Spirit Of Kindness

Spirit Of Kindness By Kirk Hunt

To Godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:7–8 NKJV
Read also 2 Peter 1:5–9

 

Kindness can be defined as the act of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Not just one or two of those adjectives. Real kindness requires all three. The spirit of kindness is a component of your knowledge of Jesus. The Holy Spirit will help you, but you must also make your own effort.

 

Kindness cannot come from a place of weakness or ignorance. Kindness comes from a heart that knows and understands Jesus and is powered by the Holy Spirit. Perhaps that is why so many men and women do not understand how to be kind; they do not know Jesus.

 

God showed kindness to all of mankind by sending Jesus to the Cross. Jesus showed kindness to you by sacrificing Himself for you. Follow their example and show kindness to the souls around you. Even to those who are currently your enemies.

 

Your profession of Jesus is not enough. Men and women, boys and girls, will see and react to your acts of kindness. No human heart can forever resist sincere kindness.

 

Jesus knew the real you and died for you anyway; so you have an example. The Holy Spirit stands by to assist you. Who will you be friendly, generous, and considerate to today?

 

Think: Kindness is the act of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

Pray: “Lord, help me to show kindness in Your Name.”

 

Copyright © October 2016, 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.

Spirit of Self-Control

Spirit of Self-Control By Kirk Hunt

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22–23 NKJV

 

Self-control is the act of deciding if or when you engage in a particular behavior. I say if, then when, I will eat a cookie. Fasting, an exercise in self-control, is the deliberate restraint of consuming food. Media fasting is a different example of voluntary restraint.

 

Do you really want power in your own life? How about the ability to easily resist the plots and plans of others? Develop your self-control. “More salad, fewer cookies.”

 

The ability to control your own actions is the first step to purity. Joseph demonstrated self-control when he refused Potiphar’s wife. Daniel was immune to political attack because of his impeccable personal and public life. Jesus was worthy of the Cross because of His sinless life. Purity (via self-control) gave them power, influence and impact.

 

I am not suggesting that you move into a convent or monastery. If anything, I encourage you to engage with your city. Just do so with self-control. “More grace, less (no) condemnation.”

 

All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful.” If I want to look better in the mirror I must eat more salads and fewer cookies. Do I want to impact my city for Jesus? I must act with increasing grace and forbearance.

 

I can stride confidently and peacefully through work and home. All I have to do is live with more grace and no sin. The spirit of self-control lets me decide my next act.

Think: Self-control is the act of deciding my own behavior.

Pray: “Lord, help me to have the self-control You want me to have.”

 

Copyright © October 2016, 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.

Spirit of Faithfulness

Spirit of Faithfulness By Kirk Hunt

“But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Luke 22:32 NKJV

 

In the hours before His crucifixion, Jesus carefully strengthened His Disciples. Especially Peter. Before dawn, Peter would deny any knowledge of Jesus. Knowing he would fail the first test, Jesus knew Peter’s faithfulness would pass the final test.

 

Faithfulness can be defined as the act of remaining true to your word or promise. Traditionally, Peter was also crucified, because he would not deny Jesus a second time. We remember Peter as Jesus’ man because he kept his word.

 

Too often we expect perfect, error-free living from God’s people. Too often we throw away perfectly good souls because it turns out they were human. Peter is a prime example of a man who refused to be less-then again.

 

Peter did not keep his word the first time. Still he died a martyr for the man he once denied. That is faithfulness, even if it is human.

 

Faithfulness sees the task and acts. Despite the risks. Without any credit. Silently, in the background.

 

Perhaps there is a task that you should be doing. There could be a responsibility you need to take on, knowing there is no return on investment but a lot of risk. Flinch if you have to, but give your word. Be the man or woman who gives and keeps promises.

 

Think: Faithfulness is the power to give and keep your word or promise.

 

Pray: “Lord, help me to be faithful for Your Kingdom.”

 

Copyright © October 2016, 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.

Spirit of Forbearance

Spirit of Forbearance By Kirk Hunt

And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Romans 2:3–4 NKJV

 

Forbearance can be defined as the act of restraining an action, despite right or privilege. The bank can choose not to start foreclosure. The officer can choose not to write a speeding ticket. They choose to restrain their right and capacity to act. Jesus and the adulterous woman (John 7:53-8:11) is a prime example of the spirit of forbearance.

 

Jesus, sinless, pure and perfect, could cast the first store. The Law said He ought to cast the first stone. Instead, He refused to condemn her.

 

Jesus was more concerned about her soul than the opinion of the Pharisees. He had the power to act and the power to restrain Himself. Graciously, He instructed her to give up sin then sent her back to her life.

 

Jesus held the right, the privilege and capacity to condemn her. By restraining His action, the woman received an opportunity for repentance and restoration. Jesus’ forbearance was a strong act of mercy, grace and outreach.

 

The spirit of forbearance is a sister of gentleness. Forbearance and gentleness only matter where there is the ability to act. Both require you to consider the impact on others, before yourself. Do you choose to act against others at every opportunity? Can you restrain yourself, sometimes?

 

Think: Forbearance is the power to restrain yourself. Can you?

 

Pray: “Lord, help me to restrain myself in order to benefit others.”

 

Copyright © October 2016, 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.

Spirit Of Gentleness

Spirit of Gentleness By Kirk Hunt

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

Galatians 6:1 NKJV

 

Perhaps your mental image of gentleness needs adjustment. Too often, men (and some women) associate gentleness with weakness or a lack of power. In fact, only the strong and powerful can be gentle. God’s love to us is the ultimate example of gentleness.

 

My favorite definition of gentleness is “strength or power with skillful control”. Anyone who cannot restrain their own strength or power is a threat to all around them. Worse, they may cause harm where they intended to help.

 

Without strength or power, you cannot have an impact in the world. Without gentleness, your strength or power will tend toward harm and never help. Who could you help, if you could skillfully apply your might and muscle on their behalf?

 

Gentleness is a fruit (characteristic) of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). The longer your walk with God, the more we should see evidence of all of these characteristics in your life. You may not have perfected one or any of them, but we should see you growing in all of them.

 

Gentleness is arguably the most easily recognized of the fruit. Regular folk easily see if you wield your power or strength to benefit others. It is obvious to everyone if you leave wreckage or blessing in your wake.

 

Think: Gentleness is power with skill. Do I help or hurt with my strength?

 

Pray: “Lord, help me to live my life showing the same gentleness You show me.”

 

Copyright © October 2016, 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.