Hear The Conclusion

Hear The Conclusion by Kirk Hunt

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
            Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.

For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NKJV

The conclusion of the affairs of men and women is in the judgment and declarations of God. Our God, omniscient and omnipotent, sees and measures what we do. You will stand before His Throne and give account for all of your life, seen or hidden.

If you live righteously and build His kingdom, He sees. If you live in disobedience and rebellion, He sees. And His voice will be the conclusion of the matter.

Do not fret that the wicked seem to escape judgment. Do not worry that the righteous go unrewarded. God sees everyone’s secrets and hidden things. His justice will not be denied.

For a righteous man or woman, these verses are a comforting promise. The work no one recognized is seen and will be rewarded by Father-God. The secret sacrifices will be rewarded by God Himself, sooner than you think.

Alone before God’s throne, everything will be revealed and you will give account. Then He will speak and conclude the matter. For men and women who live according to the Bible and God’s calling, His judgment and justice will be a blessing.

Think: I will hear God’s conclusion about my life and work.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to live so I hear Your good conclusion of my life.”

Copyright © July 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.

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.”

Copyright © May 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.

Not Troubled Or Afraid

Not Troubled Or Afraid by Kirk Hunt

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27 NKJV

Have you obeyed this command from Jesus in recent days (or months, or years)? I must confess that I have not done a good job of it, myself. God’s people should never be troubled or afraid. Jesus has left His peace and care for us.

In case you missed the memos, there is a lot of difficulty and trouble in the world these days. You should be concerned and working hard to live your life and keep a good Christian witness. Still, your concerns should not lead you to be troubled or afraid. His peace is a free gift, if you will accept it.

Peace that passes all understanding is His part, living in that peace is our part. That means we have to focus on the good and the positive and His grace. If we seek Him, His peace will follow.

The turmoil in the world will not magically lessen. The heartaches and hardships that strike us will not suddenly go away. But with God’s peace you will live in the joy and security that only He can provide. You can trade some obedience and a little work for a lot of comfort and joy.

Think: God’s peace is a free gift from Jesus, but will require work to maintain it.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be at peace in You.”

Copyright © April 2021, 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.

A Gracious Answer

A Gracious Answer by Kirk Hunt

And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

2 Samuel 12:22-23 NKJV
Please also read 2 Samuel 12:13-23

In grief and guilt, David cried out to God. David sought an answer of grace and mercy from God. When David received his answer from God, he responded with worship and thanksgiving.

God always answers our prayers. We do not always like the responses we receive. Still, we get our answers from a loving, gracious, sovereign God. We should always trust that God gives us the best answers for our lives.

It can be hard to welcome a response of “Endure,” in the middle of pain and suffering. When His answer leaves us with loss or anguish, do you still respond properly to God? Like David, we must cultivate a mindset of trust and confidence in God, even when we do not like the answers.

God knows our tears and heartaches. Despite the answer He gives, He is responding to us with a father’s heart. Respond with thanksgiving and trust in God who loves us better than we can love ourselves.

Think: God always answers my prayers. Do I trust Him in that answer?

Pray: “Lord, help me to respond to Your answer with trust and obedience.”

Copyright © March 2021, 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.

You Lack Nothing

You Lack Nothing by Kirk Hunt

For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.” ’

Deuteronomy 2:7 NKJV

An entire generation of God’s people died, wandering in the wilderness. Still, like a tender Father with a favorite child, God cared for them the entire time. Even during their punishment, they lacked nothing.

Even at our worst, God gives His best. No matter how difficult the moment, consider that He is caring for you. You are His favorite. Even when you misbehave, He loves you more than you can know or understand.

He has always been, and always will be a holy God. Our sin and rebellion cannot always be excused through grace or dismissed by mercy. Never forget God is also a God of righteousness, judgment, and correction. Not even the most tolerant father can indulge misbehavior indefinitely.

The Hebrew people wandered the wilderness for 40 years. They were fed each day with manna. The garments they wore supernaturally lasted the entire time. Even their bodies were without wear and tear, until their mortal end.

No matter what you are going through, God is there, providing. No matter how long you have walked this path, God is near, caring for you. No matter why you are where you are, God loves you, so you lack nothing.

Think: God cares for us, so we lack nothing.

Pray: “Lord, help me to recognize and be grateful for Your care and provision.”

Copyright © March 2021, 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.

Give Thanks In Everything

Give Thanks In Everything by Kirk Hunt

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV

God’s people are to give thanks in every circumstance. Not for all circumstances, but in them. There is a significant difference that makes the difference between strong Christians and other folk.

The circumstances you find yourself in have been allowed by God. Father-God is neither surprised nor unable to respond to your situation. Consider the circumstances of Job. The enemy of our souls had to ask permission before anything could happen to Job.

Why does God allow things to happen to us? Perhaps He is polishing your character. It could be he is preparing you to minister to others with intimate, inside knowledge. You may be receiving the outcome of your choices.

Like Job, we must do the best we can with what God allows into our lives. Job stayed faithful with wealth and blessings. Job stayed faithful despite loss and hardship. Good or bad, love God, not what He gives you.

Job gave thanks in his circumstances. His heart was set on God, not on what he could get from God. God’s people who master this are always full of joy and blessing, even when they are at their lowest. It may not be easy, but trust God. He has your best interests in His heart.

Think: Regardless of the upside, or downside, we are to be grateful to God.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be grateful to You, not matter what my circumstances are.”

Copyright © March 2021, 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.

How To Correct And Rebuke Yourself

How To Correct And Rebuke Yourself by Kirk Hunt

“Your own wickedness will correct you,
And your backslidings will rebuke you.
Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing
That you have forsaken the Lord your God,
And the fear of Me is not in you,”
Says the Lord God of hosts

Jeremiah 2:19 NKJV

Instead of repenting and asking God for help, ancient Israel turned (again) to idolatry and foreign alliances. Their sin made them weaker. Their errors only served to speed up and intensify their correction and rebuke. The nation would be exiled in Babylon.

Israel came to understand, as early as their forced march to captivity, how choosing sin led to their downfall. Internal error, not external threats, led to their exile. Please know that self-correction and self-rebuke applies to whole nations as much as individual men and women.

Like the Prodigal Son, we come to ourselves in a humiliating circumstance (pig pen) of our own making. Our rebellion, lust and greed always leads us to a place of debasement away from God’s perfect will. Prayerfully, in that place of correction and rebuke, we turn back to Father-God. Know that God always loves us, despite our error and in the midst of our sin. Our chosen sin causes our separation, not His Heart.

God did not allow the Babylonians to exterminate Israel. In fact, God commanded His people to live, grow and increase during the Babylonian Captivity. Father-God loves you, even now. Allow the correction and rebuke of your circumstance to drive your heart back to Him in repentance.

Think: My self-inflicted correction and rebuke is an opportunity to repent.

Pray: “Lord, help me to repent and return to You.”

Copyright © February 2021, 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.

Father-God’s Will

Father-God’s Will 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.

Matthew 10: 29 NKJV

Poppa made me get in the truck and go to work with him. Did I appreciate learning a trade and work ethic? Not at the time. In retrospect, I am thankful Poppa compelled me. Consider now the Father’s will.

We confuse God’s best path for us with pleasant things and placid events. We act as if we think God only loves us when we lounge on flowery beds of ease and comfort. Instead, He loves us most when He allows us to reach our limits in desperation and distress. It is in the place of our extremes that we can best hear and respond to His voice.

He is omniscient. He sees all of our situation, no matter where we are. He is omnipotent. No matter how far we are past our limits, He is well within His power. He is omnipresent. You cannot go where He is not or even get there before Him.

No matter how hard and difficult your circumstances, God is right there with you. He is caring for you, despite your pain. His strength carries you no matter how weak you feel. His grace comforts you, no matter how many tears you cry.

The skills Poppa taught me have carried through my life. I still do not completely understand all of God’s will for my life. All I know is that I worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:31).

Think: One day I will understand God’s will for my life. Until then I will be obedient.

Pray: “Lord, help me to follow Your will for my life, regardless of how I feel now.”

 

Copyright © July 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.

Poppa’s Hands

Poppa’s Hands By Kirk Hunt

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

John 10:28–29 NKJV

The scene plays in my mind with thoughts of peace, safety and golden warmth. I was 4, maybe 5 years old. I sat on the front pew of Prayer Temple (now Nash Temple) and examined Poppa’s hands with rapt fascination. To my innocent young eyes his hands seemed without limit and without equal. 50 years later, my opinion is better informed, but no less convinced.

Even then his hands were scarred and rough from years of hard labor. His hands were strong from pulling electrical cable or cutting wires. In later years I would watch him switch seamlessly from casual displays of raw strength to deft demonstrations of control and finesse.

Despite how gnarled and unattractive they appeared, Poppa’s hands were a blessing of rare quality and strength. Poppa ministered to, provided for and gave protection to his family and anyone who sought his help. His hands were instruments of deliverance and provision.

Consider now the hands of Father-God. God’s hands are omnipresent, omnipotent, guided by his omniscience and motivated by His bottomless love for you. His hands are a place of peace, safety and warmth for every soul that will seek Him. And even for some souls who flee Him.

I sit in Father-God’s hands. It is a place of peace safety and golden warmth. With each passing day, my opinion is better informed and more convinced of His love and provision for me.

 

Think: The best place to be is in the hands of Father-God.

Pray: “Lord, guide me every day with Your loving hands.”

 

 

Copyright © June 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.

Troubled Yet Strong

Troubled Yet Strong By Kirk Hunt

Your words have upheld him who was stumbling,
And you have strengthened the feeble knees;
But now it comes upon you, and you are weary;
It touches you, and you are troubled.

Job 4:4–5 NKJV

It is easy, from the comfort of your living room couch, to complain about what is or is not happening on the field of play. It is different when you are the one troubled by difficult circumstances, coworker miscues and unfair criticism. Stay strong, no matter how much this life batters you, and false-friends or intractable enemies bad-mouth you.

In the 4th chapter of Job, Eliphaz criticizes Job. Eliphaz does not complain that Job’s prior support of others was poor or incorrect. Instead, he condemns Job for experiencing grief at the loss of his children, misery in the midst of his illness and distress in the middle of devastating losses. “Thanks for the support, Eliphaz.”

I pray you have a long and prosperous life building God’s Kingdom. Still, no matter how clean your living, or wise your conduct, difficulties will come to your doorstep. Still, through your strength in God, you can live through your troubles and emerge victorious.

Job did not dance and sing through his sorrows and distresses. His first and second responses were to turn to God and continue to trust Him. Job’s trust in God and grounding in His righteousness gave him the strength he needed.

What God did for Job, He will do for you. Despite your troubles, are you strong enough to rely on God? I pray so.

Think: Despite my difficulties I can live in victory through the strength of God.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be strong in You, despite my troubles.”

 

Copyright © February 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.