skills – CadreMen Press

The Ministry of Training

“The Ministry Of Training” By Kirk Hunt

But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod.

1Samuel 2:18 NKJV

Samuel literally began his ministry as a preschooler, if not a toddler. Dressed like an adult priest, he carried out mundane tasks in the Tabernacle, just like everyone else. Still, the “trainee” heard from God, even when the High Priest could not (or would not).

Perhaps you are truly in the apprentice phase of your life. Good. Learn all you can. Still, what is your output? Even as a learner, you can bless, benefit and build the Kingdom. Are you willing to be a source of output? Do you have the heart to be a blessing, here and now?

Too often we expect that we must be deeply qualified and extensively experienced before we can serve God, or men and women. You can fulfill your calling here, now and as you are. You may be better later, but today you are more than good enough for the tasks before you.

Samuel may have been the last of the Judges, but he was also the first of the Prophets. His authority, knowledge and service before God are recorded in Scripture. Still, he started his ministry as a child and delivered God’s Word to Israel’s elite leadership. Before he was considered an adult, or fully capable, Samuel was a heavy-hitter.

As you work and train before God, you too are a ministering learner. Your credentials may be thin. Your certificates may be few. Still, for some, what you have to give is a weighty matter. I pray that you deliver what God has given you.

Think: Even while training I can build God’s Kingdom.

Pray: “Lord, how can I build your Kingdom, today?”

This devotional is a ministry of http://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

The Intention Of Training

“The Intention Of Training” By Kirk Hunt

They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.

2 Peter 2:14 NKJV

Training requires a target. High skills and knowledge always requires focus on a specific and deliberate outcome. What is your intention?

Peter and Paul both faced men and women who trained their minds and bodies for unrighteous, sinful outcomes. As if doing the wrong thing was easy enough, those souls focused their efforts on the very outcomes God’s people try to avoid. These “cursed children” want sin and wrongdoing to be expanded in the world.

History is full of examples of men and women who sought the worst in themselves and others. Millions have suffered, and will suffer in the future, because of the dark and malicious goals of a determined few. Thankfully, the opposite is also true. A few, determined souls can bless and benefit this generation and next.

Whose kingdom do you want to build? Do you seek to build the Kingdom of God, here and now? If so, you can be a “blessed child” to everyone around you and to generations to come.

Consider what you are training your mind, heart and body to do. The intention of your purpose exposes who you really are. It is my prayer that we will see that you are a child of Father-God.

Think: The intention of my training is building God’s Kingdom.

Pray: “Lord, I train diligently so I can build your Kingdom.”

This devotional is a ministry of http://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

The Results Of Training

“The Results Of Training” By Kirk Hunt

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

Luke 6:40 NKJV

As you train, you and others will see results. The more you look or act like the instructor, the better the training. The more we look and act like Christ, the better.

The goal is not to look or act like a great teacher, evangelist or pastor. Mimicking a Godly man or woman of God can be a great teaching tool, but that is not the point of your training. Your goal is to look like Christ. Your task is to find Him in Scripture and transfer His image to yourself.

God intends to place you in unusual circumstances so you can minister to the unique needs of the men and women you find there. No one else can. No one else should.

Despite never-before-seen circumstances and one-of-a-kind folk, God wants you to respond a very specific way. Like Christ. That is why your training has a very specific outcome.

The desired results of your training are clear and specific. You have the assignment, and opportunity, to respond as Christ would. Across the centuries, and across the globe, there is a specific way Christ would respond. What are the results of your training?

Think: My training enables me to become Christ-like.

Pray: “Lord, I will train diligently so that I can become like You.”

This devotional is a ministry of http://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

The Nature Of Training

“The Nature Of Training” By Kirk Hunt

And three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.

Daniel 1:5b NKJV

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were talented, gifted men when they were selected to serve king Nebuchadnezzar. Still, they needed training before they actually appeared before him. God’s people, even the most spiritual among us, need training.

The need for training is not a negative. Despite their qualifications (Daniel 1:4), the “Hebrew Boys” needed 36 months of additional skills and knowledge before they were ready for their tasks. God has great plans for you, so He has assigned training to prepare you for your mission.

Paul, despite his education and knowledge, spent 3 years (Galatians 1:15–18) training before assuming the mantle of an Apostle. Moses’ 40 years of “exile” in Midian are considered a time of training by most Bible scholars. Your training prepares you for great things.

Even savants and prodigies need the skills and abilities that come only from proper training. Without practicing scales and arpeggios even professional musicians would be at a disadvantage. Every professional sports team has at least one yearly training camp. Despite their championship rings.

The practice floor demands sweat and labor. The certificate will require hours of work and effort. Your preparation further qualifies you for the role God has for you in building His Kingdom. Train diligently and thoroughly.

Think: Training enables me to build God’s Kingdom.

Pray: “Lord, I will train diligently so that I can better serve You.”

This devotional is a ministry of http://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.