CadreMen Press – Growing Christian Leadership Everywhere

God Is Present

God Is Present by Kirk Hunt

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

Acts 16:25-26 NKJV
Please also read Acts 16:16-30

Consider Paul and Silas’ terrible, no good, very bad day. The Apostles were the victims of malicious prosecution, by a mob. Then they were beaten with rods. Still bleeding from their wounds, the city fathers of Philippi threw them not just in jail, but in stocks. God did not prevent their circumstances, but He was there, in the middle of their situation.

Too often we think that delay, difficulty or denial means that God has abandoned us. Inconveniences, like persecution, are often God’s way of positioning His men and women for ministry. Romans 5:1-5 tells us that trials and tribulations build our faith.

Paul and Silas chose to worship. Their backs continued to bleed. Their feet remained locked in stocks. In pain and humiliation, they decided the correct response was prayer and singing praise to God.

Omnipotent and sovereign God proved His presence. An earthquake shook open all the prison doors and rattled off all their chains. God is always close to His faithful men and women. He always has options about how He reveals Himself.

God allows events in His timing, and for His purposes. We may not be happy for every circumstance, but we can choose His joy in every situation. He is close by. Reach out and touch Him in prayer and worship.

Think: God is close by in all your circumstances.

Pray: “Lord, help me to see and feel Your presence in every situation.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

More Than Resurrection

More Than Resurrection by Kirk Hunt

But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

John 12:10-12 NKJV
Please also read John 12:1-11 NKJV

Lazarus was not just a witness, but hard evidence. The man was dead. Then buried. Then decayed. Then Jesus raised him from dead. The power to resurrect someone is difficult to deny.

Despite performing the ultimate in miracles, the Chief Priests refused to have faith in Jesus. They were even willing to murder Lazarus, to silence his testimony. Destroying the evidence remains a popular criminal strategy.

Lazarus is not a pathway to salvation. His death, then being raised from the dead, is notable, but does not touch or impact salvation. Lazarus was not a perfect, final sacrifice. He could not atone for anyone’s sins, even his own.

Jesus died. Jesus resurrected. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12 NKJV).

Lazarus was a friend of Jesus. I assume he possessed redeeming qualities. Lazarus has no part in your salvation. Silencing him could not stop the ministry of Jesus.

Perhaps you are a great Christian witness. You might be evidence of the power of Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus is still the only path to salvation.

Jesus was the perfect, final sacrifice. He atoned for your sin, and especially mine. It is only by His Name men and women can be saved.

Think: Only Jesus gives salvation to men and women.

Pray: “Lord, thank You for the set and sure path to salvation through Jesus Christ.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Speak Only What The Lord Says

Speak Only What The Lord Says by Kirk Hunt

And Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak.”

1 Kings 22:14 NKJV

Prophet Micaiah did not care what the four hundred other prophets said. Courageously, Micaiah spoke God’s truth about the coming battle. Micaiah had only One source, and he spoke to an audience of One.

Too often, even God’s people allow themselves to be swayed by the crowd. Or manipulated by an influential voice. Our lone authority should be Scripture. The only influencer who should sway us is God.

Ahab wanted to hear what he wanted to hear. Instead, a faithful man spoke God’s truth. Determined to have his own way, he jailed Micaiah and went to war anyway.

The 400 men who prophesied success were wrong. Israel lost the battle. King Ahab bled to death in his chariot. Their numbers meant nothing, as long as they spoke against God’s word.

God’s people hear truth from one voice: Jehovah-God. When we speak, we should only speak what God tells us to say. No matter how many are listening, we speak to an audience of One, Father-God.

It takes courage to resist the crowd. It takes fortitude to resist the pressure. It takes integrity to refuse the bribes. Stay strong saint of God. Do not give in to false truth or disobedient voices.

Refuse the pressure of the herd. Listen to God carefully through Scripture and prayer. Speak only what He tells you.

Think: Do I speak God’s truth, or something else?

Pray: “Lord, help me to speak only what You say.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

He Stationed Himself

He Stationed Himself by Kirk Hunt

And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines. But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.

2 Samuel 23:11-12 NKJV

Shammah stationed himself in a field of beans. Definitely out-numbered and likely with inferior weapons, he refused to flee or surrender. Through his courage, God brought victory.

The Philistines were probably wielding hard, steel weapons. They absolutely had numbers. Shammah was likely armed with soft bronze, or maybe a sharpened stick. He absolutely was alone.

Scripture is clear that he issued orders to himself, “stand until relieved.” Such orders are difficult (and scary) when you know help is on the way. Shammah had to face the onslaught with nothing but his faith.

God’s mighty men and women are those souls who see the need and step up. They issue stern orders to themselves, then face the onslaught alone. And there, in an unlikely place and space, God brings a great delivery.

In my mind’s eye, I always see Shammah walking back to camp, alone. He was likely bruised, battered, and bandaged. He was just as likely carrying a load of “per-owned” steel swords. And who could blame him if he had some fresh picked lentils with him?

Station yourself where God wants you, mighty man or woman. Never mind those who flee in fear or faithlessness. His victory, and your blessing, will come through your faith-fueled courage.

Think: Am I willing to trust God to send a victory through me?

Pray: “Lord, help me to station myself where You want me.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

The Secret Place

The Secret Place by Kirk Hunt

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1 NKJV

God offers you a safe place, inside His authority and under His influence. The secret place of God is rest, restoration and security, no matter the circumstances. As His son or daughter, all you have to do is ask to live where He already dwells.

I get it. You are strong. Your skills and resources allow you to make your own way. You do not need some woo-woo talk of a hidden place only God has. Until you come face-to-face with your limits.

His hidden place is nonsense, until you are at the bedside of a beloved soul. You do not need divine sanctuary, until you realize all of them were always working against you. You don’t need God’s authority in your life, until they arrive to take all you have.

You are not weak. You are not confused. The world can, and eventually will, dish out more than any human can take. Will you choose to live in His secret place, or run exposed and vulnerable?

As God’s son or daughter, you can choose shelter they cannot breach. He gives His precious ones comfort that cannot be lost. His authority limits what can happen, if anything, no matter their numbers or rank.

God offers shelter they cannot see. Our heavenly Father offers protection they cannot breach. All you have to do is choose life with Father-God.

Think: I can choose to dwell in the secret place of God.

Pray: “Lord, help me to dwell in Your secret place.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Delayed Post

Delayed Post by Kirk Hunt

Due to human frailty, this week’s post will be late. I covet your prayers.

-Kirk aka Cadreman

Gift In The Room

Gift In The Room by Kirk Hunt

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

Proverbs 18:16 NKJV

Where there is excellence or skill, consideration is given by people. Sometimes, too much. God’s people (saints) should always operate in excellence. Your gift puts you in the room(s) to be an ambassador of Father-God.

Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations. Your gift, exercised with skill, used in grace, for a Godly purpose, gets their attention. While they are looking, you are preaching the Gospel message directly.

Make no mistake, all of God’s people preach. The mistake is thinking that your Gospel message always involves your words. The way you do what you do communicates a lot about you. And the God you serve.

Your name comes up in rooms you never knew existed. In front of people you did not think or know were looking or listening, and they have their purposes. You, a saint of God, follow the Great Commission.

And when they discuss your work, they dissect the hows and whys of your results and gift. In that moment, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is communicated. Or His Name is blasphemed, if you are a hypocrite.

God’s people are living letters, read by men and women. We are supposed to explain, in detail, how a loving God is searching for all of His children. Like any loving father, God wants to be reconciled with all of His kids. Are you using your gift to help or hinder Him reuniting with His children?

Think: My gift make room for me. Am I preaching the Gospel or something else?

Pray: “Lord, help me to preach Your Gospel, even when I am not in the room.”

This devotional is a ministry of 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.

God’s Grace Is Sufficient

God’s Grace Is Sufficient by Kirk Hunt

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NKJV

The apostle prayed earnestly and sincerely. A man who had given his life in service to God, sought just this one thing to ease his existence. In response, God reminded Paul that He had already given him grace.

It always grates my ears when someone says, “God did not answer my prayer.” God always responds. Too often, we do not like what He says.

In our tears, or grief, or anger, we too often pray selfish prayers. In our blissful ignorance, we too often pray unastute prayers. We pray with limited sight and understanding. We cannot see the impact on generations to come, or souls we will never meet.

God, who loves you, knows best. God, who loves them, is looking out for them, and you. So, in grace, Father-God provides an answer that is the best solution for you.

The tears might still be there. The grief may still be in full effect. You may still have to wrestle with your anger. But you continue to operate in God’s grace, and that is enough.

“No,” is often a very loving answer. “Yes,” may include more challenge than you thought. Just be glad, that our omniscient, omnipotent God is pouring grace on you.

Think: Where is God’s grace already in your life?

Pray: “Lord, help me to understand Your grace is enough for me.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.