promise – 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.

What Will You Reap?

What Will You Reap? by Kirk Hunt

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Galatians 6:7-8 NKJV

You are sowing something. God promises you will reap a harvest from what you sow. Unfortunately, too many folks see only the “God is going to spank you” interpretation. I would encourage you to see the “God is going to spoil you” viewpoint.

Scripture confirms, once and again, that God loves us. Rather than blast us, God would much rather bless his sons and daughters. If you sow the right seed, you will reap rich crops.

The principles of sowing and harvest can get lost for urban, tech-savvy folk. Farmers usually understand the long term, patient thinking needed to create a fruitful farm. They know that their heavy investment in seed and soil will payoff in a rich harvest.

If you live bad, you will reap badly. If you live right, you will reap richly. Your investment will have a payoff. What are you sowing?

God has promised to reward your investment in God’s Kingdom. Your salad days of investment will be followed by beefsteak nights of returns. Keep sowing spiritual goodness. Continue to plow and tend in God’s Vineyard.

There is a crop in your future. Do not let the gap between sowing and harvesting convince you otherwise. God is going to insist that you get a return on your investment. What are you planting?

Think: I will reap. What am I sowing?

Pray: “Lord, help me sow right and righteousness.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Wait For It

Wait For It by Kirk Hunt

For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.

Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV

Wait for it. Whatever “it” is, it is coming. Try not to fidget.

Perhaps it is a long promised victory. Maybe it is a spiritual breakthrough. It could be the salvation of a wayward, but beloved soul. Whatever it is, that vision burns within your heart and mind.

“Wait for it” is easily said. “Wait for it” is not easily lived. Patience and obedience requires more spiritual steel and Godly strength than you think. Or wanted.

One problem is our human sense of events and circumstances. We do not have God’s eternal viewpoint. You do not see with God’s omniscient sight. This digital society’s obsession with speed does not help.

The appointed time makes perfect sense in God’s order of events. The threads of your destiny, and so many others, are being woven in the loom of God’s purpose. Eternal blessings take a little longer, but will satisfy when they arrive. Stay the course.

Wait for God’s timing. It will be worth it. You will understand why it took so long, when it arrives. Then again, in that moment of joy and wonder, you may no concern yourself with timing.

Of course, the hard work of your circumstances continue. Your yearning heart and seeking mind are eager for the conclusion. Your spirit is ready for fulfillment.

Wait for it. God promised it. It will arrive. Do not squirm.

Think: God’s promises will arrive.

Pray: “Lord, help me wait for Your promises.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Hear The Conclusion

Hear The Conclusion by Kirk Hunt

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.

For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NKJV

The conclusion of the affairs of men and women is in the judgment and declarations of God. Our God, omniscient and omnipotent, sees and measures what we do. You will stand before His Throne and give account for all of your life, seen or hidden.

If you live righteously and build His kingdom, He sees. If you live in disobedience and rebellion, He sees. And His voice will be the conclusion of the matter.

Do not fret that the wicked seem to escape judgment. Do not worry that the righteous go unrewarded. God sees everyone’s secrets and hidden things. His justice will not be denied.

For a righteous man or woman, these verses are a comforting promise. The work no one recognized is seen and will be rewarded by Father-God. The secret sacrifices will be rewarded by God Himself, sooner than you think.

Alone before God’s throne, everything will be revealed and you will give account. Then He will speak and conclude the matter. For men and women who live according to the Bible and God’s calling, His judgment and justice will be a blessing.

Think: I will hear God’s conclusion about my life and work.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to live so I hear Your good conclusion of my life.”

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.

Spirit of Faithfulness

“Spirit of Faithfulness” By Kirk Hunt

“But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Luke 22:32 NKJV

In the hours before His crucifixion, Jesus carefully strengthened His Disciples. Especially Peter. Before dawn, Peter would deny any knowledge of Jesus. Knowing he would fail the first test, Jesus knew Peter’s faithfulness would pass the final test.

Faithfulness can be defined as the act of remaining true to your word or promise. Traditionally, Peter was also crucified, because he would not deny Jesus a second time. We remember Peter as Jesus’ man because he kept his word.

Too often we expect perfect, error-free living from God’s people. Too often we throw away perfectly good souls because it turns out they were human. Peter is a prime example of a man who refused to be less-then again.

Peter did not keep his word the first time. Still he died a martyr for the man he once denied. That is faithfulness, even if it is human.

Faithfulness sees the task and acts. Despite the risks. Without any credit. Silently, in the background.

Perhaps there is a task that you should be doing. There could be a responsibility you need to take on, knowing there is no return on investment but a lot of risk. Flinch if you have to, but give your word. Be the man or woman who gives and keeps promises.

Think: Faithfulness is the power to give and keep your word or promise.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be faithful for Your Kingdom.”