Justice Not Greed

Justice Not Greed by Kirk Hunt

Thus says the Lord God: “Enough, O princes of Israel! Remove violence and plundering, execute justice and righteousness, and stop dispossessing My people,” says the Lord God.

Ezekiel 45:9 NKJV

It is easy to question the justice of ancient Israel’s leaders. Their error and injustice is recorded in Scripture. What about leaders, including you, in the modern era? Do you seek justice in the here and now?

“Enough.” The princes had a lot, but insisted on cheating to get more. The poor and disadvantaged were victims and targets. The rich and privileged, insisted on lying and cheating to get more. Maybe you have seen or heard of similar circumstances in recent history?

Injustice is almost always preceded by lust. Greed is simply the money-focused version of lust. Be content with what you have, or at least be content to pursue more without cheating.

God does not forbid His people from having and acquiring. In fact, Jesus said that He came to give us abundant life. Still, wealth and advancement does not have to come at the unfair expense of those around you.

Pursue God. He will add everything else to you. His blessings never flow from swindling or oppressing someone else. Do your part in righteousness and He will bless you more than you think or imagine.

You can win, acquire and live in the big house on the hill. Just be sure you can face God with a clean record and unstained hands. It may take a little longer, but His approval is worth the longer route.

Think: Do I pursue justice through my own life and leadership?

Pray: “Lord, help me to be an example of Your truth and justice.”

Copyright © February 2025, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Rebellious Princes

Rebellious Princes by Kirk Hunt

How the faithful city has become a harlot!
It was full of justice;
Righteousness lodged in it,
But now murderers

Your princes are rebellious,
And companions of thieves;
Everyone loves bribes,
And follows after rewards.
They do not defend the fatherless,
Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.

Isaiah 1:21; 1:23 NKJV

We would recognize the leaders of Isaiah’s era. Greedy thieves, concerned only about themselves and not the people they are supposed to lead. They were in open rebellion against God, regardless of the words that they spoke.

Too many of the leaders in this modern era, the princes of our time, are in open rebellion against God. They clearly reject God and Scripture, regardless of the words that come out of their mouths. You can see it in their actions that generate confusion, disruption and anxiety for everyone (but themselves).

The divine right of kings is the idea that a monarch is accountable only to God Himself. History, and current events, are full of examples of men and women who proved the folly of such unaccountability. Leaders are mere humans, and their acts should be held accountable to Scripture and law. “Following the money” is a simple test of good, or bad, leadership.

Hold your leadership, and yourself, accountable. Grade your acts, and that of others, with Scripture. Your actions, and theirs, should lead to certainty, stability and calm.

Think: True and good leadership should be held accountable to God and Scripture.

Pray: “Lord, help me to lead in Your will and according to Your Word.”

Copyright © January 2025, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Esau’s Tragedy

Esau’s Tragedy by Kirk Hunt

lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

Hebrews 12:16-17 NKJV
Read also Hebrews 12:14-17

Esau could not take it back. When he sold his birthright for a meal, that was the ballgame. His tears and sincerity later did not matter. The blessings of God are His gift, and we reject them at our own peril. Esau’s tragedy is that he took too long to take God seriously.

Do God’s people make mistakes? Of course they do. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all made serious errors and blunders. But they always respected God, and His promises.

In His mercy and grace, God allowed Esau to be a significant person (for Abraham’s sake). But Esau’s descendants are a footnote in history, and the man himself is a negative example in Scripture. Esau is a warning that you can burn your standing with God.

Psalms 103:8-10 contains chilling words. God’s mercy and grace end, often where His justice and righteousness begin. Esau despised the gifts of God, and was surprised to find himself rejected by God.

God’s mercy, justice, grace and judgment are infinite in capacity, but not application. Esau learned that God makes choices about who He advances and who He rejects. Esau’s tragedy is that he found out, too late.

Think: God’s and His promises are serious business. Are my choices serious about God?

Pray: “Lord, help me to take You, and Your promises, seriously.”

Copyright © January 2025, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Esau’s Choices

Esau’s Choices by Kirk Hunt

When Esau was forty years old, he took as wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. And they were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah.

Genesis 26:34-35NKJV

After devaluing and disdaining his birthright, Esau chose wives from among the Hittite people. Scripture does not explain Esau’s reasoning for selecting his wives, or anyone’s actions after the marriages. All we know from verse 35 is that Rebekah and Issac experienced sorrow and anguish because of their daughter-in-laws.

God does not make robots of us. We are free to choose our lives and actions. You should understand that choices always have outcomes and impacts. Some have far more impact than others.

The people you include, or exclude, from your life are one of the most critical choices you can make. Esau’s choice of wives resulted in his parents grief and regret at his decisions. While neither spouses or parents are ever perfect, complete dismay at your choice of husband or wife should be a warning sign.

All of your choices mean something. Some, matter greatly. A long series of good and wise choices lead to particular outcomes. An extended string of bad and foolish choices lead to specific results. Pause here and do the math for yourself.

Your choices matter. Your free will comes from God. Your results, most of the time, are what you picked. You are responsible for your choices.

Think: God has given me free will. Are my choices good or bad, wise or foolish?

Pray: “Lord, help me to make my choices in Your will and wisdom.”

Copyright © January 2025, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Esau’s Birthright

Esau’s Birthright by Kirk Hunt

Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.”

So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Genesis25:33-34NKJV

Esau was hungry and tired, and Jacob acted. This was not really a moment of weakness for Esau. The moment exposed how much Esau disdained his rights and heritage. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup.

God has given you gifts and valuables. A strong family life is a treasure. Good health is a precious commodity. God’s presence in your life is wealth beyond measure.

Do you value such riches? Do you take them for granted? Do you look down on them as having little or no worth?

God’s promises, first given to Abraham, were Esau’s birthright. Esau actively devalued God’s oath to make him a blessing to the world and a link in the lineage of Messiah. Esau traded an honored place in history and Scripture for a serving of beans.

Stop and consider what forms of wealth and promise God has given you. You will eventually act on how much (or little) you value the precious things he has placed in your life. Will you sell your birthright or esteem it greatly?

Think: God has given me valuable gifts. Do I value them?

Pray: “Lord, help me to value what You give me.”

Copyright © January 2025, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

I Have Hope In God

I Have Hope In God by Kirk Hunt

This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:21-23 NKJV

The best of us can become discouraged. The strongest of us can be overwhelmed. Allow me to remind you, and myself, to put your hope in God who cannot fail.

Too often, when bad things happen, we think it is because God has been defeated. Or was not looking. Or has rejected us.

God is the definition of faithfulness. He is still omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent. Consider a loving parent hovering near a child learning to walk. He may let us stumble or even fall. Still, His Hands are close enough to protect us from any harm.

Do not confuse the harsh realities of this present world with His absence or inability. His mercy pours on you daily, if you would stop and look. His compassion is present every day, despite the bumps and jolts of your life.

He is Ancient of Days. He was there, then. He is here, now. He will be there, tomorrow.

Sometimes, I have to remind myself that I should hope in Him, alone. Through all of the flames and fury, God sees and shelters us. God is all powerful, and loves us more than words can say.

Think: Do I put my hope in God, alone?

Pray: “Lord, remind me again, to put my hope in You alone.”

Copyright © January 2025, Kirk Hunt

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.

Our God Is Able

Our God Is Able by Kirk Hunt

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.

Daniel 3:16-17 NKJV
Please, also read Daniel 3:1-18.

King Nebuchadnezzar had appointed these men to important roles in his Kingdom, which explains his rage at their defiance. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego understood the power and authority of the king, and their mortal peril in that moment. They responded nonchalantly with “Our God is able.”

Some men and women cannot be bribed, bullied or bluffed. They know what they know and act accordingly. That ought to be the testimony of every Christian believer.

I know I fall short from time to time. I know who God is and what He can do. Too often, I let my human failings show through.

Still, sometimes, I do stand firm. I remember that I serve an all-powerful, all-sovereign God. In those moments, I act like I serve who I serve.

I am at my best when I can casually mention that my God can deliver me from anything. Sometimes, that message is for the hell-hound growling in my face. More often, the message is for the face in my mirror.

Think: Our God is able, regardless of the circumstance. What do you do and say?

Pray: “Father-God, help me to remember that You are able.

Copyright © February 2024, Kirk Hunt

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.

Your God Is The God

Your God Is The God by Kirk Hunt

The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.” Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.

Daniel 2:37-38 NKJV
Please, also read Daniel 2:1-11.

Daniel said the words the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the soothsayers could not. Daniel repeated the King’s secret dream in exact detail, then revealed its hidden meaning at the same time. Daniel proved that God is the God.

Too often, we confuse our assignment to be engaged and obedient with His power and sovereignty. Daniel was aware of Nebuchadnezzar’s impossible task, and the very serious death warrant he issued for failure to complete the task. After prayer, and n obedience, Daniel received both dream and interpretation from God, through a vision.

Daniel was careful to give credit to God for the completion of this impossible task. In reverence and humility, King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged God is the God. Daniel’s obedience helped others to learn what Daniel already knew: only God is God.

Let God be God. Your part is to be engaged. Obedience to your sovereign God is the hard part. Watch as He proves, yet again, that He is the only God.

Think: Your God is the God. He is the only omnipotent, omniscient God.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to remember that You are the only God, and all I need.

Copyright © February 2024, Kirk Hunt

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.

Deeds Not Words

Deeds Not Words by Kirk Hunt

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

I John 3:18 NKJV

Sooner or later, you need to stop talking. Eventually, only deeds will do. Real love does stuff that needs doing.

The disciples dragged Peter to see Tabitha’s deceased body. The widows’ tears, the things Tabitha made, and the list of her charitable deeds were all the testimony Peter needed. Without a word, Peter put them out of the room, then raised her from death to life.

After Nabal’s disrespectful rejection of David, Abigail did not bother to talk to her husband. Instead, she took action to appease the enraged warlord. While her words were wise and skillful, the substantial offering of food and supplies spoke at least as loud.

Words are easy. Actions are hard. Real love requires deeds and acts.

Folks do judge your love by your actions. When testimony will be put forward at your trial? What will the jury see?

Think: Real love speaks in the language of concrete actions and tangible deeds.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to act out my love, rather than talk.

Copyright © October 2023, Kirk Hunt

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.

Grow Good Not Weary

Grow Good Not 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.

Galatians 6:9 NKJV
Please read also, Galatians 1:7-10

Doing good costs time, money, and effort. There is always the risk that you may grow weary in your efforts. Stay with it until your harvest arrives.

Weary is not just a reference to the physical body. A mind can grow weary also. A heart can become tired of the exertion.

Scripture promises you will reap a harvest. But you have to stay the course. Good things come to those who continue to work while they wait.

It is too easy to become discouraged when it seems you are always giving and never getting. Guard your emotions. Protect your mind. The enemy of your soul is not above a cheap shot.

There are souls and lives hanging in the balance. Your work makes it better today, tomorrow, and for seasons to come. Men and women, boys and girls, need you to stay with it.

They may never know your name. You may not meet them before heaven. Still, they need you to grow good, right where you are.

Creating good outcomes is hard work. You must invest attention, resources, and a caring heart. If it was easy, everyone would.

Think: God promised that my good work will create a harvest one day.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to grow good and not weary.

Copyright © October 2023, Kirk Hunt

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.