CadreMen Press Devotionals

Christ The Foreigner

Christ The Foreigner by Kirk Hunt

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;

Matthew 25:34-35
Please also read Matthew 25:31-46

Standing before the Throne of God, men and women will receive judgment. Those who rejected foreigners (aka strangers) will themselves be rejected. Those who received foreigners will be received by Christ, into heaven. Christ plainly says that He is the foreigner you received or rejected.

No one who has read Scripture should be confused. No one who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ should misunderstand. When we serve others, we serve Christ.

Every prisoner is a son or daughter of God. The poor, or sick, or hungry, are children of God. And every foreigner you meet is Jesus, no matter where they were born.

The Old Testament is full of commandments to care for foreigners with mercy, grace and generosity. The New Testament has multiple examples of Jesus performing miracles for foreigners. The Disciples ministered to and evangelized foreigners.

Jesus loves all of His children. He speaks their language. He loves their skin tone. And Jesus has commanded you to love and serve His children.

Keep it simple. Read the words Jesus spoke. Christ is that foreigner. Will you receive or reject that soul?

Think: God loves all of His children.

Pray: “Lord, help me to minister to all foreigners with love and grace.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Adjust But Carry On

Adjust But Carry On by Kirk Hunt

And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work. So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah.

Nehemiah 4:15-16
Please also read Nehemiah 4:1-23

The opposition wants to prevent you from continuing your God ordained work and mission. Your modern-day Sanballat (or Tobiah) may resort to intimidation and violence to stop you. Adjust if needed, but carry on with the work.

Sanballat and Tobiah used schemes, intimidation and the threat of the Samaritan army to stop the wall-building project. Nehemiah and the people of Judah adjusted by turning themselves into combat engineers and continued the work. “Opposition neutralized.”

Was the work slower after the adjustment? Probably. Did the swords, spears and bows demonstrate their determination to build the wall? Absolutely.

“God had brought their plot to nothing.” Father-God is not surprised by their sin and aggression. Still, He wants to work through your faithful response. God’s fire from heaven may be disguised in your acts of faithful service.

Your adjustment may not be an ideal situation, but it will keep the work going. “When God does not send angels, He sends men and women.” And to the untrained eye, it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference.

Think: My adjustment will continue God’s mission.

Pray: “Lord, help me to keep Your mission and work going.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Haters Are Despisers

Haters Are Despisers by Kirk Hunt

But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”

Nehemiah 2:19

Nehemiah has just announced his mission (Nehemiah 2:17-18) and the haters are there early with opposition and discouragement. Haters see your positive calling as something negative. They despise you, your team and your collective efforts. Be encouraged by their scorn and derision.

While you are blessing and benefiting folks, they are cursing and tormenting them. You bring life and hope. They bring decay and despair.

The haters portray your good intentions as an evil conspiracy. The despisers declare your clear and simple plan(s) as convoluted and sinister. Haters see controversy and scandal where everyone one else sees agreement and merit.

Their opposition means you are doing the right thing. Their complaints mean you are ruining their scams and thievery. You are working to fix an injustice or inequity. They are fighting to keep wrongdoing and oppression right where it is.

Scripture calls the enemy of our souls an accuser (Revelations 12:10). Unjust accusations are an unfair attack on your life, spirit and mission. If you must pay attention to them, use their hurtful words to improve your mission plan. Be sure to thank them for helping you to fulfill God’s plan and purpose.

Be confident in God’s calling on your life. Keep doing the right things, the correct way. God’s victory will emerge from your faithfulness.

Think: Some will oppose your efforts to improve the lives of others.

Pray: “Lord, help me to help others, despite those who object.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Objections To Well-Being

Objections To Well-Being by Kirk Hunt

When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.

Nehemiah 2:10

Nehemiah left his high-profile, well-paid position next to King Artaxerxes. He journeyed to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. Restoring the walls of the city would increase the safety and wealth of the people of Israel in general, and the residents of Jerusalem in particular. Sanballat and Tobiah objected to improving the security or income of the folk.

Think about the people who fight against an effort to improve the lives of others. Almost without exception, they profit from poverty or hardship. The suffering and despair of others benefits them.

Drug pushers, pimps, slum lords and other villains make life worse for others, and reap profits or benefits for their efforts. Sanballat and Tobiah did not want a change to the circumstances in Jerusalem. The situation was good for them, despite the tears and suffering of everyone else.

There are always men and women who want things to stay the way they are. They fear losing clout or prestige. Their profits may lessen. And they will fight to keep wrongdoing and oppression right where it is.

Perhaps you have made an effort to fix an injustice or inequity. Do not let blowback or opposition stop you. Modern-day Sanballats and Tobiahs will object to you improving the lives of the people you serve. Ignore their resistance. Listen to God and make the lives of others better.

Think: Some will oppose your efforts to improve the lives of others.

Pray: “Lord, help me to help others, despite those who object.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

“Mother, Go With Me?”

“Mother, Go With Me?” by Kirk Hunt

And Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!”

Judges 4:8 NKJV
Please read also Judges 4:4–9

Deborah sent for Barak, a leader and general of Israel. She confirmed to him that God had already commanded him to fight Sisera’s army, and promised him victory. Barak responded with “Mother, will you go with me?”

Barak faced a bigger, better equipped army. God told Barak to lead footmen against chariots (think infantry against tanks) and promised him a win. Barak, through faith, trusted God. Still, who could blame him for wanting God’s woman, a Mother-in-Zion, to go with him?

If you are one of God’s people, you run a risk. God, at any moment, may command you to face insurmountable odds with nothing but His promise. Barak went to fight a battle that military science said could not be won. In trembling obedience and imperfect faith, Barak went to war.

True saints with Real Faith™ follow God’s Word in confidence and trust. Real saints, like me, might want a trusted man or woman of God to go along. If nothing else, to constantly repeat God’s promise. Things are different when your life, legacy and liberty hang in the balance.

God, of course, delivered on His promises. Still, Barak kept a grip on Mother Deborah’s hand. Your faith, like Barak’s, may not be completely perfect, but God always honors our obedience.

Think: Trust God’s Word in your life and purpose. Take men and women of faith with you to help.

Pray: “Lord, my faith and trust is in You.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

More Value Than Sparrows

More Value Than Sparrows by Kirk Hunt

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29-31 NKJV

I am too old and experienced to feel uncared for and forgotten. Still, here I am alone, facing fire and brimstone. In His grace, He provided a reminder: “You are worth more than many sparrows.”

The facts and data too clearly spell out how much bad craziness is in the world. The darkness lets the hellhounds of despair and panic scratch and claw at the door. Saints and sinners alike face an enemy who hunts our souls.

The difference is that the saints remember that He is Jehovah-Jireh, God-who-provides. He sees. He cares. He acts. He provides.

I will have to face what comes. God will provide grace. He will deliver provision. And if I quiet myself, just a little, He gives comfort to heart and soul.

I can face the hellhounds. Not because I am strong, but because God is good. He provides light in the darkness. He has marked a clear path through the chaos.

Even at my age and experience, I needed a reminder that I am not facing the world alone or forgotten. The sparrows matter to God, and He provides for them. I am His son, and He loves and cares for me. I had to pause, just a little, to remember He is the God-who-provides.

Think: God always provides.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be thankful for, and rely on, Your provision.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

The Manna Ceased

The Manna Ceased by Kirk Hunt

And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.

Joshua 5:11-12 NKJV

After 40 years of nomadic life, the Israelites were entering a new chapter in Canaan. Having finally arrived in the land promised to the patriarchs, the provision of the manna ceased. After their first meal eaten directly from the promised land, God ended the provision directly from heaven.

God had more than adequately proved His ability to provide for His people. The literal food from heaven ended so that there could be no confusion. Israel would now have to cope with His provision, given in a different format.

Israel would grow and harvest their own food in Canaan. The lessons and reassurances of the manna were no longer needed. Israel would now have to provide more of the work, like regular people, in getting their sustenance.

Chapters and seasons in our lives have different conditions and provisions. In the raw wilderness, God provided food daily. In Canaan, Israel would have a more active role.

The different chapters of your life has different conditions and provisions. God is always your provider. Sometimes, He expects you to help

Think: God always provides. Sometimes, I have to help.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be thankful for Your provision, regardless of the format.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Shall Surely Perish

Shall Surely Perish by Kirk Hunt

Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the Lord destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 8:19-20 NKJV

Moses the centenarian delivered a blunt, dour message: Worship only God or perish. As an individual. As a nation.

Israel had trudged through the desert for 40 years. The choices of disbelief and disobedience had condemned a generation to death outside of the land promised to them. Even Moses had become a victim of his choice to disobey God. In unflinching honesty and clarity, Moses reminded the nation of their opportunity to chose life through obedience to God. Or death in disobedience.

Your choice today is just that stark and mutually exclusive. You are a God-follower, or you are not. You choose life in God, or death in anything else.

Learn from the example of those who have gone before. The Canaanites were driven out of the land, by God, because of their sin. God would do the same thing with Israel, if they chose rebellion and wickedness.

Israel, God’s chosen people, lived in Canaan as long as they were obedient worshipers of God. When they chose sin and idolatry, they in turn were driven out. Israel perished from the land promised by God, because of their choices.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you are chosen and loved by God. You will live in His promise as long as you are an obedient and faithful worshiper of God. If you chose to worship false idols, you shall surely perish.

Think: If I follow God in truth and obedience I will live and not perish.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be a true and faithful worshiper of You.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

You Pass Through

You Pass Through by Kirk Hunt

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Isaiah 6:1 NKJV

First, the bad news: You will pass through hard, difficult places. Now, the good news: God will be with you, and help you, through every moment.

All Christians have a calling from God. If you are obedient to Him, He will lead you through deep waters, raging rivers and burning places. His promise is to carry you through those places, not over them.

In the middle of the deep deluge, you might forget. Navigating the vicious rapids, you may be distracted. Dodging flames and burning embers, you may have concerns. No matter how it looks, He is there, carrying you through.

Why do we go through these hard and harsh places? Sometimes, our trials build something into us that we need. Other times, our struggles remove the imperfections in our soul and character. Perhaps you are example to others who see Him in your circumstances.

His will or purposes do not always make sense to us. Maybe, one day in eternity, He will explain. Until then, spit out the water, or brush off the ashes. Rely on His promises.

No matter what happens, the God of the universe promises to be right where you are. Stretch your faith toward His faithfulness. Rest your obedience on this promise: He will be with you.

Think: God promises to be with us. Do I believe His promises?

Pray: “Lord, hold my hand as I travel through difficult places with You.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Removing God Blockers

Removing God Blockers 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

Uzziah is considered by Biblical scholars as a good and faithful king. Still, he may have been blocking Isaiah’s view of God. Anything that blocks your relationship with God is a bad thing. What has to change (or die) to for you to see God again?

If Uzziah obscured Isaiah’s focus on God, the biggest fault lies with Isaiah. Men and women are responsible for their own relationship with God. If you think your view of God is obscured move the obstruction, or yourself, to a different spot.

Too often, we blame others, or circumstances, for our situation. It may not be easy to change, but you have agency for your own life. No matter what happened before, what are you doing now?

God’s glory and majesty filled and overwhelmed to Temple. He is a big God and His splendor can be seen in all of creation. If you cannot see Him, that is because there is something in the way. If you cannot move it, then you must move you.

Of course, that assumes you want to see God. Maybe you are content or comfortable with your situation and state. Your relationship with God, or His calling on your life, will make demands on you. Are you willing to do what it takes to have a clear view of God?

Think: What interferes with my view of God? What will I do about it?

Pray: “Lord, help me to remove anything that blocks my focus on you.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.