Tag: perfection

Until Perfect Has Come

Until Perfect Has Come by Kirk Hunt

For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

1 Corinthians 13:9-10 NKJV
Read also 1 Corinthians 13

God’s men and women labor every day. They work to do the best they can with what they have and know. Later, when perfect knowledge and resources are available, they do better than ever. That is why love must always motivate our actions.

I may not always understand completely. The best resources for the task may not be at hand. But if I am acting out of love, then the results will tend toward blessing and benefit.

A peanut butter sandwich, served with care and concern, is a banquet of nourishment. A couch and blanket, in a place of love and safety, is a resort of rest and restoration. Do the best you can at the time, but do with love every time.

Even God’s people do not have complete revelation or knowledge in every situation. Still, the lost or hungry or hurting need an answer, here and now. An answer, given from our hearts through God’s love, will serve in the moment.

Always work to improve your knowledge and gather the right resources. The right item at the right time is a blessing. A man or woman of skills and knowledge can often work wonders. Regardless of everything else, the best results always come from operating in God’s love.

Think: Love should always be my motivation, even after perfection comes.

Pray: “Lord, help me to always act in love.”

Copyright © April 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.

Press On

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“Press On” By Kirk Hunt

 

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

Philippians 3:12 NKJV

 

From a Roman prison, Paul wrote a letter of instruction and encouragement to the Christian church at Philippa. Despite his evangelism work, and the resulting persecution, Paul understood that he remained a work-in-process. “I press on,” is a statement of faith, as well as fact.

 

Since Christians are imperfect, we work constantly to improve our own characters. At the same time, we also work to bring Jesus to the fallen world around us. We do not give up on them, because God has not given up on us. Given a new morning, we continue to push forward, for the world, and for ourselves.

 

Christians are not excused from life in the real world. Flat tires, bad medical reports and poor self-control happen to God’s people every day. The Christian walk exists in the nitty-gritty realities of here and now.

 

Understanding his own short-comings, Paul sought to build up others. He used an action verb to describe the internal and external work of his life and ministry. Paul made no apologies for being less-than-perfect. He only pointed out that he was working to that end, regardless.

 

So, like Paul, we press on. We are eager to win over hearts and minds to Jesus. Especially, but not exclusively, we labor to bring ourselves to Him.

 

Think:                I push forward to build myself, and His Kingdom, here and now.

 

Pray:                   “Lord, help me to press forward to You.”

 

 

Copyright © February 2016, Kirk Hunt

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

Adullam’s Champions

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“Adullam’s Champions” by Kirk Hunt

 

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David:

2 Samuel 23:15–16 KJV

Please also read 2 Samuel 23:8–17

 

Adino, Eleazar and Shammah.  The elite three among David’s forces.  The kind of men to go deep behind enemy lines to get a canteen of water.

 

These are not the same men recruited at Adullam.  They are no longer deadbeats, losers or whiners.  David’s moment of nostalgia and homesickness becomes a chance to display their strength.  And encourage the heart and spirit of their chosen leader.

 

Did these men spring out of the earth, champions?  Scripture does not record that scene.  Instead, Scripture records their act of selflessness and encouragement.

 

God intends for you to become a champion.  Where you start is less important than following His plan for your life.  Your service in His Kingdom is the primary tool to change you.  For the better.

 

Perhaps you already are a champion.  Have you engaged in a heroic effort, just to encourage someone?  Only a champion would unobtrusively schedule a perilous victory for someone else’s benefit.

 

God’s Kingdom is full of opportunities, big and small.  To encourage, bless and build up others in Christ.  His intends for you to be a champion.  Go do your faith hero stuff.

 

Think:            Men and women are made champions in God’s service.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to become the champion You intend.”

 

 

Copyright © April 2013, Kirk Hunt

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

Adullam’s Recruits

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“Adullam’s Recruits” by Kirk Hunt

 

And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

I Samuel 22:2 KJV

 

David fled to the cave of Adullam, hunted and hated by King Saul.  There, alone and in need of support, David received his recruits.  Oh, joy.

 

There were not the best and the brightest.  They were not even the middling and muted.  The cast-offs of society made their way to David.  Oh, boy.

 

Scripture says they were in distress, or in debt or discontented.  I call them the losers, the deadbeats and the whiners.  Not the usual starting blocks of an elite fighting unit.  Oh, man.

 

Thankfully, the sentence does not end there.  At least they brought themselves.  That hints that they were willing to invest themselves in something.  By coming to and staying at Adullam, they changed.  Oh, well.

 

Davis became their captain.  Clearly, these undesirable men were willing to accept leadership.  Often, a teachable heart alone can help a man advance from where ever he started.  Oh, great.

 

Adullam’s recruits represent the men and women who come to support you in your calling.  They are unfinished and often undesirable, but with God’s help they can become champions.  Oh, okay.

 

Think:            Men and women finish champions in God’s service, no matter how they start.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to see Your finished work in my brothers and sisters.”

 

 

Copyright © April 2013, Kirk Hunt

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