CadreMen Press Devotional » endurance

God Sets Your Limits

Cadreman — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 08:01:17 +0000

“God Sets Your Limits” by Kirk Hunt

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

Job 2:6 KJV

Job lost his wealth in Chapter 1. The donkeys and oxen were rustled. The camels stolen. The sheep incinerated. Worst of all, his children died in a tornado.

I can not imagine Job’s grief, heartache and distress. Still, in the middle of loss and devastation, Job went in faith to God. Without hesitation. Without doubt.

In ultimate cruelness, the enemy of Job’s soul looked for more to take. He wanted to push Job past his limits. God, the lover of our souls, set limits on what Job would endure. In Chapter 2, Job lived through painful boils and scabs, on top of his other losses.

God, omniscient and sovereign, sets your limits. Believe it or not, this is good news. Even when it seems that you are beyond what you can endure, you are within what God allows for your life.

Often, that feels like the “scary version.” Do not be fooled. God has limited what will come. Even when it feels you can not endure more. Especially when you think the load is too much for any human, yet alone you.

We know the ending of Job’s story. He lived to raise a second set of children, and held even greater wealth. You may not know the ending of your story, but you know who writes your life. And it will be good news.

Think: God, who loves me, sets my limits.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to trust You and the limits You set for my life.”

Weapon Of Choice – Swords

Cadreman — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 08:01:32 +0000

“Weapon of Choice – Swords” by Kirk Hunt

But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job 23:10 (KJV)

The katana is the primary sword of the samurai warrior. A real katana can slice through almost anything, with frightening ease. The katana, in the hands of master swordsmen, defended Japan for centuries.

Creating one of these beautiful yet deadly weapons is a complex, difficult business. At the center of the process is forging the sword. At the heart of forging, is folding.

Anywhere from 8 to 16 times, the steel is heated in a furnace, then folded on the anvil. That’s a lot of time in the fire. That’s a significant number of hammer strokes.

Folding purifies mediocre ore, making extraordinary steel. In addition the process builds in hardness for the cutting edge, or springy resilience for the back-body of the sword. The expert eye of the craftsman guides the entire process.

Perhaps you have been in the furnace, or on the anvil, in your life. The trials and tribulation you have faced have one purpose: To make you a weapon of choice for the Master.

He is building in the edge you need to speak truth, in love. He is giving you the resilience to weather hardship and trials, for His purposes. When you come out of the fire, you will be an extraordinary material. When you come off the anvil, you will be suitable for an exceptional purpose.

Think: God is remaking me as His servant (weapon) of choice

Pray: “Father-God, develop me in Your will and way, for Your Kingdom.”

Keep Doing Good

Cadreman — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 08:01:22 +0000

“Keep Doing Good” by Kirk Hunt

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9 KJV

Even the most faithful of us pause between labors and wonder: Am I doing the right thing? Am I getting the right result? It is good and correct to ensure you are still on the right path.

Don’t let that thoughtful pause work against you and your ministry. Double-check to make sure you’re doing it God’s way. Even if you have shift or correct, continue in God’s call on your life.

At the end of the day, press on. Keep doing His call. Continue working His tasks. And don’t get weary.

Webster’s dictionary defines weary as “having one’s patience, tolerance, or pleasure exhausted.” This weary is in the heart and mind, not the body. This weary leads to surrender, not the end of the shift.

Find fellow laborers and encourage each other. Keep the focus on fulfilling God’s call on and in your lives. Keep their heads and hearts in the work. The hands will follow.

You are planting a harvest. A harvest of benefit and blessing ordained by God and nurtured by your faithfulness. Your harvest is rooted in God’s call on your life. Don’t surrender just before the crops roll in.

Think: God rewards those who stay the course.

Pray: “Lord, help me to continue Your work.”

God’s Back Pay

Cadreman — Mon, 03 May 2010 02:00:06 +0000

“God’s Back Pay” by Kirk Hunt

And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.

Genesis 41:51 KJV

The birth of a son is normally cause for celebration and joy. Like any first-time father, I’m certain Joseph whooped with joy and pride. Still, the memories of the last 13 years brought some gravity to Joseph’s heart and mind.

“God has caused me to forget.” First, betrayal by his brothers. Then, years of slavery. Finally, false accusation and years of unjust imprisonment. In the glow of his back-pay, Joseph forgot about the prior years.

Perhaps you have been laboring long, hard and without just wages. God has been watching over you the entire time. Recording the hours. Banking your pay.

To others, it will seem you are an over-night sensation. It doesn’t matter how it looks to them. You know that God is simply delivering your back pay.

Just when they thought you were dead, God will deliver your best life yet. Even though you thought you were forgotten and cast aside, God will set you out front and in charge. No one delivers back-pay like God.

Stay faithful. Work to build His Kingdom. Trust that God has your back-pay. At the right time, in the correct place, God will make you forget all that happened before. In joy. With delight. Through blessing.

Think : God rewards the faithful.

Pray: “Lord, I thank You, in advance, for Your Kingdom blessings.”

The Prisoner Becomes A Prince

Cadreman — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 01:00:54 +0000

“The Prisoner Becomes A Prince” by Kirk Hunt

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

Genesis 41:39-40 KJV

(Read also Genesis 40:20 through 41:44)

Joseph, despite years in prison, spoke revelation and wisdom. He explained Pharaoh’s dream. He suggested a course of actions. Then he waited.

Maybe Joseph hoped for a pardon. It’s possible he thought he might get a new job as a slave-steward to the new Grain Administrator. Of course, you and I know Joseph had been set-up.

The forgotten man became a foremost minister. He traded his (orange) prison garb for royal robes. The prisoner became a prince in a single hour.

Only God can so suddenly change prisoners into princes. Only the King of the universe can so completely and rapidly reverse the situation of a man. Only God knows the set up he has in store for you.

You thought your unseen hours and unrewarded labors were for nothing? You thought you had been thrown away and forgotten? God has made plans concerning you and His angels are working that plan with care and precision.

You have been set up. All that remains is the pay off. What God promises, God delivers. With interest.

Think : God has set me up, and I am glad.

Pray: “Lord, help me live out Your set up with grace and joy.”