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I Have Hope In God

I Have Hope In God by Kirk Hunt

This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:21-23 NKJV

The best of us can become discouraged. The strongest of us can be overwhelmed. Allow me to remind you, and myself, to put your hope in God who cannot fail.

Too often, when bad things happen, we think it is because God has been defeated. Or was not looking. Or has rejected us.

God is the definition of faithfulness. He is still omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent. Consider a loving parent hovering near a child learning to walk. He may let us stumble or even fall. Still, His Hands are close enough to protect us from any harm.

Do not confuse the harsh realities of this present world with His absence or inability. His mercy pours on you daily, if you would stop and look. His compassion is present every day, despite the bumps and jolts of your life.

He is Ancient of Days. He was there, then. He is here, now. He will be there, tomorrow.

Sometimes, I have to remind myself that I should hope in Him, alone. Through all of the flames and fury, God sees and shelters us. God is all powerful, and loves us more than words can say.

Think: Do I put my hope in God, alone?

Pray: “Lord, remind me again, to put my hope in You alone.”

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.

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.

Not My Own Will

Not My Own Will by Kirk Hunt

And Moses said: “By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own will.

But if the Lord creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the Lord.”

Numbers 16:28, 30 NKJV
Please also read Numbers 16:1-40

Moses declared God’s Will, before witnesses. The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram ended with an abrupt, final, and unappealable act of God. Moses understood the mutiny of these men was not against a human leader, but directed at the sovereign God of the universe.

As a man or woman of God, it is not supposed to be about your feelings, vision, or thoughts. You are an instrument of Father-God. From the first gasp through the last sigh, it is supposed to be God’s Will that commands and controls.

Do we, and they, sometimes forget who is supposed to be in charge of the universe, yet alone local affairs? To our shame and peril, we sometimes forget that God is big and we are small. Korah, and his co-conspirators, paid for their God-directed rebellion with their lives.

Make very sure you are performing God’s will and not your own. Your blessing and safety lay in Father-God’s will. And trust that God will address the mutineers at His convenience.

Think: Whose will am I trying to enact?

Pray: “Not my own will but Yours, Father-God.”

Christians Do Not Hate

“Christians Do Not Hate” By Kirk Hunt

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

1 John 4:20 NKJV

I am always disappointed when someone, claiming to be a Christian, expresses hate for others. Jesus told us the world would hate Christians. Not once did He command us to hate sinners, even in retaliation. Multiple times, He commanded us to love those who hate us.

Jesus said in Luke 6:27, “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” Perhaps the hearing part is the tricky part. Perhaps the obedient to Christ part is a different tricky part.

Jesus could have called down fire on various sinners and adversaries during His earthly ministry. He did not do so, even once. Instead, He died for the Pharisees who hated him. Jesus forgave His executioners during His execution. He died for you and I, even though we were sinners.

The Christ I serve healed foreigners and aliens. He proclaimed that He came to minister to sinners and tax collectors. May I remind you that He personally refused to condemn an adulteress, caught in the very act?

Condemnation ends the conversation. Conviction leads to restoration. Christians are commanded to make disciples (Matthew 28:19) of all men and women. We cannot hate the souls we expect and want to love Jesus.

Think: I cannot (effectively) share Jesus with someone I hate.

Pray: “Lord, help me to live out my love for You by loving Your (sinful) children.”