God Has Granted

God Has Granted by Kirk Hunt

For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’

Acts 27:23-24 NKJV

In all of the noise, frenzy and disruption of this season, it is too easy to miss God’s presence. I and my extended family are blessed to walk in the blessing, grace and peace God has granted. My life is notable for God’s peaceful calm, despite the many storms of the day.

Brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and a host of cousins live on. None of the nephews and nieces are ill or injured. The extended tribe of my family faces neither undue hardship or harsh lack. We are blessed to prosper in the midst of the tempest.

Obviously, God’s angels stand close. Some carry sword and shield against disease and destroyers. Others carry boxes and baskets of provision for me and mine. I can only whisper, or shout, praise and thanksgiving.

God’s favor is not fair and cannot be earned. I are humbled by God’s tender attention. I am overwhelmed by His loving care. “Thank You” is too small a response to all of the good and benefit God has poured out on me and mine. In thankful response, I will pass on some of my blessing to others.

Look around. Despite the inconveniences you live with, you have enough to share. When God does not send angels, He sends His saints. Saints are men and women, just like you, who share the benefits and blessings they have received from God. Who have you blessed lately?

Think: God has granted. Have you shared?

Pray: “Lord, help me share the favor you have given me.”

Copyright © October 2020, 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.

Fear’s Antidote

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Fear’s Antidote By Kirk Hunt

 

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18 NKJV

 

Sometimes I fret and worry. The uncertainties of life are many. As a redeemed Christian, I remain vulnerable to the ebb and flow of the real world. Scripture proclaims that saints should not have fear. I know better that letting the fear in, but here we are.

 

My humanity makes me vulnerable to fear. I often stay away from the nightly news, because of the fear-inducing events and situations of the day. It is harder to stay away from the uncertainties of my day-to-day life. Life itself is a risk-filled endeavor.

 

I still have no excuse. I know that Father-God loves me. Through the grace of His Son, His love dwells in me. When I step out of or away from His love I am vulnerable to fear, in all of its unpleasantness.

 

John is right. Fear is torment. The antidote, of course, is God’s love. As I soak in His love, the fear is displaced. You would think I would have perfected my grip on God’s love by now.

 

So it appears my grip on love is not yet perfect. I am working on it. The antidote to fear is being perfect in God’s love. I am going to practice until I get it right.

 

Think:            The antidote to fear is the love of God.

 

Pray:               “Lord, help me to rest and shelter in Your love.

 

 

Copyright © March 2015, Kirk Hunt

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

Rouge’s Gallery

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“Rouge’s Gallery” by Kirk Hunt

 

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:39-40 NIV

 

Hebrews 11 is full of names. From a certain point of view, these men and women are of two completely different characters. The easy view is of Scriptural heroes and saints of God.

 

The names in Hebrews 11 are a rogue’s gallery of the imperfect and faulty. The list includes murderers, adulterers and the faithless. We are speaking of big failings and huge errors.

 

What should you expect? The man writing the list, once persecuted Christians. Paul is sticking up for people just like himself.

 

Still, with their stained records and flawed histories, all of them would gladly stand and testify. Of God’s grace. Of His redemption.

 

So what makes these folks examples to today’s men and women? Their faith. They did not stay face down in their errors and failings. They got up and kept trying to live out God’s Word.

 

Yesterday’s failing is not a disqualifier. Keep moving in sincerity and faith. I pray I will see your face and name in a rouge’s gallery of faith.

 

Think: Godly men and women are not perfect, but they are full of faith.

 

Pray: “Father-God, give me the faith to pursue You and Your perfection for my life.”

 

 

Copyright © May 2011, Kirk Hunt