faithfulness Archives – CadreMen Press Devotionals

Do Not Grow Weary

Do Not Grow Weary by Kirk Hunt

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

It is all too easy to give in to human frailty. There you are, doing the right thing(s) for God’s Kingdom, but then you prove human. You can grow weary a number of different ways. Keep a grip on your heart as you continue to do good in God’s calling on you.

Perhaps you consider the long hours and the lack of any pay, or simple gratitude from those who benefit. Perhaps your strenuous efforts, take a toll on your mind, body or spirit. Perhaps the siren call of more immediately pleasurable activities begins to tug at you.

Your harvest is coming, even if it seems delayed. Keep your heart focused on the things of God. If you win the battle for your heart, the rest will follow.

First, and foremost, minister to yourself. You cannot serve unless you are strong enough to bear the vessels and provide the service. Since Jesus took time to pray and accept ministry, shouldn’t you do the same?

Of course, there will be an amount of old-fashioned discipline in serving the Kingdom. There is also a portion of taking joy in the journey. Whatever your balance, do not grow weary just before your harvest of good comes in.

Think: My harvest will come, if I resist growing weary.

Pray: “Father-God, keep me from growing weary in Your service.

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.

The Prize of Trust

The Prize of Trust by Kirk Hunt

“Go and speak to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will bring My words upon this city for adversity and not for good, and they shall be performed in that day before you.

“For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,” says the Lord.

Jeremiah 39:16, 18 NKJV
Please also read Jeremiah 39:11-18

Jerusalem fell, per God’s command. In the middle of the chaos and confusion, God stopped to speak reassurance and peace to a lone Ethiopian. Unlike the men and women around him, Ebed-Melech put his trust in God.

Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian, stood out among the Hebrew people. I am certain there were men and women who frequently reminded him that he was just a foreigner and proselyte, therefore not really one of God’s people. Still, he continued to worship Jehovah-God in sincerity and truth.

As death and destruction fell on Jerusalem, Ebed-Melech watched in peace and security. The Babylonian soldiers tramped around him. As the Hebrew captives were matched off at spear-point, the foreigner and proselyte watched from his God-appointed safety.

I want to think he wept as God’s people were punished for their unrepentant sin. Meanwhile, Ebed-Melech, stood firm and at peace in his child-like trust and obedience to God. I wonder who, or what, those other folks trusted.

Think: Is my trust in God?

Pray: “Father-God, help me to trust in You alone.

Your Labor Counts

Your Labor Counts by Kirk Hunt

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

Your calling in God may weigh heavy on you at times. The level of reward or results may cause you to question the value of your efforts. Trust Scripture; your labor counts.

Poppa Hunt, as we drove along, would often point out buildings or structures he labored on. Unless a specific light was visible and shining at that moment, the results of his work were not visible. His labor was still there, and still providing a benefit to men and women he would never meet.

The classrooms of students you taught may never return to say thank you. The elder you lavished care and concern on may not remain to remember your efforts. The time and attention you invested in that project may never be acknowledged.

Your Kingdom work counted then and counts now. You may never know the impact and blessing of your labors. Just know, in faith, that your labor for God had an impact and will have a payoff.

Faithfulness is not always recognized by men and women. Human eyes may not see the effort and exertion you made on a project. Our omniscient God sees Your labor and faithfulness. In these days, and in the days to come, our God will reward your faithful labors in His Kingdom.

Think: My labor counts in the Lord’s work.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to labor in my calling with faithfulness to You.

Seek The Peace

Seek The Peace by Kirk Hunt

And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed.

Jeremiah 29:7-8 NKJV

God’s people have been called to seek the peace of the city where they live. Not to suddenly establish a theocracy through force. God draws men and women to himself through our loving witness of Him. Christianity has never expanded through the use of bayonets or inquisitors.

In fact, the opposite is true. Christians dying in the Colosseum or suffering in prison won over pagan Rome. The persecution of Christians has always expanded the Church.

Consider the example of Boarding Schools, too often run by religious organizations. They are being revealed as destroyers of life, complicit tools of cultural genocide. That is because they were not seeking peace, but something else.

If God’s people pray in sincerity and truth, He will hear us and heal our land. If God’s people pray for peace where we are, God will faithfully bless us with peace. And that will open the door to our loving witness of Him.

Think: God’s people should see the peace, wherever we find ourselves.

Pray: “Father-God, make me an instrument of Your peace.

Give And Get Water

Give And Get Water by Kirk Hunt

The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.

Proverbs 11:25 NKJV

Sometimes I fret. I give and do for God’s Kingdom and all I seem to get in return is tired. That is exactly the time to keep doing Kingdom work. Those who water for God will be watered by God.

Out of obedience, I should work like a mule for God’s Kingdom. And be thankful for the privilege. God understands my human frailties. Knowing how weak and fragile a servant I am, God has laced Scriptures with promises, like 2 Corinthians 9:6 and Galatians 6:7.

He loves us too much to exploit us. We take up so much room in His heart that He will not send us away empty. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He has reserved a meal (or two) for you.

There will be difficulty, and delay, and even denial in your work. The story has not ended until you receive what God has promised you. And it will be glorious, and more than you bargained for.

Do not fret about when, or where, or what you will receive. God has the timing and the format down. Do your work of watering. He will do His work of watering you.

Think: I cannot work and serve in God’s Kingdom without being blessed by God.

Pray: “Father-God, help me trust Your love and promises.”

Stick To The Calling

Stick To The Calling by Kirk Hunt

And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder.

2 Samuel 23:9-10 NKJV

Eleazar, the son of Dodo, fought against the Philistines so long and so hard that his hand cramped around the hilt of his sword. When it finally came time to let go of his weapon, he could not. I have experienced this same effect using construction tools. May your service in God’s Kingdom induce the same “stick to it” at least once in your life.

Alone, after all others retreated, Eleazar fought on. He fought with courage greater than his fear. His determination was so fierce that his hand froze around his weapon. He fought to the end because he could not let the enemy win or leave his calling in God.

Here and now, under the grace and truth of Jesus Christ, we fight for God’s Kingdom. In this era we serve and minister rather than swing swords. Still, our level of effort can all too easily match Eleazar’s exertions on that nameless battlefield.

Make no mistake: God brings the victory. A mighty man or woman of God is willing to be His instrument. Let God use you to achieve the impossible.

Think: Mighty are the men and women who stick to it in service to Him.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to stick to my calling.”

The Lord Has Blessed The House

The Lord Has Blessed The House by Kirk Hunt

Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness.

2 Samuel 6:12 NKJV

King David heard the news and concerned himself with Obed-Edom. Obed-Edom’s faithful service involved having the Ark of God (aka the Ark of The Covenant) in his home. God’s presence and power made itself known with blessing of the man’s house and household.

After the tragedy of Uzzah, David placed the Ark in Obed-Edom’s house. Obed-Edom faithfully maintained the physical symbol of God’s presence on earth in his home. For three months, the power of God directly rewarded him and his. So much so, that a king looked on with longing.

Your faithful service in God’s kingdom is never without reward. No amount of money can purchase His peace. No level of fame gives His joy. Even the rich, or high, or mighty will look at His presence in your life and covet what you have.

It may not seem like much to you, but be faithful anyway. If God gave your calling, then it is important. And God’s blessing of you, and your house, will make it worthwhile.

Think: God blesses the house of men and women who serve Him in spirit and truth.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to serve my calling in spirit and truth.”

Give Thanks In Everything

Give Thanks In Everything by Kirk Hunt

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV

God’s people are to give thanks in every circumstance. Not for all circumstances, but in them. There is a significant difference that makes the difference between strong Christians and other folk.

The circumstances you find yourself in have been allowed by God. Father-God is neither surprised nor unable to respond to your situation. Consider the circumstances of Job. The enemy of our souls had to ask permission before anything could happen to Job.

Why does God allow things to happen to us? Perhaps He is polishing your character. It could be he is preparing you to minister to others with intimate, inside knowledge. You may be receiving the outcome of your choices.

Like Job, we must do the best we can with what God allows into our lives. Job stayed faithful with wealth and blessings. Job stayed faithful despite loss and hardship. Good or bad, love God, not what He gives you.

Job gave thanks in his circumstances. His heart was set on God, not on what he could get from God. God’s people who master this are always full of joy and blessing, even when they are at their lowest. It may not be easy, but trust God. He has your best interests in His heart.

Think: Regardless of the upside, or downside, we are to be grateful to God.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be grateful to You, not matter what my circumstances are.”

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.”

Be No More

Be No More by Kirk Hunt

Wait on the Lord,
And keep His way,
And He shall exalt you to inherit the land;
When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

I have seen the wicked in great power,
And spreading himself like a native green tree.

Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more;
Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found.

Psalms 37:34-36 NKJV

It sometimes seems that nothing can touch or impact the wicked. Do not be fooled, God’s justice and judgment cannot be delayed forever. The villains will (suddenly) be no more.

I confess, my heart and spirit too often look on with frustration and aggravation. The wicked and unrighteous seem to enjoy wealth and ease with impunity. It seems, to my natural eyes, that the villains are having a good time and winning easily.

Of course, I have to stop and see the situation with spiritual eyes. God’s faithful people possess now, and will inherit, good things and blessed circumstances. No matter how large wicked men and women live, they will disappear with hardly a trace.

My job is to carefully work out my soul’s salvation. If I can help anyone else reach Jesus, I am blessed in great measure. In the meanwhile, I do not have the luxury of worrying, from a distance, about the spiritual lives of other men and women.

Scripture promises we will all reap what we sow. The wicked will get their harvest, sooner or later. In the meanwhile, I am sowing as much good for His Kingdom as I can.

Think: No matter what they do, I must remain a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.

Pray: “Lord, help me keep my eyes on You.”

Has Not Kissed Baal

Has Not Kissed Baal by Kirk Hunt

“Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

1 Kings 19:18 NKJV

Elijah stood alone on the mountain, speaking with God. Despite the recent victory over the cult of Baal, God’s faithful prophet felt alone and vulnerable. God points out, in plain simplicity, that thousands have not given into idol worship or kissed Baal.

You are never the only one to remain faithful to God. You have brothers and sisters who never once give and bow their knee. God’s true people never become intimate with and accepting of evil. No matter how outnumbered or alone you feel.

Elijah watched God’s fire fall from heaven at his own prayer. God’s prophet, with a little help, personally executed Baal’s false prophets. Still, Elijah experienced a severe crisis and fled into the desert, convinced he alone served God.

Elijah came to understand that had never been alone. By himself, perhaps. Alone in the true worship of God? Never.

No matter what is going on around you, you are part of God’s remnant. You are part of the courageous and faithful few who refuse to compromise with evil and immorality.

You have not bent your knee in compromise. You have not kissed false worship or belief. Neither have they.

Continue to serve God in true and pure faith. You may have to stand by yourself but you never stand alone. Pray in pure devotion and watch God’s fire fall in your circumstances.

Think: Even when I am by myself, I am never alone among God’s faithful people.

Pray: “Lord, help me to remain faithful even when I feel alone.”

Because He Was Faithful

Because He Was Faithful by Kirk Hunt

So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.

Daniel 6:4 NKJV
Please also read Daniel 6:1–24

The conspirators spent time, money and effort, but came up empty. Daniel continued to conduct his affairs in a carefree manner, with a joyous spirit. The shadowy and sinister men who sought his downfall were defeated by his clean record. When you are righteous and faithful, you are protected beyond reasonable measure.

Scripture says Daniel (and his friends) were smart, wise and clever. Clearly, Daniel knew the honest play is always the smartest play. A long record of clean and honest work is its own protection.

Do not confuse Daniel’s clean record with a lack of hard work. It takes longer and costs more to do it right the first time. But when you are done, there is nothing to do but the next task. It is difficult to threaten an honest man or woman with the honest facts and figures.

Daniel’s record, transcripts and witnesses told a consistent story of fair dealing and honest work. The men who wanted to bring him down had to look for a different path. How you do the work is just as important as the outcome.

How do you do what you do? Are you faithful to God through your work? Do you play fair and straight, or will there be a problem when we read your transcripts or call the witnesses?

Think: A righteous, faithful lifestyle is its own protection.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be Your righteous and faithful servant before all men and women.”