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Deeds Not Words

Deeds Not Words by Kirk Hunt

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Sooner or later, you need to stop talking. Eventually, only deeds will do. Real love does stuff that needs doing.

The disciples dragged Peter to see Tabitha’s deceased body. The widows’ tears, the things Tabitha made, and the list of her charitable deeds were all the testimony Peter needed. Without a word, Peter put them out of the room, then raised her from death to life.

After Nabal’s disrespectful rejection of David, Abigail did not bother to talk to her husband. Instead, she took action to appease the enraged warlord. While her words were wise and skillful, the substantial offering of food and supplies spoke at least as loud.

Words are easy. Actions are hard. Real love requires deeds and acts.

Folks do judge your love by your actions. When testimony will be put forward at your trial? What will the jury see?

Think: Real love speaks in the language of concrete actions and tangible deeds.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to act out my love, rather than talk.

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.

Grow Good Not Weary

Grow Good Not Weary by Kirk Hunt

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9 NKJV
Please read also, Galatians 1:7-10

Doing good costs time, money, and effort. There is always the risk that you may grow weary in your efforts. Stay with it until your harvest arrives.

Weary is not just a reference to the physical body. A mind can grow weary also. A heart can become tired of the exertion.

Scripture promises you will reap a harvest. But you have to stay the course. Good things come to those who continue to work while they wait.

It is too easy to become discouraged when it seems you are always giving and never getting. Guard your emotions. Protect your mind. The enemy of your soul is not above a cheap shot.

There are souls and lives hanging in the balance. Your work makes it better today, tomorrow, and for seasons to come. Men and women, boys and girls, need you to stay with it.

They may never know your name. You may not meet them before heaven. Still, they need you to grow good, right where you are.

Creating good outcomes is hard work. You must invest attention, resources, and a caring heart. If it was easy, everyone would.

Think: God promised that my good work will create a harvest one day.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to grow good and not weary.

Be Still And Know

Be Still And Know by Kirk Hunt

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

Psalm 46:10 NKJV

Be still and know that God is God. A simple command. You would think I could obey it more easily.

Too often, I look at all the injustices that seem unchecked. I despair that all of the villains and scoundrels are not just getting away with it, but are prospering. I am looking at the wrong things.

God is God. He is holy. He is just. Thankfully, he does not immediately judge me for every infraction.

In the end, He will be exalted. All of the nations and jurisdictions will know that He is in charge. In the meantime, my job is to quietly know.

He is God. No matter what the world does, that fact will not change. When I forget He is my source, I am suddenly without consolation or assurance. When I stop and contemplate God, I am better for the time spent.

Too often, I rush about my day and ignore Him. I am too frequently absorbed by my day and tasks, instead of His Word and presence. His peace and assurance will grow only in His presence. I have to stop and be still and let His presence provide all the answers.

Think: Am I quietly focused on God, or noisily rushing around?

Pray: “Father-God, help me to live quietly focused on You alone.

They Could Find No Thing

They Could Find No Thing by Kirk Hunt

So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.

Daniel 6:4 NKJV
Please also read Daniel 6:1-24 NKJV

They could find no thing to hang on him. Daniel lived his life in righteous purity and worked in faithful excellence. No errors, mistakes, or skeletons could be found in Daniel’s personal or professional life.

More than skillful, Daniel was diligent. He did the extra, little things. As valuable as excellence is, faithfulness improves technical perfection.

More than living clean, Daniel lived righteously. He lived more than the bare minimum of the Law. Daniel sought the heart of God and deliberately let his pursuit of heaven show to other men.

As a reward for living correctly and working diligently, Daniel was the victim of conspiracy and accusation. He went to the lion’s den, having done nothing wrong. See what being a good soul gets you?

At the bottom of the death trap, God awaited Daniel. God Himself halted the plot against his life. I imagine Daniel slept better than the king that night.

Be that guy or gal. Live your life in excellence and righteousness. No matter the situation, God will be your close companion.

Think: What could they find if they looked hard?

Pray: “Father-God, help me to live and work in Your righteousness and excellence.

The Coat Is Just a Symbol

The Coat Is Just a Symbol by Kirk Hunt

And he recognized it and said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days.

Genesis 37:33-34 NKJV
Please also read Genesis 37:31-35 NKJV

Jacob wept loud and long. His sons had convinced him Joseph was dead. As they watched the old man howl in grief and heartache, perhaps they realized, in that moment, that the tunic was only a symbol.

Joseph’s tunic (called a “coat” in the King James Version of the Bible) was a symbol of Jacob’s love and favor regarding Joseph. They could strip the coat off Joseph’s back, but they could not pull Jacob’s feeling off his son. Men and women can steal a symbol from you, but they cannot touch God’s feelings about you.

God gave you a calling or anointing. Do not confuse your title, certificate or badge with God’s love and purpose for you. A symbol is a poor substitute for the authentic article in your life.

The coat kept Joseph warm. The coat made Joseph stand out. The coat was just a symbol of Jacob’s love for Joseph.

I praise God for your title, office or certification. You worked hard. You earned it. Those outward things are just a symbol of Father-God’s love and purpose for you.

Think: Do I love the symbol or do I love God?

Pray: “Father-God, help me see the real article of Your love and purpose in my life.

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.”

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.