ministry Archives – CadreMen Press Devotionals

The Lord Rejected

The Lord Rejected by Kirk Hunt

But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.”

1 Samuel 15:26 NKJV
Please also read 1 Samuel 15:1-29

King Saul lost his kingship because our Lord God rejected him. God did not consult with anyone, even His great prophet, Samuel. For the record, Saul’s flagrant disobedience and unrepentant lying cost him his crown.

Leaders are men and women who have been selected by God to fulfill God’s purposes in the affairs of men. I cannot imagine nakedly disobeying an explicit, detailed, and direct order from God. Saul could. Saul did.

A Godly leader is not expected to be infallible, but they are expected to obey God’s commandments. To hear from God, and willfully decide to do something else, is not obedience but rebellion. None of Saul’s lies, excuses, or justifications could exempt him from God’s judgment.

There was no coup d’etat. No one, except Saul, staged a mutiny. Saul’s rebellion was against God, pure and simple. The results were predictable.

Men and women, even leaders, are imperfect. God extends grace to our errors, but not our willful rebellion. If you reject God’s commands, you are rejecting God. Look at Saul’s life to see the results of God rejecting you.

Think: If God rejects it, or them, or me, that is final.

Pray: “Lord, help keep me from anything that would cause you to reject me.”

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 Lord Rejected

The Lord Rejected by Kirk Hunt

But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.”

1 Samuel 15:26 NKJV
Please also read 1 Samuel 15:1-29

There was no coup d’etat. No one, except Saul, staged a mutiny. Saul’s rebellion was against God, pure and simple. The results were predictable.

Think: If God rejects it, or them, or me, that is final.

Pray: “Lord, help keep me from anything that would cause you to reject me.”

He Turned And Struck

He Turned And Struck by Kirk Hunt

Then the king said to the guards who stood about him, “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled and did not tell it to me.” But the servants of the king would not lift their hands to strike the priests of the Lord. And the king said to Doeg, “You turn and kill the priests!” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck the priests, and killed on that day eighty-five men who wore a linen ephod.

1 Samuel 22:17-18 NKJV
Please also read 1 Samuel 22:1-23

Even if King Saul’s order to kill the priests was lawful, it was clearly immoral. Traditional sources identify Abner and Amasa, loyal captains of King Saul, as the men who refused to kill the priests. Doeg proved himself a despicable henchman when he “turned and struck the priests.”

King Saul, God’s anointed king of Israel, gave an immoral order based on his anger and frustration. Men and women are responsible for the decisions they make as a leader of God’s people. A good leader would have re-thought his orders when loyal men (or women) refused to carry them out.

Any thug or brute can carry out a malicious order. An honorable and righteous soul is most loyal when they protect a leader from all dangers. And sometimes, a leader’s greatest danger is themselves.

Scripture does not record what happened to Doeg. Saul, who gave the order, died a miserable death, surrounded by enemies. A good leader wants good followers. Men and women who are so loyal, they will protect a leader from themselves.

Think: Even if the order is lawful, it may not be moral. Should I carry it out?

Pray: “Lord, help me to minister correctly, despite my orders.”

Captain Over Them

Captain Over Them by Kirk Hunt

David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.

1 Samuel 22:1-2 NKJV
Please also read 1 Samuel 22:1-23

Unjustly accused, and a death warrant issued in his name, David hid in the cave of Adullam. First, his extended family joined him. Then the losers of Israel came. David became a captain or leader to those shunned and despised by everyone else.

With the elite forces of King Saul looking for him, David gained responsibility for the lowest people in Israel. Some would call those same folk liabilities. Deadbeats, troublemakers, and whiners from across Israel came to David for help and support. Instead of a handout, David gave them courage, valor, skill, and expertise.

Perhaps you think your Adullam experience is the end of you. God is instead setting you up for future success. Those sniveling losers need to be transformed into elite champions. And their captain is a king (or queen) in training.

You will have to stay the course. You will train, educate, encourage and discipline men and women everyone else jettisoned. They do not look like much now, but they will be champions after you become God’s captain over them.

Think: God is setting you up as a future king (or queen) by making you a captain now.

Pray: “Lord, help me to minister Your way, in Your Name, here and now.”

Gift Minister

“Gift Minister” By Kirk Hunt

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

1 Peter 4:10 NKJV

You have a gift or gifts. God gave it (or them) to you as part of the “saints of God” package. Use them to minister, as a good steward of God’s grace.

Do not make it complicated or difficult. You have an ability, skill or talent that makes you uniquely valuable and useful, especially to the Kingdom of God. If you are not using it, you are not being a good steward of His gift to you.

You do not get to age out. There is no disability clause. Wherever you are, no matter whom you are with, you have a God-given gift. I pray you are using your gifts to demonstrate the many paths of grace. When God does not send angels, He sends men and women just like you.

In your eyes, your gift may not seem big or flashy. That does not mean that you cannot touch lives or impact souls. Use what He gave. Watch the blessings ripple out, farther and greater than you thought.

All of the gifts God has already given you can be used to build His Kingdom. The gifts you possess can benefit you, yours and others. All it takes is a heart willing to trust Him and a spirit generous enough to pass on His grace to others.

There may be sweat-stained headbands in your future. Your shirt might become tear-soaked. You may even have to put on a bandage or two. When you stand before His throne, such things will testify to your stewardship of His grace.

Think: I should be using my gift(s) to build God’s Kingdom.

Pray: “Lord, help me to use my gift from You to build Your kingdom.”

Face Of Glory

“Face Of Glory” By Kirk Hunt

And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.

Exodus 34:38 NKJV
Please also read Exodus 34:29–35

Moses came out to the people and they retreated in panic and fear. The face of their Lawgiver glowed with an unworldly light. Moses’ time with God literally changed how the followers saw and reacted to their leader.

God’s people, especially pastors and leaders, should consider their approach to others. How you preach, teach or minister should be done to meet your audience where they are. Moses did not change his message, but he did help Israel to hear what God spoke. He just had to shade the light of his face some (or a lot).

Do not get me wrong; I would that every saint of God, fresh from prayer, had a shiny face. Still, our purpose is to build His Kingdom. What does not make the message effective in reaching and changing hearts is a distraction. Our job is not done until their faces are also bright with His glory

Your audience likely comes in fresh from the streets, rather than the prayer closet. Meet them where they are, but help them get to where you are. And where you are should reflect the glory of God.

Think: Does my ministry reflect God’s glory? Is it effective in reaching my audience?

Pray: “Lord, help me to reflect the glory of Your Face .”

Now Is The Time To Shine

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“Now Is The Time To Shine” By Kirk Hunt

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 NKJV
Please also read Matthew 5:1–20

Roman-occupied Israel was not quiet, placid or especially righteous. Despite the occupying pagans, and corrupt leadership, Jesus commanded His followers to shine out in acts of faith and service. Then, as now, Christians have a prime opportunity to put their salt and light to good use.

The darkness of this present age has inflicted pain and suffering. God’s people have been equipped and empowered to respond. Do we have a heart to bless? Do we have a mind to obey?

Salt preserves. Light guides. All of His true followers and disciples are simultaneously salt and light. Through Scripture, Jesus commands us to reach into the darkness and save the lost.

We are commanded to serve. We are to use our faith-fueled acts of service to show God to a dark and dying world. If there has ever been an opportunity to reach out to the lost and hurting, this is that time and place.

Reach out to the men and women around you who are wounded and confused. Regardless of their faith, creed or activities, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer. Prove, through faith-fueled acts of service, that the God you serve loves everyone, without exception. Pour out your salt and light until they see God.

Think: I can show God to men and women through acts of faith-fueled service.

Pray: “Lord, help me to obey You and Your commandments.”

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

The Ministry of Training

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“The Ministry Of Training” By Kirk Hunt

But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod.

1Samuel 2:18 NKJV

Samuel literally began his ministry as a preschooler, if not a toddler. Dressed like an adult priest, he carried out mundane tasks in the Tabernacle, just like everyone else. Still, the “trainee” heard from God, even when the High Priest could not (or would not).

Perhaps you are truly in the apprentice phase of your life. Good. Learn all you can. Still, what is your output? Even as a learner, you can bless, benefit and build the Kingdom. Are you willing to be a source of output? Do you have the heart to be a blessing, here and now?

Too often we expect that we must be deeply qualified and extensively experienced before we can serve God, or men and women. You can fulfill your calling here, now and as you are. You may be better later, but today you are more than good enough for the tasks before you.

Samuel may have been the last of the Judges, but he was also the first of the Prophets. His authority, knowledge and service before God are recorded in Scripture. Still, he started his ministry as a child and delivered God’s Word to Israel’s elite leadership. Before he was considered an adult, or fully capable, Samuel was a heavy-hitter.

As you work and train before God, you too are a ministering learner. Your credentials may be thin. Your certificates may be few. Still, for some, what you have to give is a weighty matter. I pray that you deliver what God has given you.

Think: Even while training I can build God’s Kingdom.

Pray: “Lord, how can I build your Kingdom, today?”

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

After The Mountaintop

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“After The Mountaintop” by Kirk Hunt

And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. (Luke 9:37 KJV)

Luke 9:37 KJV

Please read Luke 9: 28 – 37

I am in favor of mountain top experiences. Above the timberline you can see breathtaking vistas. In the thin air at the top, you can better see God’s visions and His glory. It is all good up there.

Peter, James and John witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration with wonder and awe. It is no surprise they wanted to stay on the mountain. Still, Jesus’ purpose, and theirs, was someplace else.

The moment of glory and ascendance was important. The ministry of the Disciples changed the world as we know it. But their ministries happened away from the mountain.

As much as we need mountain tops, our work is in the plains and valleys. Jesus stepped down from His glorious transfiguration and stepped into a sea of humanity. Off the mountain, He ministered to the hearts and minds of people.

Climb up and see His glory. Enjoy your episode on the mountain top. Just remember, your purpose is on the plains and in the valleys.

Think: I climb the mountain so I can minister when I climb down..

Pray: “Lord, help me to experience You in all Your glory, so I can serve and minister.”