Christian Living – Page 15

With Lovingkindness

“With Lovingkindness” By Kirk Hunt

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;

Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV

In recent days my heart is heavy. Too many of God’s people speak, or ardently follow those who speak, anger, hate and fear. Christians should be reaching out in lovingkindness to refugees and radicals alike. Instead with angry, unforgiving words we are pushing them back into the arms of error and sin.

God’s people are called to disciple all of the world. That includes reaching out in grace and patience to Muslims, Wiccans and everyone else following error instead of Christ. In order to reach a lost soul, you must first get close enough to touch them.

Exclusion, walls and isolation do not touch hearts and minds for Christ. Jesus reached out to us in service (Romans 5:8) with lovingkindness. Christians are commanded by Scripture (Matthew 28:19) to make disciples of all nations. Disciples are only made (or maintained) by close, personal, prolonged contact.

Millions of refugees from “fallen houses” (Matthew 7:26-27) seek refuge in the stability of Christian nations (Matthew 7:25). Are they receiving the gracious words and generous actions that flow from Jesus? Are Christians obeying Scripture by discipling the nations who plead at the door?

The world has come to us, seeking the Gospel. Christians have an unprecedented opportunity to turn back the darkness. Are we salt and light (Matthew 5:13–16) enough for the job?

Think: Disciples are made using open, serving hands; not angry, striking fists.

Pray: “Lord, help me to disciple people of all nations.”

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

Despite Your Outcome

“Despite Your Outcome” By Kirk Hunt

Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe. And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.”

1 Samuel 24:5–6 NKJV

David had gotten close enough to Saul to have taken his life. The cloth cut from Saul’s robe proved the operation was a success. The cut in David’s heart proved the outcome was a failure.

Saul unrighteously sought David’s life. The common wisdom is that a new king would rescind the execution warrant against David. David’s action represented an assault against a leader appointed by God. David’s own conscience convicted (not condemned) him about this.

Sometimes, God’s people produce the wrong outcomes. Provoked, we can respond the wrong way. Threatened, we may take matters into our hands, rather than wait on God. Worst of all, simple willfulness leads us down the wrong path.

When a skilled soldier has a “silver platter” opportunity to kill a known enemy, you can assume the outcome. When a servant of God has an opportunity to serve a known enemy, you should assume that outcome also. The difference is that God’s people should only deal in blessing and service.

David confessed, and made right, his slight against the king. Perhaps you need to confess and redeem a poor outcome in your life. Prayerfully, the Holy Spirit will convict (not condemn) you until you do.

Think: As a servant of God, I must make sure my outcomes are correct.

Pray: “Lord, help me live, speak and act per Your heart.”

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

Consider Your Output

“Consider Your Output” By Kirk Hunt

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

John 20:25 NKJV

Often, God’s people read this verse and see “goodness out, goodness in.” While that is good, we need to also consider the other viewpoint: “garbage out, garbage in.” The output of our hearts, minds and voices always returns to us. Good or bad.

Too often, the good our hands do is drowned out by the bad our voices say. We heap help and support on the attractive and safe, but heap judgment and scorn on the unlovely and threatening. Sometimes regardless of the Kingdom building that could be done with more loving and accepting actions and voices.

We reach out to those who (say they) conform to our viewpoint and imagery. We turn away from those who do not rush to follow our formats and patterns. At the expense of those who need the Gospel, we cater to those who cynically play on our sympathies.

Jesus used a whip to drive out the moneychangers. He preached special rebukes against the hypocritical Priests and Pharisees. The moneychangers, priests and Pharisees were the righteous looking people. The Roman Centurion, with his foreign looks and uniform, was proclaimed by Him as an example of real faithfulness.

Are you receiving much good and blessing? Good. Are you receiving some rebuke and difficulty? Perhaps you not as consistent as you thought you were.

Think: My acts and my words must be consistent with each other.

Pray: “Lord, help me live, say and act per Your Word and Way.”

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

The Testimony Of Scars

“The Testimony Of Scars” By Kirk Hunt

The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print [scars] of the nails, and put my finger into the print [scars] of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

John 20:25 NKJV

Thomas wanted proof. Like the other disciples, he knew for certain Jesus had died on the Cross. Now, he wanted the same kind of certainty that Jesus again lived. He wanted to see and touch the scars of the living, breathing Jesus.

Enough hurt, pain and loss will rattle the confidence, or drain hope from, even those with iron wills and steel souls. Too often, the words of others mean nothing in those dark moments of distress. Only the testimony of scars can speak to those who seem to have lost everything.

“See? Jesus brought me through the same crisis.” “His Spirit carried me when I got the same late-night call.” “His grace healed me of the same illness.”

God’s people too often hide their scars. By hiding them, we also hide the evidence of God’s power and restoration in our lives. Only survivors have scars. Survivors speak with an authority that exceeds all others.

Thomas finally got his living proof of the resurrected Jesus. You also have proof of the resurrected Jesus. His power has brought you through. Your scars are irrefutable proof of His power and authority in the real world.

Think: My scars are irrefutable proof of God’s power and supremacy in my life.

Pray: “Lord, help me to use my scars to testify of You.”

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

Just Launch

“Just Launch” By Kirk Hunt

Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me, but let me speak just once more: Let me test, I pray, just once more with the fleece; let it now be dry only on the fleece, but on all the ground let there be dew.”

Judges 6:39 NKJV

Gideon had already met an angel, face-to-face. He also experienced (even if briefly) the in-dwelling of God’s Spirit; a rare thing in the Old Testament record. With all of Israel’s military might gathered with him at Jezreel, Gideon hesitated to engage with the enemy. Despite his intensive experience with God, and an army at his command, Gideon failed to launch.

The miracles of a wet fleece, then a dry fleece were designed to assure Gideon that he was following God’s authentic commands. We can read ahead in Scripture to Gideon’s victory at the end of Judges 7. Gideon had to live through the actual battles and difficulties in order to enjoy the success God promised him.

Do not get me wrong. I have done the same thing. With all of God’s presence and assurance, I have hesitated to follow His command. Despite seeing and knowing much, I draw back because I do not know all.

As God’s people, we are to love and trust Him more than ourselves. We may not always have our own best interests in heart or mind, but He does. God guides human history with one hand while the other hand holds endless power. We can trust His call to launch.

Think: I want the character to boldly launch when God commands.

Pray: “Lord, help me to have the courage and obedience to launch at Your command.”

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

The Ministry of Training

“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?”

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

The Intention Of Training

“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.”

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

The Results Of Training

“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.”

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

The Nature Of Training

“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.”

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

Walk The Old Paths

“Walk The Old Paths” By Kirk Hunt

Thus says the Lord:
“Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;

Jeremiah 6:16a NKJV

There is a good chance you did burpees as a youngster. If you are like me, you hated them back then. If you are like me, you hate them still. Regardless, here I am, at my age, doing burpees. The old paths are very often the best route to a prized destination.

Hate them if you must, but burpees improve strength, flexibility, endurance and aerobic conditioning. In pursuit of physical fitness, burpees are ridiculously inexpensive but intensely demanding. Still, even professional athletes shy away from the exercise. Even the best of us do not always want to do what is hard. Regardless of the benefits.

Every worthwhile achievement demands something from its seekers. A relationship with Father-God is no different. Real spiritual growth demands real spiritual disciplines.

Regular prayer. Consistent Bible study. Systematic fasting. They are the price of spiritual strength and intimacy with God. They are the old path, and the only path, to a proper relationship with your heavenly Father.

Start today. Commit to being consistent and diligent. It may not seem like much to you, but stay the course. Sooner than you think, you will realize that you are on the shortest, best path to a relationship with God. And He is the most prized destination.

Think: The only good route to God is through the old paths of spiritual disciplines.

Pray: “Lord, I will follow the old paths to You.”

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