steadfastness 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.

Yet Will I Trust Him

“Yet Will I Trust Him” By Kirk Hunt

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.

Job 13:15 NKJV

In the space of a day, maybe a week, Job lost everything a man can lose. Job’s children died, his wealth destroyed or stolen, business wrecked, health lost and even his friends turned on him. Still, Job declared, “Yet will I trust Him.”

Authentic trust and true love are an active choice, not passing feelings. Rich or poor, well or sick, do you love God first and truly? It is easy to trust someone or something that heaps only blessings on you. What happens when the flow reverses is the real test.

Battered and beaten, seemingly past human endurance, Job declared his faith in God. Eyes and sores weeping in equal measure, a mere man decided that the God of heaven continued to have his confidence. Armed with Scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit, am I capable of the same naked faithfulness. Are you prepared to love God despite what he allows to happen in and to your life?

What would happen if the first two chapters of Job happened to you? Would you remain faithful to the God of heaven? Would you continue to love God, despite your losses and wounds?

Job illustrates the standard for trust in God. There will come a time in your life when you will have to declare for or against God. Will you continue to trust and love God despite the hurts and losses of the short run?

Think: Do I really trust God through bad times?

Pray: “Lord, help me to always trust You, no matter the circumstances.”

Take No Bribes

E-Book PDF: Open in New Window | Download
Subscribe: RSS

“Take No Bribes” by Kirk Hunt

And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?

Ezekiel 13:19 KJV

As a Christian, you have a duty to tell the truth. God commands us to speak His truth, fully and completely. Everything else is error.

Too often, even God’s people are tempted to give in. The world will try to bribe us to speak and teach against Scripture. There is no earthly payment that should tempt you to speak against Scripture.

Should they know error when they hear it? Yes. Still, the responsibility remains on us to teach and preach only the pure Word of God. To keep from sin those not in its grip. To convict (not condemn) the guilty, so that they will give up their sinful lives.

The stakes are high. The results impact not just this lifetime, but eternity. Remember heaven, and hell, are for forever. What is the correct amount of bribe to deflect an innocent soul into eternal torment?

Sooner or later, you will have to choose. Speak the truth, or speak a lie. Before you take that bribe, look into God’s Shekinah, His glory-cloud, for your answer.

Think: God commands me to speak His Word clearly and purely.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be a truth teller, no matter the cost.”

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

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
			1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30