grace – CadreMen Press

Sharp Contention

Sharp Contention by Kirk Hunt

But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus

Acts 15:38-39 NKJV
Please also read Acts 15:36-41

Paul and Barnabas sharply disagreed over John-Mark. Their contention was so severe, that it appeared to rupture their Gospel relationship. With glares or mutters, they separated to minster the Gospel, away from each other.

Consider how Barnabas championed a recovering failure, John-Mark, to Apostle Paul. Not so long ago, Barnabas championed recovering failure, Saul of Tarsus (Paul), to the Apostles. Was John-Mark’s error so bad? Was Paul’s memory, and empathy, so short?

Even God’s people have disagreements. The question is whether we maintain connection through the turbulence. As the old folks used to say: “Wise men may fight, but only fools fall out.”

Even Spirit-filled men and women read different conclusions from the same facts and data. What happens when that day comes? What outcomes are you prepared to create or allow? Will grace and humility have a say at the table?

Do you become bitter enemies? Must you rupture the organization? Can you find, or make, a rational compromise? No matter how annoyed you are at a Gospel brother or sister, you remain connected through Christ.

Consider there will be contention in your life, even with Gospel brothers and sisters. Stock yourself now with grace, mercy, and humility. Fight, if you must, but do not fall out.

Think: Maintain your Godly connections, despite sharp contention.

Pray: “Lord, show me how to stay in Gospel connection, despite contention.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Worship Anyway

Worship Anyway by Kirk Hunt

And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.

Mark 14:3 NKJV

Please read one or all of the Gospel accounts:
Matthew 26: 6—13, Mark 14: 3—9; Luke 7: 36—50; John 12: 1—8

Mary prepared her worship in advance. She spent a lot of money, but that is not what make her worship note worthy. Her unstoppable intention and resolute sincerity is why Scripture records her actions in all four Gospels.

Even today, an alabaster perfume box is not common. Spikenard, which grows in the Himalayas of Nepal, is still rare and costly. Mary spent over a year’s wages to worship.

The other Gospel accounts record the unkind responses of observers. If Mary knew of their hissing whispers, she ignored them. Mary walked past others to worship her Messiah.

The Bible does not confirm that Mary was a prostitute. Scripture states she had been demon-possessed and a notorious sinner. Mary did not let her past, or the murmuring busybodies, keep her from worship.

You have an opportunity to worship today. Will you pay the price? Will you walk past unfavorable circumstances, or disapproving stares, to worship?

Whatever it costs, He is worthy. No matter what others do, Jesus is available to you. No matter what has happened before, He waits for you.

You can worship. If you want to. Everything else is just details.

Think: I can worship Jesus, if I am determined.

Pray: “Lord, I worship You, because You are worthy.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

A Monster Praying

A Monster Praying by Kirk Hunt

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”

And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.

Acts 9:10-11 NKJV
Please also read Acts 9:1-19

Saul of Tarsus was a monster. He helped organize the martyrdom of Stephen. He went on the road to imprison and extradite Christians. Then the monster suddenly started praying.

Monsters often think, or convince themselves, they are doing the right thing. In their zeal, they gleefully use tactics and strategies of the lowest, most heinous kind. Then they have a real meeting with Jesus.

They fall face first, from their high horse, into the muck and mire of their error. Imagine Jesus personally asking why you are persecuting Him. No wonder that Saul started praying and fasting before God.

Repentance is always an option. No matter what you did. No matter how many times you did it. No matter what, Jesus is always eager to accept your sincere return to Him.

He loves you so much, He might even help you see the light of His truth. This is a good thing, No matter how uncomfortable it may be at first.

Real repentance comes from the heart. Even a monster can see the error of his or her ways. Jesus loves praying monsters, no matter what.

Think: God hears the prayers of repentant monsters, just like me.

Pray: “Lord, help me to repent my sins to You.”

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.

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.

Take Another’s Burden

Take Another’s Burden by Kirk Hunt

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Galatians 6:2-3 NKJV

Apostle Paul is quite clear that Christians should bear, or take on, someone else’s burden from time to time. We do this as proof that we love our neighbor as ourselves. In recent days, it seems that too many of God’s people love themselves too much to bother obeying Jesus’ command.

Have you ever held a door for someone? Have you ever helped lift or carry a package? Have you ever covered your nose and mouth when you sneezed or coughed? Then you have been, in a very small way, obedient to Christ’s command, best found at Mark 12:30-31.

Of course, doing so requires you to have some measure of love, humility, grace, mercy, and self-sacrifice in your makeup. You must stop and consider the situation and condition of someone else, for a few moments, to see a need. Finally, you must sacrifice your time, money, or talent to do what needs to be done.

All because Jesus commands you. Of course, you are happy to do so, because you are an obedient son or daughter of God. Right?

Too often, we are so haughty or high-minded we fail to think of others the way Jesus would. Would Jesus refuge a refugee, punish the poor, or insist on his own rights to the injury of others? Should you?

Think: Have I taken on someone else’s burden lately?

Pray: “Lord, help me to demonstrate Your love to my neighbors.”

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.

Who Showed Mercy

Who Showed Mercy by Kirk Hunt

So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”
|Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:36-37 NKJV
Please also read Luke 10:25-37

At the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Samaritans and Jew hated and despised each other. They even destroyed or desecrated each others’ Temples. Still, the Samaritan had more mercy and compassion on the Jewish robbery victim than either the Jewish priest or Jewish Levite.

The sanctimonious lawyer got the point of the parable. So did everyone listening to Jesus teach at the time. Are you listening now?

The priest and Levite of the parable were expected, if not obligated, to care for their distressed countryman. Instead, a hostile foreigner saved his life. Jesus made a blunt point about the nature of compassion, mercy, salvation, and righteousness.

Good Christians should reach out past the bounds of popular exclusions and exceptions. There will probably be cost or inconvenience. You may not like your neighbor, but that does not end your Godly obligation to assist or even safeguard him or her.

Jesus’ command at Luke 10:37 is simple, “Go and do likewise.” Put aside your rights, privileges, and comfort. Look around, in your own neighborhood, for men and women who need you to stop and have compassion. Your “do likewise” is here and now.

Think: I should show mercy even at the risk of cost or inconvenience to myself.

Pray: “Lord, help me to demonstrate Your love to my neighbors.”

Are You Persuaded?

Are You Persuaded? by Kirk Hunt

Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’

Luke 16:29-31 NKJV
Please also read Luke 16:19-31

The parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus has always haunted me. Simply put, Jesus is telling us that there are limits to grace and mercy. Those who are not persuaded will be prosecuted. It takes an overt act of mercy or grace when our holy and just God withholds justice and judgment.

Mercy is not receiving the punishment or penalties you earned. Grace is receiving gifts and benefits you do not merit. Mercy and grace suspend, or refuse, justice and judgment.

At Psalm 103:8-10, King David explained simply: God will not restrain His anger indefinitely. You can listen voluntarily now or be compelled before His judgment throne. Do the math.

Being teachable does not make a man or woman weak or gullible. We listen to wisdom, and compare it with scripture, think carefully, and pray thoroughly. Then we make a decision.

You have been exposed to Scripture and Godly teachers. Are you persuaded? When judgment and prosecution come, it will then be too late.

Think: God speaks through scripture and teachers. Are you listening?

Pray: “Lord, guide me to Your truth and make me teachable.”