Christian Living – Page 2

Gift In The Room

Gift In The Room by Kirk Hunt

A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.

Where there is excellence or skill, consideration is given by people. Sometimes, too much. God’s people (saints) should always operate in excellence. Your gift puts you in the room(s) to be an ambassador of Father-God.

Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations. Your gift, exercised with skill, used in grace, for a Godly purpose, gets their attention. While they are looking, you are preaching the Gospel message directly.

Make no mistake, all of God’s people preach. The mistake is thinking that your Gospel message always involves your words. The way you do what you do communicates a lot about you. And the God you serve.

Your name comes up in rooms you never knew existed. In front of people you did not think or know were looking or listening, and they have their purposes. You, a saint of God, follow the Great Commission.

And when they discuss your work, they dissect the hows and whys of your results and gift. In that moment, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is communicated. Or His Name is blasphemed, if you are a hypocrite.

God’s people are living letters, read by men and women. We are supposed to explain, in detail, how a loving God is searching for all of His children. Like any loving father, God wants to be reconciled with all of His kids. Are you using your gift to help or hinder Him reuniting with His children?

Think: My gift make room for me. Am I preaching the Gospel or something else?

Pray: “Lord, help me to preach Your Gospel, even when I am not in the room.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Things Not Seen

Things Not Seen by Kirk Hunt

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
Read also: Hebrews 11:1-40

Faith in God is absolutely simple, and mind-boggling complicated, at the same time. The biggest sticking point is that there is nothing physical to see, touch or hear. Yet God’s people should live our lives as if the hoped for, and unseen, are as sure and set as every physical thing in our lives. There should be no surprise that some are confused. On both sides.

Even the strongest of God’s people can be discombobulated at times. “Did God speak to me, or am I just determined to have my way?” “No rational mind would believe this. Why do I?” Real Faith ™️ is often the most demanding aspect of the Christian walk.

Men and women who live without faith in God too often see Christians as dull or swindled. “Those fairy tales give their simple minds comfort.” “Christians have simply been tricked or brainwashed.” Good folk, modern life is based on more abstract ideals and concepts than you consider.

My faith is in God. I cannot prove Him through rational thought or scientific evidence. I have felt His substance and seen proof of Him. Still, I cannot show God to you directly.

I might convince you, if I live out my life as His faithful ambassador. You can read His love letter to you through my Godly life. Whether you accept the evidence about God or grip His substance is a matter of your faith.

Think: God is not seen, but He is real.

Pray: “Lord, help me, and others, to have faith in You and Your Word.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Open Your Eyes

Open Your Eyes by Kirk Hunt

And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Kings 6:17 NKJV
Read also: 2 Kings 6:8-23

The eyes of Elisha and his young servant saw the same thing. They were surrounded by the Syrian army. Elisha’s calm confidence lay in God’s army of fire that “filled the mountain.” Elisha prayed, “open his eyes.” I pray that God will open your eyes.

God’s people see the sin, error, cruelty and selfishness. Too often we forget to look with spiritual eyes. Elisha did not deny the Syrians surrounded them. The prophet also saw that God’s power exceeded the armed invaders. Angels stood near and ready to act at Elisha’s word.

Through God’s power, a single man subdued an enemy host, and without inflicting a casualty. Open your eyes to God’s power that fills your mountain. There is no good reason you cannot subdue an enemy host that opposes God’s Kingdom.

To the untrained eye, God’s saints seem outnumbered and outgunned. I pray God will open your eyes to His power and wisdom that surrounds you. There are horses and chariots of fire ready to fulfill God’s mission and purpose in your life.

Do not deny what your natural eyes see. See, with spiritual eyes, the power and provision that God has prepared for your use. Subdue the enemies of God with mercy, then nourish them with grace.

Think: What should you see with spiritual eyes?

Pray: “Lord, help me to see Your solutions and salvation through spiritual eyes.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

God’s Grace Is Sufficient

God’s Grace Is Sufficient by Kirk Hunt

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NKJV

The apostle prayed earnestly and sincerely. A man who had given his life in service to God, sought just this one thing to ease his existence. In response, God reminded Paul that He had already given him grace.

It always grates my ears when someone says, “God did not answer my prayer.” God always responds. Too often, we do not like what He says.

In our tears, or grief, or anger, we too often pray selfish prayers. In our blissful ignorance, we too often pray unastute prayers. We pray with limited sight and understanding. We cannot see the impact on generations to come, or souls we will never meet.

God, who loves you, knows best. God, who loves them, is looking out for them, and you. So, in grace, Father-God provides an answer that is the best solution for you.

The tears might still be there. The grief may still be in full effect. You may still have to wrestle with your anger. But you continue to operate in God’s grace, and that is enough.

“No,” is often a very loving answer. “Yes,” may include more challenge than you thought. Just be glad, that our omniscient, omnipotent God is pouring grace on you.

Think: Where is God’s grace already in your life?

Pray: “Lord, help me to understand Your grace is enough for me.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Sophisticated Faith

Sophisticated Faith by Kirk Hunt

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

1 John 5:4 NKJV

It had been a long day of work. Then a long night in school. Then a long trudge up three flights of stairs. My heavy load of text books and homework, were easily outweighed by my sour thoughts and concerns.

My toddler son appeared suddenly at the top stair. He leapt to me, laughing with glee. My tired, downcast mood turned in a moment to terror and horror.

The trusting boy did not worry about the three-story drop. My beloved son never concerned himself with the hard, slick, concrete stair steps. My precious child never considered how tired or stressed I might be.

He leaped, in joy, because Dad always catches son.

The books went helter-skelter. The papers went skittering. To this day, I cannot tell you what specific thoughts weighed so heavily on my mind and heart.

All I can tell you is that my arms were suddenly, and gratefully, full of laughing child.

Then in the next moment, the Holy Spirit spoke to me clear, clean, and warm: “Why don’t you trust Me, like he trusts you?”

I know and understand the promises of God through His Word. I have the Holy Spirit to coach me on where, and when, to leap. And I know God never has to drop anything to catch me.

My knowledge, as a Godly man, gives me sophisticated faith. Real faith does not rely on human skills or questionable circumstances. Instead, we put our faith in our omnipotent God.

I have learned to leap in joy, because Father-God always catches son.

Think: Is your faith in God sophisticated?

Pray: “Lord, help me to have child-like faith in You.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

The Blood Of Saints

The Blood Of Saints by Kirk Hunt

I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

Revelation 17:6 NKJV

“Drunk, after consuming the blood of Christians and the martyrs of Jesus.” This imagery is graphic. The vision is supposed to be allegorical. After the events of recent days, I see John’s words all too vividly real.

Too many see injustice and oppression then blame the victim(s). Or they go further and exalt in the pain and suffering of innocents. Hurting others is a joy and pleasure for some corrupt souls. The death and suffering of those seeking to do God’s work, is like an intoxicating beverage to some people.

I cannot know the spiritual status of the souls killed or wounded in Minneapolis in recent days and weeks. But they suffered death and injury while opposing injustice and oppression. The dead and wounded are not the villains.

I cannot know the spiritual status of the souls who fired the shots in Minneapolis. But they caused the death and injury of men and women, out of all proportion to the threat they posed. The slayers are not the heroes.

Consider your own actions in recent history. What do you support? What do you oppose? Consider that standing to the side supports the oppressors and furthers injustice.

Think: Do I find joy or pleasure in the blood of saints and martyrs?

Pray: “Lord, give me courage to oppose injustice and oppression.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Testimony Now, Promise Later

Testimony Now, Promise Later by Kirk Hunt

And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Hebrews 11:39-40 NKJV

Despite victories such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Dr. King continued working to free all of America’s citizens from injustice and discrimination. His earthly reward for seeking a better 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 bothered or how they object. Your prize for delivering freedom or salvation will be God’s eternal approval. Give your testimony now, receive His promise later.

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 a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Determination, Not Fear

Determination, Not Fear by Kirk Hunt

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Psalm 46:1-2

The crazy and chaos flows around and over you. The hellhounds snarl and howl in plain sight. Grip your spiritual weapon tightly, out of determination, not fear. Our help is all-powerful God and He is on the way.

Do not accept difficulty and delay as God’s absence or disapproval. Father-God sees you, knows your circumstances, and has a plan to bless and benefit you. He promised you salvation and victory, not ease or comfort.

Face down in the muck, God is your strength. Fighting off your adversaries hand-to-hand, God is your protection. You will rise in triumph, because Father-God is your source.

He promised. You may not like His timing, but God will be on-time. You make not care for the make or model, but it will be the perfect fit, form and function.

Your temporary inconveniences will be forgotten as you stand in permanent victory. The momentary ugliness will not compare to the lasting beauty. Your bitter accusers will recoil from your all-mighty defender.

He promised. Stand in determination and faith. Refuse to stay down in obedience to your calling and anointing. God’s strength and protection are yours, and He will deliver.

Think: No matter what is happening, God is my protection and power.

Pray: “Lord, help me to face my circumstances in Your strength and security.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Heroes and Saints?

Heroes and Saints? by Kirk Hunt

And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

Hebrews 11: 32-33

The men and women written into Hebrews 11 are not paragons of virtue or perfection. Murder (David), fornication (Samson), cowardice (Gideon) and recklessness (Jephthah) is a partial list of crimes and errors of these men, documented in Scripture. Still, here they are, listed as faith heroes.

God’s men and women (saints) are not perfect. Character flaws are part of the makeup of both saints and sinners. Unlike the sinners, the saints are willing to do what it takes to move closer to God.

Is it okay to be flawed? Of course not. Still, it is more common than anyone likes to admit. Real saints pursue God with everything they have, at the same time buffing out their own flaws.

To review, heroes of faith are common folk with the same flaws as everyone else. What is the difference? Face down in the dirt and muck, they sincerely repent. Then they get back up, and pursue Him. No matter their shortcomings, they love and honor God, and pursue Him with all of the faith in their souls.

Look in the mirror. There you are, flaws and all. God sees all of that, and more. Still, He loves you with infinite grace and unending affection.

Are you, like myself and so many others, imperfect? Then you are in good company. Pursue God anyway. Saints may not be perfect, but they do not stop pursuing God.

Think: The heroes of faith are common folk, like you, with uncommon faith.

Pray: “Lord, help me to have faith that honors You.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Send Me

Send Me 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

After standing in the very presence of God, and being purified by Him, Isaiah is in full relationship with his creator. God’s man answers God’s call for volunteers with simplicity and confidence. It really is as simple as saying, “Send me.”

Do not confuse simplicity with ease. Isaiah’s message from God was not comforting or reassuring. His message came during some of the most difficult and war-torn years of Israel’s history. Traditional sources say that Isaiah, like most of the Old Testament prophets, was murdered by his own countrymen.

The important part is that when God called, Isaiah answered. God’s man delivered God’s word with courage and integrity. Isaiah kept true to God’s calling, regardless of the circumstances or the reception.

If you have a full relationship with God, your response is simple. Your confidence is complete, in Him. Inconveniences, like martyrdom by your own nation, will not distract you.

Christian man or woman, you have a calling in God. Like Isaiah, start in His presence. Let Him purify you in His love, and your obedience. Then, when He calls, answer in simplicity and confidence.

The circumstances may be difficult. Their response may not be positive. It is all about your relationship with Him. If there is any doubt, stand again in His presence.

Think: How will I respond when God calls?

Pray: “Lord, when you call, please send me.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.