victory Archives – CadreMen Press Devotionals

Through Faith

Through Faith by Kirk Hunt

who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Hebrews 11:33-34 NKJV
Read also Hebrews 11:30-40

Hebrews 11, written by the Holy Spirit through Apostle Paul, illustrates what happens when people act in faith. Through faith, men and women take action. Through faith, God’s people stand their ground, or go on the offensive, against hellions and hellhounds alike. And they win through God’s power.

Faith requires spiritual eyes. Faith requires you to act on what you know does not yet exist. People without faith will think your actions are insane or weak-minded. Some people with faith will think you have lost your way. You may wonder yourself, in the middle of the action.

The Holy Spirit will speak to you. Deep within your soul and spirit, God will reveal His plan and set you on your path. All that is left is for you to take actions that appear to have no rational basis in reality.

God’s people act to bring about a future, God-ordained reality. Always in hindsight, the rationality of saints is easy to see. Still, the first steps into the void can be difficult, even for men and women of the strongest faith. Trust God with, and for, your future reality.

Think: “Faith is the substance and evidence of a God-ordained future reality.”

Pray: “Lord, help me to take action based on my faith in You.”

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.

Does Your Love Endure?

Does Your Love Endure? by Kirk Hunt

And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 24:12-13 NKJV

Love is something you choose. Love-in-feeling comes and goes, but love-in-action is the result of your choices. Does your love endure despite the climate around you? Your salvation, and likely the salvation of others, depends on your individual choice to continue loving God then men.

The worst version of lawlessness is the lack of compassion or caring for fellow human beings. Too many violate the law of love and use the secular legal code only as a way to inflict vengeance or retribution. The concept of forbearance or even mercy seems to have fled our national borders.

There are those who choose to love anyway. Despite the climate of resentment and callousness, they fight to endure in the love and grace that comes through Jesus Christ. Who or how many will benefit by the determined effort to bless the least of these? Only heaven knows.

The law of love does not allow anarchy, sin or injustice. Jesus did not condemn the adulterous woman (or missing man) but He commanded her to stop sinning. Jesus loved her enough to endure the pressure of the Pharisees and still extend grace to the woman.

You have a choice today. You can choose to give into the current environment and punish and persecute those around you. You can also choose to endure to the end and love God’s children, extending the love and grace He has already given you.

Think: Does my love endure, despite the climate around me?

Pray: “Lord, help me to endure in my love for You and Your children.”

You Have Need Of Endurance

You Have Need Of Endurance by Kirk Hunt

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

Hebrews 10:36 NKJV

Perhaps you have heard the adage: “If it was easy, everyone would do it.” Endurance is a key ingredient of the best saints of God. The Christian men and women you most admire have likely built up their endurance. You can do the same.

Endurance is a characteristic that separates the dedicated from the dabblers. Talent cannot work if you cannot stay on your feet. Skill cannot win if you are face down on the floor.

If you participate in this life, you will take blows. Somewhere along the line, you will need to stay on task, despite how you hurt. Can you endure long enough to win anyway?

Of course, the promise is that God will give you the strength and toughness to go the extra distance to victory. Are you willing to bear your hurt and harm until God gives you victory? Endurance is not easy, otherwise everyone would do it.

God promises to be with us, to the end of the world. The blisters, gasping for air or soreness are our part of doing His will. You will have to exercise your free will to fulfill His sovereign commands.

Great men and women of God are not always the best educated, most skillful or even best looking. The greatest among us endure until their part of God’s plan is complete. You can be one of His elite saints. It is as easy as doing His will until you receive His promise.

Think: What do I need to endure so God can give me victory?

Pray: “Lord, help me to endure so that I can be a part of Your victory.”

Where Are You Stationed?

Where Are You Stationed? by Kirk Hunt

And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines. But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.

2 Samuel 23:11-12 NKJV

Shammah is listed in Scripture as one of David’s “mighty men”. His greatest deed? Alone and abandoned, Shammah stood and fought while others ran. He stationed himself in a patch of beans and defended them.

Shammah’s duty was made harder, and riskier, because others failed in their duty to their nation and God. Still, he stood his ground and fought. Despite his personal courage and skillfulness, Scripture is clear that Shammah did not bring about success. God’s faithfulness and power bought and brought victory.

What has God assigned you? Steel your heart and determination, even if it seems you are defending something of low value. Courageously hold your ground against greater numbers and firepower, no matter how alone you are. Mighty men and women are determined by faithful courage and determined hearts.

Military last stands tends to favor the attackers and are universally costly to the defenders. Determine now that you will do your part, confident that Father-God will do His. Despite your personal courage and skill, victory will come through God’s faithfulness and power.

Think: Do your part to bring about victory.

Pray: “Lord, help me to fulfill your assignment to me, regardless of what others do.”

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.

Seeking Something Better

Seeking Something Better by Kirk Hunt

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:39–40 NIV

Despite (partial) victories (such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965) Dr. King continued the work of freeing all of America’s citizens from injustice and discrimination. His earthly reward for seeking something better for America? An assassin’s bullet.

Scripture summarizes the suffering and victories of Old Testament Prophets and Heroes in Hebrews 11. Those men and women did not live to see God’s promises completed, but they did their part to fulfill their callings. Usually, at great personal cost or their very lives.

Hebrews 11 rehearses the faithfulness and endurance of Old Testament saints. They fulfilled their calling and purpose, despite not seeing their victory in complete fullness. Hebrews 12 exhorts New Testament saints to be just as faithful and enduring.

Christians of the Roman world often suffered and died but they eventually converted polytheistic pagans into devout Christians. With the continuing advantage of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we should do as much. Echoing the faith and diligence of Old and New Testament saints, our faithfulness will require that we seek something better, regardless of the personal cost.

Seek something better, no matter who is bother or how they object. Your prize for delivering freedom or salvation will be God’s eternal approval. Try not to mind any short term inconveniences or even living to see it completely fulfilled.

Think: Do your part whether or not you see the final victory.

Pray: “Lord, help me to fulfill my calling from you, no matter how others object.”

Thanksgiving In The End

“Thanksgiving In The End” By Kirk Hunt

All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.”

Revelation 7:11–12 NKJV

After a year of crisis, difficulty and calamity everything ends in thanksgiving. Not the holiday, precious as that day is, but in victory through Jesus. “Flip to the back of The Book. We win!”

The Multitude of Revelation 7 are men and women who stood faithful in Jesus. They stayed the course through hardship, martyrdom or persecution. Their reward? An eternity of victory, joy and presence with our Savior.

Despite the short-term negatives, they live forever in victory and thanksgiving to Jesus. You too can do the same. Wash your robes, the life you live, in the Blood of Jesus. The rest will be joy and victory; at least, in the long-term.

I would that I could promise you pleasantness and ease in the here and now. Scripture promises that even His precious ones see difficult and experience pain. What I can guarantee that those who keep faith in Jesus will experience joy and victory in His eternity. The there and then will be worth the journey.

The last year has been difficult for many and perhaps for you. Sooner, or later, we all experience joy, victory and thanksgiving before God’s Throne. Stay the course in Jesus. There will be thanksgiving in the end.

Think: It is my responsibility to find and support a faithful Bible teacher.

Pray: “Lord, help me to learn Your Word as deeply as I can.”

Giver Of Victory

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

“Giver Of Victory” By Kirk Hunt

I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Acts 20: 35 NKJV

It is my privilege to be a platelet donor. To be a giver, I must endure pin pricks, needle stabs and intrusive questions. Still, I get to literally share my good health with others.

Treatment with platelets is a serious business. Serious burn victims receive platelets. Cancer patients receive platelets. Organ transplant patients receive platelets. “I will stay on this end of the donation, thank you.”

My platelets are a gift to those who receive them. They are fighting for their lives. I pray my small contribution is just what they need to win the battle.

You have a gift, given from God. It is precious and life-giving to those who receive it. Do you give it?

There may be some inconvenience in the giving. You may be a little drained after the donation. They are fighting for health, restoration or even just hope. Your contribution may be just what they need to win the battle.

There are epic battles being fought around you. Far too often the stakes are greater, and more eternal, than a beating heart. It may not be the literal blood from your veins, but you can spare something they need. I pray your contribution is just what they need to win the battle.

Think: I really am more blessed to give than to receive.

Pray: “Father-God, I thank You for every opportunity to be a giver.”

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

An Angel Named Perseverance

E-Book PDF: Open in New Window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

“An Angel Named Perseverance” By Kirk Hunt

Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

James 5:11 NKJV

Perseverance is not one of the beautiful angels. There are no hidden secrets. There are no mysterious procedures. It is the simple act of staying at your tasks until the end.

Most Christians do not associate perseverance with skill or power. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit and very often, it is the difference between success and failure. Perseverance has great value in the secular world, and in the things of God. Perseverance carries and preserves us until His answers come.

Perseverance is a sibling to endurance and a cousin to patience. It is the link between hope and prayer. All champions have, or get, perseverance. That is because all champions eventually run out of fancy moves and clever strategies. All that remains then is refusing to give up until you get victory.

Perseverance does have a formula: Take the hits. Get up, if needed. Continue serving God. Repeat until you arrive in His Kingdom.

There is no magic or mystery in perseverance. Just a willingness to continue until victory comes. You do want victory, right?

Think: Perseverance may not be flashy but it is critical.

Pray: “Lord, help me have endurance until my change and answers come from You.

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

Thankfulness In Advance

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

“Thankfulness In Advance” By Kirk Hunt

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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 15:57-58 NKJV

There is always joy and thankfulness in the victory lap. When last did you dance a happy jig in the middle of the grueling drills? Where you laughing and singing in the middle of the bitter battles? Just as I suspected.

God’s people are always thankful for the victory, but we must remember to be thankful during the tests and trials. Our joy should be visible, and contagious, even in the middle of difficult circumstances. We can afford it, and are obligated, since we know the outcome. Just as you suspected.

Still, in the middle of dirty, dangerous and difficult, we have to choose thankfulness. Even though victory is assured, we remain human. Our joy and thankfulness should be most evident, and authentic, in the heat of our toughest battles. Just as they suspected.

Pay no attention to the little inconveniences of living through the battles, labors and incidents. The heartaches and hardships will be worth it. God has guaranteed our wins, so we love Him even more. Just as He said.

Think: “Flip to the back of The Book. We win.” -Various Saints of God

Pray: “Lord, help me have joy and thankfulness since You have assured the outcome.”

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

You Are Not Lunch

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

“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.