repentance – CadreMen Press

Worship Anyway

Worship Anyway by Kirk Hunt

And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.

Mark 14:3 NKJV

Please read one or all of the Gospel accounts:
Matthew 26: 6—13, Mark 14: 3—9; Luke 7: 36—50; John 12: 1—8

Mary prepared her worship in advance. She spent a lot of money, but that is not what make her worship note worthy. Her unstoppable intention and resolute sincerity is why Scripture records her actions in all four Gospels.

Even today, an alabaster perfume box is not common. Spikenard, which grows in the Himalayas of Nepal, is still rare and costly. Mary spent over a year’s wages to worship.

The other Gospel accounts record the unkind responses of observers. If Mary knew of their hissing whispers, she ignored them. Mary walked past others to worship her Messiah.

The Bible does not confirm that Mary was a prostitute. Scripture states she had been demon-possessed and a notorious sinner. Mary did not let her past, or the murmuring busybodies, keep her from worship.

You have an opportunity to worship today. Will you pay the price? Will you walk past unfavorable circumstances, or disapproving stares, to worship?

Whatever it costs, He is worthy. No matter what others do, Jesus is available to you. No matter what has happened before, He waits for you.

You can worship. If you want to. Everything else is just details.

Think: I can worship Jesus, if I am determined.

Pray: “Lord, I worship You, because You are worthy.”

This devotional is a ministry of 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.

And Swallowed Them

And Swallowed Them by Kirk Hunt

Now it came to pass, as he [Moses] finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them [the rebels], and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods.

Numbers 16:31-32 NKJV
Please read also Numbers 16:1-40

Korah’s rebellion against Moses had a deadly, clear-cut resolution. The dirt beneath the feet of the rebels and mutineers split open, swallowed them, then closed again. The mutineers, their family members, and even their possessions, disappeared in a moment. Please read Numbers 16:1-40 for the complete account.

Why did Korah rebel against Moses? At Jude 1:11, Korah’s rebellion is associated with other notorious sinners and their sins of greed: Cain the brother slayer; Balaam the spiritual sell-sword. Whatever his reasons, Korah, and 250 other men, were destroyed with their families. No one could deny their destruction as a clear move of God. Whatever their motivations, God judged their actions with harsh finality.

There was time between the start of the rebellion and their punishment by God. I believe there was time and opportunity (Numbers 16:16, 23-24) for Korah or his mutineers to repent and receive mercy. Instead of confessing error and sin, the rebels pushed ahead to God’s sovereign judgment.

Often, men and women get minutes, or hours, to confess before God and withdraw from their sin and rebellion. Too often, rebels push ahead to God’s final and very public judgment. In this pause, have you re-considered what you are doing?

Think: Father-God am I in Your will, or am I in rebellion?

Pray: “Lord, help me to be in Your Will and not in rebellion against 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.

Mourning The Rejected

“Mourning The Rejected” By Kirk Hunt

Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.”

1 Samuel 16:1 NKJV

At first, King Saul had been God’s man, in and through character, anointing and appointment. Even before sparing King Agag, Saul, son of Tish, had become rejected by God. Samuel grieved for the loss.

Saul chose to be rejected. It came one act of pride, arrogance or disobedience at a time. All too soon after his coronation, Saul decided he did not need to obey God or continue following His law.

Godly men and women rarely fall all at one. You just suddenly notice. Like David, Saul likely had multiple opportunities to repent and recover. Thick, thin, bright or dim, the king crossed a final line in God’s judgment and divine rejection..

God is a God of mercy and grace. He is also a God judgment and justice. Seek Him while He can be found.

God ordered Samuel to his feet and sent him to anoint the next king of Israel. Saul could have stayed close to God’s heart and purpose. Instead, he chose to reject God’s plan for himself and the nation. His choice became a tragedy for him and the nation.

Please do not confuse God’s love and mercy for indulgence. Your anointing can be lost. Your appointment can be forfeited.

It may not be “just one more thing.” It may be “the final straw.” Seek God now and seek His continuing acceptance.

Think: What path am I choosing and why?

Pray: “Help me to stay worthy of Your acceptance and approval.”

After Admonition

“After Admonition” By Kirk Hunt

Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

Titus 3:10-11 NKJV

Admonition can be defined as authoritative counsel or warning. Nathan’s confrontation of David (2 Samuel 12:1-15) is a definitive example of how to correct even a powerful leader. Just as important, even the powerful should respond correctly to truth-speakers. Paul, speaking to Titus, plainly states there are limits to the effort to help men and women who are in error.

David’s Israel was wealthy and militarily powerful. Still, Nathan appeared in David’s throne room and rebuked him for his sin and error. Success or good performance in one area of your life is not an excuse for sin anywhere in your life.

David, thankfully, had the wisdom and imperfect righteousness enough to respond with confession and repentance. No one is so perfectly righteous, or extraordinarily wise, that they never need authoritative counsel or warning. With all of his power and authority, King David meekly and obediently accepted Nathan’s rebuke. David then patiently endured his (painful) process of repentance and restoration.

Christian men and women do not give up on someone the first (or second) time it gets hard. On the other hand, Jesus Himself said, “Go and sin no more.” Grace is not a “continue to sin” card.

Titus, on Crete, led folk who tended to go their own way, instead of following God’s path. Paul the Apostle provided clear instructions on how to handle divisive men and women. Sooner or later you will give the rebukes, or take the rebukes. How will you act in that day?

Think: After being admonished, do I, or others, sincerely seek to make a change?

Pray: “Lord, help me accept admonishment as one of Your righteous men or women.”

Healing Instruments

“Healing Instruments” By Kirk Hunt

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

I am horrified. Each black man could have been a nephew, cousin, brother or one of my precious sons. Each policeman could have been a nephew, cousin or one of my Gospel brothers. “God where is Your healing?”

There is pain and outrage as the carnage continues. There is fear, anger and despair as the body counts climb. The cycle of violence can only be broken through reconciliation and restoration.

Clearly, America needs healing. God’s power is the only source powerful enough to cleanse the infection and mend the wounds. Consider this: He will use His people to do the work.

The image is not of held hands and gentle songs. The picture is of the hard, painful labor of self-examination and repentance. There will be the hard, sweaty work of choosing a different, better way. After that, there will be grueling practice until righteousness becomes an engrained response. And through it all, we will have to start trusting each other.

God is our source, but we are the instruments. It will take everyday men and women, just like you, to reach out to others in grace and humility. Consider someone else’s heart and mind, first and last. Do the hard things that end the violence and fear.

There may be hot tears and harsh words. That is okay. Healing will begin after the infection is cleared and the wounds begin to close.

Think: I am God’s instrument of reconciliation and healing.

Pray: “Lord, we seek Your face. Heal our land.”