obedience Archives – Page 3 of 6 – CadreMen Press Devotionals

The King’s Announcement

“The King’s Announcement” By Kirk Hunt

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.”

Luke 1:30–31 NKJV
Please also read Luke 1:5–38

In Scripture, Gabriel is only called an angel. Still, he appears in Scripture giving important messages from God. Announcement of the coming Messiah and Savior surely qualifies as significant.

The announcement of Jesus was not made from the housetops or palaces. The message was given in private to a young (probably teenage) woman. The true King’s statement came quietly, but nevertheless with all of God’s authority.

Never confuse fury or decibels with significance and authority. When the King makes an announcement about your life, you will know. Do not worry about who else hears Him at the time.

Did Mary completely understand the significance of Jesus’ human birth? Was she completely aware of her and His part in the reconciliation of man to God? Two millennia later, scholars still wrestle with Jesus’ redemption of mankind.

Alone, in the quiet, God announced His purpose for Mary’s life, and all of mankind. There would be glory and wonder, heartache and dismay, in fulfilling her purpose. With full faith, if not full knowledge, she responded to God’s messenger with humility and obedience.

God has a purpose for you in His Kingdom. Continue to seek Him until His announcement regarding you. I pray you respond to His announcement with, “Let it be to me according to Your Word.”

Think: How will I respond to God’s announcement of His purpose for my life?

Pray: “Lord, help me to fulfill Your purpose for my life in Your Kingdom.”

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 King’s Intent

“The King’s Intent” By Kirk Hunt

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”

Matthew 2:13 NKJV

It turns out that King Herod had villainous intent. He did not intend to worship Jesus. Instead, he wanted to murder Jesus in the cradle, as a potential rival.

King Herod’s intent conflicted with God’s intent. Despite his position and power, Herod was frustrated in His purpose and Jesus lived. The King of Kings’ intent was realized.

Today is no different than yesterday. Men and women of power and influence try to frustrate the plans of God. Now, as then, the true King’s purpose will come to pass. The question is whether or not you will follow the true King’s intent.

God could have stationed literal angels around Joseph, Mary and Jesus, but He did not. God could have caused earthly zealots to protect Jesus and His family, but He did not. Instead, God told Joseph to take action. Obediently, Joseph gathered his family and escaped into Egypt.

We are called to take action per God’s intent. Too often we worry about what others will, will not or should do. God’s people should be quick to obey their true King. Follow God’s intent, especially when it means our actions are contrary to what we or others intend.

Think: Do I follow God’s intent or someone else’s?

Pray: “Lord, help me to have Your intent for everyone around me.”

Christians Do Not Hate

“Christians Do Not Hate” By Kirk Hunt

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

1 John 4:20 NKJV

I am always disappointed when someone, claiming to be a Christian, expresses hate for others. Jesus told us the world would hate Christians. Not once did He command us to hate sinners, even in retaliation. Multiple times, He commanded us to love those who hate us.

Jesus said in Luke 6:27, “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” Perhaps the hearing part is the tricky part. Perhaps the obedient to Christ part is a different tricky part.

Jesus could have called down fire on various sinners and adversaries during His earthly ministry. He did not do so, even once. Instead, He died for the Pharisees who hated him. Jesus forgave His executioners during His execution. He died for you and I, even though we were sinners.

The Christ I serve healed foreigners and aliens. He proclaimed that He came to minister to sinners and tax collectors. May I remind you that He personally refused to condemn an adulteress, caught in the very act?

Condemnation ends the conversation. Conviction leads to restoration. Christians are commanded to make disciples (Matthew 28:19) of all men and women. We cannot hate the souls we expect and want to love Jesus.

Think: I cannot (effectively) share Jesus with someone I hate.

Pray: “Lord, help me to live out my love for You by loving Your (sinful) children.”

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Faith Versus Common Sense

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“Faith Versus Common Sense” By Kirk Hunt

And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”

1 Samuel 17:33 NKJV
Read also 1 Samuel 17:1–58

The chief military leader and strategist of Israel evaluated the boy before him and passed judgment. Military training and experience said the farm boy could not defeat the professional soldier. Common sense said that Goliath, a giant, would massacre David.

King Saul had his issues, but he understood war and combat. He knew that leather slings and wool garments are no match against steel swords and brass armor. Using only rational thought and facts, David stood no chance.

David’s faith spoke a different story and outcome. David understood that his defeat of the lion and the bear came through God. David did not expect to out-match Goliath. Instead, David expected God to deliver Goliath to defeat and destruction.

We are, or at least can be, instruments of God’s purpose and provision in the earth. Your calling requires that you put your faith in God and obey His sovereign direction. Scripture is full of examples where faith and common sense are at odds.

Trust God. Put your faith in Him and His power. Watch the giants in your life fall.

Think: Faith in God, not common sense, should always be our guide.

Pray: “Lord, help me to live through my faith in You.”

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

The Need For Mercy

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“The Need For Mercy” By Kirk Hunt

So Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord! Please do not lay this sin on us, in which we have done foolishly and in which we have sinned.

Numbers 12:11 NKJV
(Please read Numbers 12:1 – 10)

Aaron and Miriam chose to sin in public, in addition to humiliating their brother, Moses. They knew better. God decided their punishment would be public, humiliating and without mercy.

Aaron, the mediator for the people to God, now needed a mediator to God for himself (and his sister). The sibling squabble was now settled, or at least set aside, as Aaron begged his little brother to go to God for mercy.

Consider for a moment your family and other close relationships. Who needs your mercy? Whose mercy do you need? Have you not been separated long enough?

This was not the first time Moses had been asked to intercede with God for the erring people of Israel. Still, this time he pleaded for elite leadership. This time he pleaded for his closest kin.

Someone among your friends, family or yourself, needs mercy. Reach out in love. Speak in humility. Listen with grace. Take, or forget, the blame. Just get the job done.

You can create a miracle of reconciliation and restoration with just a little courage. Do what must be done to start the flow of life-giving mercy among you and yours. You are just a call or text away from healing and renewal.

Think: I have the means and ability to give, or receive, mercy. Do I have the courage?

Pray: “Lord, help me to give and receive mercy, especially regarding friends and family.”

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

Miriam’s Judgment

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“Miriam’s Judgment” By Kirk Hunt

So the anger of the Lord was aroused against them, and He departed. And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and there she was, a leper.

Numbers 12:9–10 NKJV
(Please read Numbers 12:1 – 8)

The Shekinah, God’s glory cloud, departed the Tabernacle. The presence of God had left, but His judgment remained. Miriam was completely engulfed in leprosy, a slow, disfiguring and finally deadly, disease. The ancient Hebrews say it as symbolic of sin in the life of men and women.

As High Priest, it was Aaron’s job to diagnose lepers, then banish them from any contact with family and friends. Aaron would now have to designate his own sister as unclean and drive her out of the camp. There, on the outside of life as she knew it, Miriam would suffer disfigurement, disability and eventually death.

God’s judgment of Aaron and Miriam’s rebellion against Moses had been swift and final. They wanted to dwell in God’s presence, like Moses. They found out, there are more things in God’s presence than mercy and revelation. There is also justice and judgment.

Aaron and Miriam were right to seek God’s presence for themselves. They were wrong to seek Him in an attitude of envy and presumption. There are many things in God’s presence. His judgment is not the least part of His presence.

Think: God’s presence is to be sought, but in reverence and humility.

Pray: “Lord, I seek You in humility and reverence. Accept me in grace and mercy.”

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

Stay Afraid

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“Stay Afraid” By Kirk Hunt

I speak with him face to face,
Even plainly, and not in dark sayings;
And he sees the form of the Lord.
Why then were you not afraid
To speak against My servant Moses?”

Numbers 12:8 NKJV
(Please read Numbers 12:1 – 7)

Miriam watched over her baby brother, Moses, in the bulrushes. Moses’s older brother, Aaron the High Priest served as Moses spokesman. Miriam and Aaron were skilled, insightful and anointed of God. And not afraid to bad-mouth their brother.

They should have known better. Moses was the God-selected leader. They let their family spat boil-up into a mutiny against Moses’ God-spoken position and authority.

God-chosen leaders are God-chosen leaders. That does not make that man or woman perfect, but God’s authority rests on them. Rebellion against that anointed one is rebellion against God.

The Hebrew word for ‘afraid’, yare, can be translated as reverence. Miriam and Aaron lost their reverence for Moses’ position and place in God and before God’s people. They may not have been afraid to disrespect their brother, but they were afraid (not just reverent) to be confronted by God.

Should the spiritual leaders in your life live up to their assignments from God? Of course they should. Still, you should approach God’s men and women in light of their anointing by, and appointment from, God. Do not wind up standing before God as a mutineer.

Think: My reverence for God should echo in my respect for His servants.

Pray: “Lord, help my respect for You show in my respect for Your men and women.”

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

Looking Like God

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“Looking Like God” By Kirk Hunt

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

2 Timothy 2:19 NKJV

My sons are my children. They have different personalities, different skills and different lives, yet they are clearly mine. Good looking as they are, they are mine because they act like me.

God’s people are His people. We have different personalities, different skills and different lives; still we are clearly His children. The closer we are to Jesus, the more we act like Him and even look like Him.

Yes, we all make mistakes. From time-to-time, we all slip into error. Still, when you turn and reestablish yourself on His principles, you remain His.

God’s saints must constantly resist, and even run from, sin and iniquity. While we hate the sin, just like Christ, we always love the sinner (Romans 5:8). That includes loving the sinner we see in the mirror.

How do we life by His principles? We study Scripture to learn them first hand. We pray so that He can speak them directly to our hearts. We fast, so that our human flesh comes to understand that we are living by Holy discipline. Finally, we lean on the power of the Holy Spirit to carry us over the places and spaces where we need strength.

Think: The Lord knows you by how you live your life.

Pray: “Lord, help me to live by Your principles so that You can recognize me as Yours.”

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

Re-called To Serve

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“Re-called To Serve” By Kirk Hunt

“Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”

John 21:18 NKJV

There, on the shore of the Galilee (also called Tiberias), the risen Jesus renewed Simon Peter’s calling. Jesus commanded Peter to “Feed His Sheep.” Then he informs Peter that, at the end, others will dress him and take places. Peter’s call to service will not be limited by his age or condition.

Scripture clearly says (v. 19) that this verse is a prophecy of Peter’s martyrdom. Tradition teaches that Peter was crucified in Nero’s Rome. Still, Peter’s call from Jesus is not to an ending but to Kingdom building service.

Saints I know speak of retirement from their ministries and lives of service. Yet, the next thing I hear from, or of them, is that they are deeply involved in a new approach to building God’s Kingdom. It may involve less running, jumping and lifting heavy things, but it is still important work. Work they are uniquely qualified to perform.

You may not be 15, or 35, anymore, but you are not excused. God’s Kingdom needs you to be where you are supposed to be, doing what you are called to do. Accept help, if you must, but keep moving for Him, regardless.

Think: There is no retirement from the Christian Way.

Pray: “Lord, help me to faithful to my calling my entire life.

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

You Shall Lend

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“You Shall Lend” By Kirk Hunt

The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

Deuteronomy 28:12 NKJV

The promise of God (see verse 1) in this Scripture was originally for the people of Israel. They had not yet arrived in the Promised Land, but God was letting them know. Obey me and you shall always lend and never borrow.

I can tell you that if you fulfill the condition, God will fulfill the promise. Not just money, though that is an obvious possibility. There are a lot of things God’s people can “lend” to the “nations” around us.

The treasures of heaven are not just material things, like adequate food and shelter. Good physical and mental health is a treasure, straight from His throne. Peace of mind and spirit comes from God’s heaven, and cannot be purchased with mere money.

Obey God and follow his commandments. Before you know it, others will ask where you got all of your blessings. Lend those who ask the good things of God. The gratitude of those you bless is interest enough for the generous of heart.

Think: His blessings are for me, and can be loaned to those around me.

Pray: “Lord, thank You for Your blessings, especially the ability to bless others in turn.

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

Bring It

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“Bring It” By Kirk Hunt

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.

Malachi 3:10 NKJV

God rarely invites men and women to test Him. Knowing how fragile we are, He does not usually dare mere humans. Still, in this verse, He throws out a challenge: “Bring it.”

Look carefully. There is no fine print. This is not a limited offer.

Test to see if you can out-give the creator of the universe. Try to exceed His credit limit. Check to see if He has enough to more than match what you have.

It may not be cash. Your blessing could be good health. Perhaps you will dwell in utter peace and absolute security.

Of course, you should give as an expression of your love and gratitude to God. After all, He has already given you so much. Still, he wants the opportunity to give you more.

Take the challenge. Make it your goal to push God to the limit of His ability to give to you. What have you got to lose?

Think: I may give first, but God gives best.

Pray: “Lord, I want to honor You with my giving.”

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

Obedience At All Ranks

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“Obedience At All Ranks” By Kirk Hunt

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
He also has rejected you from being king.”

1 Samuel 15:23 NKJV

Samuel delivered his somber news to Saul. The king’s (pitiful) excuses and justifications could not negate his responsibility to obey God. King Saul found out the hard way that obedience applies to all ranks.

The greedy, lazy, self-centered part of us wants it both ways. We want anyone and every one to do every little thing we say. We even want them to anticipate what we want done.

Of course, that part of us wants to be free to ignore or even alter any instruction. “Do as I say, not as I do.” “Rank hath its privileges.”

I freely admit I am aggravated when I experience this disobedient attitude in folks. I am more aggravated when I catch the same attitude trying to assert itself in my life. To my regret, it is a weed that grows back far too easily.

God expects you to obey Him and His Word. Your rank does not impact your obligation to obey. Not one little bit.

Obedience to God does not have rank or importance limits. It applies to me. It applies to you. Without exception.

Think: I owe God my obedience, no matter what rank I hold.

Pray: “Lord, keep my heart focused on obedience to You and Your Word.”

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