Tag: intention

Worship Anyway

“Worship Anyway” By Kirk Hunt

 

And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.

Mark 14:3 NKJV

Please read one (or all) of the Gospel accounts:
Matthew 26: 6–13; Mark 14: 3–9; Luke 7: 36–50; John 12: 1–8.

 

Even today, an alabaster box (for perfume) is costly and uncommon.  Spikenard, which grows only in the Himalayas of Nepal, remains rare and expensive.  Mary spent over a year’s wages to worship.

 

The whispering Pharisees used her past to slander Jesus.  Jesus’ Disciples complained about the “wasteful” expression of her worship.  Given a say, it appears that Pharisee and Disciple would have denied her the opportunity to worship.  Despite them, or their intentions, Mary worshiped anyway.

 

The Bible does not confirm that Mary was a prostitute.  Scripture states she had been demon-possessed and a notorious sinner.  Mary did not let her past, or the murmuring busybodies, keep her from Jesus.

 

You have an opportunity to worship today.  Will you pay the price?  Will you walk past your history or circumstances and worship God?  Are you willing to ignore the whispers from without, or within, to worship Jesus?

 

Whatever it costs, He is worthy.  No matter what others do or say, Jesus is available to you.  No matter what has happened before, He waits for you.

 

The voices are noise and distraction.  If you want to, you can worship.  Everything else is just details.

 

Think:                I can worship Jesus, if I am determined.

 

Pray:                   “Lord, I worship You, because You are worthy.”

 

 

Copyright © June 2016, Kirk Hunt

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

The Ministry of Training

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“The Ministry Of Training” By Kirk Hunt

 

But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod.

1Samuel 2:18 NKJV

 

Samuel literally began his ministry as a preschooler, if not a toddler. Dressed like an adult priest, he carried out mundane tasks in the Tabernacle, just like everyone else. Still, the “trainee” heard from God, even when the High Priest could not (or would not).

 

Perhaps you are truly in the apprentice phase of your life. Good. Learn all you can. Still, what is your output? Even as a learner, you can bless, benefit and build the Kingdom. Are you willing to be a source of output? Do you have the heart to be a blessing, here and now?

 

Too often we expect that we must be deeply qualified and extensively experienced before we can serve God, or men and women. You can fulfill your calling here, now and as you are. You may be better later, but today you are more than good enough for the tasks before you.

 

Samuel may have been the last of the Judges, but he was also the first of the Prophets. His authority, knowledge and service before God are recorded in Scripture. Still, he started his ministry as a child and delivered God’s Word to Israel’s elite leadership. Before he was considered an adult, or fully capable, Samuel was a heavy-hitter.

 

As you work and train before God, you too are a ministering learner. Your credentials may be thin. Your certificates may be few. Still, for some, what you have to give is a weighty matter. I pray that you deliver what God has given you.

 

Think:                Even while training I can build God’s Kingdom.

 

Pray:                   “Lord, how can I build your Kingdom, today?”

 

 

Copyright © February 2016, Kirk Hunt

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

The Intention Of Training

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“The Intention Of Training” By Kirk Hunt

They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.

2 Peter 2:14 NKJV

 

Training requires a target. High skills and knowledge always requires focus on a specific and deliberate outcome. What is your intention?

 

Peter and Paul both faced men and women who trained their minds and bodies for unrighteous, sinful outcomes. As if doing the wrong thing was easy enough, those souls focused their efforts on the very outcomes God’s people try to avoid. These “cursed children” want sin and wrongdoing to be expanded in the world.

 

History is full of examples of men and women who sought the worst in themselves and others. Millions have suffered, and will suffer in the future, because of the dark and malicious goals of a determined few. Thankfully, the opposite is also true. A few, determined souls can bless and benefit this generation and next.

 

Whose kingdom do you want to build? Do you seek to build the Kingdom of God, here and now? If so, you can be a “blessed child” to everyone around you and to generations to come.

 

Consider what you are training your mind, heart and body to do. The intention of your purpose exposes who you really are. It is my prayer that we will see that you are a child of Father-God.

 

Think:                The intention of my training is building God’s Kingdom.

 

Pray:                   “Lord, I train diligently so I can build your Kingdom.”

 

 

Copyright © February 2016, Kirk Hunt

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

He Draws You

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“He Draws You” By Kirk Hunt

 

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

Jeremiah 13:3 NKJV

 

God, the artist, sits at His ease, drawing your portrait. His all-seeing eye knows you better and deeper than even you can know yourself. As His all-powerful hands draw your life, nothing is left out. Despite your life and times, His eyes are full of love and kindness for you

 

A beautiful picture is coming into being, despite the model who sits for your portrait. The imperfections are in the picture. Your personality and character are captured on the page. God leaves out nothing, and the portrait He draws is accurate and faithful.

 

Despite your imperfections God is making your life a work of art. Despite it all, God intends your drawing to be proud and attractive. God wants to draw you with loving-kindness. Your picture, if you submit yourself to Him, will be beautiful.

 

God loved you yesterday. God loves you today. God will love you tomorrow.

 

God thinks about you all of the time. There is never a moment when you are not foremost in His heart and Mind. Around His throne there are plans, sketches and calculations. They all center on you.

 

Never doubt for a moment that the outcome He has for you exceeds your wildest dreams. Still, you will have to come to Him. He calls to you. Is it not time you answered Him?

 

Think:             His plans for you are drawn with love.

 

Pray:               “Lord, thank You for drawing me with loving-kindness.”

 

 

Copyright © November 2015, Kirk Hunt

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

Peter’s Sword

“Peter’s Sword” By Kirk Hunt

 

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

 

John 18:10 NKJV

 

There were two weapons among the Disciples (Luke 22:38), but Scripture records only one sword being used: Peter’s. Did the swing come from skillful training or hard-bitten experience? Scripture does not say.

 

From the comfort of an arm chair, with the New Testament readily available, modern-day Saints criticize Peter. So did Jesus, in the moment (v. 11). Still, Peter’s sword teaches modern saints important lessons.

 

Peter thought ahead and equipped himself. Peter had the means, knowhow and willingness to protect Jesus and the other Disciples from the violent thieves of the era. You cannot choose if you do not have the means to change (or at least impact) the situation.

 

Peter was close and committed enough to take action. Too many stand at a distance from the lives of saints or sinners, or refuse to get deeply and personally involved. Presence and action are proof of caring.

 

Peter’s sword stroke was full of good intentions and sincere motivation. It was still the wrong act, at the wrong time. Right actions must be based on right thinking, not just right hearts. Peter made matters worse. Has that ever happened to you?

 

You are God’s agent for change. You will have to get close, have the right tools and take the right actions. I pray you are God’s wise, not just strong, instrument in the world.

 

Think:             I cannot help if I do not have the means, willingness and wisdom to effect change.

 

Pray:               “Lord, help me to be Your effective change agent.”

 

 

Copyright © July 2014, Kirk Hunt

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

He Thinks Of You

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“He Thinks Of You” by Kirk Hunt

 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

(Please read Jeremiah 29:1-7)

 

The leadership of Judah and Jerusalem trudged along in the chains of their Babylonian captors.  The march to the capitol of Babylon had only just started.  Behind them, Jerusalem still burned.  Before them, Judah’s towns and farms lay in smoking ruins.

 

At the first rest stop, a whisper ran like wildfire among the captives.  “Jeremiah has a prophesy for God’s People.”  With desperate attention, they listened to every word of the prophet they previously persecuted.

 

Despite the justice and judgment He had allowed to come against them, God’s People were never out of His eye or heart.  His mercy had protected them from paying the full price of their sins.  Already, plans were in motion to return Judah and Israel to Canaan and self-rule.  Even those who would not live to return, could live out their lives in peace and prosperity.

 

Consider the plan God has for your life.  No matter what has happened before, He intends to bless you, yours and others through your life.  You have never been out of His eye or heart.

 

His mercy continues to shield you.  His grace advances you.  His peace blesses you.

 

Wherever you are, good times or bad, God has enacted His Plan for you.  Choose to see the end He wants for you.  Deliberately live the life God intends for you.

 

Think:            God has plans for me.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to see and follow Your plan for me.”

 

 

Copyright © March 2013, Kirk Hunt

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