peace – CadreMen Press

Seek The Peace

Seek The Peace by Kirk Hunt

And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed.

Jeremiah 29:7-8 NKJV

God’s people have been called to seek the peace of the city where they live. Not to suddenly establish a theocracy through force. God draws men and women to himself through our loving witness of Him. Christianity has never expanded through the use of bayonets or inquisitors.

In fact, the opposite is true. Christians dying in the Colosseum or suffering in prison won over pagan Rome. The persecution of Christians has always expanded the Church.

Consider the example of Boarding Schools, too often run by religious organizations. They are being revealed as destroyers of life, complicit tools of cultural genocide. That is because they were not seeking peace, but something else.

If God’s people pray in sincerity and truth, He will hear us and heal our land. If God’s people pray for peace where we are, God will faithfully bless us with peace. And that will open the door to our loving witness of Him.

Think: God’s people should see the peace, wherever we find ourselves.

Pray: “Father-God, make me an instrument of Your peace.

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.

Not Troubled Or Afraid

Not Troubled Or Afraid by Kirk Hunt

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27 NKJV

Have you obeyed this command from Jesus in recent days (or months, or years)? I must confess that I have not done a good job of it, myself. God’s people should never be troubled or afraid. Jesus has left His peace and care for us.

In case you missed the memos, there is a lot of difficulty and trouble in the world these days. You should be concerned and working hard to live your life and keep a good Christian witness. Still, your concerns should not lead you to be troubled or afraid. His peace is a free gift, if you will accept it.

Peace that passes all understanding is His part, living in that peace is our part. That means we have to focus on the good and the positive and His grace. If we seek Him, His peace will follow.

The turmoil in the world will not magically lessen. The heartaches and hardships that strike us will not suddenly go away. But with God’s peace you will live in the joy and security that only He can provide. You can trade some obedience and a little work for a lot of comfort and joy.

Think: God’s peace is a free gift from Jesus, but will require work to maintain it.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be at peace in You.”

Faith In The Storm

Faith In The Storm by Kirk Hunt

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

Mark 4:39-40 NKJV

Did Jesus need to calm the storm? Since the boat was sinking, His interference in the natural course of events was welcomed by the Disciples. Still, the need or desire for God to intervene in circumstances is not an excuse to lose (or set aside) your faith.

God is God, all of the time. Not even a series of circumstances can exceed God’s sovereignty or mastery of creation. You might be in over your head, but God remains above everything. He is the final authority of all time, space and situations.

Keep and guard your faith, no matter how fierce the storm. Since God is always omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent, your inconveniences are never an issue for Him. Your faith should be based on Him, not what is going on around you.

Jesus rebuked the storm. Then He rebuked the Disciples. Their concern about the storm was reasonable and to be expected. Their sudden loss of faith was a failure to think and act on their understanding of God and the presence of Jesus.

No matter how difficult the situation, God is your source. Keep your faith strong. The Master is more than equal to your storm.

Think: In the middle of the storm, my faith remains in God.

Pray: “Lord, help me to keep my eyes and faith on You.”

In The Storm

In The Storm by Kirk Hunt

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Mark 4:37-38 NKJV

Simon, Andrew, James, and John were not rookies, afraid of a strong breeze. They were professional fishermen who earned good livings, with this kind of boat, on this very body of water. They were expert, seasoned sailors and knew watercraft well. They had all been through storms before. This storm was different.

They did not panic, at first. They did what they knew to do. They used their professional skills and extensive experience to weather the storm.

They bailed water. They shortened the sails. They lightened the ship. All to no avail.

The Disciples woke Jesus. Big, burly men who, until now, had seen everything the Galilee could throw at them. Strong, tough guys, who were way past their limits. And knew it. They could do nothing, but they knew someone who could do anything.

In the middle of the crisis, the Disciples turned to the Master of Storms.

Do what you know to do, but call out His Name. Use your skills and abilities, but look to Christ for the solution. Act, but rely on Jesus. When we reach our limit, God’s Power begins.

The wind will howl. The waves will crash. Is the Master of Storms in your boat?

Think: In the middle of the storm, Jesus is my safety and comfort.

Pray: “Lord, thank You for how You protect and preserve me.”

Hope In The King

“Hope In The King” By Kirk Hunt

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”

Lamentations 3:24 NKJV

I pray that in this New Year you will build God’s Kingdom. Of course, it would be better (and easier) to do so from a place of great provision and extraordinary favor. Your circumstances, rich or poor, renowned or reviled, do not define your hope. Your hope rests in God.

The Book of Lamentations was traditionally written by Jeremiah, at the time of Jerusalem’s destruction by Babylon. In the figurative or literal smoke of the burning Temple, grief is easy. Still, Lamentations points to hope. No matter what our circumstances are, we can rely on God.

Lamentations correctly points out the errors of Judah and her kings. If anything, God’s judgment was overdue. Still, there was mercy and grace for the Jewish people, despite God’s discipline.

Regardless of our circumstances, we are in the hands of a loving God. Even when we are in rebellion against Him. Even when we are disciplined by Him. No matter your current circumstances, you can move forward with hope in God.

Today, you are living in the love, mercy and grace of God. God has not given you up or turned His heart from you. No matter what circumstance you are in, you are still loved by Him.

We can rely on God. He cares for and nurtures us in all of our situations. In this New Year, and every other moment of your life, Your hope in Him is never misplaced.

Think: Do I put my hope in God, instead of my circumstances?

Pray: “Lord, I choose to hope in You.”

Abide With The King

“Abide With The King” By Kirk Hunt

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

Psalms 91:1–2 NKJV
Please also read Mark 4:35-41

Where you trust, you abide. Do you abide under the authority, power and influence of God Almighty? Consider how safe, secure and dependable you will be, living with God.

His safety does not mean you are free from concern. God’s security will not excuse you to make poor decisions. His dependability does not mean you go without tasks and duties.

God’s shadow is a place of light, warmth and peace. Under God’s authority, you are enabled to fully be His child. Living in His influence will free you to follow your calling in His Kingdom.

The next season of your life will come. Storms may batter your life. Do not let your concerns become fears. Make your decisions in light of His Word. Carry out your tasks and duties in the light of His promises.

Overcome your fears. Keep your faith. Abide in His shadow.

Consider carefully your opportunity. You can choose to continue or renew your relationship with the all-powerful (omnipotent), always everywhere (omnipresent), all-knowing (omniscient), God. Except for your uncertainties, what do you have to lose?

All you have to do is choose to live close to Him. Dwell near His side and heart. He has reserved space there, where He wants you to dwell.

In safety. With security. Enjoying peaceful joy.

Think: Do I choose to abide under the shadow of the Almighty?

Pray: “Lord, help me to choose Your influence for my life.”

Christians Do Not Fear

“Christians Do Not Fear” By Kirk Hunt

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.

1 John 4:18–19 NKJV

In recent days it is hard to avoid the media fixation on anger among citizens, the world over. There are many potential reasons for all of that rage, but most fall short of explaining the root or true cause. Fear, on the other hand, easily explains the driving force of so much poor behavior in the world.

Remove fear of coming events and people will live without violence or unrest. Even when conditions are harsh or difficult, they keep their heads. When people become afraid of what will happen next, the torches and pitchforks come out. Keep in mind that neither fearful mobs nor fearful individuals make good decisions.

Christians of course should never give in to fear. We are loved by God Himself. The Creator looks after His own.

Consider also that His love drives out fear. The more you allow His care and concern for you to saturate your life, the less room there is for fear. Sound like a good deal to me.

If you are a son or daughter of God, you can trust in His love for you. Things may not be easy, but you can live in the confidence of His care and concern especially for you. There is no room for fear in a heart filled with God’s love.

Think: God’s love for me drives out my fear.

Pray: “Lord, help me to live out my life in Your love and without my fear.”