his dead children did not provoke Job’s outburst. Job’s explosion in the 13th chapter is a reaction to an accusation. Job’s “friends” accused him of secret, deliberate sin.

 

Despite all of Job’s pain and losses, the slander hurt Job most. Job responded in anger and indignation against the idea he willfully sinned against God. Secure in his life and relationship with God, Job made one of the boldest statements in Scripture.

 

Job’s faith in God, even at this incredible low spot in his life, had not been shaken. Job could not see the rhyme or reason of his circumstances, but he would continue to trust God. Even if that meant facing his own death. Even if he had to account for himself before God’s judgment seat.

 

Job lived secure. Secure in his faith. Secure in his life.

 

How secure are you? Are you certain of your faith? Is your lifestyle above reproach?

 

Can you shake off accusations and indictments? Are you willing to face God’s judgment here and now? If not, it is time to fortify your life and soul.

 

Think: Integrity leads to security in your own life and before God.

 

Pray: “Father-God, help me to seek Your holiness and live securely in You.”

 

 

Copyright © March 2011, Kirk Hunt

Men Of Integrity

“Men Of Integrity” by Kirk Hunt

 

And Nathan departed unto his house.

2 Samuel 12: 15a (KJV)
(Please read 2 Samuel 12:1-15)

 

Nathan humiliated David, a warrior-king. In front of the royal court, the prophet spoke God’s truth without hesitation or restraint. Then he stood there, watching for David’s reaction.

 

Speaking truth to power is a display of integrity. It takes courage to accuse and confront a man with David’s warrior credentials and royal prerogatives. Nathan knew David could order his death and chose to obey God anyway.

 

Repenting after God’s rebuke is a display of integrity. It takes courage to confess and repent in front of a crowd. David chose to retain his relationship with God rather than impress the courtiers.

 

Being a man or woman of integrity is not easy. It requires tough choices. It requires choosing to do what is right rather than what is convenient. Or less humiliating.

 

“You are the man.” Nathan’s love for God led him to speak the truth, rather than compromise. A powerful display of integrity.

 

The prophet walked calmly home. David’s love for God protected Nathan from retaliation. An authentic display of integrity.

 

You have choices today: God’s way or something less. Your choice reveals your integrity. Display the integrity that honors God.

 

Think: Integrity is about doing the right thing, no matter what.

 

Pray: “Father-God, help me to respond per Your Word and Way, no matter what.”

 

 

Copyright © March 2011, Kirk Hunt

Philemon’s Dilemma

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For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

Philemon 1:7 (KJV)


I expect that Philemon saw Onesimus before reading Paul’s letter. Whether measured in seconds, or hours, it would seem like an eternity to the men in the room. Would Philemon react against an escaped slave, or respond to a Christian brother?


The Epistle put Philemon on the horns of a dilemma. Would he live up to his (Roman) world-wide reputation as a generous, compassionate Christian? Could Philemon still do the right thing, facing the man who robbed him twice?


Circumstances can, and do, demand proof of our Christianity. Do you truly forgive? Are you authentic about reconciliation with a brother or sister?


Intellectual exercises in forgiveness are easy. Concrete episodes of reconciliation are rarely neat and simple. The facts, figures and emotions flood us in excruciating detail.


“Are you or aren’t you?” “Do you walk the talk?” “Do you or don’t you?” The questions may be undiplomatic, but the answers are critical.


Sooner, or later, someone or something will test your character as a Christian. Has it been all talk, or are you really a man or woman of God? What’s your answer to your personal Onesimus?


Think: Choose to be the Christian you talk about.


Pray: “Father-God, help me respond Your way, no matter the circumstances.”



Copyright © December 2010, Kirk Hunt