CadreMen Press – Growing Christian Leadership Everywhere

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.”

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.

His Compassions Fail Not

His Compassions Fail Not by Kirk Hunt

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV

In recent months I have been concerned by the general lack of compassion I see from my Christian brothers and sisters. Consider God’s compassions toward us, His people. Should we not follow the example of our heavenly Father and Jesus?

The Book of Lamentations was written at or after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity of the nation of Judah. For their great sins and open rebellion, God could have cast away the Jewish nation for good.

Instead, He was faithful to His people. His mercy spared their lives. His grace arranged their eventual restoration. Not for the last time, God proved both His strength and His character to His people.

The capacity for mercy exists only where there is a reservoir of strength. Only a man or woman of strong character can commit an act of grace. When you see displays of mercy and grace, know that the powerful and honorable are nearby.

Are you an adopted son or daughter of Father-God? Then you should have a measure of His strength and your character should be a growing reflection of Him. What acts of mercy or grace prove your heavenly pedigree?

Judah had death and destruction coming, but a loving God gave them mercy and grace instead. Look around you. Do you have enough of His strength to give them mercy? Is your character Christ-like enough to extend His grace?

Think: His compassions fail not. Do mine?

Pray: “Lord, help me to show Your compassions to those around me.”

…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.”

The Likeness Of Men

“The Likeness Of Men” By Kirk Hunt

But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

Philippians 2:7 NKJV

Jesus was born in the likeness of most men and women. Mary and Joseph were people of quite humble means, despite Joseph’s royal lineage. Were it not for the wise men’s reading of God’s stars or the announcement of the angelic host, no one would have known of Jesus’ birth.

Jesus came in my likeness. He chose to exclude Himself from the wealth that could smooth His way in the world. Jesus, despite being a direct descendent of King David was born without the advantages of privilege or position.

Jesus loved us so much that He decided He had to look like us. He was determined that salvation would be available to all of us, so He chose the station and lifestyle of the least of us. The Creator of galaxies and nebula arrived as a baby, helpless except for His loving parents.

He arrived in your image, so that salvation could be extended to all of mankind. He lived our life so that we would have an example, and proof, that the least of us come live out the Christian life. All men and woman can live the Gospel life, if they chose to follow His Word.

This Christmas season, I pray that you see Jesus in the faces of men and women from every tribe, language and skin tone. He came to earth in their likeness, determined to make salvation available to everyone who would chose to accept Him as their Savior and obey His Word.

Think: Jesus decided to come in my image. Have I committed to living in His image?

Pray: “Lord, help me to live in Your likeness.”

Can God Send You?

“Can God Send You?” By Kirk Hunt

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
“Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?”

Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Isaiah 6:8 NKJV
Please also read Isaiah 6:1–10

Freshly purged of his sin, Isaiah was eligible to answer the call. Standing in the very presence of God, Isaiah could not miss the call. Isaiah’s answer echoes still: “Send me.”

Calling is not a spiritual form of conscription. It is a Godly empowerment for a specific ministry or mission. You can thwart a God-ordained call on your life, through disobedience and rebellion.

Isaiah chose the better path. On hearing the call, he responded to God with willingness and obedience. “Here I stand. Give me the assignment.”

Calling is best exercised with joy and energy. What is the difference between an exasperating drudgery and a soul-enriching adventure? Do you respond God’s call as an inconvenient conscription or life-fulfilling opportunity?

There may be difficulties or dangers. They might receive you with gladness or reject you with anger. As much as you want good results, it is more important that you have good obedience. Let God sort out the hearts that hear God’s Word, spoken with skill and grace.

Let God purge you of sin and error. Listen carefully to His heart for men and women. What He asks who to send, raise both hands.

Think: Am I willing to let God purge me of my sin and impurity?

Pray: “Lord, purge me of my sin so I can have fellowship with you.”

Are You Purged?

“Are You Purged?” By Kirk Hunt

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said:

“Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.”

Isaiah 6:6–7 NKJV

Please also read Isaiah 6:1–10

Devout and educated in God’s Word, Isaiah understood his tainted and profane status. In fact,it would be hard to not understand, standing in the very presence of our pure and holy God. Still, the seraph does not move in condemnation or rejection. Instead, Isaiah is immediately purged clean of his sin.

God is holy while mankind is tainted by sin. Thankfully, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross makes it possible for us to again have fellowship with God. We could not come to Him, so He came to us.

Still, standing (or kneeling, or prostate) before a holy and infinite God we know our human limits. In His love and compassion for us, God reaches out to us in restoration and reinstatement. We can never earn or deserve fellowship with God. We can only accept His cleansing in humility and gratitude.

God is holy. God will remain holy. You are the one who must be cleansed and purified before fellowship is possible. Like Isaiah, you must be purged of your sin before His purpose for your life can be completely fulfilled.

God has a purpose and calling for your life. Before you can completely fulfill your assignment in the Kingdom you must be cleansed. Like Isaiah, let God purge you.

Think: Am I willing to let God purge me of my sin and impurity?

Pray: “Lord, purge me of my sin so I can have fellowship with you.”

Have You Seen?

“Have You Seen?” 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

The Temple was just as beautiful and impressive as it had always been. Then suddenly, it was pale in comparison. The majesty, glory and presence of God filled a space unable to begin to contain so much power, might and eternity. In that moment Isaiah saw the God of heaven as you should see Him.

Perhaps you are new in Christ. You may be a seasoned veteran of God’s Kingdom. Either way, you need to see again. I pray that you will come into His presence, in His full glory. I want you to see God, as He should be seen.

We are His children. He loves us as no other can. Still, He is a big God and we are a very small part of His creation. We need to understand what it means for the God of all creation to concern Himself with us.

He is at the center of all things and He designs and plans in love and grace toward us. With swirling galaxies and nebula, whirling around Him, He turns the loving eye of a father on mere men and women. With all of creation clamoring to worship our infinite God, He concerns Himself with us.

Isaiah saw and understood. A very big God, uncontainable in any earthly place or space, concerned Himself with one soul. Have you seen that the God of creation concerns Himself with you?

Think: Do I really see God in all of His glory and majesty?

Pray: “Lord, help me to see You.”

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.”

Seek Faithful Teachers

“Seek Faithful Teachers” By Kirk Hunt

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 NKJV

Too many, including myself, have put the blame on the false teachers. Suddenly, I understand that the students and followers should be held accountable. You have to want the truth, in the first place.

I am guilty of not always wanting to hear the truth. Scripture has a way of roughing up God’s men and women. Still, find a faithful Bible teacher and dig in. Do your homework and follow along in your own copy of the Bible.

A faithful Bible teacher has one agenda: To teach God’s truth from God’s Word. A faithful Bible teacher does not care about your political leanings, cultural bias or level of sensitivity. A faithful Bible teacher cares only that you hear the pure and untainted Word of God.

Also, you must make the effort to learn from God’s Word for yourself. Your Bible teacher cannot have a relationship with God for you. You must seek Him and His truth for yourself. And there will be times in your Christian journey when only God’s voice will satisfy you.

It is your soul and therefore your responsibility. If you can read and understand this devotional, then you can read and understand the Holy Bible. Do your part of the hard work of learning God’s Word.

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.”

Evangelize The Strangers And Foreigners

“Evangelize The Strangers And Foreigners” By Kirk Hunt

When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Matthew 25:38-40 NKJV

The word stranger in Scripture almost always translates as foreigner (xenos). God’s people are commanded in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, to treat foreigners with generosity, justice and grace. In this current season, foreigners fleeing war, persecution and enslavement are greeted as villains, not victims.

After killing an Egyptian, Moses fled to Midian. Would you have turned Moses the fugitive away as a threat to national security?

David fled from his father-in-law Saul to Moab and later Philistia. Would you have kept David the persecuted out of the country as a risk to law and order?

Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled from Herod to Egypt. Would you have denied the Holy Family admittance as an economic drain on the country?

The refugees and evacuees are fleeing death and destruction. Where are they going? To the very Christian nations who should be busy evangelizing them.

Who could be more open to the Gospel of Christ than someone desperate to enter a Christian nation? They may be strangers to you, but they are well known to Father-God. Should you not make an effort to minister to the “least of these?”

Think: God help me to remember that refugees and foreigners are open to Your Gospel.

Pray: “Lord, help me to minister to Yours sons and daughters from another land.”