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

Some Dreams Do Not Die

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“Some Dreams Do Not Die” by Kirk Hunt

 

And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.

2 Kings 4:16 KJV

 

Her hands came off her hips and covered her mouth. Her dry, squinting eyes were suddenly wide and full of tears. Elisha’s prophecy released the hidden dream of her heart. The dream lurched from its dark cell into the bright sun of her life.

 

The tough, self-assured woman of verse 13 suddenly gave way to the tender, vulnerable girl of verse 16. Our dreams have power. Even our hidden dreams. Especially the dreams that should have died.

 

There you are, building the Kingdom. You have not asked, or expected, a reward for your faithfulness. God will select an unlikely place and space to fulfill your dreams.

 

God delights in bringing dreams to life. Probably the dreams you had forgotten. Especially the dreams you thought were long since dead.

 

Your season is coming. A season when you will hold something precious. A season you did not think possible.

 

Some dreams do not die. Some dreams linger, waiting for God’s power and the right season. Some dreams you did not ask for, but God gave you anyway.

 

Think: Nothing is impossible for God.

 

Pray: “Father-God, no dream is impossible with You.”

 

 

Copyright © June 2011, Kirk Hunt

He Is Not Done With You

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“He Is Not Done With You” by Kirk Hunt


Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:   So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram [was] seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

Genesis 12:1, 4 KJV


At 75 years old, you expect to be settled. At that age, your career should be completed or in the last stages. 75 years old is not when you expect to become a world traveling adventurer.


God’s Presence came close. His Word pierced every doubt and uncertainty. “I am not done with you, Abram.” Neon signs and spotlights could not make His message clearer.


You are where you are. You are what you are. God is not done with you.


He has places He wants you to go. He has things He wants you to accomplish. Your age, education, wealth or health are less important than your obedience.


If you go, He will provide. If you obey, He will bless tribes and nations through your life. Your name can become a modern byword for faithfulness.


He is not done with you. Embrace the adventure. Go where He sends you. Your faithfulness will build the Kingdom.


Think: He has special Kingdom work for me.


Pray: “Lord, help me be obedient to Your Call.”



Copyright © September 2010, Kirk Hunt

God’s Back Pay

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“God’s Back Pay” by Kirk Hunt

 

And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.

Genesis 41:51 KJV

 

The birth of a son is normally cause for celebration and joy. Like any first-time father, I’m certain Joseph whooped with joy and pride. Still, the memories of the last 13 years brought some gravity to Joseph’s heart and mind.

 

“God has caused me to forget.” First, betrayal by his brothers. Then, years of slavery. Finally, false accusation and years of unjust imprisonment. In the glow of his back-pay, Joseph forgot about the prior years.

 

Perhaps you have been laboring long, hard and without just wages. God has been watching over you the entire time. Recording the hours. Banking your pay.

 

To others, it will seem you are an over-night sensation. It doesn’t matter how it looks to them. You know that God is simply delivering your back pay.

 

Just when they thought you were dead, God will deliver your best life yet. Even though you thought you were forgotten and cast aside, God will set you out front and in charge. No one delivers back-pay like God.

 

Stay faithful. Work to build His Kingdom. Trust that God has your back-pay. At the right time, in the correct place, God will make you forget all that happened before. In joy. With delight. Through blessing.

 

Think : God rewards the faithful.

 

Pray: “Lord, I thank You, in advance, for Your Kingdom blessings.”

 

 

Copyright © April 2010, Kirk Hunt

The Prince Gets A Princess

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“The Prince Gets A Princess” by Kirk Hunt

 

And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:45 KJV

 

There is a saying, “God does not always call the equipped, but He always equips the called.” To fulfill his purpose in God’s plan, Joseph needed to look, sound and live like a high-born Egyptian. Against expectation, Joseph’s years as a slave, then a convict, equipped him to serve as Pharaoh’s Chief Executive.

 

Perhaps you feel you have been denied the good things of life. Maybe you feel that the positive outcomes have been kept from you. God has a royal blessing in store for you.

 

Probably not a literal royal bride (or groom) but an excellent place in purpose. With an extraordinary space for blessing. God will inflict His best on you, as if from ambush.

 

His blessing will catch up to you. No matter where, or how far, you have traveled. The right time and place is where God says it is.

 

As prince Joseph entered his palace, God arranged for everything. Even a princess. As you enter your purpose in God’s Kingdom, God will arrange for everything.

 

Think : God equips His servants for their call.

 

Pray: “Lord, equip me for Your purpose, in Your Kingdom.”

 

 

Copyright © April 2010, Kirk Hunt

Ramp Yourself Up

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“Ramp Yourself Up” by Kirk Hunt

 

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

 

Be skeptical of the press releases. Discount the glowing documentaries. Ignore at least half the criticisms. They worked hard for their success.

 

Every accomplished man or woman has a story of long hours of practice and study. Even the gifted and talented labor hard for their successes. Any one, who achieves any thing, leaves tears, sweat and even blood on the training floor.

 

I encourage you to ramp yourself up. His call on your life requires it. His Word promises you can do it.

 

Paul directed Timothy to improve his knowledge of Scripture. An accomplished pastor and teacher, Timothy already knew Scripture well. Still, Paul encouraged his protege to study himself up to the next level.

 

God has a high and mighty calling for your life. Perhaps you’re already living out that calling. To be what God wants you to be, you need to study Scripture as never before.

 

God calls you to become the best. Being first class requires hard work and long hours. Still, who wants to be second rate?

 

Think : God has called me to be the best, even though I have to work hard for it.

 

Pray: “Lord, help me enable and equip myself to build Your Kingdom.”

 

 

Copyright © April 2010, Kirk Hunt


The Other Smart Ones

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“The Other Smart Ones” by Kirk Hunt

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2:2 KJV

Prayerfully, when you walk into the room, the average IQ goes up. Scripture is full of references to men and women of intelligence, wit and wisdom. In fact, there are instructions, in Scripture, on how to become smarter and wiser.

Clearly, God wants His people to be among the best and the brightest. Scripture is also very clear. Being among the smart ones doesn’t mean you are the only smart one.

Smarts is also different from integrity or faithfulness. Judas is traditionally the best educated of the Disciples. Solomon ended as an idolater.

Never assume you’re the only smart one in the room. Always assume that God has another clever and faithful soul near by. Reach out to the other smart saints in the room.

Somewhere, near by, are men and women who can help you expand God’s Kingdom. Ask graciously. Equip generously.

You aren’t the only smart saint in the room. Reach out. Then, reach up. Thank God, you aren’t the only smart one in the room.

Think: There are other saints capable of building the Kingdom.

Pray: “Lord, help me enable and equip others to build Your Kingdom.”

Copyright © March 2010, Kirk Hunt

Testify

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“Testify” by Kirk Hunt

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

Mark 5:19-20 KJV

“You can’t fool me. That’s him. What are we going to do?”

Imagine the reception that the formerly possessed man received when he came home. His friends and family weren’t sure to embrace him, or flee the scene. Borrowed clothes and sane eyes couldn’t hide his helter-skelter past.

Once everyone decided he had changed, they wanted to know just one thing: How? What had changed a monster back into a man? Who or what had the power to recover a hopeless case?

With every eye on him, the recovered man told his story. “I met a man who reacted with power and compassion instead of fear and dread.” The audience reaction comes as no surprise.

As God’s men and women, we are witnesses to God’s grace. We are the lost souls and hopeless cases that only His power could save. We should tell the story more often.

Testify. They need to hear. You need to remember.

Think: I am a living witness to God’s power. I should be quick to testify.

Pray: “Lord, help me to tell the story of how you changed my life.”

Copyright © March 2010, Kirk Hunt

Soldiers In The Real World

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“Soldiers In The Real World” by Kirk Hunt

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:9 KJV

The battle rages around us every day. Corruption infests a little deeper. Compromise becomes more blatant. Sin gets bolder. I’m sure you noticed.

The place of battle is where you stand: Front office or workshop, building site or sales counter, schoolhouse or jailhouse. You are deployed by divine purpose and heavenly intent. His Hands have placed you there to get the job done.

No matter how you came to be where you are, or why you stay, you are to stand and deliver. Stand as a light of right and hope in the darkness. Deliver the Gospel of Christ to a world that desperately needs Him.

Each day, the darkness encroaches on more of the world. Each day, more souls perish without knowing Him. Won’t you take your place on the battle lines?

The time for battle is now. The soldier is you. Your weapons are spiritual, not natural.

Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is Present, stands with His soldiers. Those who go in His Name are never alone or without His Power. Will you be the one to deliver God’s Salvation?

Think: I have been placed here and now for God’s Purpose.

Pray: “Lord, help me to carry out Your mission in Your way.”

Copyright © March 2010, Kirk Hunt

Job’s Release

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“Job’s Release” by Kirk Hunt

And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Job 42:10 KJV

Job’s losses started in chapter 1. At the beginning of chapter 42, Job remained penniless, diseased and grieving his lost sons and daughters. Scripture aptly sums up these crushing and painful circumstances as “captivity.”

Job’s release or restoration didn’t start with care packages or emergency assistance. Job’s captivity ended when he followed God’s command to pray for the men before him. The wounded and devastated became whole and prosperous when he ministered to, and for, others.

Job’s journey through the dark and loss ended in the light of prayer and service. The very men who should have interceded for Job needed him to intercede for them. In the moment he blessed others, Job’s cell door fell out and his chains fell off.

Perhaps you’re journeying through a tough place. The solution to your circumstance may surprise you. It may lay in your blessing and benefiting others.

Job’s release represents the times and places where you bless and minister despite your own lack and hurt. Job ended chapter 42 playing with his grandson’s grandsons and granting endowments. All because he prayed and ministered for others.

You are called to bless and benefit others. What do you have to lose by being obedient? Perhaps, your captivity.

Think: God’s grace flows through your obedience, not your circumstances.

Pray: “Lord, I am willing to be an instrument of grace, despite my own situation.”

Copyright © February 2010, Kirk Hunt