mission – CadreMen Press

God’s Purpose by Kirk Hunt

But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Acts 16:28;30 NKJV
Please also read Acts 16:25-32

Every door of the prison swings open. The stocks and chains fall off all of the prisoners. The apostles stay right where there are, so they can complete God’s purpose.

If God sent you there, then He has a purpose for you to complete. Will you stay in obedience? Will you faithfully complete your assigned mission?

The situation in the Philippi jail is dramatic and fantastic. An earthquake opens the doors and chains, but does not destroy the building or kill anyone. The prisoners, including the highest profile inmates, do not leave. Then the apostles stop the prison warden from committing suicide.

Paul and Silas are not in jail for their own reasons. They are in position to fulfill God’s purpose. And their faithful obedience leads to the salvation of an entire household.

Where are you today, man or woman of God? You are not there by random chance or senseless accident. You are deliberately placed to fulfill God’s purpose.

God does not always send angels. Often, He sends mere men and women. His saints, deliberately positioned through faith and obedience, fulfill His purpose. And the Kingdom of God expands.

Maybe serving your purpose will only be seen by a few, in silence. Perhaps you will be thrust to the front of a crowd, in noise and furor. God has maneuvered you there for His purpose. What purpose will you serve?

Think: God ordered your circumstances for a reason.

Pray: “Lord, help me to serve Your Kingdom where You put me.”

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.

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.”

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.

Do Not Condemn

“Do Not Condemn” By Kirk Hunt

When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

John 8:10–11 NKJV
Please also read John 8:3-12

Why have modern Christians become so ready to condemn people? According to Jesus, we are called to save, not destroy, souls (Luke 9:51–56 NKJV). Christians should always be known to dispense grace and reconciliation.

Grace and reconciliation are not the same thing as indulgence or permissiveness. Jesus did not approve of the adulteress’ error, and He commanded her not to sin anymore. Still, He let her go back to her life, prayerfully convicted to make better choices in the future.

Please understand these definitions (Romans 8:1–2): Conviction is different from condemnation.

• Conviction is the act or condition of “convincing someone of error.”
• Condemnation is the act or condition of “assigning (especially final) punishment.”

Real strength, especially among Christians, is not harsh or heartless. It is not strength or righteousness to lash, batter or destroy anyone. The heart of Christ is to save the lost, not destroy them.

Jesus loves all of His children. Do you love all of His children? Consider how God would react to those who hate and attempt to destroy you?

Are you busy convincing others of the need for Christ’s salvation or just trying to punish folks? Even if they fight and slash at you, you are commanded to love them (1 John 4:20). Jesus rebuked His Disciples for wanting to destroy. Are you really a disciple of His?

Think: Do I really understand conviction is not the same thing as condemnation?

Pray: “Lord, help me to save not destroy souls.”

Go Disciple Nations

“Go Disciple Nations” By Kirk Hunt

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”

Matthew 28:16–20 NKJV
Please also read Matthew 28:16–20

The Great Commission is the instruction from Jesus, after His resurrection, to go and make disciples. While theologians might delve more deeply, for the rest of us, Jesus’ directive is obvious and simple: Go everywhere and turn all nations to Christ.

Consider that the great power of Jesus’ time on earth was Rome. Pagan and polytheistic, Rome spent a lot of money and manpower on a brutal campaign: openly killing Christians. The disciples responded to Rome’s blood-thirsty persecution by winning the nation to Christ.

Jesus did not promise ease or safety, then or now. Nor did Jesus ask for opinions or consensus. He gave direction and expected his faithful followers to carry that instruction out.

The early disciples conquered the most powerful and hostile foe imaginable. They marched in sandals, armed only with faith and Scripture. They overwhelmed a hostile nation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Your assigned “nations” may be far off or close in. You, may, or may not, have to learn a new language for faster results. Sincere disciples of Jesus already speak the languages of love and reconciliation. True disciples already have all the tools they need for disciple–making.

Modern-day disciples have the same choice as the early disciples. We are instructed, by Christ, to turn nations to Christ. Are you choosing to follow your instructions from Jesus?

Think: Jesus gave me an assignment. How am I fulfilling my assignment from Jesus?

Pray: “Lord, help me to fulfil Your Great Commission.”