The Ministry of Training

Read

The Ministry Of Training By Kirk Hunt

 

But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod.

1Samuel 2:18 NKJV

 

Samuel literally began his ministry as a preschooler, if not a toddler. Dressed like an adult priest, he carried out mundane tasks in the Tabernacle, just like everyone else. Still, the “trainee” heard from God, even when the High Priest could not (or would not).

 

Perhaps you are truly in the apprentice phase of your life. Good. Learn all you can. Still, what is your output? Even as a learner, you can bless, benefit and build the Kingdom. Are you willing to be a source of output? Do you have the heart to be a blessing, here and now?

 

Too often we expect that we must be deeply qualified and extensively experienced before we can serve God, or men and women. You can fulfill your calling here, now and as you are. You may be better later, but today you are more than good enough for the tasks before you.

 

Samuel may have been the last of the Judges, but he was also the first of the Prophets. His authority, knowledge and service before God are recorded in Scripture. Still, he started his ministry as a child and delivered God’s Word to Israel’s elite leadership. Before he was considered an adult, or fully capable, Samuel was a heavy-hitter.

 

As you work and train before God, you too are a ministering learner. Your credentials may be thin. Your certificates may be few. Still, for some, what you have to give is a weighty matter. I pray that you deliver what God has given you.

 

Think:                Even while training I can build God’s Kingdom.

 

Pray:                   “Lord, how can I build your Kingdom, today?”

 

 

Copyright © February 2016, Kirk Hunt

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

The Intention Of Training

Read

The Intention Of Training By Kirk Hunt

They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.

2 Peter 2:14 NKJV

 

Training requires a target. High skills and knowledge always requires focus on a specific and deliberate outcome. What is your intention?

 

Peter and Paul both faced men and women who trained their minds and bodies for unrighteous, sinful outcomes. As if doing the wrong thing was easy enough, those souls focused their efforts on the very outcomes God’s people try to avoid. These “cursed children” want sin and wrongdoing to be expanded in the world.

 

History is full of examples of men and women who sought the worst in themselves and others. Millions have suffered, and will suffer in the future, because of the dark and malicious goals of a determined few. Thankfully, the opposite is also true. A few, determined souls can bless and benefit this generation and next.

 

Whose kingdom do you want to build? Do you seek to build the Kingdom of God, here and now? If so, you can be a “blessed child” to everyone around you and to generations to come.

 

Consider what you are training your mind, heart and body to do. The intention of your purpose exposes who you really are. It is my prayer that we will see that you are a child of Father-God.

 

Think:                The intention of my training is building God’s Kingdom.

 

Pray:                   “Lord, I train diligently so I can build your Kingdom.”

 

 

Copyright © February 2016, Kirk Hunt

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

The Results Of Training

Read

“The Results Of Training” By Kirk Hunt

 

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

Luke 6:40 NKJV

 

As you train, you and others will see results. The more you look or act like the instructor, the better the training. The more we look and act like Christ, the better.

 

The goal is not to look or act like a great teacher, evangelist or pastor. Mimicking a Godly man or woman of God can be a great teaching tool, but that is not the point of your training. Your goal is to look like Christ. Your task is to find Him in Scripture and transfer His image to yourself.

 

God intends to place you in unusual circumstances so you can minister to the unique needs of the men and women you find there. No one else can. No one else should.

 

Despite never-before-seen circumstances and one-of-a-kind folk, God wants you to respond a very specific way. Like Christ. That is why your training has a very specific outcome.

 

The desired results of your training are clear and specific. You have the assignment, and opportunity, to respond as Christ would. Across the centuries, and across the globe, there is a specific way Christ would respond. What are the results of your training?

 

Think:                My training enables me to become Christ-like.

 

Pray:                   “Lord, I will train diligently so that I can become like You.”

 

 

Copyright © January 2016, Kirk Hunt

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

The Nature Of Training

Read

The Nature Of Training By Kirk Hunt

 

And three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.

Daniel 1:5b NKJV

 

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were talented, gifted men when they were selected to serve king Nebuchadnezzar. Still, they needed training before they actually appeared before him. God’s people, even the most spiritual among us, need training.

 

The need for training is not a negative. Despite their qualifications (Daniel 1:4), the “Hebrew Boys” needed 36 months of additional skills and knowledge before they were ready for their tasks. God has great plans for you, so He has assigned training to prepare you for your mission.

 

Paul, despite his education and knowledge, spent 3 years (Galatians 1:15–18) training before assuming the mantle of an Apostle. Moses’ 40 years of “exile” in Midian are considered a time of training by most Bible scholars. Your training prepares you for great things.

 

Even savants and prodigies need the skills and abilities that come only from proper training. Without practicing scales and arpeggios even professional musicians would be at a disadvantage. Every professional sports team has at least one yearly training camp. Despite their championship rings.

 

The practice floor demands sweat and labor. The certificate will require hours of work and effort. Your preparation further qualifies you for the role God has for you in building His Kingdom. Train diligently and thoroughly.

 

Think:                Training enables me to build God’s Kingdom.

 

Pray:                   “Lord, I will train diligently so that I can better serve You.”

 

 

Copyright © January 2016, Kirk Hunt

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

Are You Faithful?

Read

Are You Faithful? By Kirk Hunt

 

Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house.

Numbers 12:7 NKJV

 

Aaron and Miriam received the direct attention of God. His Shekinah glory cloud stood in the door of the Tabernacle and spoke with them about their brother’s faithfulness. Moses, the servant of God, was commended for his faithfulness.

 

Moses’ force of personality did not carry the day. His skills and abilities are not what God recognized. Moses was commended for his determination to be a man of God, carrying out God’s commands.

 

Moses’ siblings had started the fight. “We have skills.” “We have talents.” “We did not marry a foreigner.” God, in his sovereign omnipotence, settled the fight: “Faithfulness is what I value.”

 

Skills and talents are nice and good, but that is not what pleases God. Like any loving father, He is delighted when His sons and daughters are busy working at their assignments with diligence and sincerity.

 

Do not make it complicated. Build your skills and talents if you can. Work skillfully and cleverly, whenever possible. Remember that faithfulness is what pleases God most.

 

He seeks after hearts that seek Him. He is most honored by men and women, His sons and daughters, who use all they have for his purposes. You can choose to be the servant of God. Just be faithful.

 

Think:             God honors my faithfulness, no matter what others see or do not see.

 

Pray:               “Lord, help me to be faithful, first and foremost, to You.”

 

 

Copyright © September 2015, Kirk Hunt

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

Your New Possession

“Your New Possession” by Kirk Hunt


For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs: But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven:

Deuteronomy 11:10-11 (KJV)


It is the start of a new year. It can also be the start of a new chapter in your life. All you have to do is leave your spiritual Egypt and possess your spiritual Canaan.


Egypt was hard and harsh for the children of Israel. Their hands were calloused from forced labor. Their backs were scarred from the taskmaster’s lash. Despite it all, Israel had become strong, vital and numerous.


Still, God cautions Israel that the skills and strategies for success in Egypt would not work in Canaan. This new land would require a different approach. New skills and strategies would be needed to be successful in Canaan.


As you take possession of your new place in God, the same will be true for you. Your new and higher place will require different strategies for success. Your former skills will have to be modified, or even abandoned


As you Start this new season in your life, God has set you up. For better. For richer. For abundance. Listen as he tells you what you need to know.


Think: My new place in God will require new skills.


Pray: “Father-God, help me learn new skills, for the new place, You have provided.”



Copyright © January 2011, Kirk Hunt