CadreMen Press Devotionals

“Keep Doing The Right Things”

“Keep Doing The Right Things” by Kirk Hunt

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9 KJV

I have been working out for a while. Resisting the sugar cravings is no fun. Despite all of the discipline, sacrifice and hard work, I am not advancing too quickly. In fact, at times, my gains seem to have regressed.

Why do I continue? Why sweat out so much effort for so little result? Because, here and there, I see glimmers of the future.

There was the day I casually jumped ditches while carrying heavy loads. There was the evening I man-handled stuff rather than suffer the inconvenience of looking for help. My belly is not flat, but it is less round.

The diet and exercise could probably be better executed. Still, they are much better than last year. Next year will be better yet.

Consider your prayer, Bible study and fasting. You are becoming more Christ-like, even if your growth is slower than you might like. You are advancing, even when sometimes it feels like you are losing ground.

God honors your diligence and sacrifice. Your old nature recedes. Your new nature advances. And here and there, you see glimmers of your future.

Do not trust your feelings. Trust His Word. The Holy Spirit is enabling your hard work. Stay at it until you get your pay-out.

Think: Keep up your spiritual disciplines, until you get your pay-out.

Pray: “Lord, help to continue the disciplines that carry me to You.”

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

What Is Your Ambition?

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“What Is Your Ambition?” by Kirk Hunt

They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. (Mark 10:37 KJV)

Mark 10:37 KJV

Please read Mark 10:35-40

They were up front and personal with their request. “Make us your chief guys.” Straight. To the point. There were determined to fulfill their own ambitions.

Neither James or John asked what Jesus wanted. Scripture does not record their explanation or discussion about how they wanted to serve the coming Kingdom. All they appeared to want was important positions.

Ambition leads men and women to take steps. That may include accomplishing a particular task or goal. It could be gaining a specific ally. Perhaps it involves removing a particular hindrance.

What is your ambition? Why is that your ambition? What will you do to achieve your ambition?

I pray you have ambitions. To serve His Kingdom. To minister to the hurting. To save the lost.

Ambition is all too easily a negative. History and current events are full of examples of self-seeking, sometimes ruthless, ambition. James and John are exposed in this example from the Gospels.

Life-saving discoveries have come into the world through ambition. Ambition has been the source of violence and chaos across the globe. What kind of ambition do you have?

Think: Is my ambition Godly, or something else?

Pray: “Lord, give me ambition to build Your Kingdom, for You.”

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

How Do You Use Your Power?

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“How Do You Use Your Power?” by Kirk Hunt

And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

Luke 9:54 KJV

The Disciples wanted to command (not request) fire from heaven to destroy an entire village. Admittedly, providing hospitality was an important virtue in that culture. Refusing to provide for Jesus and the Disciples was, at a minimum, a serious breach of etiquette.

Even if a deliberate insult, flash-frying an entire village must count as an overreaction. Despite teaching and training from Jesus Himself, the Disciples missed the lesson on power use. Power should never be exercised without wisdom.

Did they have the power? James and John certainly thought so. Still, Jesus rebuked them on their purpose and motivation: “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.” Broiling folk for insults was not the lesson Jesus was trying to teach.

God gives His saints power and wisdom. Every exercise of power by a Christian should be done in further building the Kingdom. For His glory. For His purposes. Certainly not as a naked display of willfulness.

Our modern culture needs us to use His power. To heal the wounded. To comfort the distressed. To unshackle the spiritually imprisoned.

Are you a Christian? Then you have His power. Always use His wisdom when you use His power.

Think: God gives us power and wisdom.

Pray: “Lord, help me to use the power You gave with, and in, Your wisdom.”

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

How Do You Use What You Have?

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“How Do You Use What You Have?” by Kirk Hunt

Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

Proverbs 22:22–23 KJV

Everything legal is not correct or moral. Segregation was once legal in the United States. Education and literacy is not legal for everyone in the world today.

What the oppressors do not seem to understand is the price they pay when they oppress. God Himself guards the poor and helpless. His omniscient eye sees. Eventually, His omnipotent hand moves.

Wealth and power have their place. I certainly want them. 1 Timothy 6:10 does not criticize money directly. Instead, Scripture condemns loving money so much that you do the wrong thing(s).

Money, influence and capitalism will not soon be outlawed in the world. Nor should they. Scripture commands you to use your wealth and influence with justice and fairness. Do you?

God watches. His blood boils when His little ones are oppressed. Eventually, He moves against those who perpetrate injustice.

The more you have, the easier it is to oppress and mistreat others. The more you have, the easier it is to act to benefit those around you, and still make a profit. What does God see when you use your wealth and influence?

Think: Justice and fairness please God. How do I use my wealth and influence?

Pray: “Lord, help me to use my wealth and influence with justice and fairness.”

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

Does God Love You?

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“Does God Love You?” by Kirk Hunt

For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Proverbs 3:12 KJV

I could tell you stories about Momma and Poppa disciplining me. They were likely to chastise me (or my siblings) at any time or place. Not once did they ever say, “This hurts me, as much as it hurts you.”

Do I remember their discipline with fondness? Not so much. Do I appreciate their correction now? Yes. Do I doubt their love? Not one iota.

God loves us so much he does not allow us to stay in our error(s). He corrects us. He guides us back to His Word and Way, when we stray.

When He corrects us, God denies justice. We do not get all we deserve. Instead of getting the full penalty of our sins, He guides us back to righteousness with mercy and kindness.

Of course, it is better to stay the straight and narrow. Still, we mere mortals occasionally get out in the weeds. It is then that His love for us shines most brightly.

He brings us back to the right path. Through His full love. In His grace. And sometimes with a switch. At least it is not with the sword we deserve.

He loves you. More than you know or understand. Accept His correction. Even when it hurts a little (or a lot).

Think: Father, you love me too much to let me stay wrong.

Pray: “Lord, help me to appreciate your love, even in correction.”

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

Follow Your Leadership

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“Follow Your Leadership” by Kirk Hunt

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Romans 13:1 KJV

Paul is writing to Christians leaving in pagan Rome. The most likely Caesar or Emperor of the time? The notorious Nero.

Why did not Paul tell the Christians of Rome to take up arms? Because all governments are ordained by God. Ordained is defined as invested officially, or appointed by authority.

Does being subject mean following every direction a secular leader gives? Had the Roman Christians been more obedient to Nero, fewer of them would have been martyred. Still, they lived and worked in a society with radically different beliefs and morals.

Modern day Christians live and work using beliefs and morals radically different from the society-at-large. Like our ancient Roman brothers and sisters, we are called to live out our lives as light and salt. Most Western Christians do so without the threat of real or serious persecution.

What should modern-day Christians do? First, remain subjects of the King of heaven. Second, be subject to the secular government God placed ordained for you.

Will you agree with everything? I hope not. Still, you must be a good citizen of two Kingdoms. I am sure you know which has priority.

Think: I am called to live and work as salt and light under the current government.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be a good subject first of You, then of the earthy leaders you ordain.”

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

Leaders Work Too

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“Leaders Work Too” by Kirk Hunt

And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.

Nehemiah 3:5 KJV

The men of Tekoa showed up and worked. They lived a full day’s travel away from Jerusalem, but they understood the importance of walls around the Capitol city and the Temple. They brought materials, tools and most importantly, themselves.

Still, the men of Tekoa lacked something: Official Leadership. Obviously, someone worked out all of the logistics and details. Real men, with a heart for God and the nation, but not the official leaders of Tekoa.

The regular men of Tekoa did what needed to be done. The common citizens worked long hours in the hot, Mediterranean sun. The common folk shared the risks of enemy attack and shared defense.

The wealthy and well-dressed leadership of Tekoa? They were hard to find. Or worse, easy to find, but doing nothing.

Real leadership is not a title. True nobility is not an accident of birth. Both require being in the thick of what must be done, even at the risk of dirt or danger.

Are you one of the common folks? Lead out in what you know needs doing. Be the leader who builds the Kingdom.

Are you leadership in the Kingdom? Put your back in it. Prove your worthiness for the title. Demonstrate the reason you hold the position.

Think: Building God’s Kingdom requires everyone, especially leadership, to work.

Pray: “Lord, let me lead out in building Your Kingdom.”

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

Everyone Works

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“Everyone Works” by Kirk Hunt

And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters. (Nehemiah 3:12 KJV)

Nehemiah 3:12 KJV

The task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was a political, economic and even spiritual necessity. The nation would continue to flounder, until the expensive, expansive and exhausting work was completed. Under Nehemiah’s leadership, Israel took on this vital task.

Shallum, as an individual, shouldered repairing a section of the wall. A resource hungry act, even for a wealthy ruler, Shallum looked for support. Shallum’s daughters stepped forward and supported their father.

Did the daughters personally carry stone blocks and swing hammers? Perhaps. Scripture is silent on the exact nature of their support. What is important is that in concert with their father, and the rest of the nation, they supported the important work of restoring Jerusalem. Help is help, no matter what.

As a Christian, you are called to support God’s Kingdom. If you can not do the actual, hands-on labor, then step up and give the support you can give. Your part is needed. Your part is important.

Others did bigger sections of the wall. Still others completed the various gates and towers. They all did their part in re-building Jerusalem. What is your part in (re-)building a spiritual Jerusalem where you stand?

Think: Building God’s Kingdom requires everyone to work.

Pray: “Lord, I want to work on building Your Kingdom.”

Hear For Yourself

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“Hear For Yourself” by Kirk Hunt

Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

1 Samuel 3:16–17 KJV

Listen For Yourself

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“Listen For Yourself” by Kirk Hunt

For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

1 Samuel 3:13 KJV

“Speak For Yourself”

“Speak For Yourself” by Kirk Hunt

And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

1 Samuel 3:10 KJV

The Juniper Tree Angel

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“The Juniper Tree Angel” by Kirk Hunt

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.

1 Kings 19:5 KJV

Read also 1 Kings 18 and 19

In the prior 24-72 hours, Elijah had prayed fire from heaven, then prayed drought-breaking rain into the nation. You would think the prophet’s spiritual experiences, depth and maturity would make him immune to human limits. Instead fatigue, doubt and discouragement left him whimpering under a nameless tree, praying for his own end.

Thankfully, God dispatched a minister to help Elijah with his human limits. Food and rest, alone, enabled the prophet to carry on from the juniper tree. The prophet would resume his powerful and faithful ministry after this “little vacation.”

Elijah slept safely with divinely appointed protection. Elijah received divinely appointed nourishment. Elijah received divinely appointed direction and instruction.

No matter what great and powerful calling you are doing in God’s Kingdom, you remain human. Should you find yourself under a juniper tree, look for the divinely appointed minister (angelic or human) God has dispatched to your side. You will carry on, through His power.

Human limits are what they are. God will help you to fulfill your calling, no matter how big it seems to you. Your “juniper angel” will provide what you need to carry on.

Think: God always provides for His servants, even in their lesser moments.

Pray: “Lord, I need Your help to carry on with my calling.”

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