Do Not Grow Weary

Do Not Grow 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

It is all too easy to give in to human frailty. There you are, doing the right thing(s) for God’s Kingdom, but then you prove human. You can grow weary a number of different ways. Keep a grip on your heart as you continue to do good in God’s calling on you.

Perhaps you consider the long hours and the lack of any pay, or simple gratitude from those who benefit. Perhaps your strenuous efforts, take a toll on your mind, body or spirit. Perhaps the siren call of more immediately pleasurable activities begins to tug at you.

Your harvest is coming, even if it seems delayed. Keep your heart focused on the things of God. If you win the battle for your heart, the rest will follow.

First, and foremost, minister to yourself. You cannot serve unless you are strong enough to bear the vessels and provide the service. Since Jesus took time to pray and accept ministry, shouldn’t you do the same?

Of course, there will be an amount of old-fashioned discipline in serving the Kingdom. There is also a portion of taking joy in the journey. Whatever your balance, do not grow weary just before your harvest of good comes in.

Think: My harvest will come, if I resist growing weary.

Pray: “Father-God, keep me from growing weary in Your service.

Copyright © November 2022, Kirk Hunt

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.

The Prize of Trust

The Prize of Trust by Kirk Hunt

Go and speak to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will bring My words upon this city for adversity and not for good, and they shall be performed in that day before you.

For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,” says the Lord.

Jeremiah 39:16, 18 NKJV
Please also read Jeremiah 39:11-18

Jerusalem fell, per God’s command. In the middle of the chaos and confusion, God stopped to speak reassurance and peace to a lone Ethiopian. Unlike the men and women around him, Ebed-Melech put his trust in God.

Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian, stood out among the Hebrew people. I am certain there were men and women who frequently reminded him that he was just a foreigner and proselyte, therefore not really one of God’s people. Still, he continued to worship Jehovah-God in sincerity and truth.

As death and destruction fell on Jerusalem, Ebed-Melech watched in peace and security. The Babylonian soldiers tramped around him. As the Hebrew captives were matched off at spear-point, the foreigner and proselyte watched from his God-appointed safety.

I want to think he wept as God’s people were punished for their unrepentant sin. Meanwhile, Ebed-Melech, stood firm and at peace in his child-like trust and obedience to God. I wonder who, or what, those other folks trusted.

Think: Is my trust in God?

Pray: “Father-God, help me to trust in You alone.

Copyright © November 2022, Kirk Hunt

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.

Your Labor Counts

Your Labor Counts by Kirk Hunt

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

Your calling in God may weigh heavy on you at times. The level of reward or results may cause you to question the value of your efforts. Trust Scripture; your labor counts.

Poppa Hunt, as we drove along, would often point out buildings or structures he labored on. Unless a specific light was visible and shining at that moment, the results of his work were not visible. His labor was still there, and still providing a benefit to men and women he would never meet.

The classrooms of students you taught may never return to say thank you. The elder you lavished care and concern on may not remain to remember your efforts. The time and attention you invested in that project may never be acknowledged.

Your Kingdom work counted then and counts now. You may never know the impact and blessing of your labors. Just know, in faith, that your labor for God had an impact and will have a payoff.

Faithfulness is not always recognized by men and women. Human eyes may not see the effort and exertion you made on a project. Our omniscient God sees Your labor and faithfulness. In these days, and in the days to come, our God will reward your faithful labors in His Kingdom.

Think: My labor counts in the Lord’s work.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to labor in my calling with faithfulness to You.

Copyright © September 2022, Kirk Hunt

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.

After The Petition

After The Petition By Kirk Hunt

For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.” So they worshiped the Lord there.

1 Samuel 1:27–28 NKJV

Hannah’s petition received a favorable response. God placed Samuel in her arms, then stepped back. Hannah, in turn, stepped up.

She sacrificed her treasured son, just as she vowed. She brought Samuel to the Tabernacle and committed him to God’s service. Then, she turned and walked away, leaving her tender aged child with Eli, the High Priest. Samuel became a great Judge and Prophet because of Hannah’s faithfulness in doing her part.

Too often, we think that we are done after the request is granted. After God does His part, there is much more. We must do our part.

And the price of our part can be high. Ask Hannah. Ask Apostle Paul. Ask Jesus.

We are instructed to bring our prayers and petitions to God. Please, do so. God set His calling on your life and that prayer is part of it. When He answers your petition, you will have another part of your mission in hand.

Just remember that after God does His part, you need to step up and do your part. There will be labor. Sacrifice will be part of your portion. No one said it would be easy.

Flinch, if you must. Cry, if the pain is great. Refuse to leave your portion undone. Be faithful and do your part.

Think: After God grants my petition, my work begins in earnest.

Pray: “Lord, help me to faithfully work during the process of my miracle from You.”

 

Copyright © July 2018, Kirk Hunt

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.

In The Process

In The Process By Kirk Hunt

So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the Lord.”

1 Samuel 1:20 NKJV
Please read 1 Samuel 1:1–22

Hannah accepted by faith Eli’s declaration (verse 17). She went on with the process of her life in expectation. In the process of her mundane life, a miracle came. Her miracle demanded much work and labor, for decades.

Too often we end the story on the high note of the miracle. Scripture records the addition work, effort and sacrifice demanded by receiving a God-given miracle. There had to be a day when Hannah was tired of changing diapers, nursing Samuel and keeping up with her part of the household. Work is not at all glamourous, but is absolutely a part of the process.

Where are you in the process of your miracle? Are you working your part of the process? Since you asked for the miracle, you asked for the work that goes along with the process.

Hannah cried out to God from the depths of her soul. God’s response, through Eli, was not definitive to my ear, but Hannah heard with ears of faith. She started the process, fully expecting Samuel.

Your breakthrough or miracle is part of a process. While God is the source, you have a part in the process, especially after the miracle happens. Faith sees it before it happens and faithfulness keeps you working long after you hold your breakthrough in your hands.

Think: My miracle requires working the process.

Pray: “Lord, help me to faithfully work during the process of my miracle from You.”

 

Copyright © July 2018, Kirk Hunt

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.

More To Finish The Job

More To Finish The Job By Kirk Hunt

Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’”

1 Kings 18:44 NKJV
(Please also read 1 Kings 18:41–46.)

 

Elijah’s victory on Mount Carmel was incomplete. God caused the drought because of Israel’s disobedience. The nation repented and returned to God. Since God is faithful to His promises, the drought had to end to finish the job of restoration.

 

Quietly and alone, Elijah prayed for rain. Elijah’s assistant ran back and forth, looking for an answer to the prophet’s prayer. Finally, a single, small cloud became visible.

 

The big, flashy event is (probably) important. Still, more is usually needed to finish the job. Follow-up, and follow-through, are often the hidden key(s) to success for the Kingdom.

 

Elijah knew that God’s answer by fire did not finish the job of restoration of Israel. God’s people were humbled by years of drought, famine and the decimation of the Ba’al cult. Israel’s repentance needed to be answered with restoration of the rains and fertile fields.

 

Your victory was a lot of work. You are rightfully tired and worn. Do not stop now. Finish the job God assigned you.

 

Think: After the big event, finish the job God assigned you.

 

Pray: “Lord, help me to complete Your job, Your way.”

 

Copyright © April 2016, Kirk Hunt

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