Tag: love

Love Without Limits

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“Love Without Limits” by Kirk Hunt

 

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.   When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

John 11:5-6 KJV

Martha, Mary and Lazarus had the distinction of being close, intimate friends of Jesus.   You would think that hearing of Lazarus’ illness would have sent Jesus running to his side.  Instead, Jesus deliberately sat for two full days.

 

Verse 4 gives us the rationale for Jesus’ delay.  God would get glory from the situation.  Unfortunately, that meant that Lazarus would have to wait.

 

Missing the funeral was not enough.  Jesus did not arrive until days after the burial.  Jesus waited until the situation became really serious.

 

Perhaps you feel like Lazarus.  You know that Jesus loves and cares for you, but there seems to be a delay.  Despite your faith, you anxiously wait for Jesus.

 

Jesus’ power and love are without limit.  No matter how long He takes, His timing is perfect.  Unfortunately, that means you may have to wait.

 

It does not get more serious than dead and buried.  The living Word undid death for Lazarus.  Jesus does not love you less than Lazarus.

 

His perfect timing is His perfect timing.  No matter what you want, or when, Jesus will get the glory when His power works in your life.  Keep your faith in love that knows no limits.

 

Think: The love of Jesus knows no limits.

 

Pray: “Lord, help me trust your love, power and timing in my life.”

 

 

Copyright © March 2012, Kirk Hunt

The Preparation Of A Kiss

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“The Preparation Of A Kiss” by Kirk Hunt

 

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (Luke 15:20 KJV)

Luke 15:20 KJV

He cringed when he saw his father running full-out toward him. As the older man came to a stop, huffing and puffing, he tried to start his speech. His father stopped him with a kiss.

 

Despite the stench of the pig-sty. On top of the putrid smell of disobedience. Without regard to who saw, or what they thought.

 

The father’s love had never wavered. His hope and expectation had yearned toward this day. All that was left was a way to express, joy, love and unrestrained welcome in one succinct act.

 

Perhaps the boy expected rebuke and recrimination. Instead, he received acceptance and affirmation. The joy of restoration outweighed every other consideration or concern.

 

Father-God’s love for you has never wavered. His divine providence and omnipotent preparation has worked for the day that you would return to Him. And he has joy, love and unrestrained welcome stored up just for you.

 

It does not matter what has gone before. His heart is ready to receive you. All you have to do is turn toward Him. He has a kiss for you.

 

 

Think: Father-God yearns to kiss me.

Pray: “Lord, remind me that You love me, no matter what.

Copyright © November 2011, Kirk Hunt

Haman’s Hate

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“Haman’s Hate” by Kirk Hunt

 

And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

Esther 3:6 KJV

 

I am not surprised that Haman reacted with rage to Mordecai’s disobedience. Haman’s arrogance and contempt for others shines throughout Esther. Violating such a selfish and self-centered world view had to lead to anger.

It is Haman’s determination to commit genocide over a simple insult that I find monstrous. Anger does lead to hate. Hate leads to all manner of destructive acts.

Too many recent events prove that men and woman like Haman walk among us. They seek to destroy rather than build. They are willing to disrupt, or kill, rather than build or work. Haters always build gallows.

Haman’s hate represents the impact of unfettered rage on the lives of the hated, and the hater. Of course, the hater always blames the object of his or her hate. No matter how much they have to twist the facts and figures, haters always arrive at the same destination.

The tragedy is that destination is the gallows. For their own hanging. Sooner, or later.

Be the man or woman who reacts the way God would. In love. With grace.

Think: As a Christian, I am called to love even my enemies, not hate them.

Pray: “Lord, help me to respond in Your love, not my hate.”

Copyright © August 2011, Kirk Hunt

He Sees You

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“He Sees You” by Kirk Hunt

 

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Luke 15:20 KJV

 

“His father saw him.” Dad’s heart for his son gave him sight and insight. A “great way off” was not just a reference to the physical distance.

 

Dad scanned the horizon every day, looking for his son. He saw the boy coming home, in his heart. With faith that strong, his physical eyes were compelled to look for the physical manifestation.

 

The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24) is a parable, but it teaches an inescapable truth: God loves you and wants you back. Separation from Him is not normal. Reconciliation with Him is natural.

 

Perhaps you have left your faith in Him for a time. His love for you has never wavered. His arms are open to you, even now.

 

Perhaps you have kept your faith, but have stumbled here and there. He loves you, even still. Run back to his open arms.

 

God loves you. His arms are open and extended to you. Your heavenly Father will see you when you turn back to Him.

 

Think: Godly loves me. God wants me back.

 

Pray: “Father-God, I thank You for Your love for me and Your open arms for me.”

 

 

Copyright © May 2011, Kirk Hunt

“He Sees You” by Kirk Hunt

 

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Luke 15:20 KJV

 

“His father saw him.” Dad’s heart for his son gave him sight and insight. A “great way off” was not just a reference to the physical distance.

 

Dad scanned the horizon every day, looking for his son. He saw the boy coming home, in his heart. With faith that strong, his physical eyes were compelled to look for the physical manifestation.

 

The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24) is a parable, but it teaches an inescapable truth: God loves you and wants you back. Separation from Him is not normal. Reconciliation with Him is natural.

 

Perhaps you have left your faith in him for a time. His love for you has never wavered. His arms are open to you, even now.

 

Perhaps you have kept your faith, but have stumbled here and there. He loves you, even still. Run back to his open arms.

 

God loves you. His arms are open and extended to you. Your heavenly Father will see you when you turn back to Him.

 

Think: Godly loves me. God wants me back.

 

Pray: “Father-God, I thank You for Your love for me and Your open arms for me.”

 

 

Copyright © May 2011, Kirk Hunt

God Loves First

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“God Loves First” by Kirk Hunt


We love him, because he first loved us.

I John 4:19 (KJV)


It does not get simpler. God loved us first. No qualifiers. No fine print.


We are in a no-risk position. We are free to love Him because we know. Not that He might, but that He already has.


It is reassuring to know that the Master of all creation has already committed Himself. I do not have to worry that my love to Him will be unrequited. I have no fear that my love will not be answered.


Patiently God waits for us. First, to realize that He already loves us. All he wants is for us to love Him back.


He knows your back-story and history, but He loved you first. He knows where you are and what you doing, but He loved you first. He sees your flaws, blemishes and imperfections, but He loved you first.


You do not have to worry He will not love you, since He already does. There is only one thing you can do about His love: love Him back.


There are no qualifiers to worry about. There is no fine print to read. There are just a pair of open arms ready to hold you with infinite affection.


Think: God loved me first.


Pray: “Father-God, help me to have confidence and joy in Your love for me.”



Copyright © February 2011, Kirk Hunt

Love God

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“Love God” by Kirk Hunt



 

We love him, because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19 KJV

 

On the Cross, Jesus gave the final atonement for sin. His sacrifice tore the Veil of Separation. Jesus repaired the rift that separated sinful man from Holy God.

 

What motivated all of this sacrifice and transformation? Love. We could not go to God, so He came to us. It is that simple. It is that easy.

 

His love is complete. His love is pure. His love is perfect.

 

No matter where you are today. No matter what happened yesterday. No matter what comes tomorrow.

 

God loves you. Completely. Purely. Perfectly.

 

Come close to Him. Feel the fond peace of His heart. Rest in the tender safety of His arms.

 

You can not earn His love, but He gives it all the same. You can never deserve His love, but He delights in you anyway. All you need to do is respond.

 

Your love might be incomplete. Your love may be impure. Your love could be imperfect.

 

He knows how you are. Still, He loves you. His arms are stretched out to the worst of sinners. His arms and heart are open even to you. It is that simple. It is that easy.

 

God loves you. Don’t ask. Don’t tell. Just love Him back.

 

Think : God loves me.

 

Pray: “Lord, I accept Your love for me.”

 

 

Copyright © August 2010, Kirk Hunt

A Love Story

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“A Love Story” by Kirk Hunt

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:10 KJV

Scripture can (easily) be seen as an epic love story. The suitor is God Himself. From the beginning, He has sought to win the hearts of His intended.

We are His intended. Any man or woman who lives on this side of Glory is the target of God’s unending love and desire. To prove Himself, Jesus came and made it possible for us to receive eternal life.

To give us forever, He surrendered His own Glory. Perfection became a helpless baby. The manger is just as much a symbol of sacrifice and love as the Cross. You are at the center of a story of powerful devotion and relentless desire. God has spared no effort to deliver His love to you. How will you respond?

See the manger for what it is: A symbol of God’s unquenchable desire and affection for you. He longs for a loving relationship with you. Still, He is a true lover. He desires that we love Him in a sincere and true exchange of affections.

His Arms are open wide. He has paid every price for your freedom and liberty. What do you say? How will this love story end for you?

Think: How do I respond to God’s love for me?

Pray: “Lord, I thank You for Your love for me.”

Copyright © December 2009, Kirk Hunt