CadreMen Press Devotional » presence

Shiny

Cadreman — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 08:01:36 +0000

“Shiny” by Kirk Hunt

And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.

Exodus 34: 30, 33 (KJV)

The cowering men were the senior leadership of Israel. They individually commanded the respect and obedience of hundreds of thousands of men and women. They personally witnessed God’s miracles in Egypt. You would think they could hold their ground against one man.

Despite all of their experience and station, they were not ready. They were not prepared for Moses’ appearance. They were not prepared for Moses to be shiny.

Moses spent time with God. Alone on the mountain, Moses spent time face-to-Shekinah with God. The result should not have been a surprise to anyone.

There’s lots of excellent reasons for you to spend time with God. Worship. Prayer. Devotion. Empowerment.

Whatever your reasons for spending time with Him, one side-effect is that you will begin to reflect His glory. No one spends time with God and comes away the same. God’s glory can rub off on those who seek Him.

After 40 days in God’s Presence, Moses got some glory on him. Especially his face. Isn’t time you got shiny?

Think: God’s glory can reflect in my life, if I spend time with Him.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to spend time with You so I can reflect Your Glory.”

In Heavenly Places

Cadreman — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:01:43 +0000

“In Heavenly Places” by Kirk Hunt

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalms 91:1 KJV

It’s been one of those days at work. I sigh and try to focus on my next task. Suddenly, even simple concentration seems beyond me.

“Help Lord.” It is the cry of a son to his father. I am a limited man appealing to an infinite God. I dare to ask.

In the blink of an eye, everything changes. The cut-rate carpet becomes a gold-plated floor. The harsh florescent light transforms to the warm glow of the Menorah. In my heart and mind I am now at the Mercy Seat and in the presence of God.

For a time, I just breathe. His grace and mercy is a rare atmosphere. His provision and care is a rich incense.

I stop short of speaking my complaints and questions. Instead, I pour out my gratitude and adoration. My presence in this place of refuge and restoration is solution enough.

He draws close. His power is obvious. His sovereignty absolute. His love for me without question.

All too soon, I’m back in the workplace. My brief journey to God’s secret place reminds me I live under God’s influence. I dwell in His domain and under His power. It shall be well.

Think : No matter where I sit, I live in God’s power and influence.

Pray: “Lord, help me dwell in the secret place of Your power and influence.”

Open Our Eyes

Cadreman — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 08:01:46 +0000

“Open Our Eyes” by Kirk Hunt

And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

2 Kings 6:17 KJV

Maybe your relationship with Jesus is so deep and rich that nothing surprises you. Perhaps your relationship with God is so intense that you and He discuss everything in detail. That level is my goal, not my current testimony.

Many mornings I wake up and wonder: How is God going to work it out? When? Have I been forgotten?

Don’t get me wrong: I trust God. He is sovereign. He has proven Himself over and again. If He says to, I will do it, with all my heart. Still, some days, my too human heart longs to see. On occasion, He has let me peek.

Elisha obviously had a close relationship with God. Elisha’s servant lived and worked in the daily presence of God and supernatural miracles. Yet, he needed his eyes opened to see the divine power and provision all around him.

God is too faithful to forget you. His power is more than enough for any circumstance. You need your eyes opened to see His presence and purpose in your life.

Wanting to see is okay. He understands His children. If we seek His heart and purposes, He will let us peek.

Think : I want to see God’s presence and purpose in my life.

Pray: “Lord, open my eyes to Your power and provision for my life.”

Love God

Cadreman — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 08:01:58 +0000

“Love God” by Kirk Hunt

We love him, because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19 KJV

On the Cross, Jesus gave the final atonement for sin. His sacrifice tore the Veil of Separation. Jesus repaired the rift that separated sinful man from Holy God.

What motivated all of this sacrifice and transformation? Love. We could not go to God, so He came to us. It is that simple. It is that easy.

His love is complete. His love is pure. His love is perfect.

No matter where you are today. No matter what happened yesterday. No matter what comes tomorrow.

God loves you. Completely. Purely. Perfectly.

Come close to Him. Feel the fond peace of His heart. Rest in the tender safety of His arms.

You can not earn His love, but He gives it all the same. You can never deserve His love, but He delights in you anyway. All you need to do is respond.

Your love might be incomplete. Your love may be impure. Your love could be imperfect.

He knows how you are. Still, He loves you. His arms are stretched out to the worst of sinners. His arms and heart are open even to you. It is that simple. It is that easy.

God loves you. Don’t ask. Don’t tell. Just love Him back.

Think : God loves me.

Pray: “Lord, I accept Your love for me.”

You Are Not Forgotten

Cadreman — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 08:01:04 +0000

“You Are Not Forgotten” by Kirk Hunt

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Isaiah 49:15 KJV

Among the swirling galaxies and streaming pulsars, He listens for a single voice. Legions of angels come and go, but He anticipates a single face. Among the billions of souls that fill the earth, God is especially concerned with you, by name and fingerprint.

With all that calls to God, He has reserved a part of Himself for a precious child. Despite all that swirls through the infinite, He has a special focus on a single soul. No matter what else is happening, you have priority with God.

It doesn’t matter that someone else disappointed you. The track record of some mere human has nothing to do with Him. You are at the center of His love. You are an ongoing concern to eyes that never sleep or slumber.

Perhaps you are tired. Maybe you are hurting. You could be confused.

God has time to give rest to your soul. He will stop to sooth your hurts. Patiently, He will answer your questions.

You are not forgotten. He listens for your voice. He will be especially delighted to see your face.

Think : God loves me. He loves me more than even I can know.

Pray: “Lord, I accept the rest and restoration of Your love.”

Quietly Awesome

Cadreman — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:00:42 +0000

“Quietly Awesome” by Kirk Hunt

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalms 46:10 KJV

Find a quiet spot. Sit down. Turn off all of the phones, displays and electronic gizmos. Just sit in the quiet of a gentle breeze and listen as the birds chirp contentedly to God.

It is in the quiet moments that God is especially God. He doesn’t need the 24 hour news cycle. You can see and hear His power and exaltedness in the rustle of grass or the warmth of a summer afternoon.

You have a part to play in the building of God’s Kingdom on earth. As important as your faithful work is, God is exalted despite it, not because of it. God will be exalted in the minds and hearts of men because of who He is, not because of what we do.

Take an opportunity to simply spend time with Him. Not in the stunning majesty of His awesomeness, but in the peaceful stillness of His quietness. While He is always more than we can know, he makes a place and space where we can see Him in calm and stillness.

Take the time to watch a sunset or doze in a sunbeam. The quiet peacefulness you hear is God’s glory and power. Watch him be exalted in the quiet stillness

Think : God is exalted, especially in the quiet moments

Pray: “Lord, Help me to see You in stillness and calm.”