CadreMen Press Devotionals

Live and Work in Excellence

“Live and Work in Excellence” by Kirk Hunt

And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre. He was a widow’s son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.

1 Kings 7:13-14 KJV

Solomon took the task of building the Temple seriously. King David’s stockpile for the Temple did not suffice. Solomon started importing the best materials from other countries.

As any builder will tell you, good materials are not enough. Excellent men and women are required for the best results on any project. Solomon looked past the politically connected and even those with good local reputations. He wanted an elite artificer to work on God’s Temple.

Solomon sent for Hiram (or Huram), a craftsman, living in a foreign land, to serve as Chief Craftsman on the Temple. Despite his mixed heritage, and probably disadvantage upbringing, Hiram came to the attention of kings (Hiram I and Solomon, as a minimum).

You have the opportunity to live and work in excellence. With enough excellence, you will come to the attention of “kings.” Of course, you should be focused on the attention of the King of Kings.

Your life can bring Him Glory. Your work can praise Him to everyone around you. Just live to be the best of the best.

Think: No matter where I am, I should live and work in excellence.

Pray: “Lord, give me a chance to bring You glory through a spirit of excellence.”

Stop And Help

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“Stop And Help” by Kirk Hunt

And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.

1 Samuel 30:13 KJV

Sick and starving, the Egyptian lay where his master abandoned him. Despite their hot pursuit, David and his men did not close their eyes to his plight. They stopped to help a sick man.

Gratitude can sometimes be purchased. A decent meal, a warm blanket and perhaps a little herbal medicine were easy enough to give. Such little things bought the gratefulness, trust and perhaps loyalty of the young man. For a promise, he led David to his former master.

The Egyptian pointed. The Hebrews attacked. The Amalekites fell. They recovered all.

Did David know the young man could help him find the captured families (verses 3-4)? Probably not. Compassion and mercy flow from the heart. The giver is usually surprised at the benefits.

Opportunities to minister and serve may come at strange times or inconvenient places. Most often when we think we have little or nothing to give. God will always provide what you need to fulfill His Will. Put your confidence in Him.

You may be pressed and strapped with your own needs and issues. Do not let your own concerns lead you past an opportunity to stop and help. The lives you save may include own.

Think: Mercy and compassion can have surprising benefits.

Pray: “Lord, give me opportunities to stop and help.”

Call For The Ephod

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“Call For The Ephod” by Kirk Hunt

And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.

1 Samuel 30:7 KJV

An unruly mob of trained killers were mumbling and looking David’s way. Their homes had been burned. Their wives, children and livestock had been carried off, captive. Something had to be done.

David’s situation was exactly the same as that of his men. Still, the troops blamed their own leader for their pain. The gathering pile of stones was not a good sign for David.

David did not panic or breakdown. He responded. He called for the Ephod and started talking to God.

The word ephod has different meaning when used in Scripture. In this verse, it referred to a means of determining God’s Will. <http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/5790-ephod#anchor4> David sought a rhema or Word from God.

Scripture does not say how the ephod worked. All we know is that David received clear and fresh direction from God. David then turned and faced the mob, and shared his revelation from God.

No matter what you are facing, you can call for an “ephod.” You can receive a fresh Word from God. Pray. Study Scripture. Fast. He will speak to you.

You will get your rhema. With a fresh Word from God, you can face your unruly mob of stone gathers. Your revelation from God will speak life to the mob and the situation.

Think: I can always seek a fresh Word from God. No matter what.

Pray: “Lord, remind me to seek a fresh Word from You.”

In Whose Timing?

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“In Whose Timing?” by Kirk Hunt

Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

John 13:36 KJV

To his credit, Peter meant his loyal words and actions. He would follow Jesus, even at hazard to his life. Peter did, by all traditions, follow Jesus to crucifixion. Just not that night.

The problem lay not in Peter’s intention, but his timing. His timing did not match Jesus’ timing. Peter would understand his out of step condition, before the night was over.

Jesus knows your heart and intention. Thankfully, He sees further, and better, than you. Intention is not enough. The timing must be the correct timing.

Peter made mistakes that night. Jesus even had to fix (see John 18:10-11) some of them. Operating in his own timing, Peter made things worse.

If you are anything like me, you think you know the right timing for your actions. If you are anything like me, God has fixed some of your mistakes. You meant well, but your timing was just a little off.

Jesus leads where we follow. Through His power. In His righteousness. With His grace.

Base your actions on Bible study and prayer. Be patient in His process. Stay obedient. Let Him lead you in His perfect timing.

Think: God’s timing for my life, unlike my own, is perfect.

Pray: “Lord, help me to operate in Your timing, not mine.”

Because You Live

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“Because You Live” by Kirk Hunt

But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

John 12:10–11 KJV

Not just any Jews, but the High Priests, conspired to kill Lazarus. Why? The testimony of his simple existence helped to draw and convert the Jewish faithful to Christians.

Too often we overlook the simple truths that flow from this passage: Your life is a testimony. The power (or weakness) of your testimony flows from the truth you live. All alone, truth has inescapable and undeniable power.

Scripture does not record that Lazarus ever preached or witnessed. In his silence, the High Priests knew of him and started writing out death warrants. Despite the silence of his mouth, Lazarus’ life trumpeted out the power and message of Jesus.

Too often, we try to bellow out the message of Jesus in order to win converts. Not often enough, we let the simple power of His truth shine out of lives. Lazarus’ silence drew men and women to Jesus.

People you have never met are hearing and watching your testimony. God’s truth does not need your bullhorn or contrived phrases. All that is needed is for you to eloquently live out your life in Him.

There is a time and place to speak your testimony for Jesus. More often, you simply need to let your life testify for you. What truth flows from your life?

Think: My life is a testimony. What does my life say?

Pray: “Lord, help me to live out a testimony that honors You.”

He Loves Us Still

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“He Loves Us Still” by Kirk Hunt

Jesus wept.

John 11:35 KJV

Jesus is the eternal Son of our eternal God. He has always existed. He will go on for forever.

I agree with those who believe that Jesus involved Himself with God’s people long before His earthly ministry. Many Bible scholars maintain that the “captain of the Lord’s host” in Joshua 5 was Jesus. The 4^th man in the furnace at Daniel 3 is widely said to be Jesus.

There were countless millennia and the untold millions who existed before His earthly ministry. All that time and all those lives should have given Jesus a deep reserve about the lives of men and women. The vast time and space from Creation alone should place a deep gulf between God and us.

Instead, the sight of Lazarus’ tomb brought our Savior to tears. Even with His purpose to bring the man back to life. Despite the limitless power at His command. Christ cried.

He loves you. He loves me. In the most human and common sense of the word, He cares about us. The master of all time and space is moved and impacted by our very human lives.

Never think for a moment that He does not feel toward and for you. Your life matters to Him. He feels for you.

Think: Jesus loves me fully, completely and affectionately.

Pray: “Lord, help me to live knowing Your love for me is eternal yet human.”

Love Without Limits

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“Love Without Limits” by Kirk Hunt

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

John 11:5-6 KJV

Martha, Mary and Lazarus had the distinction of being close, intimate friends of Jesus. You would think that hearing of Lazarus’ illness would have sent Jesus running to his side. Instead, Jesus deliberately sat for two full days.

Verse 4 gives us the rationale for Jesus’ delay. God would get glory from the situation. Unfortunately, that meant that Lazarus would have to wait.

Missing the funeral was not enough. Jesus did not arrive until days after the burial. Jesus waited until the situation became really serious.

Perhaps you feel like Lazarus. You know that Jesus loves and cares for you, but there seems to be a delay. Despite your faith, you anxiously wait for Jesus.

Jesus’ power and love are without limit. No matter how long He takes, His timing is perfect. Unfortunately, that means you may have to wait.

It does not get more serious than dead and buried. The living Word undid death for Lazarus. Jesus does not love you less than Lazarus.

His perfect timing is His perfect timing. No matter what you want, or when, Jesus will get the glory when His power works in your life. Keep your faith in love that knows no limits.

Think: The love of Jesus knows no limits.

Pray: “Lord, help me trust your love, power and timing in my life.”

Living On The Rock

“Living On The Rock” by Kirk Hunt

And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

2 Samuel 22:2–4 KJV

For the first time, in years, there was no morning war council. The scouts and surveillance agents had nothing to report. Peace and quiet held sway over the kingdom.

How would you react? David had spent many years, one step in front of various hangmen. David’s enemies were not just Philistines, or King Saul and his family. His own son, Absalom, had attempted to kill him.

The sudden absence of pursuers pulled a response out of David. In gratitude and praise, he wrote a song to his God. Given a chance to celebrate peace and security, David worshipped.

No matter the hardships of your life, you can rest easy. God has protected you up until now. The spiritual bedrock of God is your security and safety. Today and tomorrow, He will save you from enemies foreign and domestic.

Think: No matter what is going on, God is the rock I live on.

Pray: “Lord, help me to remember to live on the Rock of You.”

Working Solo

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“Working Solo” by Kirk Hunt

And he [Benaiah] slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear.

2 Samuel 23:21 KJV

Benaiah engaged in combat at a disadvantage. He had a walking stick. The unnamed Egyptian had a battle spear. The phrase “goodly man” recognizes the Egyptian as a substantial opponent. Benaiah’s one-on-one victory is not to be lightly dismissed.

As Christian men and women, we often have to work (or fight) solo. We come face-to-face with substantial opposition in our work and lives. We must not back down. Instead we should overcome disadvantage(s) to gain victory.

Of course, we never really work solo. We always have the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through our lives. His Presence is too easily forgotten in front of a hostile executive committee. The Holy One may not be our primary thought during a heated discussion with a coworker.

God will give you the resources you need to start. Your preparation and His power will give you what you need to persevere. All you need is the faith to start and the courage to stay the course.

Take what you have in hand. Face the opposition. Be gracious, generous and merciful in your victory.

Think: Even when physically alone, I am empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Pray: “Lord, help me live in Your power and skill at all times.”

Working For Laban

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“Working For Laban” by Kirk Hunt

Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

Genesis 31:41 KJV

Jacob ran to Uncle Laban for protection and support. For the next 20 years, Laban kept the young man safe from outsiders. Unfortunately, Jacob needed someone to keep him safe from Uncle Laban.

Honesty, fairness and loyalty are precious. For two decades, Jacob learned and re-learned that lesson. Jacob left wealthy, but he understood Brother Esau’s complaint against him.

Perhaps you are working for a modern day Laban. It is difficult to work with someone who seems so intent on profiting only at your expense. There are days you do not feel forgotten, you feel sentenced, to that place and space.

Jacob became wealthy and blessed working for Laban. God fulfilled His promises to make a great nation of Jacob. In the same way, God will fulfill His promises to you.

No matter how “Laban” schemes or maneuvers, God will see that you get what He promised. No amount or level of human trickery can overcome God’s faithfulness.

There is a blessing in that place and those folk. God will secure you. Even more, He will enrich you. Be faithful. No matter how faithless they are.

Stay honest and loyal. Do the right work, the right way. You will leave ‘Laban’ with all that God has promised.

Think: God will deliver His promises to me, if I do my part.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be faithful, even to a ‘Laban.’”

Strengthen Your Folk

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“Strengthen Your Folk” by Kirk Hunt

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Luke 22:32 KJV

Simon Peter, in the hours following this statement, would show his flaws. Peter would hack off someone’s ear in rage. He would then turn in the same moment and flee in panic. Later he would deny he even knew Jesus.

Jesus saw all of this coming, in advance. He took this moment, when perhaps he should have been preparing Himself for crucifixion, to prepare Peter. He told his strongest man to strengthen those around him.

Peter would cry later, in remorse and guilt. He would discover just how little he knew about Jesus. Or Peter. When this tough-guy fisherman “wept bitterly,” he had hit rock bottom.

For all of his demonstrated flaws and shortcomings, Peter remained the strongest of the Disciples. At least he made the (misguided) effort to defend Jesus. None of the other Disciples were close enough to be accused.

With his face rubbed in the worst of his failing, Peter clung to his faith. With his soul tattered and battered, Peter refused to let go of his knowledge of Jesus. When Peter got up, the others looked to him for strength and leadership.

If you are holding onto your faith, you have strength enough to share. No matter what has happen in your past, you have what others need. The kith and kin in your circle need what you have. Strengthen your folk.

Think: Despite my flaws and shortcomings, I have strength to give.

Pray: “Lord, help me to strengthen the folk around me.”

A New Thing

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“A New Thing” by Kirk Hunt

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19 KJV

I am prayerful that this new year is different. In every way. For you, and all of yours.

Last year may have been good. Perhaps you had great success and increase. This verse still applies.

I pray this year is different for you. I am praying this year is full of new depths in God and the Holy Spirit. I want God to re-make you in His image.

God has a plan and purpose for you. You have a high and powerful calling in His Kingdom. Seek your new thing.

Of course, God will not kidnap you. He calls to you. He waits, in His mercy and grace, for you to answer Him. With patience and loving kindness beyond human comprehension, God is eager to help you began your journey.

Your destination is a new and higher place in Him. He wants to remake you in His image, stronger, richer and more gracious than ever before. He has the means. Do you have the will?

As you start this new year, consider that God has a place, plan and purpose for you. If you have not yet, seek His will for your life. If you are already following His call, press in and get the change you are seeking.

Welcome to a new year. God is here, waiting to do a new thing in your life. For you and yours.

Think: God’s power can work a new thing in my life.

Pray: “Lord, help me to live as a new creation, in Your image.”