provision – CadreMen Press

More Value Than Sparrows

More Value Than Sparrows by Kirk Hunt

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29-31 NKJV

I am too old and experienced to feel uncared for and forgotten. Still, here I am alone, facing fire and brimstone. In His grace, He provided a reminder: “You are worth more than many sparrows.”

The facts and data too clearly spell out how much bad craziness is in the world. The darkness lets the hellhounds of despair and panic scratch and claw at the door. Saints and sinners alike face an enemy who hunts our souls.

The difference is that the saints remember that He is Jehovah-Jireh, God-who-provides. He sees. He cares. He acts. He provides.

I will have to face what comes. God will provide grace. He will deliver provision. And if I quiet myself, just a little, He gives comfort to heart and soul.

I can face the hellhounds. Not because I am strong, but because God is good. He provides light in the darkness. He has marked a clear path through the chaos.

Even at my age and experience, I needed a reminder that I am not facing the world alone or forgotten. The sparrows matter to God, and He provides for them. I am His son, and He loves and cares for me. I had to pause, just a little, to remember He is the God-who-provides.

Think: God always provides.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be thankful for, and rely on, Your provision.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

The Manna Ceased

The Manna Ceased by Kirk Hunt

And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.

Joshua 5:11-12 NKJV

After 40 years of nomadic life, the Israelites were entering a new chapter in Canaan. Having finally arrived in the land promised to the patriarchs, the provision of the manna ceased. After their first meal eaten directly from the promised land, God ended the provision directly from heaven.

God had more than adequately proved His ability to provide for His people. The literal food from heaven ended so that there could be no confusion. Israel would now have to cope with His provision, given in a different format.

Israel would grow and harvest their own food in Canaan. The lessons and reassurances of the manna were no longer needed. Israel would now have to provide more of the work, like regular people, in getting their sustenance.

Chapters and seasons in our lives have different conditions and provisions. In the raw wilderness, God provided food daily. In Canaan, Israel would have a more active role.

The different chapters of your life has different conditions and provisions. God is always your provider. Sometimes, He expects you to help

Think: God always provides. Sometimes, I have to help.

Pray: “Lord, help me to be thankful for Your provision, regardless of the format.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

You Lack Nothing

You Lack Nothing by Kirk Hunt

“For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.” ’

Deuteronomy 2:7 NKJV

An entire generation of God’s people died, wandering in the wilderness. Still, like a tender Father with a favorite child, God cared for them the entire time. Even during their punishment, they lacked nothing.

Even at our worst, God gives His best. No matter how difficult the moment, consider that He is caring for you. You are His favorite. Even when you misbehave, He loves you more than you can know or understand.

He has always been, and always will be a holy God. Our sin and rebellion cannot always be excused through grace or dismissed by mercy. Never forget God is also a God of righteousness, judgment, and correction. Not even the most tolerant father can indulge misbehavior indefinitely.

The Hebrew people wandered the wilderness for 40 years. They were fed each day with manna. The garments they wore supernaturally lasted the entire time. Even their bodies were without wear and tear, until their mortal end.

No matter what you are going through, God is there, providing. No matter how long you have walked this path, God is near, caring for you. No matter why you are where you are, God loves you, so you lack nothing.

Think: God cares for us, so we lack nothing.

Pray: “Lord, help me to recognize and be grateful for Your care and provision.”

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.

Cast Your Bread

Cast Your Bread by Kirk Hunt

Cast your bread upon the waters,
For you will find it after many days.
Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,
For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 NKJV

Too often we worry too much about ourselves. We are God’s people. We are the sheep of His hand. If we trust God, should we also worry or hoard His blessings? Go ahead and cast your bread on the waters of circumstance.

I get it. For a season, I fretted about something I had to give. I give in faith and amazingly enough, I have never run out. God taught me to give and trust Him to give again. The people I served and blessed with my gift? A bonus, over and above the approval of my God.

God commands our open, giving hands, and promises our hands will gather again. And give again. The advantage of giving per God’s Word is that He always provides more for us to give. It can get to the point where we give out before His provision does.

First, we must act in faith, and purpose. Then we must work in patient expectation. Finally, we receive again. God promised we will find more provision in the days to come, if we first give to others.

God has already given to you. Will you give to others? Your obedience will please Him and bless you.

Think: God promises that if I give, I will also receive. Do I really trust God?

Pray: “Lord, help me to freely give per Your commands.”

Your Gift Makes Room

“Your Gift Makes Room” By Kirk Hunt

A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.

Proverbs 18:16 NKJV

God is against bribes, but He is for generosity. May the Holy Spirit convict (not condemn) you about graft, but He will commend you for giving. The gifts you give make room for you. What do you put in that space?

“Make room” is not just a reference to physical space. Your room may be the positive opinion of decision makers. Perhaps your gifts open the opportunity to witness to souls about Jesus. Are you wise with the opening made by your gifts?

As a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, you have gifts and are a minister. Your gifts are not just for your benefit. You are intended and custom-made to benefit the men and women around you. By giving your gifts, you almost literally compel souls to make space for you in their lives. What do you place in that hard-won place?

The healing of a skillful doctor or nurse usually gets the gratitude of the patient. Even difficult students speak well of a key teacher who taught important skills and knowledge. The friend who comes through at midnight earns warmth from a friend’s heart. Given a door to another’s spirit, what will you choose to leave behind?

Your gifts lower defenses. Your gifts draw consideration. Your gifts soften hearts. What do you do with that precious opportunity for God’s Kingdom?

Think: My gifts open the door to interactions with men and women.

Pray: “Lord, help me to have faithful courage over what, where and when You command.”

Father-God’s Will

“Father-God’s Will” By Kirk Hunt

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.

Matthew 10: 29 NKJV

Poppa made me get in the truck and go to work with him. Did I appreciate learning a trade and work ethic? Not at the time. In retrospect, I am thankful Poppa compelled me. Consider now the Father’s will.

We confuse God’s best path for us with pleasant things and placid events. We act as if we think God only loves us when we lounge on flowery beds of ease and comfort. Instead, He loves us most when He allows us to reach our limits in desperation and distress. It is in the place of our extremes that we can best hear and respond to His voice.

He is omniscient. He sees all of our situation, no matter where we are. He is omnipotent. No matter how far we are past our limits, He is well within His power. He is omnipresent. You cannot go where He is not or even get there before Him.

No matter how hard and difficult your circumstances, God is right there with you. He is caring for you, despite your pain. His strength carries you no matter how weak you feel. His grace comforts you, no matter how many tears you cry.

The skills Poppa taught me have carried through my life. I still do not completely understand all of God’s will for my life. All I know is that I worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:31).

Think: One day I will understand God’s will for my life. Until then I will be obedient.

Pray: “Lord, help me to follow Your will for my life, regardless of how I feel now.”

Poppa’s Hands

“Poppa’s Hands” By Kirk Hunt

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

John 10:28–29 NKJV

The scene plays in my mind with thoughts of peace, safety and golden warmth. I was 4, maybe 5 years old. I sat on the front pew of Prayer Temple (now Nash Temple) and examined Poppa’s hands with rapt fascination. To my innocent young eyes his hands seemed without limit and without equal. 50 years later, my opinion is better informed, but no less convinced.

Even then his hands were scarred and rough from years of hard labor. His hands were strong from pulling electrical cable or cutting wires. In later years I would watch him switch seamlessly from casual displays of raw strength to deft demonstrations of control and finesse.

Despite how gnarled and unattractive they appeared, Poppa’s hands were a blessing of rare quality and strength. Poppa ministered to, provided for and gave protection to his family and anyone who sought his help. His hands were instruments of deliverance and provision.

Consider now the hands of Father-God. God’s hands are omnipresent, omnipotent, guided by his omniscience and motivated by His bottomless love for you. His hands are a place of peace, safety and warmth for every soul that will seek Him. And even for some souls who flee Him.

I sit in Father-God’s hands. It is a place of peace safety and golden warmth. With each passing day, my opinion is better informed and more convinced of His love and provision for me.

Think: The best place to be is in the hands of Father-God.

Pray: “Lord, guide me every day with Your loving hands.”