Can God Send You?

Can God Send You? By Kirk Hunt

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
“Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?”

Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Isaiah 6:8 NKJV
Please also read Isaiah 6:1–10

Freshly purged of his sin, Isaiah was eligible to answer the call. Standing in the very presence of God, Isaiah could not miss the call. Isaiah’s answer echoes still: “Send me.”

Calling is not a spiritual form of conscription. It is a Godly empowerment for a specific ministry or mission. You can thwart a God-ordained call on your life, through disobedience and rebellion.

Isaiah chose the better path. On hearing the call, he responded to God with willingness and obedience. “Here I stand. Give me the assignment.”

Calling is best exercised with joy and energy. What is the difference between an exasperating drudgery and a soul-enriching adventure? Do you respond God’s call as an inconvenient conscription or life-fulfilling opportunity?

There may be difficulties or dangers. They might receive you with gladness or reject you with anger. As much as you want good results, it is more important that you have good obedience. Let God sort out the hearts that hear God’s Word, spoken with skill and grace.

Let God purge you of sin and error. Listen carefully to His heart for men and women. What He asks who to send, raise both hands.

Think: Am I willing to let God purge me of my sin and impurity?

Pray: “Lord, purge me of my sin so I can have fellowship with you.”

 

Copyright © December 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.

Do Not Condemn

Do Not Condemn By Kirk Hunt

When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

John 8:10–11 NKJV
Please also read John 8:3-12

Why have modern Christians become so ready to condemn people? According to Jesus, we are called to save, not destroy, souls (Luke 9:51–56 NKJV). Christians should always be known to dispense grace and reconciliation.

Grace and reconciliation are not the same thing as indulgence or permissiveness. Jesus did not approve of the adulteress’ error, and He commanded her not to sin anymore. Still, He let her go back to her life, prayerfully convicted to make better choices in the future.

Please understand these definitions (Romans 8:1–2): Conviction is different from condemnation.

Conviction is the act or condition of “convincing someone of error.”
Condemnation is the act or condition of “assigning (especially final) punishment.”

Real strength, especially among Christians, is not harsh or heartless. It is not strength or righteousness to lash, batter or destroy anyone. The heart of Christ is to save the lost, not destroy them.

Jesus loves all of His children. Do you love all of His children? Consider how God would react to those who hate and attempt to destroy you?

Are you busy convincing others of the need for Christ’s salvation or just trying to punish folks? Even if they fight and slash at you, you are commanded to love them (1 John 4:20). Jesus rebuked His Disciples for wanting to destroy. Are you really a disciple of His?

Think: Do I really understand conviction is not the same thing as condemnation?

Pray: “Lord, help me to save not destroy souls.”

 

Copyright © December 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.

Go Disciple Nations

Go Disciple Nations By Kirk Hunt

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”

Matthew 28:16–20 NKJV
Please also read Matthew 28:16–20

The Great Commission is the instruction from Jesus, after His resurrection, to go and make disciples. While theologians might delve more deeply, for the rest of us, Jesus’ directive is obvious and simple: Go everywhere and turn all nations to Christ.

Consider that the great power of Jesus’ time on earth was Rome. Pagan and polytheistic, Rome spent a lot of money and manpower on a brutal campaign: openly killing Christians. The disciples responded to Rome’s blood-thirsty persecution by winning the nation to Christ.

Jesus did not promise ease or safety, then or now. Nor did Jesus ask for opinions or consensus. He gave direction and expected his faithful followers to carry that instruction out.

The early disciples conquered the most powerful and hostile foe imaginable. They marched in sandals, armed only with faith and Scripture. They overwhelmed a hostile nation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Your assigned “nations” may be far off or close in. You, may, or may not, have to learn a new language for faster results. Sincere disciples of Jesus already speak the languages of love and reconciliation. True disciples already have all the tools they need for disciple–making.

Modern-day disciples have the same choice as the early disciples. We are instructed, by Christ, to turn nations to Christ. Are you choosing to follow your instructions from Jesus?

Think: Jesus gave me an assignment. How am I fulfilling my assignment from Jesus?

Pray: “Lord, help me to fulfil Your Great Commission.”

 

Copyright © December 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.