Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Spiritual Growth

The Self-Control Weapon: Don’t Pull the Plum Yet
Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, Devotional, Top Stories

The Self-Control Weapon: Don’t Pull the Plum Yet

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Little Jack Horner sat in a corner, eating his Christmas pie. He put in his thumb, pulled out a plum, and said, "What a good boy am I." Most of us learned that nursery rhyme as children and never gave it another thought. But through the lens of Jesus, Little Jack Horner tells a familiar story. Jack sees something he wants, reaches for it, takes it, and congratulates himself for getting it. That sounds a lot like us. We live in a world of immediate gratification. We want answers now, comfort now, success now, relief now, and pleasure now. Yet one of the greatest lessons Jesus teaches is that strength is often found in waiting. You see, before Jesus preached a sermon, healed a disease, or called a disciple, the Spirit led hi...
The reliability weapon: Humpty’s wall
Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, Devotional, Top Stories

The reliability weapon: Humpty’s wall

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Humpty together again. Most people think the lesson of Humpty Dumpty is about falling. It isn't. It's about trust. You don't sit on a wall unless you trust the wall. You don't climb high unless you trust what holds you up. And you don't build relationships unless you trust the people around you. The real tragedy wasn't that Humpty fell. Everyone falls. The tragedy was that when he broke apart, nobody knew how to put the pieces back together. That's where the nursery rhyme collides with the teachings of Jesus. The world says reliability is showing up, keeping your promises, being on time, and doing what you sa...
The Confidence Weapon: Climb Again
Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, Devotional, Top Stories

The Confidence Weapon: Climb Again

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again…’~ John 3:7 ~ The last few weeks, we watched Jack and Jill go up the hill… and come tumbling down. It was a picture of humility and trust. A reminder that sometimes the first step toward God is the fall that wakes us up. But Jesus doesn’t just leave us at the bottom of the hill. He looks at us—like children—and says, “Now… begin again.” Because the goal is not just to fall and feel sorry…The goal is to become something new. That’s where a different childhood rhyme helps us see what Jesus is teaching: “The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout.Down came the rain and washed the spider out.Out came the sun and dried up all the rain…And the itsy bitsy spider clim...
The empty pail: The first step up the mountain
Rocky Mountain Voice, Devotional, Top Stories

The empty pail: The first step up the mountain

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”~ Matthew 4:17 ~ “Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water…” Continuing with last devotion’s rhyme, we often remember the fall… but rarely ask the deeper question: What if they made it to the top… but never learned how to draw from the well? Because in the life of following Jesus, the issue is not whether we’ve started the climb—it’s whether we are being formed and becoming who we need to be as we go to do what God needs us to do. The first step toward becoming the person or leader you aspire to be is recognizing the mountain climb—the mountain of life—beginning with the one who gives life, now and always. When Jesus began His ministry, He didn’t start with a detaile...
Born for Battle: A New Identity, A New Fight
Rocky Mountain Voice, Devotional, Top Stories

Born for Battle: A New Identity, A New Fight

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 ~ Most of us remember the classic story “The Ugly Duckling.” A small bird is born on a farmyard, but something about him seems… off. The ducks mock him. The chickens peck at him. Everywhere he goes, the message is the same: “You’re awkward.” “You don’t belong.” “Something must be wrong with you.” So, the little duck grows up believing the lie: This is just who I am. Now, I’ve always felt a personal connection to that story. My name is Drake, and for those who may not know, a drake is literally a male duck. Not eagle. Not lion. Not stallion. Duck! So if anyone should understand the Ugly Duckling story, it’s me. ...
Shadow War: The Treasure That Changes Everything
Rocky Mountain Voice, Devotional, Top Stories

Shadow War: The Treasure That Changes Everything

By Drake Hunter | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” ~ Matthew 13:44 ~ Some battles are clear, but many wars are fought in the shadows—hidden struggles you're unaware of until something triggers your awareness. These quiet battles are often the most important, starting not with loud gunfire but with moments of discovery. These moments of discovery truly change everything, shedding light on what was once hidden. As a teenager in Carlsbad, California, I lived yards from the beach. Usually, before sunrise, I’d grab my surfboard and surf at first light; only a few were that committed. But we weren’t alon...
Frontline Peace: The Fight for Reconciliation
Rocky Mountain Voice, Devotional, Top Stories

Frontline Peace: The Fight for Reconciliation

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Elevating Life Church Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. ~ Ephesians 4:26-27 ~ One of the most common—and most misunderstood—beliefs Christians carry is this: Avoiding conflict is an act of love. It sounds spiritual. It sounds peaceful. But it isn’t what Jesus teaches. Jesus does not command silence in close relationships—He commands reconciliation. And when we confuse avoidance with love, we quietly surrender ground the enemy is more than happy to occupy. Let me take you back to my younger Air Force days. I had just been stationed in Germany. I was a brand-new Christian—excited, sincere, and still very immature. I had started going to church and was building ...
Accountability & Encouragement — Growing Strong Together in Prayer
Rocky Mountain Voice, Devotional, Top Stories

Accountability & Encouragement — Growing Strong Together in Prayer

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Elevating Life Church Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  ~ Hebrews 10:24–25 ~ As I write these words, Sherrie and I are again in the hospital, where we've spent the past 22 days experiencing a whirlwind of emotions and events. Each day presents new challenges—tests, treatments, setbacks, and small wins. The breathtaking sunrises over the Rocky Mountains seen from the hospital window serve as a constant reminder of hope. Your prayers have been our foundation during this journey. Your thoughtful messages, encouraging calls, and steadfast support showcase the true spirit of Christian unity in action. Sp...
Growing Up in Prayer — Why It Matters for the Armor of God
Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, Devotional, Top Stories

Growing Up in Prayer — Why It Matters for the Armor of God

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests   ~ Ephesians 6:18 ~ This week, our family celebrated a special milestone: my 9-month-old grandson, Thommy-boy, said his very first word—“Baby.” Moments like that remind us how wonderful life can be even during tough times. Later, I thought: What if, ten years from now, that was still the only word he could say? We’d all see that something was seriously wrong. Growth means expanding language, forming deeper connections, and improving our ability to communicate. Remember, prayer is the strength of a united relationship, whether it’s marriage, friendship, work, community, or even an Army—an Army of God ready to fight.  At this ...
Victory in Christ — The Calling of a Child of God
Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, Devotional, Top Stories

Victory in Christ — The Calling of a Child of God

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  ~ 1 Corinthians 15:57 ~ Let’s explore the Reason, Grace, Truth, and Revelation behind the Calling of God’s Children. Reason – Understanding the Call Every follower of Jesus has two callings—a Primary Calling and a Secondary Calling. Your Primary Calling is not about what you do, but who you become. It’s the call to be a child of God. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). That’s not a task—it’s an identity. This is where victory begins: when we turn our hearts over to Jesus, remove the beam from our own eye, and allow Him to create a new life within u...

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