healing – 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.

Blind Teaching

Blind Teaching by Kirk Hunt

If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”

They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.

John 9:33-34
Please also read John 9:1-41

The formerly blind man offended the Pharisees by teaching truth. Confronted with the facts and data of Jesus’ miracle power, they excommunicated the walking, talking miracle standing before them. Keep in mind, the spirit of the Pharisees is alive and working in the world today.

The Pharisees were looking for a way to discredit Jesus. In their efforts to call Jesus a corrupt sinner, they tried to pervert the meaning and truth of an obvious miracle. The formerly blind man, clung stubbornly to his account and conclusion.

A Pharisee can always find a reason to reject you: “too young,” “too old,” “too fat,” “too skinny,” “not registered by the correct group.” Unless you say what they want you to say.

You know what Jesus did for you. Tell your story, just the way it happened. Trust that God performed His miracle in you, because He is good and true.

They may kick you out of their club of pretenders. They may not approve of you living in the truth of your transformation. Keep right on teaching the truth. If needed, use words.

“There are none so blind as those who will not see.” Their objections do not change the truth. Stubbornly cling to God’s miracle in your life.

Think: God’s miracle in your life is truth. Teach it no matter who objects.

Pray: “Lord, help me to live out Your miracle and truth in my life.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Faithful Crumbs

Faithful Crumbs by Kirk Hunt

But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”

And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.”

Mark 7:27-28
Please also read Mark 7:24-30

She wanted restoration for her daughter. So, she deliberately violated custom, convention and protocol. She approached not just a Jewish man, but a Rabbi, and boldly asked directly. And when He said “No,” she begged for crumbs.

The Jews had not yet fully refused Messiah. Salvation was not yet open to foreigners. Her request was too soon, and for the wrong kind of person.

But her faith did not care for the niceties of theological correctness. Her daughter needed exorcism now and she was prepared to pay the needed price. And she proved the depth of her faith, and determination, by accepting her miracle on Jesus’ terms.

She had faith in the power of God. She knew Jesus could restore her daughter with a word. Real faith knows the crumbs from God’s table are enough.

She pressed on despite rejection. She persevered through resistance. And in the end, she was not too proud to beg.

She did not need a dignified miracle. Her faith knew God’s scraps would answer the need. She gladly paid full price for something off the closeout rack.

Like the Roman Centurion, she had faith in Jesus’ simple declaration. Real faith is about results, not spectacle. Her faith touched Messiah. So, Messiah touched her life.

Think: Do I have faith to persevere through it all?

Pray: “Lord, help me to follow my faith in You to the end.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Foreigner Faith

Foreigner Faith by Kirk Hunt

The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

Matthew 8:8-9
Please also read Matthew 8:5-13

The soldier of a powerful occupying army humbled himself to an itinerant preacher, and pleaded for healing. With his helmet under his arm, he asked in calm, clear-eyed faith. The Roman Centurion did not question Jesus’ power to heal, only his willingness to speak the word.

Some foreigners have talent and treasure enough to pay their way. But mere money cannot buy the things of God. The coins that touch the throne of Heaven are faith and sincerity. The Centurion knew with complete clarity that Jesus’ power came from heaven and he had no way of compelling or bribing Him in any way.

The Centurion, despite being an outsider, acted with faith and understanding. As a soldier, he knew power and authority when he saw it. As a man of faith, he understood that the healing power of Jesus was His to dispense, or withhold. His faith, as a pagan Roman, exceeded too many of the pious Jews around him.

Men and women of faith act on their faith. Like the Centurion, they ask, knowing God can. They see the power and authority of God around them and move accordingly.

Think: Do I have faith like the Centurion?

Pray: “Lord, help me to act out my faith in You.”

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.

Healing in The Spit

Healing in The Spit by Kirk Hunt

When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.

John 9:6-7 NKJV

Faced with a blind man, Jesus chose to make mud with His own spit then anointed the man’s eyes. Some would call Jesus’ actions humiliating. The blind man called those same actions healing. Too often, we are more concerned with the means rather than the outcome.

Healing the man’s blindness was the important part. The means of healing were far less important. So the blind endured having spit and mud rubbed on his eyes. He obediently followed Jesus’ instruction to wash his face in a specific location.

The blind man wanted to see. The indignity of his healing quickly gave way to the joy of vision. The price of God’s process is a bargain, considering the outcomes He gives.

Perhaps you feel that God has anointed your life with muddy spit. Maybe You feel humiliated as you follow His instructions to parade around in public before cleaning off the mud. God’s process does not always make sense to us, but His outcomes are always a blessing.

Follow His process and receive His ordained outcome. Your obedience is the price you must pay to receive His blessings. In the end, you will consider the whole process a bargain.

Think: Regardless of the means God chooses, it is the outcome that is important.

Pray: “Lord, help me to see what You doing, not how You are doing it.”

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.

Except This Foreigner?

Except This Foreigner? 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 NKJV

They kept their distance per the Law but that did not stop them from calling out to Jesus for mercy. They were lepers, men still alive, but rotting to death. Jesus sent them to the priests to be declared clean of their living putrefaction. None said thank you for their miraculous healing, “except this foreigner.”

He could not take another step. His slow, cruel death sentence had been lifted. His desperate separation from friends and family was ended. His days of being despised and feared were over.

How could you not be grateful? Why would you refuse to thank God for the enormous mercy and miraculous goodness you had just received? Looking at his restoration, this nameless foreigner knew the priests could wait. His gratitude on the other hand, could not.

So he did what the native-born would not. He ran to Jesus and kneeled to Him in thankfulness. The same voice that cried for mercy now cried out glory to God.

All ten received the same miracle blessing. All ten had their miserable and degrading suffering ended through healing and restoration. Only the foreigner, the man who should not have received anything, bothered with gratitude or appreciation.

What mercy have you received? What mercy have you given? Did you show gratitude to God for the privilege given to you or through you?

Think: God’s mercy is for native-born and foreigner alike. Am I grateful for what I receive?

Pray: “Lord, help me to give and receive Your mercy freely, and with gratitude.”

Who Comes Near To You?

Who Comes Near To You? by Kirk Hunt

And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”

2 Kings 5:12 NKJV

Naaman stormed off, offended at Elisha’s response to his request. The prophet’s promise of healing and restoration was not theatrical enough for him. Thankfully, Naaman’s men could come near him.

Sooner, or later, you are going to respond the wrong way. Ego, frustration or misunderstanding will lead you to make matters worse. Eventually, you are going to miss your chance. Inattention, urgency or preconception will lead you to walk past the opportunity of a lifetime.

Who in your life can come near and stop you from making a critical mistake of commission or omission? Perhaps your friend will speak quiet cautions in a back room, or shout accusations at center stage. Either way, are you willing to hear the truth from someone you trust?

It requires humility on your part. It requires courage on their part. Both of you must possess the wisdom to know it needed to be said and why.

“Go wash in a dirty river. What have you got to lose?” Who has the heart and head to stop your mistake? Do you let folks close enough to know when or how to help?

Naaman nearly walked away from his healing. Someone close to him refused to remain silent. Naaman was smart enough to listen. How about you?

Think: You need Godly wise people close enough to help you.

Pray: “Lord, help me keep Your appointed helpers close to my heart and head.”

How To Heal

How To Heal by Kirk Hunt

And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, “Indeed, I said to myself, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.’

2 Kings 5:10-11 NKJV

Naaman, and his personal security team, arrived at Elisha’s door in a chariot. Most men (or women) would go out and greet the visiting general. Elisha sent a messenger with healing instructions and did not see the man.

Naaman responded with anger. After all, a man of his importance and combat record deserves more and better attention. Certainly, Naaman’s mental image of his healing involved ceremony and dignity, not multiple dips in the muddy Jordan River.

Do you want God to heal you? Then be obedient. Do you want God to intervene in circumstance beyond your control? Approach Him with humility.

God does not need to move or act because of your impulses or whims. His power is absolute and sovereign. You came to Him because of your needs, not His. Trust His eternal wisdom for the answers and solutions you need.

Consider His august majesty and the legions of angels at His beck and call. Speak your request in humility, knowing the God of all creation has what you need. When God speaks, respond in obedience, confident that His answer come from His love for you.

Think: Your healing is going to require humility and obedience.

Pray: “Lord, I come to You in humility and obedience for my healing.”

The Burden In His Heart

“The Burden In His Heart” By Kirk Hunt

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2 NKJV

It was 1990-ish and I sat alone in a room of white men and told the story from my heart. “White cops do not stop to help black men.” I was there to learn about how to minister. Instead, I discovered a burden in my heart I did not know I had. A hurt I would have otherwise kept hidden.

My Christian brothers listened carefully to a viewpoint they did not expect to hear. They could not reject my story without rejecting me. So, for a little while, they helped me bear my burden. Their obedience to Jesus helped begin healing an infection that could have disqualified me from ministry.

I did learn a lesson about ministering to men and women during that day. Whatever you think, a man’s experience is his experience. He is correct about what he felt. You may not understand or agree, but you cannot reject the story that comes from his heart without rejecting him. And it may be appropriate for your heart to ache with him.

I struggle when men and women tell me hard, painful stories about their earthly fathers. My memory of Poppa Hunt remains my most valuable possession. Still, I believe the story they share from their heart. I then lead that hurting soul to Jesus, our Healer.

In the coming days and weeks, God’s people will be ministers of healing, reconciliation and restoration. It starts with a willingness to accept the heart the story comes from. Then lead them humbly and graciously to Jesus. Bear their burden, for a while, so that healing can begin.

Think: Reconciliation and healing begin by bearing someone’s burden.

Pray: “Lord, help me to bear someone’s burden, as Your instrument of healing.”