CadreMen Press Devotionals

The Trouble With Saints

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“The Trouble With Saints” By Kirk Hunt

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NKJV

Somehow, some of God’s people are convinced that the righteous do not have trouble. In this verse, Jesus says the opposite. Even saints struggle with problems in this life.

Still, Jesus commands us to have peace and joy. Trouble may come, but trouble will go. And Jesus will remain throughout.

Those words are easy when the trouble is minor and the solution is at hand. Those words are much harder in the hospital room, or jail cell, or a mortuary viewing room.

It does not matter how difficult the circumstances, Jesus remains. It may be more than you can bear, but not more than He can carry. You may not sense Him close, but He is immediately present.

You may not have done anything wrong. You may be as righteous as human beings can get. That will not keep trouble out of your life. Besides, that is not what He promises.

He promised that He has overcome the world. Your will overcome, through His power and grace. Do not let anything convince you otherwise.

Folks may not understand your peace of mind. They will be baffled by your joy, despite the circumstances. You have peace and joy because you know trouble passes through, while He remains.

Think: Troubles come and go, while Jesus is present and remains.

Pray: “Lord, give me your peace and joy, despite my trouble.”

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

He Restores You

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“He Restores You” By Kirk Hunt

So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,

The crawling locust,

The consuming locust,

And the chewing locust,

My great army which I sent among you.

Joel 2:25 NKJV

You insisted on following your own lead. The consequences of your decisions, spiritually and naturally, seem more than you can bear. Desperately, you look for a way to restore what was lost.

The people of ancient Israel had invited God out of their lives. When the plague of locusts came, the people faced the onslaught without God’s provision or protection. The insect army devastated the land, and battered the people.

Repentance is the first step to restoration. The prophet Joel called on Israel to “tear your hearts, not your garments,” as a sign of grief and regret. As always, when we turn to God with sincere hearts, He listens.

God promised to make up the “eaten years” to His repentant people. There would be full barns, and hearts, if the people would return to God. God promised to pour out His Mercy and Grace, in place of His Justice and Judgment.

There will be hard work. First, you will labor at the altar when you return to Him. Than you will work at your day-to-day labors, under God’s Blessing. Working in His Plan is always better than the alternative.

The poor decisions of yesterday need not be the end of your story. You can return to God today. He promises a tomorrow of blessing and provision for hearts that seek Him in true repentance.

Think: God loves me and will provide if I repent.

Pray: “Lord, forgive me. Restore me in Your Grace.”

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

An Angel Named Perseverance

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“An Angel Named Perseverance” By Kirk Hunt

Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

James 5:11 NKJV

Perseverance is not one of the beautiful angels. There are no hidden secrets. There are no mysterious procedures. It is the simple act of staying at your tasks until the end.

Most Christians do not associate perseverance with skill or power. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit and very often, it is the difference between success and failure. Perseverance has great value in the secular world, and in the things of God. Perseverance carries and preserves us until His answers come.

Perseverance is a sibling to endurance and a cousin to patience. It is the link between hope and prayer. All champions have, or get, perseverance. That is because all champions eventually run out of fancy moves and clever strategies. All that remains then is refusing to give up until you get victory.

Perseverance does have a formula: Take the hits. Get up, if needed. Continue serving God. Repeat until you arrive in His Kingdom.

There is no magic or mystery in perseverance. Just a willingness to continue until victory comes. You do want victory, right?

Think: Perseverance may not be flashy but it is critical.

Pray: “Lord, help me have endurance until my change and answers come from You.

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

God Hears

“God Hears” By Kirk Hunt

And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.

Genesis 21:17 NKJV

Once again, Hagar encounters God in the trackless wilderness. This time, she and her 14-year old boy have been exiled permanently from Abraham’s household. Still, Jehovah Roi, the God who sees, is watching over her and the boy. God is so close, that He hears the boy crying.

Ishmael is the result of Sarah trying to fulfill God’s promise through human means. With Isaac’s birth, Ishmael became an inconvenience. Disinheritance and exile are harsh penalties for the ill-timed jeering of a 14-year old boy.

Sarah’s callous and calculating maneuver is not the final word. Ishmael, the son of a slave, remains a son of covenant. God delivers on His promised outcome for Ishmael, as well as Isaac.

Ishmael became a great nation in his own right. He and Isaac peaceably buried their father, Abraham, together. God’s covenant with Ishmael was never in doubt.

God’s covenant with you is never in doubt. Your current circumstance is never the final story. God watches and listens for you.

You are never alone. You are never uncared for. Do not let your feelings, confuse you about the facts.

Think: God sees and cares for me, no matter how my situation unfolds.

Pray: “Lord, You listen for my voice. I trust You to deliver Your promise to me.”

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

God Sees

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“God Sees” By Kirk Hunt

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”

Genesis 16:13 NKJV

In that culture and era, a woman had less intrinsic value. Hagar was a woman and a slave. Her status made her replaceable, expendable and potentially disposable. Still, she had the complete attention of the God who sees.

Jehovah Roi, or alternatively El Roi; God, who sees you. God is not just omniscient, but He focuses on His children. Whatever the world says you are, or are not, God sees you, and He is doing something about your situation.

No matter how battered and bruised you feel. No matter how alone and isolated you seem. God, sees you.

He has a plan. He has already plotted out an outcome. If you follow His path, you will receive all of the good He has prepared for you.

God’s supervision of your life does not mean your here and now is without difficulties. Hagar, a beaten, battered fugitive, encountered God at a nameless waterhole, in the trackless wilderness. God showed her a much brighter future than she could see or know.

Perhaps you feel alone. You may feel like no one sees you or cares about you. God sees. God cares. He will deploy His vision for your life. Just have the courage to stay the course He has set for you.

Think: God sees and cares for me, no matter how difficult my situation.

Pray: “Lord, You see and care for me. Give me faith to follow Your vision for me .”

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

Open Our Eyes

“Open Our Eyes” By Kirk Hunt

And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Kings 6:17 NKJV

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 I should, I will. If He say it will, then it shall. Still, some days, my too human hearts 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 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 human 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.”

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

Can You Be Pruned?

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“Can You Be Pruned?” By Kirk Hunt

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

John 15:2 NKJV

Too often, God’s people see the less-than-pleasant events of their lives as, bad, negative or an attack. We do not often enough see the events of our lives as God’s plan for our improvement. This Scripture bluntly says that the pruning of a saint is a good thing.

John does not say that pruning is a pleasant or joyful experience. In fact, pruning is defined as, “the selective removal of parts.” All of the real word implements of plant pruning have sharp, cutting edges. Some have motors or engines. Please, do the math.

Still, John does say that afterwards, you will bear more fruit. Too often, saints covet the visible stature and success of Godly brothers and sisters. Too often, saints flee the pruning that makes “more fruit” possible.

As important as developing a gift or talent is, refining character and integrity is far more significant. Godly character will carry you through when no level of talent can. Righteous integrity will guide you when no amount of giftedness will do the job.

God wants to make you beautiful and bountiful. Be glad when you see Him approaching with the saws, shears and clippers. Or, at least, hold still and trust Him and His plan to make you more than you are.

Think: His pruning will make me more, and better, than I am.

Pray: “Lord, do what it takes for me to bear more fruit, in You.”

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

A Fresh View

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“A Fresh View” By Kirk Hunt

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

Isaiah 6:1 NKJV

King Uzziah had a long, eventful and influential reign. It is not unreasonable that even a devout and zealous young man might have his view of God influenced, or muddled, by a great leader. Isaiah still needed to see God directly and clearly. However he came to his vision, Isaiah experienced God in a fresh and direct way.

The Temple, a glorious edifice if ever there was one, was overwhelmed by something greater. God’s house, mere stone and timber, could not compare to the glory that flooded in. The holiest place on earth was suddenly re-sanctified by God’s presence.

Then, as now, no human leader is a worthy or adequate substitute for a direct relationship with God. Your experience of God needs to be direct and vital. No intermediary however anointed, or in tune with God, can have a relationship for you.

Did Isaiah have his vision before or after beginning his office as Prophet? Biblical scholars continue to debate the timing of Isaiah’s vision. First, or later, Isaiah saw God for himself. After seeing God for himself, neither Isaiah, nor his ministry, were ever the same.

Are you a seasoned saint, or just starting your walk with God? Seek a fresh view of God. See Him again, as if for the first time. You, and your ministry, will never be the same.

Think: I need a fresh and direct relationship with God.

Pray: “Lord, help me to see and know You for myself.”

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

Paul’s Annoyance

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“Paul’s Annoyance” By Kirk Hunt

This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.

Acts 16:17-18 NKJV

The girl was possessed by a foul spirit. She could supernaturally see the who of, and what of, Paul and his ministry team. To Paul’s annoyance, she followed them around and disrupted their ministry of the true Gospel. Paul, vexed by the situation, responded.

It was all wrong. The innocent girl should not be possessed by an unclean spirit. The foul spirit told the truth, but in a way deliberately intended to disrupt the life and true ministry of Paul and the other missionaries. Something had to be done. In the name of Jesus Christ, Paul exercised power against the enemy.

Paul did not start a crusade against divination or diviners. Instead, he cast out the nervy devil that sought to block the Kingdom of Heaven. In a single stroke, he set the girl free, and re-opened the door to ministering the Gospel.

Believe it or not, your annoyance with that opposing situation is a good thing. It tells you where you need to start in building God’s Kingdom. Respond as Jesus would, no matter how annoyed you are.

Think: The object of annoyance and frustration may be where I should minister.

Pray: “Lord, help me to use my annoyance for building Your Kingdom.”

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

Peter’s Sword

“Peter’s Sword” By Kirk Hunt

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

John 18:10 NKJV

There were two weapons among the Disciples (Luke 22:38), but Scripture records only one sword being used: Peter’s. Did the swing come from skillful training or hard-bitten experience? Scripture does not say.

From the comfort of an arm chair, with the New Testament readily available, modern-day Saints criticize Peter. So did Jesus, in the moment (v. 11). Still, Peter’s sword teaches modern saints important lessons.

Peter thought ahead and equipped himself. Peter had the means, knowhow and willingness to protect Jesus and the other Disciples from the violent thieves of the era. You cannot choose if you do not have the means to change (or at least impact) the situation.

Peter was close and committed enough to take action. Too many stand at a distance from the lives of saints or sinners, or refuse to get deeply and personally involved. Presence and action are proof of caring.

Peter’s sword stroke was full of good intentions and sincere motivation. It was still the wrong act, at the wrong time. Right actions must be based on right thinking, not just right hearts. Peter made matters worse. Has that ever happened to you?

You are God’s agent for change. You will have to get close, have the right tools and take the right actions. I pray you are God’s wise, not just strong, instrument in the world.

Think: I cannot help if I do not have the means, willingness and wisdom to effect change.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be Your effective change agent.”

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

I Am Not Lunch

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“I Am Not Lunch” By Kirk Hunt

Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

1 Samuel 17:37 NKJV

His fangs gleam. He looks me in the eye and licks his chops. The hellhound is happy to see me. He thinks I am lunch.

David’s hellhound came in the form of a 9 foot 9 inch tall fighting man named Goliath. King Saul lacked the strength, or faith, to face the Philistine. David’s faith, and experience with God, told him he would not be lunch. It did not matter how much Goliath shouted out a menu (1 Samuel 17:44).

Faith is not the absence of doubt. Nor does it ignore the facts and data. Instead, faith is belief greater than doubt or the expected outcome.

God’s people are never victims. We face our trials and tribulations with faith in God. We trust that His solution will see us through. Through Him we are not on the menu for anyone, or anything.

David won against Goliath through his faith in God. Turn and face the hellhound(s) in your life. God is with you. Though faith in His power, you will not be lunch. God’s champions are always victors and never victims.

Think: No matter what I face, I choose to face it through faith in God.

Pray: “Lord, help me to trust in Your strength.”

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

Abba, Father

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“Abba, Father” By Kirk Hunt

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

Galatians 4:6 NKJV

During my visit to Israel, the Tour Leader and his son suddenly started discussing money. The son, twenty-something years old, wanted extra money (no surprise) for an event. The discussion started in English, but switched to Hebrew, as son and Father “negotiated.”

The switch in language was effective, until we heard that tone. Son was using that imploring, almost-whining voice that every father in the group (if not the planet) knew too well. On top of the tone, all but one of us, recognized the word, “Abba.”

We laughed. We started to talk about taking up a collection. No real father is completely cold to the sound of that plea and cry from a son (or daughter). No matter what the child deserves, a father’s heart wants to give him (or her) more.

The son did not hesitate to implore his Dad. Because he knew his Dad loved him. Even if it mean compensation or sacrifice later, Son, understood his Dad would only do good things for him.

Your heavenly Father, Abba-God, Daddy-God, loves you. Your heavenly Father’s heart wants to give you more, because He loves you. He loves you more purely, truly and completely than any flesh-and-blood mortal can love anyone.

You are sons and daughters of the most high, God. Let your heart cry out to Him, no matter what the subject. I guarantee you that His heart hears you as a only a Father can.

Think: Abba-God, Daddy-God loves me.

Pray: “Lord, help me to rely on and trust Your love.”

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