saints – 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.

Determination, Not Fear

Determination, Not Fear by Kirk Hunt

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Psalm 46:1-2

The crazy and chaos flows around and over you. The hellhounds snarl and howl in plain sight. Grip your spiritual weapon tightly, out of determination, not fear. Our help is all-powerful God and He is on the way.

Do not accept difficulty and delay as God’s absence or disapproval. Father-God sees you, knows your circumstances, and has a plan to bless and benefit you. He promised you salvation and victory, not ease or comfort.

Face down in the muck, God is your strength. Fighting off your adversaries hand-to-hand, God is your protection. You will rise in triumph, because Father-God is your source.

He promised. You may not like His timing, but God will be on-time. You make not care for the make or model, but it will be the perfect fit, form and function.

Your temporary inconveniences will be forgotten as you stand in permanent victory. The momentary ugliness will not compare to the lasting beauty. Your bitter accusers will recoil from your all-mighty defender.

He promised. Stand in determination and faith. Refuse to stay down in obedience to your calling and anointing. God’s strength and protection are yours, and He will deliver.

Think: No matter what is happening, God is my protection and power.

Pray: “Lord, help me to face my circumstances in Your strength and security.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Heroes and Saints?

Heroes and Saints? by Kirk Hunt

And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

Hebrews 11: 32-33

The men and women written into Hebrews 11 are not paragons of virtue or perfection. Murder (David), fornication (Samson), cowardice (Gideon) and recklessness (Jephthah) is a partial list of crimes and errors of these men, documented in Scripture. Still, here they are, listed as faith heroes.

God’s men and women (saints) are not perfect. Character flaws are part of the makeup of both saints and sinners. Unlike the sinners, the saints are willing to do what it takes to move closer to God.

Is it okay to be flawed? Of course not. Still, it is more common than anyone likes to admit. Real saints pursue God with everything they have, at the same time buffing out their own flaws.

To review, heroes of faith are common folk with the same flaws as everyone else. What is the difference? Face down in the dirt and muck, they sincerely repent. Then they get back up, and pursue Him. No matter their shortcomings, they love and honor God, and pursue Him with all of the faith in their souls.

Look in the mirror. There you are, flaws and all. God sees all of that, and more. Still, He loves you with infinite grace and unending affection.

Are you, like myself and so many others, imperfect? Then you are in good company. Pursue God anyway. Saints may not be perfect, but they do not stop pursuing God.

Think: The heroes of faith are common folk, like you, with uncommon faith.

Pray: “Lord, help me to have faith that honors You.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

God Has Granted

God Has Granted by Kirk Hunt

For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’

Acts 27:23-24 NKJV

In all of the noise, frenzy and disruption of this season, it is too easy to miss God’s presence. I and my extended family are blessed to walk in the blessing, grace and peace God has granted. My life is notable for God’s peaceful calm, despite the many storms of the day.

Brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and a host of cousins live on. None of the nephews and nieces are ill or injured. The extended tribe of my family faces neither undue hardship or harsh lack. We are blessed to prosper in the midst of the tempest.

Obviously, God’s angels stand close. Some carry sword and shield against disease and destroyers. Others carry boxes and baskets of provision for me and mine. I can only whisper, or shout, praise and thanksgiving.

God’s favor is not fair and cannot be earned. I are humbled by God’s tender attention. I am overwhelmed by His loving care. “Thank You” is too small a response to all of the good and benefit God has poured out on me and mine. In thankful response, I will pass on some of my blessing to others.

Look around. Despite the inconveniences you live with, you have enough to share. When God does not send angels, He sends His saints. Saints are men and women, just like you, who share the benefits and blessings they have received from God. Who have you blessed lately?

Think: God has granted. Have you shared?

Pray: “Lord, help me share the favor you have given me.”

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.