CadreMen Press – Growing Christian Leadership Everywhere

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.

You Pass Through

You Pass Through by Kirk Hunt

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Isaiah 6:1 NKJV

First, the bad news: You will pass through hard, difficult places. Now, the good news: God will be with you, and help you, through every moment.

All Christians have a calling from God. If you are obedient to Him, He will lead you through deep waters, raging rivers and burning places. His promise is to carry you through those places, not over them.

In the middle of the deep deluge, you might forget. Navigating the vicious rapids, you may be distracted. Dodging flames and burning embers, you may have concerns. No matter how it looks, He is there, carrying you through.

Why do we go through these hard and harsh places? Sometimes, our trials build something into us that we need. Other times, our struggles remove the imperfections in our soul and character. Perhaps you are example to others who see Him in your circumstances.

His will or purposes do not always make sense to us. Maybe, one day in eternity, He will explain. Until then, spit out the water, or brush off the ashes. Rely on His promises.

No matter what happens, the God of the universe promises to be right where you are. Stretch your faith toward His faithfulness. Rest your obedience on this promise: He will be with you.

Think: God promises to be with us. Do I believe His promises?

Pray: “Lord, hold my hand as I travel through difficult places with You.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Removing God Blockers

Removing God Blockers 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

Uzziah is considered by Biblical scholars as a good and faithful king. Still, he may have been blocking Isaiah’s view of God. Anything that blocks your relationship with God is a bad thing. What has to change (or die) to for you to see God again?

If Uzziah obscured Isaiah’s focus on God, the biggest fault lies with Isaiah. Men and women are responsible for their own relationship with God. If you think your view of God is obscured move the obstruction, or yourself, to a different spot.

Too often, we blame others, or circumstances, for our situation. It may not be easy to change, but you have agency for your own life. No matter what happened before, what are you doing now?

God’s glory and majesty filled and overwhelmed to Temple. He is a big God and His splendor can be seen in all of creation. If you cannot see Him, that is because there is something in the way. If you cannot move it, then you must move you.

Of course, that assumes you want to see God. Maybe you are content or comfortable with your situation and state. Your relationship with God, or His calling on your life, will make demands on you. Are you willing to do what it takes to have a clear view of God?

Think: What interferes with my view of God? What will I do about it?

Pray: “Lord, help me to remove anything that blocks my focus on you.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.