Christian Living Archives – Page 2 of 6 – CadreMen Press Devotionals

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.”

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.”

Protected: Open Our Eyes

Love God

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“Love God” by Kirk Hunt

We love him, because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19 KJV

On the Cross, Jesus gave the final atonement for sin. His sacrifice tore the Veil of Separation. Jesus repaired the rift that separated sinful man from Holy God.

What motivated all of this sacrifice and transformation? Love. We could not go to God, so He came to us. It is that simple. It is that easy.

His love is complete. His love is pure. His love is perfect.

No matter where you are today. No matter what happened yesterday. No matter what comes tomorrow.

God loves you. Completely. Purely. Perfectly.

Come close to Him. Feel the fond peace of His heart. Rest in the tender safety of His arms.

You can not earn His love, but He gives it all the same. You can never deserve His love, but He delights in you anyway. All you need to do is respond.

Your love might be incomplete. Your love may be impure. Your love could be imperfect.

He knows how you are. Still, He loves you. His arms are stretched out to the worst of sinners. His arms and heart are open even to you. It is that simple. It is that easy.

God loves you. Don’t ask. Don’t tell. Just love Him back.

Think : God loves me.

Pray: “Lord, I accept Your love for me.”

You Are Not Forgotten

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“You Are Not Forgotten” by Kirk Hunt

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Isaiah 49:15 KJV

Among the swirling galaxies and streaming pulsars, He listens for a single voice. Legions of angels come and go, but He anticipates a single face. Among the billions of souls that fill the earth, God is especially concerned with you, by name and fingerprint.

With all that calls to God, He has reserved a part of Himself for a precious child. Despite all that swirls through the infinite, He has a special focus on a single soul. No matter what else is happening, you have priority with God.

It doesn’t matter that someone else disappointed you. The track record of some mere human has nothing to do with Him. You are at the center of His love. You are an ongoing concern to eyes that never sleep or slumber.

Perhaps you are tired. Maybe you are hurting. You could be confused.

God has time to give rest to your soul. He will stop to sooth your hurts. Patiently, He will answer your questions.

You are not forgotten. He listens for your voice. He will be especially delighted to see your face.

Think : God loves me. He loves me more than even I can know.

Pray: “Lord, I accept the rest and restoration of Your love.”

Wrong Kind, Right Faith

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“Wrong Kind, Right Faith” by Kirk Hunt

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Matthew 8:13 KJV

The Centurion did not just come from the wrong side of the tracks. He came from the wrong side of the planet. He was no Peace Corps volunteer, but an officer of a hated, occupying army.

A stranger in a strange land, the Centurion did not have any claim or right to ask anything of Jesus. Still, helmet under his arm, he asked in complete confidence. The Centurion was the wrong kind of man, but he had the right kind of faith.

The Centurion walked away from Jesus with nothing but His Word. In the Centurion’s mind that is all it took. As a soldier, he understood power and authority. He saw both in Jesus.

Maybe you are the wrong kind of man or woman. What matters is your faith. You can ask in complete confidence, anyway.

Jesus’ Word is true and faithful. What he promised, He will do. All you need, here, there or then is the right kind of faith.

Think : All I have to do is ask in faith.

Pray: “Lord, Help me to have faith in You, regardless of where, or who, I am.”

Quietly Awesome

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“Quietly Awesome” by Kirk Hunt

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalms 46:10 KJV

Find a quiet spot. Sit down. Turn off all of the phones, displays and electronic gizmos. Just sit in the quiet of a gentle breeze and listen as the birds chirp contentedly to God.

It is in the quiet moments that God is especially God. He doesn’t need the 24 hour news cycle. You can see and hear His power and exaltedness in the rustle of grass or the warmth of a summer afternoon.

You have a part to play in the building of God’s Kingdom on earth. As important as your faithful work is, God is exalted despite it, not because of it. God will be exalted in the minds and hearts of men because of who He is, not because of what we do.

Take an opportunity to simply spend time with Him. Not in the stunning majesty of His awesomeness, but in the peaceful stillness of His quietness. While He is always more than we can know, he makes a place and space where we can see Him in calm and stillness.

Take the time to watch a sunset or doze in a sunbeam. The quiet peacefulness you hear is God’s glory and power. Watch him be exalted in the quiet stillness

Think : God is exalted, especially in the quiet moments

Pray: “Lord, Help me to see You in stillness and calm.”

Send A Memo

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“Send A Memo” by Kirk Hunt

And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

1 Samuel 24:16-17 KJV

From the cave he just left, King Saul heard the voice of the very fugitive he hunted. In his right hand, David carried a sharp knife. In his left hand, a severed portion of Saul’s clothes.

Despite the standing death warrant, David refused to harm Saul. Not even multiple murder attempts could goad David against the rightful king of Israel. Scripture records that David had pangs of conscience for cutting up Saul’s clothes.

Even Saul got the message David sent. He could see David’s righteousness and his own evil. Shamed and convicted, Saul declared the truth of the situation.

You need to send a message of grace and mercy. Not with ink and paper, but through actions that leave no doubt. That God loves them still. That God extends His mercy today.

Someone in your sphere needs to get the memo. Be a living letter of God’s love and mercy. Deliver the message, loud and clear. How they react is between them and God.

Think : I need to send a strong message of mercy and grace to someone near me.

Pray: “Lord, Help me to be a living example of Your mercy and grace.”

A Subtle Difference

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“A Subtle Difference” by Kirk Hunt

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:1 KJV

It doesn’t sound like it, but conviction is a good thing. It serves a useful purpose in the life of seekers and believers. Conviction points out the errors in our lives.

It’s important to say this: Conviction is different from condemnation. Conviction can be defined as “convincing someone of an error.” Condemnation can be defined as “sentencing to punishment.”

Conviction seeks to stop you from stepping off a cliff. Condemnation seeks to shove you off a cliff. Conviction points to improvement, not imprisonment. It’s a subtle, but critical difference.

When the Holy Spirit convicts, there’s a yearning to make things right. In the long-run, we’re thankful for the experience. Despite the short-run discomfort.

Condemnation is an ugly declaration of penalty and separation. There is no effort to restore or repair in condemnation. All of the energy goes to punishment of the prisoner.

It’s a subtle but important difference. Conviction concerns itself with simple correction: Making it right. Condemnation cares only for the penalty phase.

God, our heavenly Father wants to restore us in loving fellowship. The enemy of your soul wants to accuse, then condemn. Surely, you can see the difference.

Think : Conviction is the Holy Spirit pointing in a better direction.

Pray: “Lord, guide me away from my error and toward Your righteousness.”

Joseph’s Promise

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“Joseph’s Promise” by Kirk Hunt

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

Genesis 50:20-21 KJV

With tears in his eyes Zaphnathpaaneah, the Pharaoh’s Chancellor, faced the Hebrew men who had wronged him. Their betrayal had cost him years of slavery and prison. With his power and position he could exact a terrible vengeance. With a word, he could have doomed the foreigners.

With tears in his eyes, Joseph faced the brothers who had betrayed and nearly murdered him. Gently, he spoke life. With humility, he promised forgiveness. Joseph promised, then delivered.

His brothers were right to be afraid. Joseph loved his father and while he lived, he would avoid causing him more grief and sorrow. With Jacob dead and buried, Joseph had no reason to restrain his power.

Joseph’s promise is an example of mercy, grace and forgiveness put in action. It would have been too easy to listen to his scars and marks. Instead Joseph listened to God’s Heart.

What promises should you make? Will you speak life and forgiveness, or something else? Will your promises flow from your heart or God’s?

Think : Mercy, grace and forgiveness come from the heart of God.

Pray: “Lord, I promise to follow Your heart .”

Payout In The Workhouse

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“Payout In The Workhouse” by Kirk Hunt

And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Genesis 41:52 KJV

Zaphnathpaaneah served as Chancellor or Prime Minister to Pharaoh. His position and title delivered a life of wealth, power and privilege. It’s easy to imagine he announced the birth of his second son, to the Egyptian elite, at a stylish and expensive party.

In the quiet and empty mansion, a different man appeared in the mirror. Under the expensive robes were marks from slavery’s chains. Hidden by extravagant jewelery and the tokens of office, lay scars from the jailor’s whip.

Joseph had no illusions about Egypt. Egypt had hurt him. Still, a faithful and blessing God ensured that he prospered, despite it all.

The precious newborn son in his arms told a story of care, provision and protection. God stood near. Hurt never became harm. “Ephraim, my payout.”

Maybe your circumstances have hurt you. Perhaps your road has seemed hard and harsh. God had a plan to preserve whole nations through Joseph. God has a plan for you.

Your barren patch will bloom and feed thousands. Your hurts will become healing for you and others. The God of heaven has a payout for you, right where you are.

Think : God has a payout for me, no matter my current circumstances.

Pray: “Lord, I thank You, in advance, for my coming payout.”