CadreMen Press – Growing Christian Leadership Everywhere

Foreigner Faith

Foreigner Faith by Kirk Hunt

The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

Matthew 8:8-9
Please also read Matthew 8:5-13

The soldier of a powerful occupying army humbled himself to an itinerant preacher, and pleaded for healing. With his helmet under his arm, he asked in calm, clear-eyed faith. The Roman Centurion did not question Jesus’ power to heal, only his willingness to speak the word.

Some foreigners have talent and treasure enough to pay their way. But mere money cannot buy the things of God. The coins that touch the throne of Heaven are faith and sincerity. The Centurion knew with complete clarity that Jesus’ power came from heaven and he had no way of compelling or bribing Him in any way.

The Centurion, despite being an outsider, acted with faith and understanding. As a soldier, he knew power and authority when he saw it. As a man of faith, he understood that the healing power of Jesus was His to dispense, or withhold. His faith, as a pagan Roman, exceeded too many of the pious Jews around him.

Men and women of faith act on their faith. Like the Centurion, they ask, knowing God can. They see the power and authority of God around them and move accordingly.

Think: Do I have faith like the Centurion?

Pray: “Lord, help me to act out my faith in You.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Foreigner Healing

Foreigner Healing by Kirk Hunt

So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”

Luke 17:17-18
Please also read Luke 17:11-19

Ten men, all lepers, cried out for mercy. They called out from a distance, protecting their neighbors from the cruel disease ravaging their bodies. Yet, their joined voices added power to their plea for mercy and healing.

Jesus poured out mercy on their souls. Healing flowed over them, ignoring race, nationality, language or creed. And in a moment they were racing to be officially restored to their family and friends.

After too long a time of being shunned, I would rush to end my isolation. After the slow rotting death of leprosy, I would hurry to complete the ceremonies. Still, I hope it would occur to me to stop and show gratitude for mercy and healing.

I do not think it is an accident that the foreigner is the only one to return to Jesus. The man with no claim to consideration rejoiced at his restoration. A foreigner in Israel, his isolation would lessen, not disappear. Healed and restored, he would remain an outsider to his neighbors.

So he took time for gratitude. He delayed his process to bless the giver of mercy and healing. He knew God’s power in his life would tolerate a praise and worship break.

Of the ten, his faith may have been the greatest. His faith came from the deep places of hope and longing. Only a foreigner, who receives blessings from outside the regular circle, might understand his faith.

Think: Do I have faith like a foreigner?

Pray: “Lord, help me to expect and give, mercy, grace and healing.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Christ The Foreigner

Christ The Foreigner by Kirk Hunt

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;

Matthew 25:34-35
Please also read Matthew 25:31-46

Standing before the Throne of God, men and women will receive judgment. Those who rejected foreigners (aka strangers) will themselves be rejected. Those who received foreigners will be received by Christ, into heaven. Christ plainly says that He is the foreigner you received or rejected.

No one who has read Scripture should be confused. No one who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ should misunderstand. When we serve others, we serve Christ.

Every prisoner is a son or daughter of God. The poor, or sick, or hungry, are children of God. And every foreigner you meet is Jesus, no matter where they were born.

The Old Testament is full of commandments to care for foreigners with mercy, grace and generosity. The New Testament has multiple examples of Jesus performing miracles for foreigners. The Disciples ministered to and evangelized foreigners.

Jesus loves all of His children. He speaks their language. He loves their skin tone. And Jesus has commanded you to love and serve His children.

Keep it simple. Read the words Jesus spoke. Christ is that foreigner. Will you receive or reject that soul?

Think: God loves all of His children.

Pray: “Lord, help me to minister to all foreigners with love and grace.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Adjust But Carry On

Adjust But Carry On by Kirk Hunt

And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work. So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah.

Nehemiah 4:15-16
Please also read Nehemiah 4:1-23

The opposition wants to prevent you from continuing your God ordained work and mission. Your modern-day Sanballat (or Tobiah) may resort to intimidation and violence to stop you. Adjust if needed, but carry on with the work.

Sanballat and Tobiah used schemes, intimidation and the threat of the Samaritan army to stop the wall-building project. Nehemiah and the people of Judah adjusted by turning themselves into combat engineers and continued the work. “Opposition neutralized.”

Was the work slower after the adjustment? Probably. Did the swords, spears and bows demonstrate their determination to build the wall? Absolutely.

“God had brought their plot to nothing.” Father-God is not surprised by their sin and aggression. Still, He wants to work through your faithful response. God’s fire from heaven may be disguised in your acts of faithful service.

Your adjustment may not be an ideal situation, but it will keep the work going. “When God does not send angels, He sends men and women.” And to the untrained eye, it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference.

Think: My adjustment will continue God’s mission.

Pray: “Lord, help me to keep Your mission and work going.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Haters Are Despisers

Haters Are Despisers by Kirk Hunt

But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”

Nehemiah 2:19

Nehemiah has just announced his mission (Nehemiah 2:17-18) and the haters are there early with opposition and discouragement. Haters see your positive calling as something negative. They despise you, your team and your collective efforts. Be encouraged by their scorn and derision.

While you are blessing and benefiting folks, they are cursing and tormenting them. You bring life and hope. They bring decay and despair.

The haters portray your good intentions as an evil conspiracy. The despisers declare your clear and simple plan(s) as convoluted and sinister. Haters see controversy and scandal where everyone one else sees agreement and merit.

Their opposition means you are doing the right thing. Their complaints mean you are ruining their scams and thievery. You are working to fix an injustice or inequity. They are fighting to keep wrongdoing and oppression right where it is.

Scripture calls the enemy of our souls an accuser (Revelations 12:10). Unjust accusations are an unfair attack on your life, spirit and mission. If you must pay attention to them, use their hurtful words to improve your mission plan. Be sure to thank them for helping you to fulfill God’s plan and purpose.

Be confident in God’s calling on your life. Keep doing the right things, the correct way. God’s victory will emerge from your faithfulness.

Think: Some will oppose your efforts to improve the lives of others.

Pray: “Lord, help me to help others, despite those who object.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Objections To Well-Being

Objections To Well-Being by Kirk Hunt

When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.

Nehemiah 2:10

Nehemiah left his high-profile, well-paid position next to King Artaxerxes. He journeyed to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. Restoring the walls of the city would increase the safety and wealth of the people of Israel in general, and the residents of Jerusalem in particular. Sanballat and Tobiah objected to improving the security or income of the folk.

Think about the people who fight against an effort to improve the lives of others. Almost without exception, they profit from poverty or hardship. The suffering and despair of others benefits them.

Drug pushers, pimps, slum lords and other villains make life worse for others, and reap profits or benefits for their efforts. Sanballat and Tobiah did not want a change to the circumstances in Jerusalem. The situation was good for them, despite the tears and suffering of everyone else.

There are always men and women who want things to stay the way they are. They fear losing clout or prestige. Their profits may lessen. And they will fight to keep wrongdoing and oppression right where it is.

Perhaps you have made an effort to fix an injustice or inequity. Do not let blowback or opposition stop you. Modern-day Sanballats and Tobiahs will object to you improving the lives of the people you serve. Ignore their resistance. Listen to God and make the lives of others better.

Think: Some will oppose your efforts to improve the lives of others.

Pray: “Lord, help me to help others, despite those who object.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

“Mother, Go With Me?”

“Mother, Go With Me?” by Kirk Hunt

And Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!”

Judges 4:8 NKJV
Please read also Judges 4:4–9

Deborah sent for Barak, a leader and general of Israel. She confirmed to him that God had already commanded him to fight Sisera’s army, and promised him victory. Barak responded with “Mother, will you go with me?”

Barak faced a bigger, better equipped army. God told Barak to lead footmen against chariots (think infantry against tanks) and promised him a win. Barak, through faith, trusted God. Still, who could blame him for wanting God’s woman, a Mother-in-Zion, to go with him?

If you are one of God’s people, you run a risk. God, at any moment, may command you to face insurmountable odds with nothing but His promise. Barak went to fight a battle that military science said could not be won. In trembling obedience and imperfect faith, Barak went to war.

True saints with Real Faith™ follow God’s Word in confidence and trust. Real saints, like me, might want a trusted man or woman of God to go along. If nothing else, to constantly repeat God’s promise. Things are different when your life, legacy and liberty hang in the balance.

God, of course, delivered on His promises. Still, Barak kept a grip on Mother Deborah’s hand. Your faith, like Barak’s, may not be completely perfect, but God always honors our obedience.

Think: Trust God’s Word in your life and purpose. Take men and women of faith with you to help.

Pray: “Lord, my faith and trust is in You.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

More Value Than Sparrows

More Value Than Sparrows by Kirk Hunt

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29-31 NKJV

I am too old and experienced to feel uncared for and forgotten. Still, here I am alone, facing fire and brimstone. In His grace, He provided a reminder: “You are worth more than many sparrows.”

The facts and data too clearly spell out how much bad craziness is in the world. The darkness lets the hellhounds of despair and panic scratch and claw at the door. Saints and sinners alike face an enemy who hunts our souls.

The difference is that the saints remember that He is Jehovah-Jireh, God-who-provides. He sees. He cares. He acts. He provides.

I will have to face what comes. God will provide grace. He will deliver provision. And if I quiet myself, just a little, He gives comfort to heart and soul.

I can face the hellhounds. Not because I am strong, but because God is good. He provides light in the darkness. He has marked a clear path through the chaos.

Even at my age and experience, I needed a reminder that I am not facing the world alone or forgotten. The sparrows matter to God, and He provides for them. I am His son, and He loves and cares for me. I had to pause, just a little, to remember He is the God-who-provides.

Think: God always provides.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be thankful for, and rely on, Your provision.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.