Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Devotional

Hunter: Suit Up! The Helmet of Salvation — Sanctification: No Pain, No Gain – Spiritual Workout
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Hunter: Suit Up! The Helmet of Salvation — Sanctification: No Pain, No Gain – Spiritual Workout

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Every meaningful relationship requires effort, whether in marriage, parenting, or professional life. A thriving life doesn’t just happen; it takes work. The same principle applies to our relationship with God. Many recognize that salvation is a gift—freely given, not earned. And that’s true! Through Christ, we receive Justification, Adoption, and Regeneration—the objective and subjective aspects of salvation and all are freely granted, forming the footprint or foundation of our salvation. But here’s where it gets real: there’s an ongoing aspect of salvation called sanctification—and that, my friends, is where the spiritual sweat kicks in. Sanctification is the divine workout regimen for every believer, requiring daily effort, enduran...
Pastor Bob: For such a time as this, we must lift our voices
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Pastor Bob: For such a time as this, we must lift our voices

By Rev. Robert Babcox | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice I have been asked: should Christians be involved in politics? Short answer — yes! Oh some may blurt out 2 Corinthians 6:16 in response: "What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they will be my people.’ Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." This does not preclude us from voicing and practicing the way and will of God. Remember what Christ said in John 20:21: "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that, he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." ...
Devotional: Embracing new life through regeneration
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Devotional: Embracing new life through regeneration

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice The Helmet of Salvation, an essential part of the spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6:10-18, is not merely an image to visualize. It symbolizes the protection and assurance we gain when we respond to God's call for a new life—or a rebirth of reality—a new existence where we shed the old self and embrace a new reality that transforms our religious experiences into a deeper and more profound humanity in every aspect of life. The question is: will you answer the call?  Ring! Ring! Ring! Ah, the sweet sound of an incoming call. Well, at least it used to be. Nowadays, when my wife calls, I hear "Oh Sherrie"  by Journey (yes, I’m that guy). But no matter the ringtone, every call presents a choice—answer it or let it go to voicema...
Devotional: Adoption, the inheritance stored in God’s eternal trust fund
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Devotional: Adoption, the inheritance stored in God’s eternal trust fund

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Imagine this: God’s promises are like a special trust fund—a wonderful gift from a loving Parent. This trust fund isn’t about what we do or how much we achieve; it’s all about His endless grace.  Think of it as our eternal inheritance, a beautiful treasure we receive when we become part of God’s family through faith in Jesus Christ.  Here’s the comforting part: to really enjoy everything God has to offer, we just need to learn how to tap into this divine trust fund. When we do, He can bless us with even more treasures, filling up the heavenly bank account we’re building for eternity! Romans 8:15 says, “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brou...
Devotional: The six panels of the Helmet of Salvation
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Devotional: The six panels of the Helmet of Salvation

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice What truly defines our humanity? Is it our intelligence, our emotions or perhaps our knack for brewing the perfect cup of coffee? While many creatures display intelligence, experience deep feelings and even utilize tools — just think of a beaver constructing a dam or a squirrel cracking a nut — there's something unique that sets us apart. It's our ability to seek meaning, make moral choices, and pursue right, equable relationships and justice (purpose). Unlike animals that rely on instinct, we possess the gift of self-reflection, wisdom and the power to shape our reality through our decisions, provided we choose to channel that power for good. Yet, despite having this gift, we often make a mess of things. Poor decisions, unclea...
Devotional: Learning to trust God’s Armor in all aspects of your life
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Devotional: Learning to trust God’s Armor in all aspects of your life

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice During my military career, while on a special task force, I needed to qualify in "high ropes" to master rappelling from skyscrapers, steep mountains or any necessary situation. The training was rigorous in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, especially since I feared heights. Upon our arrival for training, we were introduced to the life-saving tools we would rely on. Many skills were taught and refined during this demanding experience. One particular lesson stood out — whenever a student froze or panicked high in the air, the instructor would shout confidently and with authority, “TRUST YOUR EQUIPMENT!” Most Christians are familiar with the Apostle Paul’s description of God’s Armor, referred to as “The Armor of God,” in his Letter to t...
Devotional: You, too, are equipped with a superpower – gratitude
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Devotional: You, too, are equipped with a superpower – gratitude

By DRAKE HUNTER | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Today, superheroes are a huge part of our culture — found in movies, video games, comic books and costumes. Many people are eager to discover heroes to admire, captivated by their astonishing powers and inspiring courage. What sets superheroes apart is their unique abilities. For example, Iron Man utilizes his genius-level intellect and cutting-edge technology, while Black Panther draws enhanced senses and strength from the mystical Heart-Shaped Herb. Wonder Woman wields her Lasso of Truth and a magical sword, the Flash captivates with super speed, and Captain America embodies justice with his iconic shield. Collectively, they represent the superpower of courage, driven by deep appreciation and gratitude. Like the legendary charac...
Devotional: Wearing the ‘Armor of Humility’ as a leader
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Devotional: Wearing the ‘Armor of Humility’ as a leader

By Drake Hunter | Devotional, Rocky Mountain Voice Genuine confidence can sometimes feel like a rare gem in a world filled with pride and arrogance. Interestingly, leaders in fields like the military, corporate world, education, politics and faith often struggle to find that solid confidence, especially in an age where neglect, individualism and mediocre leadership are too common. In comparison, factors like DNA, experiences, culture and authority shape our confidence only to a point. Still, the deep-rooted convictions of life establish and sustain humility and produce resilience in the long run. In the previous blog, "The Armor of Belief, Truth, and Trust," we discussed how our life is built on those Godly elements that unlock the most potent secret of leadership — humility. R...
Devotional: Reprogram your thinking to transform your life
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Devotional: Reprogram your thinking to transform your life

By Drake Hunter | Contributing Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Most Christians are familiar with the Great Commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). We often talk about the heart — linking it to trusting God’s love — and the soul, which relates to our physical energy and strength. But what about the mind? This oft overlooked part of our being or personhood is powerful and essential to living a life of purpose and impact. Everything begins with the mind — our thoughts shape how we feel, live and respond to the world. For Christians, mindset is about prioritizing the mind over the physical. Picture it this way: The brain is the hardware, a physical tool for processing information; The mind is the software,...
Devotional: Mercy in the power of a pardon must be rooted in truth
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Devotional: Mercy in the power of a pardon must be rooted in truth

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice The words "pardon" and "mercy" beautifully complement each other, leading to profound consequences and uplifting experiences. Recent discussions on political pardons reveal the true essence of mercy and underscore the importance of seeking forgiveness in line with God's principles, rather than the selfish and dishonest routes often seen in human behavior. Mercy is a vital manifestation of God’s love, and it has the power to transform lives. The key lies in having faith in God’s mercy to comprehend real mercy and recognize when pardon is justifiable.  President Joe Biden and I share a common experience — not in political views, but in the challenge of having sons who can be foolish and come from privileged backgrounds. My son,...