Christian Living Archives – Page 27 of 50 – CadreMen Press Devotionals

The Ministry of Training

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“The Ministry Of Training” By Kirk Hunt

But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod.

1Samuel 2:18 NKJV

Samuel literally began his ministry as a preschooler, if not a toddler. Dressed like an adult priest, he carried out mundane tasks in the Tabernacle, just like everyone else. Still, the “trainee” heard from God, even when the High Priest could not (or would not).

Perhaps you are truly in the apprentice phase of your life. Good. Learn all you can. Still, what is your output? Even as a learner, you can bless, benefit and build the Kingdom. Are you willing to be a source of output? Do you have the heart to be a blessing, here and now?

Too often we expect that we must be deeply qualified and extensively experienced before we can serve God, or men and women. You can fulfill your calling here, now and as you are. You may be better later, but today you are more than good enough for the tasks before you.

Samuel may have been the last of the Judges, but he was also the first of the Prophets. His authority, knowledge and service before God are recorded in Scripture. Still, he started his ministry as a child and delivered God’s Word to Israel’s elite leadership. Before he was considered an adult, or fully capable, Samuel was a heavy-hitter.

As you work and train before God, you too are a ministering learner. Your credentials may be thin. Your certificates may be few. Still, for some, what you have to give is a weighty matter. I pray that you deliver what God has given you.

Think: Even while training I can build God’s Kingdom.

Pray: “Lord, how can I build your Kingdom, today?”

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

The Intention Of Training

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“The Intention Of Training” By Kirk Hunt

They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.

2 Peter 2:14 NKJV

Training requires a target. High skills and knowledge always requires focus on a specific and deliberate outcome. What is your intention?

Peter and Paul both faced men and women who trained their minds and bodies for unrighteous, sinful outcomes. As if doing the wrong thing was easy enough, those souls focused their efforts on the very outcomes God’s people try to avoid. These “cursed children” want sin and wrongdoing to be expanded in the world.

History is full of examples of men and women who sought the worst in themselves and others. Millions have suffered, and will suffer in the future, because of the dark and malicious goals of a determined few. Thankfully, the opposite is also true. A few, determined souls can bless and benefit this generation and next.

Whose kingdom do you want to build? Do you seek to build the Kingdom of God, here and now? If so, you can be a “blessed child” to everyone around you and to generations to come.

Consider what you are training your mind, heart and body to do. The intention of your purpose exposes who you really are. It is my prayer that we will see that you are a child of Father-God.

Think: The intention of my training is building God’s Kingdom.

Pray: “Lord, I train diligently so I can build your Kingdom.”

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

The Results Of Training

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“The Results Of Training” By Kirk Hunt

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

Luke 6:40 NKJV

As you train, you and others will see results. The more you look or act like the instructor, the better the training. The more we look and act like Christ, the better.

The goal is not to look or act like a great teacher, evangelist or pastor. Mimicking a Godly man or woman of God can be a great teaching tool, but that is not the point of your training. Your goal is to look like Christ. Your task is to find Him in Scripture and transfer His image to yourself.

God intends to place you in unusual circumstances so you can minister to the unique needs of the men and women you find there. No one else can. No one else should.

Despite never-before-seen circumstances and one-of-a-kind folk, God wants you to respond a very specific way. Like Christ. That is why your training has a very specific outcome.

The desired results of your training are clear and specific. You have the assignment, and opportunity, to respond as Christ would. Across the centuries, and across the globe, there is a specific way Christ would respond. What are the results of your training?

Think: My training enables me to become Christ-like.

Pray: “Lord, I will train diligently so that I can become like You.”

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

The Nature Of Training

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“The Nature Of Training” By Kirk Hunt

And three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.

Daniel 1:5b NKJV

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were talented, gifted men when they were selected to serve king Nebuchadnezzar. Still, they needed training before they actually appeared before him. God’s people, even the most spiritual among us, need training.

The need for training is not a negative. Despite their qualifications (Daniel 1:4), the “Hebrew Boys” needed 36 months of additional skills and knowledge before they were ready for their tasks. God has great plans for you, so He has assigned training to prepare you for your mission.

Paul, despite his education and knowledge, spent 3 years (Galatians 1:15–18) training before assuming the mantle of an Apostle. Moses’ 40 years of “exile” in Midian are considered a time of training by most Bible scholars. Your training prepares you for great things.

Even savants and prodigies need the skills and abilities that come only from proper training. Without practicing scales and arpeggios even professional musicians would be at a disadvantage. Every professional sports team has at least one yearly training camp. Despite their championship rings.

The practice floor demands sweat and labor. The certificate will require hours of work and effort. Your preparation further qualifies you for the role God has for you in building His Kingdom. Train diligently and thoroughly.

Think: Training enables me to build God’s Kingdom.

Pray: “Lord, I will train diligently so that I can better serve You.”

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

Walk The Old Paths

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“Walk The Old Paths” By Kirk Hunt

Thus says the Lord:
“Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;

Jeremiah 6:16a NKJV

There is a good chance you did burpees as a youngster. If you are like me, you hated them back then. If you are like me, you hate them still. Regardless, here I am, at my age, doing burpees. The old paths are very often the best route to a prized destination.

Hate them if you must, but burpees improve strength, flexibility, endurance and aerobic conditioning. In pursuit of physical fitness, burpees are ridiculously inexpensive but intensely demanding. Still, even professional athletes shy away from the exercise. Even the best of us do not always want to do what is hard. Regardless of the benefits.

Every worthwhile achievement demands something from its seekers. A relationship with Father-God is no different. Real spiritual growth demands real spiritual disciplines.

Regular prayer. Consistent Bible study. Systematic fasting. They are the price of spiritual strength and intimacy with God. They are the old path, and the only path, to a proper relationship with your heavenly Father.

Start today. Commit to being consistent and diligent. It may not seem like much to you, but stay the course. Sooner than you think, you will realize that you are on the shortest, best path to a relationship with God. And He is the most prized destination.

Think: The only good route to God is through the old paths of spiritual disciplines.

Pray: “Lord, I will follow the old paths to You.”

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

Fresh Mercy, New Faithfulness

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“Fresh Mercy, New Faithfulness” By Kirk Hunt

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV

Good morning. Welcome to a new year. Also, welcome to a fresh edition of God’s mercy.

Perhaps last year was not your best. Even if you feel convicted, you are not condemned. Take a generous portion of His mercy and begin again.

You may have done well last year. Praise God for your faithfulness. Still, you cannot rest on past accomplishments. Move, in His mercy, to your next assignment and task.

His compassion for His people never runs out. He understands our weak spots. Our quirks are not a surprise to Him. He only asks that we faithfully share His compassion and mercy with others.

This New Year is an occasion to begin again, or correct course. Faithfully, God has given us a fresh opportunity to work in His Kingdom. Use this choice benefit to its fullest.

Learn, of course, from past errors but otherwise put all your effort into future work. God has preserved and protected you. Not just for your sake, but for those you will bless and benefit.

The dawn signals a new day. The New Year is more than the passage of time. It is an opportunity to be blessed and bless others.

Think: New mercy and fresh compassion allow God’s people to work and bless others.

Pray: “Lord, help me to share Your mercy and compassion with others.”

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

Rest In His Presence

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“Rest In His Presence” By Kirk Hunt

And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14 NKJV

It has been a long year. Take a moment to sit here and receive His restoration. Pause in His presence, and accept His rest.

There is a comforting space in His arms, just for you. He wants to speak special encouragement to your soul. He longs to speak the love of His heart, directly to yours.

Too many of God’s people engage in non-stop frenzy. Rush here. Speed there. If there is time to breathe than you are idle, if not lazy.

Playing through the rest notation in sheet music ruins the song. Playing a sport without proper rest exposes the player or team to mistakes in play and injury in their bodies. Champions rest.

Rest allows restoration. A pause allows thoughtful consideration of past results. Insightful and innovative strategies grow from deliberate stops in the action.

His presence is a pleasant place. Yes, there may be correction or conviction. Still, there will be affection and care beyond your highest expectations. Your Father calls to you. Let Him love you for a while.

Spend your money on a quiet, restful, place and space. Let the God of Heaven restore and replenish you. There will be time later for hurly–burly. Make time now for the warmth and caring that only He can give.

Think: God’s presence empowers His men and women through rest and restoration.

Pray: “Lord, let me pause here, in Your presence, and receive Your restoration.”

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

Peace On Earth

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“Peace On Earth” By Kirk Hunt

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Luke 2:14 NKJV

An angelic host filled the skies with their presence, then filled the silence with praise for God. The shepherds could only respond with reverence and adoration for the new-born King. The angels left the shepherds with a deep, abiding peace. A peace that comes from knowing God Himself orchestrates goodwill for all of humanity.

It is harder to know God’s peace in the middle of today’s turmoil and chaos. God’s peace does not mean the absence of conflict or difficulties. The shepherds who witnessed the angelic choir lived under heavy-handed Roman occupation. All of them already had, or would, experience wars, uprisings and conflicts.

Still, the angels were correct then and now. God intends peace and goodwill for all mankind. That includes every man, woman or child, regardless of their background, race or beliefs. “They are precious in His sight.”

During this Christmas season, stop and rest for a while. Seek out the peaceful silence that only God’s presence can bring. Let His goodwill flow in your heart and soul, despite the noise and chaos of this present world.

Consider how you can bring His peace and goodwill to a man or woman nearby. Or far away. Someone, needs to know that God still loves and cares for them. Be His hands and feet in bringing peace and goodwill to all men. They are all still precious in His sight.

Think: God’s still offers His peace and goodwill to all men and women.

Pray: “Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace and goodwill to all men.”

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

Leper’s Faith

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“Leper’s Faith” By Kirk Hunt

Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

Luke 17:12-13 NKJV

A leper in ancient Israel was under a death sentence. It was a slow, steady cruel death. Alone and friendless, you might only have the company of other lepers at the end.

You would not get well, but you would rot away. The disease would eat away at your face and extremities, until the end came. Long before you were a true corpse, you would smell like one.

The Law of Moses, and the stink of your decay, made you an outcast. If that was not enough to drive you out, the risk of infecting your friends and family forced you isolate yourself. Driven from hearth and home, you were supposed to die alone and untouched.

Hope should not live in a leper’s heart.

Still, here they were. Ten men, determined to live. With reckless abandon, they wanted life and restoration. Illegally, they came within the village walls to plead their case with the Healer.

Perhaps something has gone wrong in your life. You think you have to wander alone and untouched. You do not. Plead your case with the Healer.

God’s Power is able to repair the decay in your soul. Grace can wash away the stench of your sin and error. Forgiveness can restore the damaged relationships of your life.

But you will have to appeal to Jesus in repentance and remorse. Restoration begins at the altar. Healing flows from the Cross.

Do not worry about your station and rank. Forget how it will look or sound to the crowd. Your hope and faith will carry you to healing.

Jesus is in town. Now is your chance. Plead your case with Him.

Think: No case is hopeless with God.

Pray: “Lord, in faith I ask You to heal me and mine.”

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

Endurance

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“Difficulty Happens” By Kirk Hunt

But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 24:13 NKJV

Endurance is the hallmark of a champion. Endurance allows you to continue on when others have given up in discouragement, or fallen in exhaustion. To win, you must first endure.

Athletes deliberately develop their endurance in order to better excel at their sport. The strategies of coaches, teams and individual competitors always include outlasting opponents. Military leaders may call it “toughness” but that does not change the fundamental character of staying on task after others have given up or fallen down.

Endurance is far more than physical stamina. A large portion of enduring is simply deciding that you will not quit. Often, athletes complain about “betrayal” by their own bodies. The mind may be willing to continue. Unfortunately, sheer will power cannot forever deny physics or biology.

Men and women of God have more than willpower to call upon. God grants endurance to those who ask, in His purpose. His power can suspend the laws of nature. His grace can give the gift of persistence. His mercy can push back the limiting results of poor decisions.

You can be a Gospel champion. First, decide you want to endure. Second, ask God for what you need to endure. Everything after that is just time or miles.

Think: Endurance is not optional in the life of a Christian.

Pray: “Lord, help me to endure through Your power, grace and mercy.”

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

Difficulty Happens

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“Difficulty Happens” By Kirk Hunt

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead

2 Corinthians 1:8-9 NKJV

Sooner or later, all Christians face difficulty. An unpleasant crisis could crash into your life. A loss could rob your world. Basic daily life and work could become a heavy burden.

It hurts. It seems no one understands your situation or pain. It may even be that others seek a blessing from you at the center of your crisis.

God can use your situation for good. It is at this place of trial and grief that you stop relying on yourself. It is here that you learn to rely on God.

Paul suffered a series of painful and crushing hardships. Despite his fortitude, eventually even he found the limit of regular folk. Sound familiar?

At that place of exhaustion and emptiness, Paul looked up. Jesus, in all His glory, stood ready to carry him the distance. Paul felt dead inside, but God’s Power poured in life.

Whatever you are facing today, know that you are not alone. He wants to bless you with strength and power beyond your wildest dreams. Turn to Him. Let Him restore your life.

Think: Difficulty is a place for God’s restoration.

Pray: “Lord, thank You for carrying me through the hard places.”

He Draws You

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“He Draws You” By Kirk Hunt

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

Jeremiah 13:3 NKJV

God, the artist, sits at His ease, drawing your portrait. His all-seeing eye knows you better and deeper than even you can know yourself. As His all-powerful hands draw your life, nothing is left out. Despite your life and times, His eyes are full of love and kindness for you

A beautiful picture is coming into being, despite the model who sits for your portrait. The imperfections are in the picture. Your personality and character are captured on the page. God leaves out nothing, and the portrait He draws is accurate and faithful.

Despite your imperfections God is making your life a work of art. Despite it all, God intends your drawing to be proud and attractive. God wants to draw you with loving-kindness. Your picture, if you submit yourself to Him, will be beautiful.

God loved you yesterday. God loves you today. God will love you tomorrow.

God thinks about you all of the time. There is never a moment when you are not foremost in His heart and Mind. Around His throne there are plans, sketches and calculations. They all center on you.

Never doubt for a moment that the outcome He has for you exceeds your wildest dreams. Still, you will have to come to Him. He calls to you. Is it not time you answered Him?

Think: His plans for you are drawn with love.

Pray: “Lord, thank You for drawing me with loving-kindness.”

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