Will You Believe Without Seeing Miracles?

As he traveled through Galilee, He came to Cana, where He had turned the water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die. Jesus asked, "Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?" The official pleaded, "Lord, please come now before my little boy dies." Then Jesus told him, "Go back home. Your son will live!" And the man believed what Jesus said and started home. While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, "Yesterday afternoon at one o'clock his fever suddenly disappeared!" Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, "Your son will live." And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea. John 4:46-54 NLT

Please, Jesus come and help me. How many times have you called out to Jesus to help you when someone is desperately ill or in need of a healing touch? Is that the only time to call out to Jesus? Do you feel that you don't "need" Him when things are going well...when everyone is healthy? Do you need a miracle to believe in Jesus? Take another look. The time to develop strong relationships is when things are going well. Then when you need Jesus or others there are strong bond that hold you together and help you serve each other. Are you willing to spend your time, talent, and energy to develop relationships with Jesus and others?

RSVP: Will you plead with Jesus to help you in a time of need and believe that He will help you? Have you heard Jesus invitation to believe in Him, and to build a relationship with Him? How will you respond?

Prayer~ Lord Jesus, I trust You to help me, my children and my grandchildren, as well as other family and friends. We trust You to give us peace, joy and love in our lives on a daily basis...not just when we desperately seek You.

Friday's Feast at the King's Table
These are a miracle because they are healthy for several people in the family who have food sensitivities.

Miracle Banana Muffins
2 1/4 cups gluten free flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1 3/4 cups sugar (mixture of coconut sugar and date palm sugar)
2 large eggs
2 large extra ripe bananas (peeled and mashed)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup Craisins or raisins
1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional
In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, mix the coconut oil and brown sugar. Stir in the eggs, then add the bananas and vanilla.
Combine the liquid mixture with the dry ingredients, stirring together only until mixed. Stir in chopped nuts, if desired.
Transfer the batter into greased muffin cups, filling 2/3 full. I used small and regular sized muffin tins.
Bake in a 350°F oven for 18 (small) to 25 (regular) minutes or until a toothpick inserted in a center comes out clean.
Makes about 24 small and nine regular muffins.  Adapted from COOKS.com BEST EVER BANANA MUFFINS

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Sowing and Reaping

Jesus said to them...."Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. "Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this case the saying is true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor." John 4:35-38

The fields of people--ready for the harvest. If the fields are white--is Jesus referring to people dressed in white robes, like we read in Revelation? After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." ... Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?" I said to him, "My lord, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:9-10, 13-14. White robes washed pure--that is what we'll be wearing one day when the "harvest" comes. Will you be part of that "harvest"?

RSVP: Jesus is calling us to sow and to reap--but only those who are part of the harvest can do the reaping--so will you respond to Jesus call? Sow His seeds of love, joy, peace, and salvation, and reap the souls that have accepted Jesus as their Savior.

Prayer~ Jesus, Lord and Savior;, give us wisdom to know when to sow and when to reap. The harvest began with Your disciples and continues today--and we look forward to being part of the great multitude in white robes before your throne in heaven one day. We praise You.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Hungry for Spiritual Food?

Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." But He said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." So the disciples were saying to one another, "No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. John 4:31-34

Spiritual food, according to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, is nourishment for the soul. In 1 Corinthians 10:3 it talks about the Israelites eating...and all ate the same spiritual food...manna in the desert. Jesus referred to Himself as the "Bread of Life"...Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. ... I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh." John 6:35, 51. Spiritual food gives and nourishes spiritual life. At our home we eat to live and live to eat. Family times often focus on FOOD! What shall we eat? Our spiritual growth was generally only determined by individual Bible reading and Bible studies, as well as Sunday morning feasting, until recently when we started doing a daily devotional together. Good conversation that even gets interspersed into conversation throughout the day has resulted from our morning devotionals. Are you hungry for some spiritual meat? Seek God in His Word...But solid food (meat) is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Hebrews 5:14

RSVP: Jesus is calling us today...inviting us to feast on some spiritual food with Him. How will you respond?

Prayer~ Dear Jesus, show me in Your Word today some real spiritual food on which I can feast and share with my family and friends.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Merc.

May God Continue to Bless You--with His Love, Joy & Peace.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

I AM...the Messiah

The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He." At this point His disciples came, and they were amazed that He had been speaking with a woman, yet no one said, "What do You seek?" or, "Why do You speak with her?" So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and said to the men, "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?" John 4:25-29

Jesus told her that He is the Messiah. He rarely revealed Himself as the Messiah to anyone. Earlier Andrew told his brother that he had found the Messiah--the Christ--and then he and Simon Peter followed Jesus as His disciples. At Caesarea Philippi, later in His ministry, Jesus asked His disciples..."But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ." Mark 8:29. When Lazarus had died, Jesus went to see Martha and Mary. In conversation with Martha Jesus asks her if she believes...Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world." John 11:25-27 Who do you say Jesus is?

RSVP: Jesus asks us today...Who do you say that I am? How will you respond?

Prayer~ Jesus, You have revealed Yourself to me...to us. Help us to know You better and to serve You by showing others the truth and the way.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Worship in Spirit and in Truth

The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:19-24

She thought Jesus was a prophet...little did she know that she was talking to the Messiah--the Son of God--to God Himself. She was concerned about where to worship God, on Mount Gerizim rather than in Jerusalem where the Jews worshipped Yahweh.  It wasn't about where, but about WHO--the true spiritual God. He is the one that Jesus was encouraging this woman to worship...and He is the one that Jesus wants us to worship also.

RSVP: How will you respond to Jesus' invitation today? Do you see Jesus as a prophet and good teacher...or as the Son of God and our Messiah? Will you worship Him in spirit and in truth?

Prayer~ Dear Jesus, I worship You in spirit and in truth. My body still craves for food--especially for chocolate chip cookies today--but I know that You have spiritual nourishment for us. Just as You offered the Woman at the Well spiritual living water--You offer us spiritual growth. Help me to catch this message and to share it with others.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Thirsty?

So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; and Jacob's well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." She said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? "You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?" Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw." John 4:5-15

This passage has so much information and brings up lots of questions...who are the people of Samaria, why was this woman at the well in the middle of the day... and why didn't Jesus go into the town with the disciples? The Samaritans were half-breed Jews and thus the Jews and Samaritans had little respect for each other. They didn't generally even speak to each other. In the culture of that day and place men and women didn't speak to strangers--so Jesus was being very bold in asking this woman for a drink. Actually He was hot and tired from traveling--just like you and I are when we've walked six miles or more on a hot day. Jesus sat to rest while His disciples went into town to get food--or as the scripture tells us "meat"--not just tea and bread. It was noonish--long after most women had been to the well to draw their water for the day. This woman was despised by others--perhaps considered a woman of ill-repute--so she went to get water when no one else was there. Jesus' invitation to that woman and to us is for "living water" offering eternal life. Another invitation is to reach out those whose paths cross with ours.

RSVP: So how will you respond to Jesus today...for eternal life...for reaching out and sharing Jesus with others?

Prayer~ Thank you Jesus for being obedient to the Father and offering "living water" to just one woman. You didn't need to have a group of a dozen, of hundreds, or of thousands of people to whom to preach. Help me to know what to say to those whose paths cross with mine, that I can share your living water with them.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Can You Avoid the Wrath of God?

He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. John 3:31-36

It is repeated a couple of times in this passage ....He who comes from above or heaven is above all. That would be Jesus. He came down fom Heaven and told us about the Heavenly Father. Here are a few verses in which Jesus speaks about the Father and how to please Him.
  Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48
 

  Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. ... so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. ... "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Matthew 6:1, 4, 8

  Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Matthew 7:21

  Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:36

  All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Luke 10:22 NASB

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

  For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. John 5:20-21

  I and the Father are one. John 10:30 NASB

  My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. John 15:8
 

Jesus wants us to know His Father as our Father. God the Father wants us to know and believe in His Son, Jesus. Those who don't know seek to know Jesus will have the wrath of God on them (John 3:36). Wrath of God is...anger, vengeance and indignation. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 5:6
I will lay My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel. Therefore, they will act in Edom according to My anger and according to My wrath; thus they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 25:14

RSVP: How will you respond today--to God for sending His Son? and to Jesus for showing us His perfect Heavenly Father? Will you choose to be obedient and avoid the wrath of God?

Prayer~ Dear God, I acknowledge that You are perfect and Have given of the ultimate sacrifice--Your Son. Please accept my repentant heart and continue to reveal to me more about You and about Jesus--giving me, my children, grandchildren, other family and friends wisdom that we would understand the depth of Your love.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Homeless or Hopeful?

Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord--for we walk by faith, not by sight--we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 2 Corinthians 5:6-9

At home...or without a home. I saw a billboard today that said, "Are you feeling STRESSED? Think about how it feels to be homeless." Homeless--on earth or in afterlife? Either would be a
feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, rejection, and despair. I've never been homeless before--between homes, yes but always with hope and security that in a week or two we'd be in a new place, a new home over our heads.  Hope. Hope is powerful. It even will help us to be pleasing to the Lord. 

RSVP: Jesus is offering you an eternal home...and hope. How will you respond?

Prayer~ Jesus, I may feel stressed sometimes but knowing that I have an eternal home gives me such hope. I will never be homeless. Thank you.

Friday's Feast at the King's Table
Eggs are a staple in my diet. I can eat them just about any time of day...in lots of different ways. Boiled, poached (think Eggs Benedict), fried, stirred (as in an omelet), or in baked goods. Recently some of my family discovered that they that they have an intolerance or allergy to eggs. So what can be used as an egg substitute in baking? I found several suggestions on-line. These seemed the most helpful. http://www.betternutrition.com/egg-substitutes/food/goglutenfree/1224 Combine the egg sensitivity with dairy and gluten intolerances and you have a real challenge when it comes to menu planning.

Egg Substitutes in Baking
  * Ground Flaxseed Mixed in Water. Flaxseeds, which are rich in the anti-inflammatory essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, do not leaven like eggs for soufflés, but they can bind patties, meatloaf, cookies, and cakes. To replace one large egg, mix 1 Tbs. ground flaxseeds and 3 Tbs. hot water and let stand 5 minutes, until an egg-like consistency is reached. Or, blend whole flaxseeds in a blender to a fine meal, add warm water, and blend again.
  * Chia Seeds Soaked in Water. Chia seeds are highly gelatinous when mixed with water, and some say they produce higher-rising baked goods than flaxseeds. To replace a large egg, soak 1 Tbs. chia seeds in 3 Tbs. water for 5 minutes until the mixture has the texture of a raw egg.
  * Puréed Fruit or Vegetables. Applesauce, mashed banana, even puréed acorn squash can replace eggs in baked goods: To replace one egg, use 3 Tbs. or ¼ cup fruit or vegetable purée and add roughly ½ tsp. more baking powder to compensate for the egg’s leavening effect. You may also need to reduce the sweetener used in the recipe, depending on the sweetness of the purée.
  * Lemon Juice and Baking Soda. Combining an acidic substance, such a lemon juice (or vinegar), with baking soda, which is alkaline, produces leavening action in baked goods. For a cake or sweet bread, try 2 Tbs. lemon juice mixed in the liquid cake ingredients, and 1 tsp. baking soda mixed with the dry ingredients. When you whisk the liquid and dry ingredients together, mix quickly, and pop into the oven to get a baked good that rises without the eggs.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Invitation to Change

After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. John 3:22

Judea--the region of Israel during Jesus' time included an area north of Jerusalem, south just past the Gaza and from the Mediterranean Sea to the Dead Sea and the Jordan River on the east. On a map we can see that there are several rivers in that area just west of Jerusalem that drain into the Mediterranean Sea or it could be that Jesus baptized His disciples in the Jordan River. Where ever it was doesn't matter as much as the fact that He did baptize them. Baptism is an outward indication of repentance. Jesus did not baptize many people. He was baptized by John in the Jordan River...In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Mark 1:9. We note that He taught His disciples to baptize. Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John, although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were....John 4:1-2. Jesus' teaching encouraged people to change their ways and they repented of their sins. And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there. John 10:40 His teaching are still the same today...and the message is still the same. Repent and be baptized. Repent--admit and confess of the wrong things we've done in our lives...thoughts and actions.

RSVP: Jesus is inviting you today to "repent." Will you respond to His invitation, admit to your faults, change your ways...including your thoughts, actions, and attitudes...and become a follower of Jesus? If you are already following Him, will you rededicate your life to Him...or respond to His call by following His direction for your life?

Prayer~ Dear Jesus, I hear Your call. Help me to respond in a positive way. Cleanse my heart and fill me with Your Holy Spirit.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Running Towards Light or Darkness?

He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God. John 3:18-21 NASB

Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him (God's Son) has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness.
They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God.
Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is. John 3:18-21 The Message

Wow--this scripture in two translations tells us that if we believe in Jesus, we won't be judged--or we'll be set free from any accusations. If we don't believe we're as good as dead. By their choice people not interested in pleasing God--or even knowing--Him are set for some dark times. Their choice to reject God may result in evil influences in their lives. But what about good people, who just don't choose God? That is always a good question. It rarely goes the other way...God's people who choose evil. God deals with both types since in reality both are turning their backs on God. Where do you stand with Him? Running towards Him or away from Him? Towards the light or away from the light? 

RSVP: What is your response to God today? Are you running to the light or to darkness?

Prayer ~ Dear God, thank you for revealing Yourself and Your Son to me, my children, grandchildren, family and friends, that we believe. Help us to continue to grow in Your love and grace that our deeds would be acceptable to You.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Can You Love One Another?

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

Yesterday we looked at God's invitation to us to believe in His Son...and to love Him. God so loved the world--all of mankind. Consider today that He is calling us to be like Him in loving the world...all of humanity.  In John 15:12, God tells us...This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. How could we do any less? Do our selfish attitudes keep us from loving God and loving each other?

RSVP: Respond to God's invitation and command to love one another like He does.

Prayer ~ Dear God, forgive me for my bad attitude that keeps me from loving You and others.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

 

Respond to God's Love

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved
through Him.  John 3:16-17

Classic verses. These are ones that most children memorize. Maybe if you haven't memorized John 3:16, you may want to do it now. God's love is so immense, intense, unending, unfailing, forgiving, accepting, unconditional, eternal and totally beyond comprehension.

Do you have a child? Could you give up that child so that others could live? That is just what God did for us. He had a plan...and it was several thousand years after Adam and Eve rebelled that God's plan was fulfilled. Jesus came to earth, lived, taught, and died on a cross for the sins of all humanity. God the Father invites us to believe in His Son so that we will not perish--but have eternal life. Forgiven and purified so that we can stand before the very throne of God.

RSVP: God the Father has offered His invitation. How will you respond today?

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, I adore you and I humbly come before you acknowledging that Jesus is Your Son and my Savior. 

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

How Can These Things Be? Sunday - January 19

Nicodemus said to Him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. John 3:9-15

Nicodemus didn't seem to understand.  How can these things be? Jesus is telling us something profoundly simple--spiritual birth and believing in Him. He was also foretelling about His crucifixion--being raised up on a cross like Moses raised the bronze serpent in the desert. And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived. Numbers 21:9. That old serpent, Satan, biting people. The Savior of people who get "bit" is Jesus, who died on a cross for the sins of mankind. Can you believe that Jesus would die for you? Do you understand that there is a spiritual realm--and to enter God's spiritual Kingdom of Heaven--you must have a spiritual birth? Profoundly simple--but we must surrender our will to God, humbling ourselves to admit we are indeed sinners, and asking for forgiveness to receive God's plan for our lives. He want us to live full lives--filled with peace, joy, and love. Of course life isn't always easy, but God has also promised to never leave us or forsake us--so we're not alone as we go through the struggles in life. I'm glad for that. It's a heavenly thing. Can you understand that?

RSVP: Jesus once again is explained His sacrifice. He is inviting you to understand--to believe--heavenly things. Will you respond to his invitation?

Prayer - Jesus, please give me wisdom to understand heavenly things. Help me to be able not only to understand these things, but to be able to help others understand them, too.

                            (c) 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

        All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

God's Kingdom

Jesus replied, "I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit." John 3:5-8 NLT

Kingdom of God. That could be the Kingdom of Heaven or the Throne of God which in Heaven. In the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6: 9-13...Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. The Kingdom of God is at hand--nearby. The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel...Mark 1:15. When we seek God, we will find Him...just as He has promised.  "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock,  it will be opened to you"...Matthew 7:7. Are you looking for God? Are you wanting to enter His Kingdom?

RSVP: Jesus is offering you the opportunity to begin or grow in your spiritual life. How will you respond to Him today? Seek a deeper knowledge of God...Be born again? Or will you fail to respond and reject this invitation to come before the Throne above all other thrones--the very Throne of God?

Prayer ~ Jesus--I adore You. In my heart and soul I stand before The Throne of God praising You and thanking You for Your sacrifice that allowed me to be born again. One day we will have a wonderful Banquet in our Heavenly Father's home in Heaven. 

                 Happy Birthday - Mike! May God continue to bless you. 

                             (c) 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

          All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Born Again? - January 17

There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. "Rabbi," he said, "we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you." Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God." John 3:1-3

Pharisees weren't known for being kind to Jesus. Nicodemus sought Jesus at night--when no one else was around. Can't you just picture this stately, pious Jewish leader dressed in his righteous robes sneaking around Jerusalem to find Jesus and talk to Him? He'd be peaking around corners and looking behind him to see that no one was following him. Perhaps a little paranoid since Nicodemus didn't want to lose his righteous standing and honor among the Pharisees. He did want to really know who this man name named Jesus really was. Then Nicodemus found Him and Jesus said  he must be born again to see the Kingdom of God. Born again? How can that happen. Read on in John 3. Jesus wasn't talking about physical rebirth, but about spiritual rebirth. The spiritual realm is all around us...we usually just aren't in tune or aware of it. Most people are caught up in the physical realm so that we just ignore other dimensions. Other dimensions?those could be physical, emotional, intellectual, occupational, social, environmental, as well as spiritual.

Spiritual rebirth--becoming spiritually alive. God is spirit. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:24 (NLT) In the Christian tradition this means accepting Jesus as the Son of God, as your personal Savior, as the Messiah, the living Christ and repenting of sin. It is a spiritual experience in which you become adopted into God's family. 

RSVP: How will you respond to Jesus' statement, "You must be born again?" Spiritually consider your answer. It may be one of the most important decisions of your life. 

Prayer - Dear Jesus, please continue to give me insight into spiritual life.   You are my Savior--my Messiah.   

Friday's Feast at the King's Table

One of my favorite quick and easy desserts is Hot Fudge Sauce over mango sorbet. I usually have a can of sweetened condensed milk on hand--I think because my mother always did, but I rarely use it and don't have a repertoire of go to recipes that use that type of canned milk..Now I have one that I know is good and my family enjoys.

Hot Fudge Sauce

1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

2 squares unsweetened squares bakers chocolate 

1 Tbsp cocoa

Put all the ingredients into a 1 quart glass dish.  Using medium power, microwave 1 minute. Stir. Cook 1 more minute. Stir again.  Serve warm over ice cream or sorbet (mango, lemon, or raspberry). You could also pour this over lemon pound cake for a nice ending to a seafood meal. Enjoy.

                               Blessed 80th Birthday, Gladys--a precious lady of God. 

                                      (C) 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

              All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Trust Him With or Without Miraculous Signs?

Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. But Jesus didn't trust them, because he knew human nature. No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like. John 2:23-25 NLT

Passover is a Jewish celebration remembering God’s deliverance of His people from slavery in the land of Egypt. There were twelve plagues inflicted on the Egyptians in order for them to allow the Israelites to be set free. The last plague involved death of the first born male child throughout Egypt. The “Passover” refers to the angel of death passing over the homes whose doorposts were marked by blood from a sacrificial lamb. 

In this scripture passage Jesus was observing the feast of the Passover in Jerusalem shortly after the beginning of His ministry. He had been baptized, spent 40 days in the wilderness praying and fasting, had called several disciples, cleansed the Temple, and healed people. He was beginning to draw a crowd of people who trusted Him. It would be three years later when He was crucified that Jesus became the sacrificial lamb for the sins of the world on Passover. Would you have to see Jesus’ miracles to trust Him? Seeing is believing, like the old cliché says. But do we have to see to believe? Can we just trust what we read and hear? Have you had a miracle in your life? Jesus has helped me in countless ways, from answering prayers about traveling mercies, parking places, quick recoveries with health issues, and an overwhelming peace and joy in my life. When I’ve been in the pit of despair, depressed, and discontent with life, being blessed with Jesus’ peace and joy alone have made such a tremendous difference. I trust Him.  

RSVP: Do you trust Jesus with your life? Do you ever ask for miracles? Ask and you will receive. Respond to His invitation today to trust Him.

Prayer~ Dear Jesus, just as you promised…Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13) I am asking You to help me, my family, friends and neighbors to draw closer to You, to trust You and to be blessed by Your presence in our lives.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Are You Still Responding in Anger?

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

Is it your goal to improve your level of the righteousness of God in your life this year? Righteousness, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is acting in accord with divine or moral law; free from guilt or sin. It is living right, in God’s way. At the end of December 2013 I posted a list of questions to challenge spiritual goals for 2014. Here they are again…

Spiritual Goals:

1.      What would you like to accomplish spiritually this year?

2.      What attitude or habit needs to change?

3.      How would you like God to use you?

4.      What ministry could utilize your unique gifts?

5.      What ministry could benefit from your leadership?

6.      What level of intimacy would you like to have with God?

7.      What friend would you like to lead to Christ?

8.      Who do you want to be your mentor…and who do you want to mentor?

What steps are you taking on a monthly, weekly and daily basis to attain these goals?

So, beloved brothers and sisters, let us be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger—focusing on how God wants us to live…moment by moment, day by day this week. 

RSVP: Respond to Jesus’ invitation to grow spiritually this year. It’s not too late to choose a spiritual goal and do something today. Be sure to let Him know how you want to live…righteously for Him…or in anger will you turn your back on His invitation today? 

Prayer~ Jesus, I want to live a life pleasing to You…righteously. Please guide my thoughts, words, and actions. I sincerely desire to grow closer to You and to our Heavenly Father. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and show me new ways that I can minister to others for You—to be Your hands and feet to those near me.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Don’t Be a Fool

You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Matthew 5:21-22  

The ancients, Moses and the Israelites were given the Ten Commandments. Jesus is teaching here that if someone is angry and calls his brother or sister a fool then they may be headed for hell. That is pretty strong teaching. They may be the one who is a fool. Name calling is demeaning…is like murdering someone’s character. There are better ways to handle anger. Don’t get started down the road to hell because you are mad at someone. Reroute that anger into a more positive approach, trying to communicate logically and directly with the other person in such a way as to seek resolution to the problem. As Jesus taught, put others first before yourself. Treat others the way you want to be treated. You don’t want your character assassinated. Hell is a real place and it isn’t one that any of us would logically want to go to. I don’t want to go there and hope that you don’t either. So don’t put hell on your wish list as a place to go after you die. You’ll be angry with yourself if you end up there! Guaranteed.  

RSVP: Let Jesus know today that you want a ticket to Heaven, not Hell. 

Prayer~ Dear Jesus, help me deal with my anger…with angry situations in my life…in such a way as to resolve the problem with others instead of creating a deepening root of bitterness in my own heart. I want to have relationships that are encouraging, open and trusting with others and with God.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Why Are You Angry?

Time passed. Cain brought an offering to God from the produce of his farm. Abel also brought an offering, but from the firstborn animals of his herd, choice cuts of meat. God liked Abel and his offering, but Cain and his offering didn’t get his approval. Cain lost his temper and went into a sulk.  God spoke to Cain: “Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? If you do well, won’t you be accepted? And if you don’t do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it’s out to get you, you’ve got to master it.”  Cain had words with his brother. They were out in the field; Cain came at Abel his brother and killed him.  God said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “How should I know? Am I his babysitter?”  God said, “What have you done! The voice of your brother’s blood is calling to me from the ground. From now on you’ll get nothing but curses from this ground; you’ll be driven from this ground that has opened its arms to receive the blood of your murdered brother. You’ll farm this ground, but it will no longer give you its best. You’ll be a homeless wanderer on Earth.” Genesis 4:3-12 (The Message)

So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground. Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering;  but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?  If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”  Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.  Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground.  Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.” Genesis 4:3-12 (NASB)

This was the first recorded occurrence of anger. These two translations give us a little insight into God’s interaction with Cain and Abel. Cain must have wanted to please God…he gave an offering. But it wasn’t good enough…not as good as Abel’s. God wants the first and the best. Cain just gave on offering of his grain…not the first fruits—and God like a sweet aroma. He wants the best we have to give. Cain lost his temper. When we don’t meet the expectations of those who are important to us—we sometimes loose control—but that’s not what God wants. Replay this one. Cain didn’t please God this time and he chose not to be jealous of his brother Abel who had given a pleasing sacrifice. The next time Cain was careful to choose the first fruits of his crops and made it a fragrant aroma on the altar in a sacrifice to God. Making God happy pleased everyone and they lived happily ever after. Right!?! That’s not how it was to be. Make your sacrifice to God…My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalms 51:17 NIV    

RSVP: How will you respond today to Jesus? If you don’t respect your brother or sister and their gifts to the Lord, then you may end up being sent away from God, like Cain. Choose to honor God in all you do, think and say. 

Prayer~ Lord Jesus, I give you my heart…cleanse it and make it pure before our Father God, that it would be a sacrifice acceptable unto the Lord.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Dealing with Anger – How Do Your Respond?

After looking around at them (the Pharisees) with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He (Jesus) said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. Mark 3:5  

Once again we see that Jesus experienced anger. This time He quietly dealt with His anger and healed a man’s hand, knowing that it would displease the Pharisees for that action to take place on the Sabbath. There are many ways to deal with anger. Jesus righteous cleansing of the Temple, as in yesterday’s blog, in John 2:14-18, was primarily a negative unpleasant action as He overturned tables and drove the money changers and animal sellers, along with their livestock, out of the Temple. Jesus’ response to His anger in the healing of this man’s hand is a much more positive action.  

Dr. Ross Campbell, author of How to Really Love Your Child and How to Really Your Teen, developed the Anger Ladder which emphasizes dealing with anger is acceptable ways and improving ways to address anger in relationships. The goal is to go from negative ways of dealing with anger to the most positive way. Dr. Campbell pointed out that training a child or teen to do this can take years of work by the parents. It is not an easy overnight endeavor, but it is worth it to endure and encourage the child as they develop into a mature person. Of course, as always, the parent has to be the example along the way. How do you deal with anger? 

The Anger Ladder

POSITIVE

1. Pleasant, seeking resolution, focusing anger on source, holding to primary complaint, thinking logically
2. Pleasant, focusing anger on source, holding to primary complaint, thinking logically.

POSITIVE;  NEGATIVE

3. Focusing anger on source, holding to primary complaint, thinking logically; unpleasant, loud
4. Holding to primary complaint, thinking logically; unpleasant, loud, displacing anger to other sources
5. Focusing anger on source, holding to primary complaint; unpleasant, loud, verbal abuse
6. Thinking logically; unpleasant, loud, displacing anger to other sources, expressing unrelated complaints.

PRIMARILY NEGATIVE

7. Unpleasant, loud, displacing anger to other sources, expressing unrelated complaints, verbal abuse, emotionally destructive behavior
8. Unpleasant, loud, displacing anger to other sources, expressing unrelated complaints, verbal abuse, emotionally destructive behavior, verbal abuse
9. Unpleasant, loud, displacing anger to other sources, expressing unrelated complaints, verbal abuse, emotionally destructive behavior, verbal abuse, cursing
10. Focusing anger on source; unpleasant, loud, cursing, displacing anger to other sources, throwing objects, emotionally destructive behavior
11. Unpleasant, loud, cursing, displacing anger to other sources, throwing objects, emotionally destructive behavior.

NEGATIVE:

12. Focusing anger on source, unpleasant, loud, cursing, destroying property, verbal abuse, emotionally destructive behavior
13. Unpleasant, loud, cursing, displacing anger to other sources, destroying property, verbal abuse, emotionally destructive behavior
14. Unpleasant, loud, cursing, displacing anger to other sources, destroying property, verbal abuse, physical abuse, emotionally destructive behavior
15. Passive-aggressive behavior 

RSVP: How will you respond to Jesus as you deal with angry situations in your own life? 

Prayer~ Lord Jesus, help me to deal with anger in a constructive, not destructive way, and to be a good example to my children and grandchildren—as well as my friends and neighbors.

 © 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Respond to Righteous Anger?

And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; and to those who were selling the doves He said, "Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business." His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will consume me." The Jews then said to Him, "What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?" John 2:14-18 

Jesus had a right to get angry. Those people had turned the Temple into a business opportunity. They just wanted to line their own pockets. The Temple was meant to be a righteous place—holy unto the Lord. Not a place to make money. So Jesus cleaned out the Temple. The passion that He felt is one we should feel—emulate. As we all know, it is OK to get angry, like Jesus—just don’t let the anger control you, don’t let the sun go down on your anger—don’t seek revenge. All good advice. Since we don’t do sacrifices in our temples or churches, we don’t have to worry about anyone selling doves or “changing” money to temple coins for specific offerings. Do you ever feel angry at God? Sometimes life isn’t fair…but He never promised us a rose garden…just love and His presence in our lives. Seek Him first and He will provide the things you need in life…including peace, hope and love. Read Matthew 6, focusing on Matthew 6:33...But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things (particularly what you eat, drink and wear) will be added to you.  

RSVP: Jesus is calling you to seek Him first. When we are at church we need to focus on worship—not other things like making money for ourselves. How will you respond to Jesus today? Will you seek His will for your life—His kingdom and live in the way that He wants? Will you handle your anger in a righteous way?  

Prayer~ Lord Jesus, help me to focus on You and trust You. Prepare my heart even now for the worship service tomorrow at church. I want to serve You…and not have You turn over tables or throw out sacrifices of my heart. May the sacrifices of my heart be as written in Psalms…My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalms 51:17 NIV

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Respond to His First Miracle

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. ... Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each. Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." So they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it to him. When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, ... This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him. John 2:1-2, 6-9, 11  

The beginning of His signs. Jesus did so many miracles that they are not all recorded. The helps section of my Ryrie Study Bible gives a list of 35 miracles done by Jesus as recorded in the Gospels. This changing of water into wine was just the first of His miracles. What is significant of changing water into wine? Well not just anyone could do that. I can’t…can you? Jesus was meeting the needs of His friends, the bride and groom, at the request of His mother. Matthew Henry’s commentary notes that it was significant for this first miracle to be done at a wedding…such as the marriage of Christ to the church. It was also noted that this may have been family, as the servants seemed to take orders from Mary. Jesus had the servants fill large ceremonial water vessels with water…not old wine vats. Since no wine had been in those jars before no one could say that this wasn’t a miracle. The new wine was taken to the headwaiter…who may have been a priest, so Jesus might have been seeking a blessing of the new wine. There are lots of questions and suppositions about this event. For now we don’t know the answers—but we do know that Jesus was merciful to the bride and groom, providing for their needs. Likewise we can only hope that He will provide for our needs. We may not need wine, but we do need spiritual insight, wisdom and faith to believe in Jesus’ miracles.  

RSVP: Can you accept this manifestation of Jesus’ glory and expect Him to do miracles in your life, too? 

Prayer~ Lord Jesus, although You said to Mary that it wasn’t Your time yet…You were obedient to her and provided the wine that was needed at that wedding. Please provide us with abundantly with spiritual insight, wisdom and faith—as well as miracles in our lives.  

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

This passage today may have been Jesus’ first Banquet with His disciples. A wedding feast. Such a feast we’ll have one day in Heaven with Jesus Himself! What will we eat? That is a very good question. Manna? Hummus and pita bread? Olives? Wedding cake? Wine, like the wine that Jesus made from water? Water—fresh and cold?

On this cold winter Friday, I’d like to start the evening Banquet Meal with a seafood soup. This has become a favorite for my husband and me. 

Brodetto Seafood Soup - Serves 4      (Adapted from About.com)
¼ cup olive oil

1 onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 can of tomato sauce (8-oz)

¼ cup vinegar

1 cup white wine

1 cup boiling water

1 tablespoon fresh parsley

1 teaspoon dried dill

salt and pepper to taste

2 cups baby spinach

1 cup mushrooms, chopped or chunked

1/2 pound tilapia, cod or other white fish, cut into 1 inch pieces

1/2 pound scallops

1/2 pound shrimp

Crab, clams or mussels, optional

In a large stockpot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Add the onions and garlic and cook for about 3-4 minutes or until the onion is translucent. Add tomato sauce, vinegar, wine, water, dill and parsley. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.  Let the mixture come to a boil which will burn off the alcohol from the wine.  Return to a simmer, cover, and cook about 30 minutes. Add the spinach, mushrooms, fish, followed by the scallops and shrimp, and the other optional seafood as desired. Cover and continue to simmer for another 20-30 minutes. Remember that simmer is not even boiling. If you are using pre-cooked shrimp, don't add the shrimp until the last 5 minutes or so.  You want the shrimp to meld with the other flavors, but not overcook.  Serve hot with a fresh green salad and some nice crusty bread.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

How Do You Know Me?

Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel." Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these." John 1:48-50

Jesus is omnipresent and omniscient. He is God. He sees, hears, and knows everything…is everywhere. He knows everyone. He knew Nathanael, sitting there in Palestine under a fig tree—He was with him. Wow…if Jesus is omnipresent…He is with me now sitting here typing this…and He is with you there—reading this. What an awesome thought. He knows each of us. Even more precious is His promise …"I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you…." Hebrews 13:5. He will never forget about us…never abandon us. Sort of like in the chorus of the song “That’s What Friends are For” written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Sager, Jesus is always there for us.

That’s What Friends are For (chorus)

Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for.

Jesus is always there for us...a sure friend. A friend that would—and did—lay down His life for us. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13. That is a true friend—a true Savior. He knows us individually, knows our sins and short comings and still gave up His own life for us. That’s what I call a Savior. 

RSVP: What an invitation! Come here my friend and let me take your sin and let me die instead of you. You are worthy of me hanging on a cross. You can count on me. That is Jesus for you. How do you respond to that? 

Prayer~ Lord Jesus, just as You saw Nathanael under the fig tree, I know You see and know me. I’m counting on You to always be with me…to never abandon me. Even in these gray days of winter, in the good times and the bad times…You are with me. I claim that promise today. Likewise, I stand by You—and claim You as my Savior.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.