worship Archives – CadreMen Press Devotionals

Shall Surely Perish

Shall Surely Perish by Kirk Hunt

Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the Lord destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 8:19-20 NKJV

Moses the centenarian delivered a blunt, dour message: Worship only God or perish. As an individual. As a nation.

Israel had trudged through the desert for 40 years. The choices of disbelief and disobedience had condemned a generation to death outside of the land promised to them. Even Moses had become a victim of his choice to disobey God. In unflinching honesty and clarity, Moses reminded the nation of their opportunity to chose life through obedience to God. Or death in disobedience.

Your choice today is just that stark and mutually exclusive. You are a God-follower, or you are not. You choose life in God, or death in anything else.

Learn from the example of those who have gone before. The Canaanites were driven out of the land, by God, because of their sin. God would do the same thing with Israel, if they chose rebellion and wickedness.

Israel, God’s chosen people, lived in Canaan as long as they were obedient worshipers of God. When they chose sin and idolatry, they in turn were driven out. Israel perished from the land promised by God, because of their choices.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you are chosen and loved by God. You will live in His promise as long as you are an obedient and faithful worshiper of God. If you chose to worship false idols, you shall surely perish.

Think: If I follow God in truth and obedience I will live and not perish.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be a true and faithful worshiper of You.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

…And Worshiped Him

…And Worshiped Him by Kirk Hunt

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11 NKJV

They spent months trekking across hundreds (or thousands) of miles. They braved dangers from violent weather, wild animals or armed marauders to find Jesus. Then, despite their wealth, education, wisdom and stations, they threw themselves on the stable floor, before the newborn King of Kings. And worshiped Him.

“They came. They saw. They worshiped.” At great cost. At great inconvenience. At great risk. The Wise Men lived out a lifestyle of worship.

In the hustle and bustle, have you carved out a place and space for worship? When last did your worship of Jesus really cost you? How long has it been since your worship of Immanuel (God With Us) was truly inconvenient? How much risk has there been, or will there be, in the worship you give to the King of Kings?

The various services and ceremonies Christians use as worship are nice and good. Unfortunately, they can become mechanical and rote. If you are not careful, you may come to think that is all there is to your worship of Jesus.

Real worship comes from the depth of your heart. True worship takes you out of your zone and into His. The best worship involves risk as you invest the best of yourself in recognition of all that is Jesus, your Savior.

The wise men set aside their comfort, safety and dignity to worship Jesus. When last did you do the same? When next will you worship Jesus with your all?

Think: Does my lifestyle truly worship Jesus?

Pray: “Lord, help me to live in a lifestyle of worship of You at all times.”

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.

They Worshiped Him

“They Worshiped Him” By Kirk Hunt

Matthew 2:11 NKJV

Waves of men crowded into the little barn to give reverence to a child cradled in a feeding trough. The shepherds likely came first, especially considering they received divine declaration of the Savior’s birth. The magi calculated His birth through the stars and prophecies, then came at great expense to recognize His importance. However they learned of Christ’s birth, they came and worshiped Him.

The shepherds, lowly even among the common folk, likely gave gifts limited to sincere hearts, bowed in awestruck wonder. The magi were able to add valuable and tangible gifts to their worship, but ultimately they worshiped Him just as the shepherds did. Early or late, formally educated or practically trained, they worshiped Christ the same way. Their hearts were humbled before the King of heaven.

As you consider Him this Christmas, think about the manger. Thank Him for a grace that would endure humble circumstances. God gave the ultimate Gift wrapped in literal rags. Jesus surrendered the glories of Heaven to endure the human condition.

He lived as a mere man among common people, His royal lineage little more than a technicality. By coming as the least of these, He ensured that all men gained complete and unhindered access to the throne of God. Before He had a chance to reconcile men to God, wise men, shepherd or magi, worshiped Him.

Like the magi, or the shepherds, I pray you have found Him and are wise enough to worship Him. Understand that you do not come to Him empty-handed. The most important gift He wants is a heart that rejoices in Him and adores His presence.

Give your gifts. Mere goods do honor Him. Your heart, on the other hand, delights Him.

Think: No matter how I know, I know He is Lord and Savior.

Pray: “Lord, accept the gift of my heart.”

Worship Anyway

“Worship Anyway” By Kirk Hunt

And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.

Mark 14:3 NKJV

Please read one (or all) of the Gospel accounts:
Matthew 26: 6–13; Mark 14: 3–9; Luke 7: 36–50; John 12: 1–8.

Even today, an alabaster box (for perfume) is costly and uncommon. Spikenard, which grows only in the Himalayas of Nepal, remains rare and expensive. Mary spent over a year’s wages to worship.

The whispering Pharisees used her past to slander Jesus. Jesus’ Disciples complained about the “wasteful” expression of her worship. Given a say, it appears that Pharisee and Disciple would have denied her the opportunity to worship. Despite them, or their intentions, Mary worshiped anyway.

The Bible does not confirm that Mary was a prostitute. Scripture states she had been demon-possessed and a notorious sinner. Mary did not let her past, or the murmuring busybodies, keep her from Jesus.

You have an opportunity to worship today. Will you pay the price? Will you walk past your history or circumstances and worship God? Are you willing to ignore the whispers from without, or within, to worship Jesus?

Whatever it costs, He is worthy. No matter what others do or say, Jesus is available to you. No matter what has happened before, He waits for you.

The voices are noise and distraction. If you want to, you can worship. Everything else is just details.

Think: I can worship Jesus, if I am determined.

Pray: “Lord, I worship You, because You are worthy.”

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

Here I Am To Worship

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“Here I Am To Worship” By Kirk Hunt

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

Isaiah 6:1 NKJV

Song: “Here I Am To Worship”
Original Psalmist: Tim Hughes
Covering Psalmist: Israel Houghton

Why did you come? To worship God? To (re-)acknowledge Him as Lord of your life? Really?

Isaiah was performing rituals. His tasks and actions, standing in the middle of the original Temple, were intended to be devotion to God. Instead, somehow, he slipped into real worship and made true contact with God.

Your actions may be officially sanctioned. Your activities might be correct and proper. That does not make them sincere or authentic. Going through the motions is not the worship that God wants or deserves.

Momentum may carry you, but can be insincere. Ritual and habit can hide the authentic. God wants what you give to be from your heart.

He does not want the glossy, polished version, if it lacks heart. God wants the real article that comes from the bottom of your heart. Your worship should smell and taste like the real you.

Close your checklist. Stop in the middle of the sequence. Push the official and authorized to the side.

Look up and see Him. Let your heart fill with Him. Look past the things and people around you and reach out to the God you love and serve.

Authorized and sanctioned have their place. Rituals and ceremonies have their meaning. What God really wants is you.

Think: Is this really worship? Is this really why I came?

Pray: “Father-God, You are the reason I came. Really and sincerely.”

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

Before His God

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“Before His God” By Kirk Hunt

And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

2 Samuel 6:16 NKJV

Poppa was mentally, and possibly physically, the toughest man I have ever known. He went places and did things in the face of incredible opposition. Still, Momma often called him a “crybaby.”

It was in the middle of a church service that it registered with me that I saw his tears. The tears were part of his thankfulness. He cried as worship to his God. It was deeply moving and significant when I realized that his hard, iron-grip hands were raised in adoration and praise to God.

David was a great and established king. He had achieved the throne against tremendous opposition. Still, when the Ark entered Jerusalem, he could not contain himself. He stripped to his (fancy) underwear and danced before His God. It must have been deeply moving and significant to watch this powerful warrior spin and jump before his God.

David ignored his wife’s jeering at his undignified display. Poppa paid Momma no attention when she poked fun at his manly tears. And in either case, no one else dared say anything. Hopefully, most were able to see the beauty of their unrestrained displays of devotion.

God deserves the biggest, deepest reservoirs of your love and devotion. What does it look like when you show Him all of yourself? All I know is that it is beautiful in His eyes.

Think: Am I willing to express my deepest love to God?

Pray: “Lord, You are worthy of my deepest reverence and love, plus more.

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

In Heavenly Places

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“In Heavenly Places” by Kirk Hunt

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalms 91:1 KJV

It’s been one of those days at work. I sigh and try to focus on my next task. Suddenly, even simple concentration seems beyond me.

“Help Lord.” It is the cry of a son to his father. I am a limited man appealing to an infinite God. I dare to ask.

In the blink of an eye, everything changes. The cut-rate carpet becomes a gold-plated floor. The harsh florescent light transforms to the warm glow of the Menorah. In my heart and mind I am now at the Mercy Seat and in the presence of God.

For a time, I just breathe. His grace and mercy is a rare atmosphere. His provision and care is a rich incense.

I stop short of speaking my complaints and questions. Instead, I pour out my gratitude and adoration. My presence in this place of refuge and restoration is solution enough.

He draws close. His power is obvious. His sovereignty absolute. His love for me without question.

All too soon, I’m back in the workplace. My brief journey to God’s secret place reminds me I live under God’s influence. I dwell in His domain and under His power. It shall be well.

Think : No matter where I sit, I live in God’s power and influence.

Pray: “Lord, help me dwell in the secret place of Your power and influence.”

The Torn Veil

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The Torn Veil by Kirk Hunt

And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

Mark 15:37-38 KJV

In my heart and spirit I walk through the Temple. At the threshold to the Holy of Holies I pause. Only the High Priest should pass the Veil.

Once a year the High Priest would pass the Veil and offer a sacrifice for the nation. And he would do so, trembling. A sinful heart before the Mercy Seat would bring God’s judgment, not forgiveness.

The Veil, the barrier between sinful men and Holy God, has been torn. The ragged tear is evidence of Jesus’ sacrifice. He has made access to God free and clear.

I come before the Mercy Seat, trembling. Because Jesus’ Blood is on the Mercy Seat, I am free to stand before the Throne. I am grateful for the privilege to approach God freely. I am joyous that access to His Presence is not only open, but encouraged. I am humbled by the sacrifice that allows me this unequaled freedom.

In His Presence I am free. Free to talk, face-to-Shekinah, with God. I worship my Holy God. I commune with my Heavenly Father. I reach out and touch Him, knowing that with the Veil torn, His response is love, not judgment.

Think: I have access to God’s Throne.

Pray: “Lord, I thank You for free access to Your Throne and Presence.”

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