blessing – 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.

Give And Get Water

Give And Get Water by Kirk Hunt

The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.

Proverbs 11:25 NKJV

Sometimes I fret. I give and do for God’s Kingdom and all I seem to get in return is tired. That is exactly the time to keep doing Kingdom work. Those who water for God will be watered by God.

Out of obedience, I should work like a mule for God’s Kingdom. And be thankful for the privilege. God understands my human frailties. Knowing how weak and fragile a servant I am, God has laced Scriptures with promises, like 2 Corinthians 9:6 and Galatians 6:7.

He loves us too much to exploit us. We take up so much room in His heart that He will not send us away empty. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He has reserved a meal (or two) for you.

There will be difficulty, and delay, and even denial in your work. The story has not ended until you receive what God has promised you. And it will be glorious, and more than you bargained for.

Do not fret about when, or where, or what you will receive. God has the timing and the format down. Do your work of watering. He will do His work of watering you.

Think: I cannot work and serve in God’s Kingdom without being blessed by God.

Pray: “Father-God, help me trust Your love and promises.”

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.

Cast Your Bread

Cast Your Bread by Kirk Hunt

Cast your bread upon the waters,
For you will find it after many days.
Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,
For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 NKJV

Too often we worry too much about ourselves. We are God’s people. We are the sheep of His hand. If we trust God, should we also worry or hoard His blessings? Go ahead and cast your bread on the waters of circumstance.

I get it. For a season, I fretted about something I had to give. I give in faith and amazingly enough, I have never run out. God taught me to give and trust Him to give again. The people I served and blessed with my gift? A bonus, over and above the approval of my God.

God commands our open, giving hands, and promises our hands will gather again. And give again. The advantage of giving per God’s Word is that He always provides more for us to give. It can get to the point where we give out before His provision does.

First, we must act in faith, and purpose. Then we must work in patient expectation. Finally, we receive again. God promised we will find more provision in the days to come, if we first give to others.

God has already given to you. Will you give to others? Your obedience will please Him and bless you.

Think: God promises that if I give, I will also receive. Do I really trust God?

Pray: “Lord, help me to freely give per Your commands.”

Works Are Good and Profitable

Works Are Good and Profitable by Kirk Hunt

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

Titus 3:8 NKJV

Scripture is clear that faith is an internal matter and salvation is not a matter of doing enough good deeds. Scripture is just as clear that men and women of faith should perform good works on an ongoing basis. God’s people are good and profitable to others in the here and now.

The phrase “thoughts and prayers” has become a symbol of lip-service and inaction. The best demonstration of what you feel or think are concrete actions that help. What you do with your time, talent and treasure are the game-changers that matter. Everything else is platitudes.

Just to be clear: No one cares about what your heart feels or your head thinks; until the acts of your hands are visible. A man and woman may be skeptical of your motivations, but they will believe the nutritious food you feed them. Folks may disagree with your morality but they will approve of the warm shelter you place around them.

Good works open a path for unbelievers to understand. Your good works give your presentation of the Gospel weight and substance. It is difficult to ignore the folk who feed, clothe and shelter others.

We all know that words can come easy. We all know that actions are the best proof of your thoughts and feelings. Obey Scripture and get to work.

Think: My works demonstrate my faith in God to hard hearts and skeptical minds.

Pray: “Lord, help me to demonstrate my faith in You at every opportunity.”

Becoming A Delightful Land

“Becoming A Delightful Land” By Kirk Hunt

“And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,”
Says the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 3:12
Please also read Malachi 3:8–12

You can be a delightful land, if you choose. All it takes is to be a giver. If you are generous in fact and nature, men and women, boys and girls, will see the glow of God through your life.

Malachi 3:10 is a promise of God. “If you give, He will bless.” Your platform may be small or large. Your capacity may be expansive or limited. What matters is your determination to serve and honor God through what you give.

You can do your generous acts in secret and anonymity. God’s omniscience will see your sincere heart anyway. His delight, in you honoring Him, will still fall on your life.

Yes, your giving must include finances. Your giving should also include your talent and especially your time. Consider that your time, talent and treasure may not all go to the same recipient, at the same time.

Nor is your giving limited to your personal resources. Channeling or enabling organizations and others is just as important as what you give yourself. Becoming delightful is never a zero-sum game. The more you do, the more you become able to do, and the richer your joy in service and giving.

God rewards His faithful daughters and sons. Do what you can, right where you are. Watch as you become blessed and even more blessing.

Think: Generosity of act and spirit, even in secret, makes you visibly blessed and blessing.

Pray: “Lord, help me to give so I can honor You.”