CadreMen Press Devotionals

Weapon Of Choice – Swords

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“Weapon of Choice – Swords” by Kirk Hunt

But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job 23:10 (KJV)

The katana is the primary sword of the samurai warrior. A real katana can slice through almost anything, with frightening ease. The katana, in the hands of master swordsmen, defended Japan for centuries.

Creating one of these beautiful yet deadly weapons is a complex, difficult business. At the center of the process is forging the sword. At the heart of forging, is folding.

Anywhere from 8 to 16 times, the steel is heated in a furnace, then folded on the anvil. That’s a lot of time in the fire. That’s a significant number of hammer strokes.

Folding purifies mediocre ore, making extraordinary steel. In addition the process builds in hardness for the cutting edge, or springy resilience for the back-body of the sword. The expert eye of the craftsman guides the entire process.

Perhaps you have been in the furnace, or on the anvil, in your life. The trials and tribulation you have faced have one purpose: To make you a weapon of choice for the Master.

He is building in the edge you need to speak truth, in love. He is giving you the resilience to weather hardship and trials, for His purposes. When you come out of the fire, you will be an extraordinary material. When you come off the anvil, you will be suitable for an exceptional purpose.

Think: God is remaking me as His servant (weapon) of choice

Pray: “Father-God, develop me in Your will and way, for Your Kingdom.”

Workout

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“Workout” by Kirk Hunt

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Philippians 2:12 (KJV)

I am a athlete. I became an athlete when I committed to pursue athletics. As I continue to pursue athletics, I remain an athlete.

My sore, tired muscles argue with me. They tell me that I’m not an athlete at all. An athlete would be able to do more, with greater ease.

My muscles lie. I may not be an Olympian, but I am an athlete. Every sweaty workout takes me closer to my goals.

I am a Christian. I became a Christian when I committed myself to Christ. As I continue to pursue Christ, I remain a Christian.

My faults and errors argue with me. They tell me I’m not a Christian at all. A Christian would be better and do better, with greater ease.

My faults and errors lie. I may not be perfected, but I am a Christian. Every spiritual exercise takes me closer to Christ.

Pursue Christ. Whatever takes. Stay at it. No matter what happens. Every workout, especially the sweaty ones, makes you more like Him.

Think: Every day, every spiritual exercise takes me closer to my goal: Christ.

Pray: “Lord, help me to work out my salvation in You.”

Your Keeper

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“Your Keeper” by Kirk Hunt

“My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Psalms 121: 2-3 (KJV)

From time to time, I wake up in the small hours of the morning. In those restless, sleepless moments He is there. God has me surrounded with His love and power, even at 3:30 AM.

He is constant and steadfast in His vigil over my life and soul. While the rest of the world slumbers blissfully, God is focused on me. Most of all, He is keeping me.

I need a powerful, resource-rich authority to be responsible for me. I need the protection. I need the care and concern.

The creator of the universe is interested in my well-being. He is involved in every aspect and detail of my life. Nothing limits His authority, or power, in my life and safety.

God is your keeper as well. Every resource and authority is His. His is concerned for your well-being.

3:30 AM is not a choice time for me to be awake. For an infinite, omnipotent God, it is just as good a time as any other. Knowing that lets we rest in the loving arms of my keeper.

Think: God is my keeper, therefore I in safety and security.

Pray: “Lord, help me to remember that I dwell in Your care and concern.”

Hope

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“Hope” by Kirk Hunt

“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (NIV)

You are never quite ready for the death of kith or kin. A long, protracted illness lacks enough warning. A sudden tragedy always catches us unready.

Death does not ask. He does not negotiate. He simply comes. Even Scripture says so.

Death can force us to choose, but he can not control our choices. You can respond in faith. You can reply in strength.

The tears may fall faster and hotter than you like. That is because you are flesh and blood. The sorrow comes because you love and care. That is a good thing.

Grief is not weakness. Sorrow is the most authentic evidence of a life lived, with love, among men and women. Tears are the normal response to loss and permanent separation. Any relationship worth having extracts some grief at its end.

Still, after the waves of sorrow pass, you are left with the memories. Those stored moments of laughter, tears, brawls and embraces are precious treasure. As long as you remember, your friend or kinsman is just a thought away. Especially for those who live and die in Christ, it is never “goodbye,” just “see you later.”

Go on and live through this season. You will have to feel it all. Your real friends and remaining family will see you through the hurt and heartache.

Christians cry at the open grave or weep before the burning pyre. Still, we stand, triumphant through Christ. Death may force the issue, but Jesus has the final Word. “They are not dead, but sleep.”

You will live, love and laugh again. Sooner than you think. God’s grace will carry you. His peace will settle you. God’s power over death gives us our greatest strength: Hope.

Think: His power gives me hope.

Pray: “Lord, help me to remember that You have already triumphed, even over death.”

Flying On Instruments

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“Flying on Instruments” by Kirk Hunt

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Genesis 12:1 KJV

“Pack up. Move out. I’ll mail you directions.”

Abram’s obedience was an act of faith. Leaving home, hearth, kith and kin, for whereabouts to be determined, has no other rational explanation. At God’s command, Abram started flying on instruments.

Aircraft have long had the ability to fly on instruments. On instruments, a pilot doesn’t need to see out of the cockpit at all. The pilot trusts the instruments, and the instruments get the pilot (safely) to the destination.

The things God asks of us are sometimes too big for us. The ending is too far for us to see. Worse, we can see the goal, but the path to the goal seems impossible to us. The God of creation asks you and I to trust Him.

He sees farther and deeper than we can. His knowledge exceeds the total of all humanity. His power exceeds anything and everything.

God faithfully led Abram to Canaan, and established him as a father of nations. You can put your faith in God, just as Abram did. Your faith and obedience will land you safely in His purpose for your life.

Think: I can trust Him. Even through the instruments of faith.

Pray: “Lord, help me respond to You in faith and obedience.”

He Is Not Done With You

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“He Is Not Done With You” by Kirk Hunt

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram [was] seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

Genesis 12:1, 4 KJV

At 75 years old, you expect to be settled. At that age, your career should be completed or in the last stages. 75 years old is not when you expect to become a world traveling adventurer.

God’s Presence came close. His Word pierced every doubt and uncertainty. “I am not done with you, Abram.” Neon signs and spotlights could not make His message clearer.

You are where you are. You are what you are. God is not done with you.

He has places He wants you to go. He has things He wants you to accomplish. Your age, education, wealth or health are less important than your obedience.

If you go, He will provide. If you obey, He will bless tribes and nations through your life. Your name can become a modern byword for faithfulness.

He is not done with you. Embrace the adventure. Go where He sends you. Your faithfulness will build the Kingdom.

Think: He has special Kingdom work for me.

Pray: “Lord, help me be obedient to Your Call.”

Keep Doing Good

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“Keep Doing Good” 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

Even the most faithful of us pause between labors and wonder: Am I doing the right thing? Am I getting the right result? It is good and correct to ensure you are still on the right path.

Don’t let that thoughtful pause work against you and your ministry. Double-check to make sure you’re doing it God’s way. Even if you have shift or correct, continue in God’s call on your life.

At the end of the day, press on. Keep doing His call. Continue working His tasks. And don’t get weary.

Webster’s dictionary defines weary as “having one’s patience, tolerance, or pleasure exhausted.” This weary is in the heart and mind, not the body. This weary leads to surrender, not the end of the shift.

Find fellow laborers and encourage each other. Keep the focus on fulfilling God’s call on and in your lives. Keep their heads and hearts in the work. The hands will follow.

You are planting a harvest. A harvest of benefit and blessing ordained by God and nurtured by your faithfulness. Your harvest is rooted in God’s call on your life. Don’t surrender just before the crops roll in.

Think: God rewards those who stay the course.

Pray: “Lord, help me to continue Your work.”

Look To The Source

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“Look To The Source” by Kirk Hunt

Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.

2 Kings 13:14 KJV

It appears that the tears of King Joash (aka Jehoash) were at least partially sincere. Certainly he recognized Elisha’s long and miracle-laden ministry. Clearly, he understood what a benefit the prophet had been to the nation.

The king’s tears also testified to the looming Syrian horde. The only man in the nation who seemed to hold them back lay on his deathbed. A sorrowful situation, to be sure.

Still, Joash missed the point. He should have looked past Elisha to Jehovah-Jireh, Elisha’s source. Instead of tears of sorrow over a precious saint, the king should have shed tears of repentance for himself and his idolatrous kingdom.

Scripture (v. 11) records that Joash made no attempt to stop the idol worship of Judah. He inherited a back-slid nation. Joash did nothing to change the situation, despite all of his tears.

God’s faithful servants are a treasure. We should be sad when He chooses to move them or take them home. Still, we should always look past even the best of God’s people to God Himself. Our tears should lead us to act in drawing closer to God.

Think : Look to God and His power.

Pray: “Lord, help me to focus on You and You alone.”

Joash’s Arrow

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“Joash’s Arrow” by Kirk Hunt

And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands. And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD’S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.

2 Kings 13:17 KJV

Symbols carry power. They communicate in vivid images and clear simplicity the most difficult of ideas. They help us to have or hold faith. Shooting an arrow out of a preacher’s window? Pure symbolism.

Joash (aka Jehoash) faced a powerful foreign power, with a weak, depleted military in Judah. Elisha, aged and sick, struggled to encourage the king to have faith in God’s power. The king didn’t completely grasp the things of God, but he understood war bows.

In order to teach someone to shoot a bow and arrow, it is inevitable that the teacher will put hands on the student’s hands, not the bow. Joash understood the significance of Elisha’s hands on his. The king’s arrow represented new and fresh empowerment from God against the Syrian army.

Joash’s arrow represents the symbols that God has (already) set in your life. Symbols strengthen your faith. Symbols point you, in vivid images and clear simplicity, to the deep things of God.

Think : Symbols point to God and His power.

Pray: “Lord, help me to have faith in You.”

Pain In The Offering

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“Pain In The Offering” by Kirk Hunt

And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

2 Samuel 24:24 KJV

Please read all of 2 Samuel 24

Araunah tried to give away his land, livestock and equipment. David carefully wrote out the bill of sale and paid the full price for everything. David offered his sacrifice and God accepted it. In a moment, David’s tears changed from sorrow to joy.

The pain in David’s offering was not the money he paid. David paid a substantial financial sum for Araunah’s farm, but cash wasn’t a problem. David’s hurt came in facing his own error and sin. Repentance cost the most in David’s sacrifice.

Our offerings to God ought to cost us something. Often, we are blessed to give from the abundance of God’s blessings. Too often, our offerings require that we dig into our souls and surrender things we’re rather keep: lazy comforts, arrogant self-righteousness, willful disobedience.

When we sacrifice those deeply held things, it hurts. When there is pain in the offering, that means you are being open and serious with God and yourself. In the long run, the hot tears and burning heart are a good thing.

Think : God wants a real sacrifice from me.

Pray: “Lord, help me to sacrifice those things that keep me from You.”

In Heavenly Places

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“In Heavenly Places” by Kirk Hunt

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalms 91:1 KJV

It’s been one of those days at work. I sigh and try to focus on my next task. Suddenly, even simple concentration seems beyond me.

“Help Lord.” It is the cry of a son to his father. I am a limited man appealing to an infinite God. I dare to ask.

In the blink of an eye, everything changes. The cut-rate carpet becomes a gold-plated floor. The harsh florescent light transforms to the warm glow of the Menorah. In my heart and mind I am now at the Mercy Seat and in the presence of God.

For a time, I just breathe. His grace and mercy is a rare atmosphere. His provision and care is a rich incense.

I stop short of speaking my complaints and questions. Instead, I pour out my gratitude and adoration. My presence in this place of refuge and restoration is solution enough.

He draws close. His power is obvious. His sovereignty absolute. His love for me without question.

All too soon, I’m back in the workplace. My brief journey to God’s secret place reminds me I live under God’s influence. I dwell in His domain and under His power. It shall be well.

Think : No matter where I sit, I live in God’s power and influence.

Pray: “Lord, help me dwell in the secret place of Your power and influence.”