October 2015 – CadreMen Press Devotionals

Apprentice And Master

E-Book PDF: Open in New Window | Download
Subscribe: RSS

“Apprentice And Master” By Kirk Hunt

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2:2 NKJV

It looks odd to see a little boy flailing away on the drums, next to his father, during worship. It is not really a homey scene of father-son bonding. It is very much the serious business of a master craftsman teaching his apprentice.

I had the privilege of listening to man and boy practice. The youngster is playing complex yet lyrical percussion music. I am certain his father is proud of his accomplishments. Dad should also be proud of how well he has mentored and taught his young apprentice.

The saints of God’s Kingdom should be a skillful folk. We should have clever abilities and impressive capabilities that are the envy of the secular world. Of course, that will require faithful men and women who learn readily and teach freely.

I pray there is an apprentice in your life. Perhaps you do not think much of your skills. Someone else does and wants to learn from you.

Of course, you should be open to learning yourself. It is not just possible but likely that you are both skillful teacher and apt learner at the same time. Apostle Paul did not hesitate to be taught, and then teach in turn. Neither should you.

Think: Either I am a teaching skills as a craftsman or learning skills as an apprentice.

Pray: “Lord, help me to teach and learn while building Your Kingdom.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Exposed

E-Book PDF: Open in New Window | Download
Subscribe: RSS

“Exposed” By Kirk Hunt

Why have you despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon.

2 Samuel 12:9 NKJV

Nathan the prophet told his parable in public. David reacted in righteous indignation at the account of the rich man’s cruel disregard for others. Then Nathan exposed David’s sin, the cover-up and hypocrisy.

Thankfully, David had the good sense to respond with shame in his error. His repentance appeared to be sincere and complete. Still, it would have been best if David had refused to sin in the first place. Failing to prevent his indiscretion, David’s cover-up only led to more sin and additional sinners.

David was exposed. The adulterous sin he committed was exposed for all to see. So too, the murder he committed also came to light. His smartest play would have been to stay clean. His next smartest play would have been to repent and confess.

Even the best of us are tempted to cover up an error or sin. Public shame and humiliation adds to the private guilt and self-reproach. You will be held accountable for your error and sin. Do not add to the tally in a vain attempt to avoid or delay being exposed.

Think: More sin is never a solution.

Pray: “Lord, help me to repent quickly and in sincerity.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Do Not Cover Up

E-Book PDF: Open in New Window | Download
Subscribe: RSS

“Do Not Cover Up” By Kirk Hunt

And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, “I am with child.”

2 Samuel 11:5 NKJV

The conception should have been happy news. Instead, Bathsheba’s baby-to-be was the ultimate evidence of adultery. David, the man after God’s own heart, engaged in a cover up.

We cannot know what motivated David as he tried to cover up his sin. Clearly, he wanted to avoid the truth coming out. Instead, the sin count grew, and others were drawn into a growing web of lies and deceit that grew into murder.

Of course, the best route is to not become caught up in sin. I understand how easy it is to give that kind of advice. Unfortunately, I am very aware of how difficult it is to live that out. Worse, I understand too well the temptation to sin “just a little more” to keep it under wraps. Scripture, and recent history, are very clear about the outcome of a cover up.

The correct solution requires confession then repentance. David, a beloved and wealthy king, could not avoid the consequences of his sin. David’s sin was exposed before his nation. David was convicted before God. And Uriah, and the baby, paid the price for David’s sin and error.

God is a forgiving God. He will forgive you. Confess and repent sooner, rather than later.

Think: The first instinct of a sinner is to cover up the sin.

Pray: “Lord, help me to confess and repent of my sin.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Subject To Authority

E-Book PDF: Open in New Window | Download
Subscribe: RSS

“Subject To Authority” By Kirk Hunt

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

Romans 13:1 NKJV

The Epistle to the Romans is generally considered to have been written sometime in the years 55-57 AD. Paul’s letter is addressed to Romans saints living under the reign of Nero in pagan Rome. Clearly not a government a devout Jew-turned-Christian wanted to be subject to.

Paul used his dual Roman-Jewish citizenship to preach throughout the Roman world. Frequently, he found himself in conflict with local government. Still, he remained faithful to his true King, even if he remained subject to a “local” government.

Paul’s direction to accept civil government is not based in politics or mere acceptance. With all of his earthly power and authority, Nero ruled in light of God’s sovereign and absolute command over all of creation, time and space. Our confidence as Christians is not in human rulers but in our loving God who appoints them.

Christians should be the obedient and dutiful subjects of God. In addition to our primary citizenship, we have a secondary obedience to an earthly government. The problem comes if the earthly conflicts with the heavenly.

Our solution is a simple one. We are subjects, first and foremost, of the Kingdom of God. A saint of God turns first to Scripture before he or she responds to a local government. It is our first loyalty to God that makes saints the best subjects of all.

Think: Am I, first and foremost, a good citizen of God’s Kingdom?

Pray: “Lord, help me to be a loyal and faithful subject of Your Kingdom.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
				1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30	31