Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Spiritual Growth

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...
Preparing for Battle — The Full Armor of God
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Preparing for Battle — The Full Armor of God

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Elevation Life Church “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” ~ 1 Peter 5:8 ~ When Peter wrote these words, he wasn’t describing a paranoid state of mind—he was describing a prepared one. Being alert and sober-minded means living fully awake—alert in God’s love and clear-minded in Christ’s truth. I learned that lesson the hard way after my time in the Air Force. When I retired after two decades of service, I thought I was good to go. I’d been trained to stay sharp, follow procedures, stay mission-focused, and even trust in God. But mentally and spiritually, I let my guard down. I believed I was living for Christ, but in truth, I was livi...
The Whole Armor: Where Humanity Meets Holiness
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The Whole Armor: Where Humanity Meets Holiness

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Elevation Life Church Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  ~ Ephesians 6:11 ~  Are you a half-dressed soldier in the Lord’s Army? During my time in the Air Force, one lesson stuck with me: readiness is everything. There’s no such thing as being partially prepared for a mission. I’ll never forget my time at Camp Bullis during a maneuvering field exercise early in my career. A few of us airmen decided to “lighten the load.” We figured since it was just training, we could ditch some of the gear—vests, helmets, gloves—just to stay comfortable. “It’s not real combat,” we told ourselves. “What’s the harm?” Then came the surprise inspection and a simulated attack. We were comple...
The Shoes of Peace: Stepping Into Purpose Instead of Panic
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The Shoes of Peace: Stepping Into Purpose Instead of Panic

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ~ Colossians 3:15 ~ During my time in the Air Force around the year 2000, I had the wonderful opportunity to work as a high-ropes instructor for youth in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The high ropes courses were built to challenge people beyond their comfort zones — encouraging them to trust their harnesses, stay level, and keep moving with confidence. One day, I decided to take my son Jeremiah to one of the courses. We thought it would be a wonderful father-son adventure — a fun activity we could enjoy together. But as soon as he stepped onto the line, everything suddenly shifted. Fear overwhelmed him. Anxiety took ...
The hardest place to practice peace is where it’s needed most
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The hardest place to practice peace is where it’s needed most

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” ~ Matthew 5:9 ~ Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored how planes and trains remind us to rise above and stay on track, and now, with automobiles, we see that peace isn’t meant to stay parked—it’s meant to move and spread wherever we go. During a trip to Florida, Sherrie and I experienced just how true this is. We reserved a car through a lesser-known rental company that promises convenience and low rates but often hides headaches in fine print. From the moment we arrived, it was a nightmare. We had planned to rent an SUV to make travel easier for Sherrie, who, as many know, is battling Stage 4 brain cancer and finds it hard to move around. But when...
The Shoes of Peace: Walking in Peace
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The Shoes of Peace: Walking in Peace

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  ~ Philippians 4:7 ~ Last time, we talked about putting on The Shoes of Peace—being ready. But shoes aren’t just for standing still or being set, like in the phrase “Ready, set…” They’re for moving forward. They’re for GOING! This week, we’re lacing up and stepping into what it means to walk in peace. Let’s GO! When I travel with my wife, Sherrie, again, who is facing health challenges due to Stage 4 Brain Cancer, things can get chaotic—and I’m 100% willing to navigate it with her. Airports and train stations are usually the most intense. Announcements blare over the loudspeakers, people dart like fish in...
Ready, Aim, Fire: How the Shoes of Peace Keep Us Steady During Chaos
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Ready, Aim, Fire: How the Shoes of Peace Keep Us Steady During Chaos

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns! ~ Isaiah 52:7 ~ Last week, Sherrie and I were traveling to Florida. Many know my wife has Stage 4 brain cancer, and because of that, she’s mostly immobilized. When we travel, she needs a wheelchair, and I do everything I can to make the process easier for her. On this trip, we had a long layover at the airport in Maryland. When it came time to board our connecting flight, the attendant announced over the speaker, “We’ll now begin boarding those needing assistance.” That should have been our cue to show care, patience, and offer help. Instead, i...
Drawing Nearer to God, Part 3: The Bible, daily bread, not a buffet line
ScottKJames.com, Approved, Commentary, National

Drawing Nearer to God, Part 3: The Bible, daily bread, not a buffet line

By Scott K. James | Commentary, ScottKJames.com Bible reading isn’t a buffet. God gives us daily bread – just enough light for the next step. Even one verse can draw us closer to Him. This is Part Three of my seven-part Drawing Nearer to God series. I heard my pastor talk about “drawing nearer to God,” and I found myself wondering - how do I actually do that? So I did what I always do: I started digging, Googling, and writing. Now I’m sharing what I’ve discovered along the way. Here’s my confession: when it comes to reading the Bible, I’ve always felt like I’m supposed to eat a buffet but end up grabbing a granola bar. You know the feeling. Somebody at church brags about finishing the Bible in a year. Another friend quotes entire Psalms like he’s got the thing tattooed on his brai...
The Sword of the Spirit – Transformative Power
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The Sword of the Spirit – Transformative Power

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Elevating Life Church “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 ~ When I was younger, I was fascinated with Disneyland in Anaheim, California. My dad had worked there, and my mom had books on Walt Disney—how he dreamed up new worlds, turned them into concepts, and then made them a reality. We’d watch shows about the planning, the struggles, and the breakthroughs. Then we’d stand in the park itself, surrounded by castles, rides, and lands that once existed only in his imagination. What struck me most was how a vision didn’t just stay in one man’s head—it became a place his family and millions of others could experience and enjoy. That’s the kind of transformation...
The Sword of the Spirit: Trailblazing with Common Sense
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The Sword of the Spirit: Trailblazing with Common Sense

By Pastor Drake Hunter | Commentary, Elevating Life Church Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  ~ Hebrews 12:1–2 ~ Imagine you’re standing at the edge of a thick, wild forest. The trees tower, the brush is dense, and the way forward looks impossible. Behind you are people who need a path—your family, your friends, maybe even your whole community. Then you notice the weight in your hand. It’s not just any tool. It’s a sword, not for decoration, not for collecting dust, but for clearing a way forward and defending against hidden dangers. At that...