faith Archives – Page 7 of 10 – CadreMen Press Devotionals

God Sees

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“God Sees” By Kirk Hunt

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”

Genesis 16:13 NKJV

In that culture and era, a woman had less intrinsic value. Hagar was a woman and a slave. Her status made her replaceable, expendable and potentially disposable. Still, she had the complete attention of the God who sees.

Jehovah Roi, or alternatively El Roi; God, who sees you. God is not just omniscient, but He focuses on His children. Whatever the world says you are, or are not, God sees you, and He is doing something about your situation.

No matter how battered and bruised you feel. No matter how alone and isolated you seem. God, sees you.

He has a plan. He has already plotted out an outcome. If you follow His path, you will receive all of the good He has prepared for you.

God’s supervision of your life does not mean your here and now is without difficulties. Hagar, a beaten, battered fugitive, encountered God at a nameless waterhole, in the trackless wilderness. God showed her a much brighter future than she could see or know.

Perhaps you feel alone. You may feel like no one sees you or cares about you. God sees. God cares. He will deploy His vision for your life. Just have the courage to stay the course He has set for you.

Think: God sees and cares for me, no matter how difficult my situation.

Pray: “Lord, You see and care for me. Give me faith to follow Your vision for me .”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Open Our Eyes

“Open Our Eyes” By Kirk Hunt

And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Kings 6:17 NKJV

Maybe your relationship with Jesus is so deep and rich that nothing surprises you. Perhaps your relationship with God is so intense that you and He discuss everything in detail. That level is my goal, not my current testimony.

Many mornings I wake up and wonder: How is God going to work it out? When? Have I been forgotten?

Don’t get me wrong: I trust God. He is sovereign. He has proven Himself over and again. If He says I should, I will. If He say it will, then it shall. Still, some days, my too human hearts longs to see. On occasion, He has let me peek.

Elisha obviously had a close relationship with God. Elisha’s servant lived and worked in the daily presence of God and supernatural miracles. Yet, he needed his eyes opened to see the divine power and provision around him.

God is too faithful to forget you. His power is more than enough for any circumstance. You need your eyes opened to see His presence and purpose in your life.

Wanting to see is okay. He understands His human children. If we seek His heart and purposes, He will let us peek.

Think: I want to see God’s presence and purpose in my life.

Pray: “Lord, open my eyes to Your power and provision for my life.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

I Am Not Lunch

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“I Am Not Lunch” By Kirk Hunt

Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

1 Samuel 17:37 NKJV

His fangs gleam. He looks me in the eye and licks his chops. The hellhound is happy to see me. He thinks I am lunch.

David’s hellhound came in the form of a 9 foot 9 inch tall fighting man named Goliath. King Saul lacked the strength, or faith, to face the Philistine. David’s faith, and experience with God, told him he would not be lunch. It did not matter how much Goliath shouted out a menu (1 Samuel 17:44).

Faith is not the absence of doubt. Nor does it ignore the facts and data. Instead, faith is belief greater than doubt or the expected outcome.

God’s people are never victims. We face our trials and tribulations with faith in God. We trust that His solution will see us through. Through Him we are not on the menu for anyone, or anything.

David won against Goliath through his faith in God. Turn and face the hellhound(s) in your life. God is with you. Though faith in His power, you will not be lunch. God’s champions are always victors and never victims.

Think: No matter what I face, I choose to face it through faith in God.

Pray: “Lord, help me to trust in Your strength.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Light In The Dark

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“Light In The Dark” By Kirk Hunt

In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’” Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord

Isaiah 38:1-2 NKJV

Sometimes, the news lacks any light or lightness. Verse 3 records that Hezekiah wept bitterly because of Isaiah’s message. In too many cases, despite our unending hope in God, the facts and data have only one (grim) conclusion. Christian men and women also face dark nights and gray days.

No matter how hopeless the news, we can always have a hopeful response. God is always happy to spend time with us, tears and all. His light shines through the darkest shadows.

King Hezekiah turned to the wall. He turned away from the doctors, the attendants, and even the prophet. He faced the wall so that he could talk unhindered, and undistracted, with God.

Hezekiah had one message from God, but he wanted a different outcome. He went to God in prayer. Despite the dark news, Hezekiah had hope in God’s power and grace.

Your news may lack any light. Don’t let that shake your hope and confidence in God. He is there, at your side. No matter how dark it seems.

If He won’t carry you over, He will carry you through. Spend time with Him. He is your hope, and light, despite the news.

Think: God, and His light, is always there for you.

Pray: God, here are my burdens. I cannot, but You can.

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Jesus Always Has Impact

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“Jesus Always Has Impact” By Kirk Hunt

And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Mark 4:41 NKJV

Jesus got up from sleep and faced the storm. Without hesitation or preamble, He spoke His power over the storm. His words had impact. A great calm followed.

The Disciples were awestruck by Jesus’ power. Wind and waves obeyed instantly. This came as a shock to them, despite all of the miraculous healing they had seen Jesus perform.

Perhaps their confusion comes from the duality, the two-part nature, of Jesus. Yes, He is fully man. Yes, He is fully God. Both are true of Him, at the same time.

That is why Jesus will always have impact in your life. Jesus, fully human, knows and understands the human condition. Jesus, fully God, has the power to impact your life.

His impact may not come the way you think it should. His grace and provision can be one of the most disruptive forces known to man. Still, at the end, you have a better answer than you imagined, and joy in knowing that He is part of your life.

His impact can be felt in how He calms your storm. His impact can be felt in how He calms you, despite the storm. However He moves in your situation, He will have impact. Brace yourself.

Think: Jesus always has impact on the real situations of life.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be confident in Your impact on my life.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Jesus Knows The Impact

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“Jesus Knows The Impact” By Kirk Hunt

But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Mark 4:38 NKJV

The little fleet of ships (v. 36) was ambushed by the storm. Peter and his brother Andrew, plus John and his brother James, were professional fisherman and skilled sailors. They fished the Galilee, which means they had to be experts regarding that body of water. Still, the impact of the storm threatened to sink them (v. 37).

Bad things happen to people. Skill, expertise and preparation are not always enough to prevent not-so-good circumstances. Sooner or later, unfavorable events will include you and yours.

Jesus, confident in the skill of His disciples, or exhausted from His ministry, fell asleep in the back of the ship. Despite the water flooding over the gunwale or the howl of the wind, Jesus slept while His friends grew increasingly panicked. Jesus woke up to desperate men and a violent, vindictive storm.

The disciples question is clearly driven by fear and distress. Of course Jesus cares. Yes, His completely human eyes were closed in sleep. Yes, His complete God-power surrounded them.

It may seem that God is “asleep” during your circumstances. The impact of the storm was not lost on Jesus. The impact of your circumstances are known to God, and He cares.

He sees the impact. He cares about you and yours. Call on Him, in faith and confidence.

Think: Jesus sees and cares about the impacts on my life.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be confident that You know and You care.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com. 10282013Devo

Proof Of His Love

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“Proof Of His Love” by Kirk Hunt

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 NKJV

No complex theological constructions. No intricate philosophical weavings. Just cold, hard facts.

God loved you first. He proved his love, first. His love for you continues, even now.

Paul is an especially good example of this proof. He helped martyr Stephen. At his conversion, Paul was actively (and effectively) persecuting the Christian Church. Still, Christ died for Paul, also.

God loves you. Always has. Always will.

Christ died for you. No matter what you did before. Regardless of what you are doing now.

You can be reconciled to God. Only you can say, “No.” He has already spoken and proven his part.

How should you respond? I suggest gratitude and relief. His sacrifice makes salvation available to you. All you have to say is, “Yes.”

Here is the catch: After you say “yes” to his love, you must return his love. You will have to live differently. Let his love help you change completely.

Start living out your love for him. It is that easy. God is already living out his love for you.

The idea is simple. Do not make it complicated. There is no tricky language in the verse. He loved you first. Respond to that.

Think: God has already proven his love to me.

Pray: “Lord, help me to accept the proof you have already given me.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

God’s Vindication

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“God’s Vindication” by Kirk Hunt

Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Luke 1:24–25 NKJV

Elizabeth and Zacharias were devout, Godly people. Still, tongues wagged. They were judged and dismissed as unworthy. To some folk, their saintly lives were ruined by an empty cradle.

Perhaps you know how they feel. Maybe you did something unfortunate. Perhaps it is something someone else did. Either way, you live with the blame and shame.

Elizabeth’s miracle conception solved some issues, but brought on others. God’s timing and grace are always good, but often disruptive. Still, God’s vindication of their lives is astonishing and complete.

Your story is not over. God’s vindication, proof of His love for you, is on its way. All you have to do is live in faith now.

Elizabeth and Zacharias lived as if everything was okay. Their lives preached faith in God. They knew God loved and accepted them. Eventually, everyone saw God’s love and acceptance for them also.

No matter what people say. No matter what the mirror tells you. God loves you. God accepts you.

Choose to live your life in Christ. God’s vindication will arrive. He will provide glory and blessing that prove how much he accepts and loves you.

Think: God’s vindication is perfect, no matter how disruptive.

Pray: “Lord, help me to accept the proof of Your love for me.

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Keep Your Awe

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“Keep Your Awe” by Kirk Hunt

And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.

Luke 1:18 NKJV

The terrified and awe-struck man of verse 12 is gone. In verse 18, a cynical skeptic answers the angel. How do you know Zacharias crossed the line? Read verse 20.

Every disciple of Jesus lives in obedience to the laws of gravity, thermodynamics and sock disappearance. Still, we serve a God who can suspend, re-write, or reverse the laws of the universe at will. The secret of balancing the two extremes is to simply maintain your sense of awe.

Faced with an angelic messenger, Gabriel no less, Zacharias was right to respond with reverence and even concern. Yet his terror turned to disdain, all too quickly and easily. The message defied the regular rules, but God declared it would happen. What else is there to discuss?

Real Faith™ includes at least some awe. Part of that awe comes from understanding that a big, infinite God loves small, finite people. If our big God concerns Himself with little me, then anything is possible. Anything includes very late-life babies.

The things of God often defy all rational explanation. It is not crazy talk. It is awesome.

Think: My awe is a correct response to God and His love and concern for me.

Pray: “Lord, help me to see You with the awe and wonder You deserve.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

A Mother’s Nerve

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“A Mother’s Nerve” by Kirk Hunt

The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

Mark 7:26 KJV

She was not Jewish, or from Israel. She came from the Phoenician coast of Syria. In fact, she was a descendent of Greek conquerors.

To the Jews, this woman represented a corrupting foreign influence. Certainly, she knew how the locals viewed her. Still, she came to Jesus with her possessed daughter.

As only a mother can, she pushed to the head of the line. Boldly, she asked for a miracle from Jesus, knowing she had no rights or entitlement. She even refused to take “no” for an answer.

Somewhere along the line, someone needs you to have a mother’s nerve. Be willing to ask for big things from folks who have every reason to refuse you or yours. Be sure to have a strong expectation for your miracle.

This mother went away with her daughter cured. She had the faith to approach. She had the faith to ask. She even had the faith to stay and contend for her miracle.

Faith is more than mere belief. It is expectation that conflicts with the facts and data. It demands acts, that lead to an outcome, that does not follow the flow of events.

Mom got her miracle. Daughter got her healing. Who needs you to have faith like a mother?

Think: I should be bold and forward in seeking to bless and benefit others.

Pray: “Lord, give me the heart and courage to seek Your good for others.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

You Are Not Lunch

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“You Are Not Lunch” by Kirk Hunt

David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

1 Samuel 17:37 KJV
Please, read 17:22–57.

Israel’s soldiers did not want to face Goliath. Just his extraordinary size made him a formidable opponent. His superior arms and armor, on top of known skill-at-arms, made battle with him a fearful proposition.

David had faced, and overcome, fearsome opponents before. His faith and conviction swayed even King Saul, an extraordinary warrior in his own right. Still, a mere boy without conventional weapons, or any armor, challenged the champion of the Philistines. “I will feed you to the birds, boy.”

The hellhound is happy to see me. It drools with the anticipation of a delicious lunch. “I will feed you to myself, boy.”

I triple-check the buckles of my faith. I rehearse the victories God has already given me. I un-holster my Bible. I run toward the stench of brimstone.

Here in the real world, circumstances arise that are too much for mere men. As a son or daughter of the living God, victory has been promised. No matter how formidable your hellhound seems, God has success planned for you.

Armor up in faith. Wield your Bible. In the Name of the living God, you are victorious. Since God is with you, you are not lunch.

Think: My victory comes through God’s power.

Pray: “Lord, help me remember that I am already victorious through Your power.”

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

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.”