vision – CadreMen Press

Things Not Seen

Things Not Seen by Kirk Hunt

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
Read also: Hebrews 11:1-40

Faith in God is absolutely simple, and mind-boggling complicated, at the same time. The biggest sticking point is that there is nothing physical to see, touch or hear. Yet God’s people should live our lives as if the hoped for, and unseen, are as sure and set as every physical thing in our lives. There should be no surprise that some are confused. On both sides.

Even the strongest of God’s people can be discombobulated at times. “Did God speak to me, or am I just determined to have my way?” “No rational mind would believe this. Why do I?” Real Faith ™️ is often the most demanding aspect of the Christian walk.

Men and women who live without faith in God too often see Christians as dull or swindled. “Those fairy tales give their simple minds comfort.” “Christians have simply been tricked or brainwashed.” Good folk, modern life is based on more abstract ideals and concepts than you consider.

My faith is in God. I cannot prove Him through rational thought or scientific evidence. I have felt His substance and seen proof of Him. Still, I cannot show God to you directly.

I might convince you, if I live out my life as His faithful ambassador. You can read His love letter to you through my Godly life. Whether you accept the evidence about God or grip His substance is a matter of your faith.

Think: God is not seen, but He is real.

Pray: “Lord, help me, and others, to have faith in You and Your Word.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Open Your Eyes

Open Your Eyes by Kirk Hunt

And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Kings 6:17 NKJV
Read also: 2 Kings 6:8-23

The eyes of Elisha and his young servant saw the same thing. They were surrounded by the Syrian army. Elisha’s calm confidence lay in God’s army of fire that “filled the mountain.” Elisha prayed, “open his eyes.” I pray that God will open your eyes.

God’s people see the sin, error, cruelty and selfishness. Too often we forget to look with spiritual eyes. Elisha did not deny the Syrians surrounded them. The prophet also saw that God’s power exceeded the armed invaders. Angels stood near and ready to act at Elisha’s word.

Through God’s power, a single man subdued an enemy host, and without inflicting a casualty. Open your eyes to God’s power that fills your mountain. There is no good reason you cannot subdue an enemy host that opposes God’s Kingdom.

To the untrained eye, God’s saints seem outnumbered and outgunned. I pray God will open your eyes to His power and wisdom that surrounds you. There are horses and chariots of fire ready to fulfill God’s mission and purpose in your life.

Do not deny what your natural eyes see. See, with spiritual eyes, the power and provision that God has prepared for your use. Subdue the enemies of God with mercy, then nourish them with grace.

Think: What should you see with spiritual eyes?

Pray: “Lord, help me to see Your solutions and salvation through spiritual eyes.”

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.

Have You Seen?

“Have You Seen?” By Kirk Hunt

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

Isaiah 6:1 NKJV

The Temple was just as beautiful and impressive as it had always been. Then suddenly, it was pale in comparison. The majesty, glory and presence of God filled a space unable to begin to contain so much power, might and eternity. In that moment Isaiah saw the God of heaven as you should see Him.

Perhaps you are new in Christ. You may be a seasoned veteran of God’s Kingdom. Either way, you need to see again. I pray that you will come into His presence, in His full glory. I want you to see God, as He should be seen.

We are His children. He loves us as no other can. Still, He is a big God and we are a very small part of His creation. We need to understand what it means for the God of all creation to concern Himself with us.

He is at the center of all things and He designs and plans in love and grace toward us. With swirling galaxies and nebula, whirling around Him, He turns the loving eye of a father on mere men and women. With all of creation clamoring to worship our infinite God, He concerns Himself with us.

Isaiah saw and understood. A very big God, uncontainable in any earthly place or space, concerned Himself with one soul. Have you seen that the God of creation concerns Himself with you?

Think: Do I really see God in all of His glory and majesty?

Pray: “Lord, help me to see 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.

See, Then Deliver

“See, Then Deliver” By Kirk Hunt

But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.”

1 Samuel 17:34–35 NKJV

There was no time for a committee meeting or an appeal to the local animal control officer. David saw the bear preparing to eat one of his lambs and he acted. He delivered the lamb from certain death. The optional analysis and discussion phase came only after the work was complete.

Had David not acted, the bear would have eaten the lamb. Worse, she might have come to the conclusion that the flock would be a continuing source of easy meals. Stripped of her dinner, the bear tried to replace the lamb with the annoying shepherd that struck her.

Your God-given vision will remain intangible and unsubstantial until you act. Your vision is a distraction until start building it in the real world. People cannot see your vision as you do, but they can see the work you do.

You do not need to consult with a committee. You are the vision building officer. Men and women, boys and girls need you to deliver the vision God has already given you.

Act wisely. Act promptly. Act and deliver.

Think: Act on the vision God gives you.

Pray: “Lord, give me the strength to deliver what I see in my vision from You.”

See, Then Go Out After It

“See, Then Go Out After It” By Kirk Hunt

1 Samuel 17:34–35 NKJV

As a shepherd, David saw and understood the situation. An apex predator was preparing to eat one of the sheep from his flock. David also saw with vision the dead lion, then went out after the lamb.

Sight is different than vision. Sight sees the current facts and data. As a rational person, you see the circumstances as they are.

Vision is different than sight. Vision sees a future set of facts and data. As a rational person, you see the circumstances as they will be.

I cannot tell you that your vision is without risk or effort. In fact, I can guarantee you that your God-given vision will require, at a minimum, figurative blood, sweat and tears. The Apostles and Prophets (almost all) lost their lives in fulfilling the vision they received from God.

You see a set of facts and data that do not exist yet. God has sent you that vision in order to guide the work He wants you to accomplish. The tasks you complete will change the situation and transform you. See your assignment, then go out after it.

Think: Go after the vision God gives you.

Pray: “Lord, give me the strength to go after the vision You give me.”