Happy Mother’s Day to all those who care for and nurture others in God’s plan.
Take Him Or Her On Faith
“Take Him Or Her On Faith” By Kirk Hunt
If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.
Philemon 1:17 NKJV
Philemon looked from Paul’s letter to Onesimus’ face. Paul, who may have still had a negative reputation among some Christians, asked his Gospel son to take in a Gospel brother. On faith alone, Paul asked Philemon to simply accept and forgive the man who robbed him.
Philemon is arguably the most communication in Scripture. Paul sends Onesimus, an escaped slave, back home to Philemon, his owner. It is implied in the epistle, though not explicit, that Onesimus stole something during his escape.
Paul had to trust Onesimus to go back to his owner. Philemon had to trust Paul’s judgment and Onesimus’ change in character. Onesimus had to trust Paul’s judgment and Philemon’s generous and forgiving character. Do you see the thread?
Somewhere or sometime during your Christian walk, you will need to take someone on faith. You will have to trust that they are who they say they are, now. No matter what you feel, remember or see.
The most calculated judgments always carry a risk. You can never know for certain that it is really different now. You will have to take the chance that the words and character match and are real. You will have to open your arms, and heart, on faith alone.
Think: Only faith with serve for some actions.
Pray: “Father-God, help me to have faith in Your people, not just You.”
Copyright © April 2015, Kirk Hunt
This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.
The Enemy’s Bayonet
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“The Enemy’s Bayonet” By Kirk Hunt
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
Revelation 12:10 NKJV
(Please read Revelation 12:7–12)
The enemy of your soul has a bayonet called accusation. He has accused you, to God, constantly. Despite that, God loves you and wants you to succeed.
Should you deepen your righteousness and increase your purity? Of course you should. Still, God’s grace stands ready to redeem and restore you.
In the meanwhile, what happens to your purpose and calling in the Kingdom? Should it lay undone while you work to remove your imperfections and infirmities? Your enemy wants you to stop working at your calling and abandon your Kingdom purpose.
Perhaps you have recently been caught up in an error. Like many saints, you probably have a weakness in your character or personality that you constantly work on, or through. The enemy wants to use that to destroy you. He certainly reminds you of it, at every opportunity.
God knows about your soft-spot. That is why he lends you power, grace and mercy. He wants you to overcome that flaw, not give into your wounds.
Your enemy wants to use your weaknesses as a way to attack you. God wants you to overcome your imperfections and become a champion for the Kingdom. Choose His love over the bayonet of the enemy.
Think: God loves you, imperfections and all.
Pray: “Father-God, help me to overcome my weaknesses and the enemy’s accusations.”
Copyright © April 2015, Kirk Hunt
This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.
The Need For Mercy
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“The Need For Mercy” By Kirk Hunt
So Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord! Please do not lay this sin on us, in which we have done foolishly and in which we have sinned.
Numbers 12:11 NKJV
(Please read Numbers 12:1 – 10)
Aaron and Miriam chose to sin in public, in addition to humiliating their brother, Moses. They knew better. God decided their punishment would be public, humiliating and without mercy.
Aaron, the mediator for the people to God, now needed a mediator to God for himself (and his sister). The sibling squabble was now settled, or at least set aside, as Aaron begged his little brother to go to God for mercy.
Consider for a moment your family and other close relationships. Who needs your mercy? Whose mercy do you need? Have you not been separated long enough?
This was not the first time Moses had been asked to intercede with God for the erring people of Israel. Still, this time he pleaded for elite leadership. This time he pleaded for his closest kin.
Someone among your friends, family or yourself, needs mercy. Reach out in love. Speak in humility. Listen with grace. Take, or forget, the blame. Just get the job done.
You can create a miracle of reconciliation and restoration with just a little courage. Do what must be done to start the flow of life-giving mercy among you and yours. You are just a call or text away from healing and renewal.
Think: I have the means and ability to give, or receive, mercy. Do I have the courage?
Pray: “Lord, help me to give and receive mercy, especially regarding friends and family.”
Copyright © April 2015, Kirk Hunt
This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.
Miriam’s Judgment
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“Miriam’s Judgment” By Kirk Hunt
So the anger of the Lord was aroused against them, and He departed. And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and there she was, a leper.
Numbers 12:9–10 NKJV
(Please read Numbers 12:1 – 8)
The Shekinah, God’s glory cloud, departed the Tabernacle. The presence of God had left, but His judgment remained. Miriam was completely engulfed in leprosy, a slow, disfiguring and finally deadly, disease. The ancient Hebrews say it as symbolic of sin in the life of men and women.
As High Priest, it was Aaron’s job to diagnose lepers, then banish them from any contact with family and friends. Aaron would now have to designate his own sister as unclean and drive her out of the camp. There, on the outside of life as she knew it, Miriam would suffer disfigurement, disability and eventually death.
God’s judgment of Aaron and Miriam’s rebellion against Moses had been swift and final. They wanted to dwell in God’s presence, like Moses. They found out, there are more things in God’s presence than mercy and revelation. There is also justice and judgment.
Aaron and Miriam were right to seek God’s presence for themselves. They were wrong to seek Him in an attitude of envy and presumption. There are many things in God’s presence. His judgment is not the least part of His presence.
Think: God’s presence is to be sought, but in reverence and humility.
Pray: “Lord, I seek You in humility and reverence. Accept me in grace and mercy.”
Copyright © April 2015, Kirk Hunt
This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.
Stay Afraid
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“Stay Afraid” By Kirk Hunt
I speak with him face to face,
Even plainly, and not in dark sayings;
And he sees the form of the Lord.
Why then were you not afraid
To speak against My servant Moses?”
Numbers 12:8 NKJV
(Please read Numbers 12:1 – 7)
Miriam watched over her baby brother, Moses, in the bulrushes. Moses’s older brother, Aaron the High Priest served as Moses spokesman. Miriam and Aaron were skilled, insightful and anointed of God. And not afraid to bad-mouth their brother.
They should have known better. Moses was the God-selected leader. They let their family spat boil-up into a mutiny against Moses’ God-spoken position and authority.
God-chosen leaders are God-chosen leaders. That does not make that man or woman perfect, but God’s authority rests on them. Rebellion against that anointed one is rebellion against God.
The Hebrew word for ‘afraid’, yare, can be translated as reverence. Miriam and Aaron lost their reverence for Moses’ position and place in God and before God’s people. They may not have been afraid to disrespect their brother, but they were afraid (not just reverent) to be confronted by God.
Should the spiritual leaders in your life live up to their assignments from God? Of course they should. Still, you should approach God’s men and women in light of their anointing by, and appointment from, God. Do not wind up standing before God as a mutineer.
Think: My reverence for God should echo in my respect for His servants.
Pray: “Lord, help my respect for You show in my respect for Your men and women.”
Copyright © April 2015, Kirk Hunt
This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.
Most Mondays
Saints,
As you may have surmised, “Most Mondays” does not mean all Mondays. Still, this place holder will go away when the not-so-on-time devotional is written.
Bless you, in His Name.
-Cadreman
Looking Like God
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“Looking Like God” By Kirk Hunt
Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
2 Timothy 2:19 NKJV
My sons are my children. They have different personalities, different skills and different lives, yet they are clearly mine. Good looking as they are, they are mine because they act like me.
God’s people are His people. We have different personalities, different skills and different lives; still we are clearly His children. The closer we are to Jesus, the more we act like Him and even look like Him.
Yes, we all make mistakes. From time-to-time, we all slip into error. Still, when you turn and reestablish yourself on His principles, you remain His.
God’s saints must constantly resist, and even run from, sin and iniquity. While we hate the sin, just like Christ, we always love the sinner (Romans 5:8). That includes loving the sinner we see in the mirror.
How do we life by His principles? We study Scripture to learn them first hand. We pray so that He can speak them directly to our hearts. We fast, so that our human flesh comes to understand that we are living by Holy discipline. Finally, we lean on the power of the Holy Spirit to carry us over the places and spaces where we need strength.
Think: The Lord knows you by how you live your life.
Pray: “Lord, help me to live by Your principles so that You can recognize me as Yours.”
Copyright © March 2015, Kirk Hunt
This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.
Before His God
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“Before His God” By Kirk Hunt
And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
2 Samuel 6:16 NKJV
Poppa was mentally, and possibly physically, the toughest man I have ever known. He went places and did things in the face of incredible opposition. Still, Momma often called him a “crybaby.”
It was in the middle of a church service that it registered with me that I saw his tears. The tears were part of his thankfulness. He cried as worship to his God. It was deeply moving and significant when I realized that his hard, iron-grip hands were raised in adoration and praise to God.
David was a great and established king. He had achieved the throne against tremendous opposition. Still, when the Ark entered Jerusalem, he could not contain himself. He stripped to his (fancy) underwear and danced before His God. It must have been deeply moving and significant to watch this powerful warrior spin and jump before his God.
David ignored his wife’s jeering at his undignified display. Poppa paid Momma no attention when she poked fun at his manly tears. And in either case, no one else dared say anything. Hopefully, most were able to see the beauty of their unrestrained displays of devotion.
God deserves the biggest, deepest reservoirs of your love and devotion. What does it look like when you show Him all of yourself? All I know is that it is beautiful in His eyes.
Think: Am I willing to express my deepest love to God?
Pray: “Lord, You are worthy of my deepest reverence and love, plus more.
Copyright © March 2015, Kirk Hunt
This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.
Fear’s Antidote
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“Fear’s Antidote” By Kirk Hunt
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18 NKJV
Sometimes I fret and worry. The uncertainties of life are many. As a redeemed Christian, I remain vulnerable to the ebb and flow of the real world. Scripture proclaims that saints should not have fear. I know better that letting the fear in, but here we are.
My humanity makes me vulnerable to fear. I often stay away from the nightly news, because of the fear-inducing events and situations of the day. It is harder to stay away from the uncertainties of my day-to-day life. Life itself is a risk-filled endeavor.
I still have no excuse. I know that Father-God loves me. Through the grace of His Son, His love dwells in me. When I step out of or away from His love I am vulnerable to fear, in all of its unpleasantness.
John is right. Fear is torment. The antidote, of course, is God’s love. As I soak in His love, the fear is displaced. You would think I would have perfected my grip on God’s love by now.
So it appears my grip on love is not yet perfect. I am working on it. The antidote to fear is being perfect in God’s love. I am going to practice until I get it right.
Think: The antidote to fear is the love of God.
Pray: “Lord, help me to rest and shelter in Your love.
Copyright © March 2015, Kirk Hunt
This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.
Faith In The Rain
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“Faith In The Rain” By Kirk Hunt
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
Job 13:15 NKJV
What happens to your faith when you finish your prayer and it is still raining in your life? The checkbook is still empty? The hospital bed is still full? The casket lid is still closing?
Job lay on a literal ash heap, the only comfort for his own illness. His sons and daughters were dead. His wealth had become a dimming memory. Then his friends arrived to accuse him of secret sin.
Job’s faith in God remained strong. Job trusted what God was doing or allowing in his life. His confidence in his own integrity remained firm. Job was prepared to give an account of himself to any audience, including God Himself.
The rain of circumstances pours into the life of both the redeemed and unredeemed. Hurt and battered, saints look toward heaven in faith. The redeemed respond in faith, trust and continuing integrity before God. We trust God, even as the raindrops mingle with our tears.
The rain in your life should have nothing to do with your faith. God’s people trust that God is faithful and loving, even when our circumstances are difficult. Faith is not absence of difficulty. Faith is the presence of trust in God.
Think: Is my faith strong when circumstances are difficult?
Pray: “Lord, help me to trust You despite the circumstances.
Copyright © March 2015, Kirk Hunt
This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.
Re-called To Serve
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“Re-called To Serve” By Kirk Hunt
“Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
John 21:18 NKJV
There, on the shore of the Galilee (also called Tiberias), the risen Jesus renewed Simon Peter’s calling. Jesus commanded Peter to “Feed His Sheep.” Then he informs Peter that, at the end, others will dress him and take places. Peter’s call to service will not be limited by his age or condition.
Scripture clearly says (v. 19) that this verse is a prophecy of Peter’s martyrdom. Tradition teaches that Peter was crucified in Nero’s Rome. Still, Peter’s call from Jesus is not to an ending but to Kingdom building service.
Saints I know speak of retirement from their ministries and lives of service. Yet, the next thing I hear from, or of them, is that they are deeply involved in a new approach to building God’s Kingdom. It may involve less running, jumping and lifting heavy things, but it is still important work. Work they are uniquely qualified to perform.
You may not be 15, or 35, anymore, but you are not excused. God’s Kingdom needs you to be where you are supposed to be, doing what you are called to do. Accept help, if you must, but keep moving for Him, regardless.
Think: There is no retirement from the Christian Way.
Pray: “Lord, help me to faithful to my calling my entire life.
Copyright © February 2015, Kirk Hunt
This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.