Tag: peace

Thankfulness In Peace

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“Thankfulness In Peace” By Kirk Hunt

 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 NKJV

 

Unity.  Peace.  Thankfulness.  All three concepts are bound together.

 

Keep in mind that unity is not the same thing as uniformity.  Unity is when the rough-looking biker-type is serving the vegetables right next to the skinny nerd dishing out the entrée.  And everyone in the food line is thankful they work together.

 

Spike and Specs work together they are both Christ-followers.  Since they are at peace within themselves, they can be at peace with others.  They are grateful, not just for each other, but for the opportunity to advance the Kingdom of God, here and now.

 

Which comes first, the peace or the community or the thankfulness?  Pick one and work for the others.  Do not even think of apologizing if you have all three, just send me the secret formula for that state of affairs.

 

Be grateful your peace comes from God and enables you to have unity with others, especially saints.  Be thankful for your community of saints, which gives you the place and space for peace.   The saints around you are enabled by, and thankful for, the peace of God that has rule within you.

 

Think:            I am grateful for internal peace for myself and my local Church.

Pray:              “Lord, thank You for peace, community and unity.”

 

 

Copyright © December 2013, Kirk Hunt

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

Time With Him

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“Time With Him” by Kirk Hunt

 

And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.  

Mark 6:31 KJV

 

Busy schedules can be a sinister, cruel trap.  Yes, the needs are great.  Surely, the opportunities are rich.  Still, below the surface of constant effort, lay the rocks of exhaustion and weariness.

 

Have you been busy in the Gospel fields?   Do you labor in the marketplace?  Then you are a good servant.

 

Still, the Master calls you.  He beckons from a quiet place where He can have you to Himself.  There is more to Christianity than labor and striving.

 

Do not go too many hours without spending time with Him.  Make sure He is in your meeting schedules.  Let His peace and joy flood through your soul on a regular basis.

 

Are you really His?  When was the last time you sat at His feet?  How long has it been since His presence blanketed your soul?

 

There will be times and days when you run non-stop.  It becomes all the more important to linger at a quiet place, resting with the Master.  The human mind and heart are not built for constant striving.  The mortal soul is not designed to be away from Him for long.

 

The lions and giants in your life will wait another few minutes.  Spend some money on a quiet chat with a loving Savior.  It will be a good investment.

 

 

Think:            No achievement should interfere with your time alone with Jesus.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to be disciplined about spending time with You.”

 

 

Copyright © February 2013, Kirk Hunt

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

Leadership Prayer

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“Leadership Prayer” by Kirk Hunt

 

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 

2 Timothy 2:1—2 KJV

 

Christians are called to pray for leadership. Are they in civil authority over you? Then you are to pray for them.

Paul would have been directing Christian men and women to pray for the Roman Caesar. Would you follow the Biblical commandment to pray for Nero, the great Roman persecutor of Christians? Just as you should pray for your local, state (province) or national leaders.

The commandment is to pray for them so that we can lead a “quiet and peaceable” life, here in the real world. They do not have to be believers. You do not have to be in agreement with their policy or decisions. It is God’s job to sort that part out.

There seems to be chaos and uncertainty through much of the world, these days. Do you really believe that regular men and women have the answers for so many difficult issues? We need unearthly intelligence and thinking to save our world.

As always, God is the answer. Pray that those who hold authority in the world get their orders from God. Only he has the solution that let us lead quiet and peaceable lives.

Think: As a Christian, I am called to pray for my leadership.

Pray: “Lord, help me to build your Kingdom, through prayer.”

Copyright © August 2011, Kirk Hunt

The Gold Door

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“The Gold Door” by Kirk Hunt

 

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV

 

In my heart, there is a gold-plated door. The door has no lock and not much of a latch. That is because of the grace and beauty of the nation on the other side.

Elected officials lead with wisdom and a spirit of servant-hood. Business leaders act with humility and fairness, looking to build the nation at the risk of making a profit. Justice rules with kind words from noble hearts.

Beyond the golden door, men and women, act with grace and move in generosity. Hunger has been banished. Injustice has been exterminated. Peace and joy rule the hand. It is a place and space where Christ is King in the hearts of the citizens.

I know all too well what is on the other side of my real front door. That door has a lock. I have reinforced that door against intruders.

I refuse to believe the nation behind the golden door is impossible. I do, however know where the dream will start to become reality. It will appear first in the hearts of God’s people.

It is not impossible. First, Christians must first make Christ King of their own hearts. The nation will follow.

Think: As a Christian, I am called to remake the world around me in His image.

Pray: “Lord, help me to build your Kingdom, here and now.”

Copyright © August 2011, Kirk Hunt

His Peace

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And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Colossians 3:15 (KJV)


Peace is not the absence of conflict or turmoil. Instead, it is the presence of assurance in God’s care and provision. I can be at peace in the middle of storm and conflict.


Thankfulness and peace are linked. Thankfulness is an attitude of appreciation and gratitude. It doesn’t mean I have all I want or everything looks good. It means that I recognize God sovereign place and space in my life.


I thankful because I have His peace. My thankfulness draws His peace. As you embrace the one, the other follows.


Christians should live in a state of peace. We should gratitude for the life and liberty that comes through Christ Jesus. He has given us the best, in eternity and this life as well.


Does that mean that all Christians live in great wealth or in serene circumstances? My bank account could use more zeros, to be sure. Still, I live in the wealth of God’s love and grace.


My circumstances are not themselves tranquil or calm at all times. Still, I rest in God. In the most violent of storms, I am confident in His care and provision.


Think: God’s peace and thankfulness are linked to each other and me.


Pray: “Father-God, help me to trust and rest all the more in You.”



Copyright © November 2010, Kirk Hunt

Hope

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“Hope” by Kirk Hunt

“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (NIV)


You are never quite ready for the death of kith or kin. A long, protracted illness lacks enough warning. A sudden tragedy always catches us unready.


Death does not ask. He does not negotiate. He simply comes. Even Scripture says so.


Death can force us to choose, but he can not control our choices. You can respond in faith. You can reply in strength.


The tears may fall faster and hotter than you like. That is because you are flesh and blood. The sorrow comes because you love and care. That is a good thing.


Grief is not weakness. Sorrow is the most authentic evidence of a life lived, with love, among men and women. Tears are the normal response to loss and permanent separation. Any relationship worth having extracts some grief at its end.


Still, after the waves of sorrow pass, you are left with the memories. Those stored moments of laughter, tears, brawls and embraces are precious treasure. As long as you remember, your friend or kinsman is just a thought away. Especially for those who live and die in Christ, it is never “goodbye,” just “see you later.”


Go on and live through this season. You will have to feel it all. Your real friends and remaining family will see you through the hurt and heartache.


Christians cry at the open grave or weep before the burning pyre. Still, we stand, triumphant through Christ. Death may force the issue, but Jesus has the final Word. “They are not dead, but sleep.”


You will live, love and laugh again. Sooner than you think. God’s grace will carry you. His peace will settle you. God’s power over death gives us our greatest strength: Hope.


Think: His power gives me hope.


Pray: “Lord, help me to remember that You have already triumphed, even over death.”



Copyright © October 2010, Kirk Hunt