correction Archives – CadreMen Press Devotionals

Among The People

Among The People by Kirk Hunt

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.

2 Peter 2:1-2 NKJV

Apostle Peter warned the early Church. False prophets and false teachers would inflict harm and destruction from within the Church. Peter’s words were true then. Peter’s words are true now. False teachers and false prophets are now among the people of God, wounding the modern Church.

False teachers and false prophets can be detected. Is someone preaching or teaching something in conflict with the Bible? Is there more confusion or strife within the Christian community after they preach or teach? Do they live a life of immorality or licentiousness? Any single “yes” should trigger a careful and open evaluation of their lives and ministries.

A true teacher or true prophet is eager to prove their ministry through Scripture. Godly men and women will always submit themselves to Church authority. Godly men and women live their lives trying to become better disciples and followers of Jesus Christ.

True teachers and true prophets may be imperfect, but they seek God in all sincerity and truth. Whoever is among you, test them with Scripture and Godly examination. The authentic do not mind.

Think: False teaching and preaching cannot hold up in the light of the Bible.

Pray: “Lord, help me to test all prophecy and teaching with Your Word.”

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

How To Correct And Rebuke Yourself

How To Correct And Rebuke Yourself by Kirk Hunt

“Your own wickedness will correct you,
And your backslidings will rebuke you.
Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing
That you have forsaken the Lord your God,
And the fear of Me is not in you,”
Says the Lord God of hosts

Jeremiah 2:19 NKJV

Instead of repenting and asking God for help, ancient Israel turned (again) to idolatry and foreign alliances. Their sin made them weaker. Their errors only served to speed up and intensify their correction and rebuke. The nation would be exiled in Babylon.

Israel came to understand, as early as their forced march to captivity, how choosing sin led to their downfall. Internal error, not external threats, led to their exile. Please know that self-correction and self-rebuke applies to whole nations as much as individual men and women.

Like the Prodigal Son, we come to ourselves in a humiliating circumstance (pig pen) of our own making. Our rebellion, lust and greed always leads us to a place of debasement away from God’s perfect will. Prayerfully, in that place of correction and rebuke, we turn back to Father-God. Know that God always loves us, despite our error and in the midst of our sin. Our chosen sin causes our separation, not His Heart.

God did not allow the Babylonians to exterminate Israel. In fact, God commanded His people to live, grow and increase during the Babylonian Captivity. Father-God loves you, even now. Allow the correction and rebuke of your circumstance to drive your heart back to Him in repentance.

Think: My self-inflicted correction and rebuke is an opportunity to repent.

Pray: “Lord, help me to repent and return to You.”

Can You Be Pruned?

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“Can You Be Pruned?” By Kirk Hunt

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

John 15:2 NKJV

Too often, God’s people see the less-than-pleasant events of their lives as, bad, negative or an attack. We do not often enough see the events of our lives as God’s plan for our improvement. This Scripture bluntly says that the pruning of a saint is a good thing.

John does not say that pruning is a pleasant or joyful experience. In fact, pruning is defined as, “the selective removal of parts.” All of the real word implements of plant pruning have sharp, cutting edges. Some have motors or engines. Please, do the math.

Still, John does say that afterwards, you will bear more fruit. Too often, saints covet the visible stature and success of Godly brothers and sisters. Too often, saints flee the pruning that makes “more fruit” possible.

As important as developing a gift or talent is, refining character and integrity is far more significant. Godly character will carry you through when no level of talent can. Righteous integrity will guide you when no amount of giftedness will do the job.

God wants to make you beautiful and bountiful. Be glad when you see Him approaching with the saws, shears and clippers. Or, at least, hold still and trust Him and His plan to make you more than you are.

Think: His pruning will make me more, and better, than I am.

Pray: “Lord, do what it takes for me to bear more fruit, in You.”

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.

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.”

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