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A Son Trusts His Father

A Son Trusts His Father by Kirk Hunt

It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in princes.

Psalm 118:8–9 NKJV

My toddler son came out of the 3^rd floor apartment and launched himself at me. He did not care about my 15-hour day, the rain slick stair steps, or the books and bags in my hands. He put his trust in me to catch him and not let him fall.

He squealed in joy and delight as stuff tumbled down, or through, the concrete stair treads. I clutched him to my chest in wild-eyed panic, my heart pounding. In that moment the Holy Spirit asked me, “If he can trust you that much, why don’t you trust God that much?”

Father-God’s arms are so much stronger and longer than mine. His power is so much greater than mine. His knowledge is so much greater than mine. I can always trust Him to catch me.

Years later, I still work to trust him. No matter what leaders do, God is in control. No matter how ill-behaved others are, I can have joy, safety and security in the arms of Father-God.

Do I trust God that much? Of course I do. My eyes may see the circumstances but my heart and soul never forgets that my loving Father will never let me fall.

Men and women have let me down. God has not and will not let me fall. I will leap into His arms with joy and abandon.

Think: God will not let me fall. Why am I worried about what others do?

Pray: “Jesus, help me to remember to place all of my trust in You.”

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.

“If It Is Your Will?”

““If It Is Your Will?”” By Kirk Hunt

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

Luke 22:41–42 NKJV

The enormity of His coming trial and execution fell heavy on Jesus. Alone, He appealed to God, the only One who could change the course of events. “If it is Your will,” proves that Jesus went humbly and obediently to the Cross.

Too often we expect men and women to face the worst of life with a beatific expression and wise words of faith and encouragement for others. Instead, when the worst of circumstances decent on us, we can do what Jesus did. He went to God, and asked to be excused.

“If it is Your will” is the request of a faithful and obedient son or daughter who knows (or suspects) just how difficult events are going to get. A real saint, with Real Faith™, will follow God’s path, no matter where it goes. Still, in humility and obedience, we are allowed to ask our loving Father-God if there is another way.

Maybe there is a different way to fulfill God’s will. Perhaps, as with Jesus, events unfold as we knew they would. It is okay to ask in either case.

Jesus went to the Cross and bought our salvation with His perfect sacrifice. As you face your place in His will, be strong in your faith and obedience. And your prayer for a different path may draw an angelic encourager to stay the course.

Think: God’s will is not always easy, even though it is always best.

Pray: “Lord, I will follow Your will. Help me have the strength to stay Your course.”

“Mother, Go with Me?”

““Mother, Go with Me?”” By Kirk Hunt

And Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!”

Judges 4:8 NKJV
Please read also Judges 4:4–9

Deborah sent for Barak, a leader and general of Israel. She confirmed to him that God had already commanded him to fight Sisera’s army, and promised him victory. Barak responded with “Mother, will you go with me?”

Barak faced a bigger, better equipped army with a history of brutally beating against Israel. God told Barak to lead footmen against chariots (infantry against tanks) and promised him a win. Barak, through faith, trusted God. Still, who could blame him for wanting God’s woman to go with him?

If you are one of God’s people, you run a risk. God, at any moment, may command you to face insurmountable odds with no assurance but His promise. Barak faced the real risk of losing a battle that common wisdom said could not be won. To his credit, Barak went in obedience and faith.

True saints with Real Faith™ follow God’s Word in complete confidence and trust. Real saints, like me, might want a trusted man or woman of God to go along, just to keep repeating God’s promise. Things are different when your life, legacy and liberty hang in the balance.

God, of course , delivered on His promises. Barak went in with and trust. Still, he kept a grip on Mother Deborah’s hand. Your faith, like Barak’s, may not be completely perfect, but God always honors our obedience.

Think: Trust God Word in your life and purpose. Take men and women of faith with you, to help.

Pray: “Lord, my faith and trust is in You. ”

No Greater Love

“No Greater Love” By Kirk Hunt

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

John 15:13

The test came, and three true Americans passed. Good men refused to stand by and let evil triumph. For friends they may not have truly met, they proved their greater love.

It is appropriate on this Memorial Day that we Americans recognize this fresh proof that freedom is not free. It requires men and women, many without arms or armor, to stand in courage. Some will make the ultimate sacrifice, out of love.

Real love requires standing against all enemies, foreign and domestic, natural and spiritual. Real love stands against sin, hate and violence with grace and truth. All too often, the enemy of our souls, or his agents, will retaliate viciously.

However they act, God’s people are commanded to respond in love and grace. Even when provoked, God’s people must respond as Jesus would. His greater love lives in us and finds its expression through us. Sometimes at the risk of being known as a hero.

Jesus knew He would face the ultimate test. He refused to stand by and let mankind continue in separation from God. Jesus stood in courage and made the ultimate and eternal sacrifice, on the Cross. He proved that the evidence of greater love requires action.

I pray you are never tested this way. May His wisdom and grace lead you around or past any situation. Still, do not hesitate to become a known hero. True heroes are in short supply.

Think: Jesus gave His life to save us from the enemy of our souls.

Pray: “Lord, guide me in Your wisdom, with courage.”

At The River’s Bank

“At The River’s Bank” By Kirk Hunt

But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank.

Exodus 2:3
Please read also Exodus 1:8–22

At the river’s bank, Jochebed carefully laid her infant son in a waterproofed basket. Driven by a mixture of fear, hope, desperation, ingenuity and determination, she sought life and safety for her boy in the Nile. She risked the life of her helpless infant with crocodiles or drowning. She saved him from the certainty of death at the hands of Pharaoh’s soldiers.

“Amram, I put the baby in the river today. Now I am being paid by the royal court to raise our baby. God is good.”

Desperate people do extraordinary things. Some acts, in retrospect, are unwise. Others actions demonstrate courage and determination despite stress and danger. In some circumstances, you must do what you can with what you have.

Perhaps you stand at a river’s bank in your life. Your circumstances have driven you in ways you never imagined. Even in a place of risk and danger, God is still with you.

Turn to His wisdom and guidance. Ask Him to guide you in what He is blessing. God’s direction may not make sense to others. His guidance may not make sense to you. His path remains the way to safety and blessing.

Think: God sees and cares for me, even in the worst of circumstances.

Pray: “Lord, guide me in Your wisdom, even at the river’s edge.”

Spirit of Faithfulness

“Spirit of Faithfulness” By Kirk Hunt

“But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Luke 22:32 NKJV

In the hours before His crucifixion, Jesus carefully strengthened His Disciples. Especially Peter. Before dawn, Peter would deny any knowledge of Jesus. Knowing he would fail the first test, Jesus knew Peter’s faithfulness would pass the final test.

Faithfulness can be defined as the act of remaining true to your word or promise. Traditionally, Peter was also crucified, because he would not deny Jesus a second time. We remember Peter as Jesus’ man because he kept his word.

Too often we expect perfect, error-free living from God’s people. Too often we throw away perfectly good souls because it turns out they were human. Peter is a prime example of a man who refused to be less-then again.

Peter did not keep his word the first time. Still he died a martyr for the man he once denied. That is faithfulness, even if it is human.

Faithfulness sees the task and acts. Despite the risks. Without any credit. Silently, in the background.

Perhaps there is a task that you should be doing. There could be a responsibility you need to take on, knowing there is no return on investment but a lot of risk. Flinch if you have to, but give your word. Be the man or woman who gives and keeps promises.

Think: Faithfulness is the power to give and keep your word or promise.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be faithful for Your Kingdom.”

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Take Him Or Her On Faith

“Take Him Or Her On Faith” By Kirk Hunt

If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.

Philemon 1:17 NKJV

Philemon looked from Paul’s letter to Onesimus’ face. Paul, who may have still had a negative reputation among some Christians, asked his Gospel son to take in a Gospel brother. On faith alone, Paul asked Philemon to simply accept and forgive the man who robbed him.

Philemon is arguably the most communication in Scripture. Paul sends Onesimus, an escaped slave, back home to Philemon, his owner. It is implied in the epistle, though not explicit, that Onesimus stole something during his escape.

Paul had to trust Onesimus to go back to his owner. Philemon had to trust Paul’s judgment and Onesimus’ change in character. Onesimus had to trust Paul’s judgment and Philemon’s generous and forgiving character. Do you see the thread?

Somewhere or sometime during your Christian walk, you will need to take someone on faith. You will have to trust that they are who they say they are, now. No matter what you feel, remember or see.

The most calculated judgments always carry a risk. You can never know for certain that it is really different now. You will have to take the chance that the words and character match and are real. You will have to open your arms, and heart, on faith alone.

Think: Only faith with serve for some actions.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to have faith in Your people, not just You.”

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

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 13^th 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.”

Disruptive Grace

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“Disruptive Grace” by Kirk Hunt

And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

Luke 7:14 KJV

Jesus interrupted the funeral proceedings. He interfered with a solemn ceremony. Jesus deliberately intruded on the widow’s grief and sorrow.

It’s not hard to imagine the results. The mourners suddenly became dancers. The weeping widow instantly became a joyous mother. The young man sat up, wondering why he was in a coffin in the middle of the street.

Jesus’ grace is all-powerful and undeniable. When He touches a situation, nothing can remain the same. The grace of Jesus is disruptive. God doesn’t fit in a box. The master of eternity doesn’t worry about schedules.

Too often, we object to God’s grace. His Presence comes at inconvenient times. His power and provision manifests in inconvenient ways.

Think for a moment. Do you really object to what God is doing for you and in you? However inconvenient, will you refuse the grace He is pouring into your life?

Seek Him, but be prepared. He may come in an unexpected and unanticipated way. Be open to disruption. Embrace the chaos and confusion that can follow God’s blessing and provision.

Think: When His grace falls, everything is disrupted.

Pray: “Lord, disrupt my life with Your grace.”

Running Risks

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“Running Risks” by Kirk Hunt

But Barnabas took him [Paul], and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

Acts 9:27 KJV

Please read Acts 15: 37-39 also.

Barnabas, the risk taker took a huge risk on Paul. He wagered his good name, and literal life, that Saul the Inquisitor had become the Paul the Evangelist. He took a similar risk that John the Flake had become Mark the Gospel-writer.

They were risks because history spoke against both men. Apostle Paul himself regretted killing and persecuting saints his entire life. Mark had abandoned Paul at Pamphylia. “The facts are the facts.”

Someone needs you to be a risk-taker. They need you to wager your good name and high standing. Not on a paragon of virtue but on a soul with fresh failures and recent faults.

Barnabas put everything on the line to help someone else achieve their purpose in the Kingdom. In the short run it cost Barnabas something. In the long run, Barnabas is a hero among saints. The two men he saved wrote 14 books in Scripture.

Someone around you needs you to take a risk. In the short run, it may cost you. In the long run, you’ll bless the Kingdom.

Think: God’s Kingdom needs saints who are willing to run the risks.

Pray: “Lord, help me to serve Your Kingdom. Even if it is risky.”

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