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.

Copyright © February 2023, 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.

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.

Copyright © February 2023, 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.

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.

Copyright © January 2023, 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.

Worth Many Sparrows

Worth Many Sparrows by Kirk Hunt

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.

Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29, 31 NKJV

Sometimes I feel lost and alone. I think there is nothing worst than to feel unloved and forsaken. God is concerned about me and is working for my good. I am of more value than many sparrows.

Jesus tells us that God cares about the details of our lives. He cares enough to act; He provides for and protects us. We just have to remember His love, and act out our faith in Him.

I have more than enough food to eat. My house and home is warm and secure. I laugh (and argue) with my wife, sons, friends, coworkers, and extended family.

I realize these truths when I pause to be grateful. I have to stop and notice that God cares for me. I am of more value than many sparrows.

As you read or hear of this writing, remember you are loved and cared for by the God of creation. He delivers His love to you in many different ways and formats. Stop and consider how much He concerns Himself about you. As good as the sparrows have it, you receive God’s best.

Think: God cares for and about me.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to remember Your care and concern for my life and soul.

Copyright © January 2023, 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.

Because, Of Course, He Cares

Because, Of Course, He Cares by Kirk Hunt

But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Mark 4:38-39 NKJV

The Disciples had faith enough to believe Jesus could save them. They had witnessed, or experienced, His many miracles of healing, provision, and restoration. Still, panicked and afraid, they woke Jesus and accused Him of not caring. Jesus stood and spoke peace to the situation. Because, of course, He does care.

Perhaps it feels like Jesus is asleep in the middle of your circumstances (your boat). God is always present in your affairs. He always knows your situation. And at the right moment, He will speak peace in your life. Be patient and keep bailing.

Wave-tossed and storm-battered are true, if inconvenient, facts and data. Remember that faith involves seeing what does not yet exist. Faith is the physical fabric of a future circumstance. He cares. He will act.

Our inconvenience or impatience do not impact His timing. His care and love for us will always settle the matter. Your faith is based on the absolutes of His love and care for you. In the meanwhile, keep bailing.

Think: He is present. He cares. At the right time, He will act.

Pray: “Lord, help me to keep my faith in Your love and care for me.”

Copyright © April 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.

Love One Another

Love One Another By Kirk Hunt

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:11 NKJV

 

“Love one another.” Too often, even God’s people make it more complicated than it needs to be. Care for each other. Make sure folk have enough. Inconvenience yourself (if a little) for someone struggling just to survive.

 

John did not invent this commandment on his own. Jesus Himself ordered us (see John 13:34) to love one another. After telling us to care for, minister to and support others, Jesus did not fold His hands. Instead He went to the Garden of Gethsemane and started His walk to the Cross.

 

Out of care for our future, Jesus endured His trial by Pilate. Because of His concern for men, then and now, Jesus allowed His public scourging. Out of love for generations yet to be born, Jesus died on the Cross. Perhaps you could pay just a little bit more for those who have little or nothing?

 

Will some of the folks you care for only take advantage? Probably. Will some of the people you love reply with hate or disdain? Again, probably. Does Jesus’ command to His faithful disciples stand? Absolutely.

 

Love gives. It also creates opportunities. Men and women, boys and girls, are drawn to authentic love. That positive attraction gives us the opportunity to share the Gospel.

 

It will cost you something to show love to others. Someone, somewhere, will find a way to exploit, mishandle or ill-use what you give. However they respond, His command to you remains clear. Are you obedient to His Word?

 

Think: Real love requires action and pays costs.

 

Pray: “Lord, show me how to love others as You do.”

 

Copyright © March 2017, 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.