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We Do Not Serve Your Gods

We Do Not Serve Your Gods by Kirk Hunt

If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

Daniel 3:17-18 NKJV

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego stood before the king and politely told him his power had limits. “We do not serve your gods.” Their direct, plainspoken words were likely to land them in a fiery furnace.

They understood the order. They understood the penalty for non-compliance. They were at risk of making the ultimate sacrifice for their integrity.

These ethnic minorities tried to find the quieter route to maintaining their integrity. Moral or principled stances are not amplified by decibels or press releases. They are magnified by quiet courage and uncomplaining determination. Faithful men and women stay on their feet, despite brutal retaliation or unjust retribution.

Embarrassed before his assembled government, Nebuchadnezzar bellowed fearsome threats. The smell, smoke, and possibly heat of the furnace were obvious to everyone. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego said their words calmly and with unbent knees.

The king of these men was not bluffing. These subjects of the king were not bluffing. And no one bent their knees.

Having integrity in private is one thing. Keeping your integrity, especially in public, is a different thing. Are you bluffing?

Think: What am I willing to sacrifice to maintain my Christian integrity?

Pray: “Lord, help me to maintain my integrity before men and especially 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.

Affliction And Wealth

Affliction And Wealth by Kirk Hunt

Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions.

Genesis 15:13-14 NKJV
Please also read Genesis 15:12-16 NKJV.

A dream of horror and great darkness fell on Abram, later renamed Abraham. His descendants would suffer mistreatment as strangers (foreigners) for 400 years. Yet, at the end, they would regain their freedom. And they would march out with the wealth of their abusers.

When the nation of Israel came to Egypt they were protected from a great famine. All too soon, they were persecuted and enslaved by the Egyptians. Despite mistreatment, Israel grew in strength and numbers. And Scripture says they plundered the Egyptians as they left.

Perhaps you are suffering through a personal Egypt. Do not think you have been abandoned in that place. God has ordained your exit date. And you will carry valuables from your place of suffering.

Too often, Christian saints think badly of an uncomfortable season. God is not surprised at your situation. He has a plan to grow and enrich you. The payoff will be worth your patient endurance.

Think: God arranges even my difficult seasons for my benefit.

Pray: “Father-God, I thank You, in advance, for my coming blessing.

Not A Lie, A Dream

Not A Lie, A Dream by Kirk Hunt

So he said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the doorway. Then he said, “About this time next year you shall embrace a son.”

And she said, “No, my lord. Man of God, do not lie to your maidservant!”

2 Kings 4:15-16 NKJV
Please also read 2 Kings 4:11-17.

Her hands came off her hips and covered her mouth. Her piercing and knowing 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, or crypt, into the bright light of her heart.

In verse 13, she was a strong, self-assured woman. In verse 16, she was a tender, vulnerable girl. Our dreams have power. Especially the dreams that should have died.

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

You may have forgotten your dream. Perhaps you thought the dream was dead. In His timing and power, your dream will emerge and prosper.

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 to you anyway.

Think: Nothing is impossible for God.

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

Dwell Among Your Own

Dwell Among Your Own by Kirk Hunt

And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Look, you have been concerned for us with all this care. What can I do for you? Do you want me to speak on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’ ”

She answered, “I dwell among my own people.”

2 Kings 4:13 NKJV

The Shunammite woman spent time, effort, and money on making a place of rest and restoration for Elisha. Elisha responded to her kindness and generosity with an offer of a favor. The Shunammite responded with “I dwell among my own people.”

In my mind’s eye, I see her response as annoyed or indignant. “I have what I need already. I do not need anything from an outsider.”

Her motives were pure. Her service and benefit to the prophet were intended to further the work of God, nothing more. She wanted nothing from Elisha but the opportunity to serve God and dwell quietly among her Issachar tribesmen.

Do you dwell among your people, or do you serve with an agenda? If your intention is to build God’s Kingdom, that is purpose enough. Also, consider that God has ways of rewarding his faithful servants. Sometimes, despite themselves.

Think: Is my service to God, or do I have an agenda?

Pray: “Father-God, I want to serve You with a pure heart and purpose.

Who Have You Refreshed?

Who Have You Refreshed? by Kirk Hunt

The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.

2 Timothy 1:16-18 NKJV

Paul was imprisoned in Pagan Rome. His only company, the rotation of Roman Praetorians chained to him. Onesiphorus shouldered his way into this difficult situation, and refreshed the Apostle.

Restoration is never an easy business. At times, it seems easier to start over from scratch. Men and women cannot be rebooted or restarted. You must meet them where they are and minister to them as they are.

Do not wait until you have some rare skill or unique capability. All you need is a sincere heart and an intention to leave someone better than you found them. You may have to shoulder past harsh-looking guards and circumstances to get there.

Perhaps you will need to lavish goods and services. More likely a kind word, followed by a silent but loving presence, means more than you can know. No matter what, show up and do your best to restore a soul.

Think: Who has God called you to refresh and restore?

Pray: “Father-God, help me to refresh and restore one of Your beloved children.

Proclaimed Throughout

Proclaimed Throughout by Kirk Hunt

Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

Luke 8:38-39 NKJV

“Go home and tell your story of God’s power.” With those brief and simple instructions from Jesus, he went home and fulfilled his calling and assignment. In simple obedience, the former terror proclaimed God’s power through the city.

Too often, we make it complicated. Of course, the folks at home may have to be won over. They may not quickly believe your calm eyes and steady manner. A lot of your noisy testimony and loud proclamations may consist of you sitting there, quietly.

Still, you will have to speak eventually. Just tell the simple story in straightforward words. “God’s power came and changed everything. Then I had to borrow some clothes.”

The folks at home remember who and what you were. Now they see, with their own eyes, how you have been transformed. Your changed life is a proclamation.

“Go home. Tell your story.” Such a simple assignment. Such a profound impact.

Think: Proclaim God’s power throughout your city. If needed, speak words.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to proclaim Your power to everyone around me.

The Right Mind

The Right Mind by Kirk Hunt

Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.

Luke 8:35 NKJV

The demon-possessed man had been a terror to the Gadarenes. Instead of joy and reverence at his healing, the town elders were unhappy and afraid. Since they asked Jesus to leave, I question if they were in their right minds.

When God moves in His sovereign power, men and women are not always happy. Too often, the disruption of the status quo ruins folks’ plans and arrangements. Also too often, people are uncomfortable with what they cannot control.

The Gadarenes had adapted to the situation of the demon-possessed man. Jesus ruined that adaptation. The power of God through Jesus exceeded their ability to exercise control or authority. Instead of reverence for God’s power, they reacted in fear to Messiah.

Consider how you respond to God’s power in your life. Is your mind right with Him? Do you accept His sovereign authority in joy and reverence, or are you fearful and resentful?

God’s power exceeds us. God’s grace often disrupts our plans and changes our arrangements. Do you respond with a mind right with Him?

Think: When God exercises His power, am I responding with a right mind?

Pray: “Father-God, help me to respond correctly to You and Your sovereign power.

Buried With Honor By God

Buried With Honor By God by Kirk Hunt

So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day.

Deuteronomy 34:5-6 NKJV

At 120 years old, Moses climbed Mount Nebo, alone. At the top of the mountain, he died with no one (human) to bury him. God Himself buried His servant, honoring a flawed man.

Moses always had an anger management problem. Anger led him to murder an Egyptian, break the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, and strike the rock. Even as a centenarian, the leadership of Israel hesitated to infuriate him.

For all his flaws, errors, and shortcomings, God referred to Moses as “His servant.” Scripture records that God spoke to him face-to-face, as a man speaks to his friend. Moses had a close and personal relationship with Father-God.

Never stop trying to overcome and minimize your shortcomings and flaws. Always consider how infinite God is, and how finite you are. Then go be the best servant of God you can.

God honored His servant by personally conducting his funeral. Never mind His gift to Moses of extraordinary age, health, and vigor. Like Moses, you too can be a friend of God.

Think: God loves and honors flawed men and women who serve Him in sincerity.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to be Your servant.

Who Covers

Who Covers by Kirk Hunt

He who covers a transgression seeks love,
But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

Proverbs 17:9 NKJV

Have you ever refused to repeat what was said to you? That was an act of discretion, loving, and peacemaking. Congratulations on acting like a child of God.

Peacemaking does not always involve complex acts of reconciliation or restoration. Sometimes, it requires knowing when to be quiet. Too often we make the mistake of insisting that everyone must hear everything.

Please, do not make the mistake of hiding sin or compromising the gospel through your silence. Instead, choose carefully what you should allow to pass through to others. Sometimes, it is grace to hear or see a thing, and then not say anything about it. The truth often cuts and wounds. Some facts and data should not be shared.

Consider the times you have wanted to recall a sentence or action that came out of you. As you said or did it, you knew it would only cause heartache or hard feelings. If it did not blow up on you, that was God’s grace in your life. Be the conduit of that kind of grace to others.

Never compromise the Gospel. Never tolerate sin. Sometimes though, wise men and women know they should remain silent. Peacemakers often pour out quiet grace and bless the souls of many.

Think: Peaceful men and women develop discretion.

Pray: “Father-God, give me the discretion, wisdom, and grace of silence.

Did Not Do It

Did Not Do It by Kirk Hunt

“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’

Matthew 10:44-45 NKJV

Standing before the throne of God, folks will find out they did not do it. They did not serve the brothers and sisters of Jesus. Not because they did not serve, but because they made decisions about who they would serve.

Father-God loves all of His children. The neat and clean kids have no better grip on His heart than the messy and dirty children. No father or mother, worthy of the title, would appreciate you mistreating one of their precious offspring.

Scripture tells us that Father-God sees us as His children. We are siblings of Jesus. How we treat each other, reveals how and why we love Jesus.

There, before the throne of God, your acts of service will be evaluated. Will he set you on His right hand or His left hand? Will He say you did, or did not, serve Him through the least of these?

Think: God cares for all His children, even the ones we do not value.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to deliver Your care and concern to everyone I meet.