Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Find Something Good

Memory Verse:
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

The LORD your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live! Deuteronomy 30:6

When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. Then it says, 'I will return to the person I came from.' So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.  Matthew 12:43-45
When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, 'I will return to the person I came from.' So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.  Luke 11:24-26

An evil spirit. That is real—though we may not actually “see” it. Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus…addressing all Christians through all time and that include us today.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:12-18.
Shirley and Bob
Anne & Vicki
Evil spirits may not be tormenting people—like the demon possessed men that Jesus healed in Luke 4:31-37 and Luke 8:26-39, but sinful, rebellious attitudes and evil desires today could be attributed to satanic influence in a person’s life. Today would have been my sister’s birthday—but just over twenty-eight years ago she was killed in what I call a domestic violence attack on her life when she was shot by her ex-husband, Ron. Her two daughters and new husband were also killed. Shirley loved God with her entire heart, soul, mind and strength. Her ex-husband at one time had declared himself to be atheist—not believing in God. Jesus has said that whoever is not for Him is against Him (Luke 11:23), so Ron was against Christ—thus for Satan. That evil influence in his life ultimately robbed my family of my sister and her family. Was there more than one demon in Ron? Who knows? It only took one weak man with a big gun and a few minutes to kill four people and then himself. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. BANG! It was over. Was the evil spirit gone then? What happens when there is no body for it to inhabit? In one of Jesus encounters the demons asked to go into a herd of swine and then the swine went over a cliff into the Sea of Galilee (Luke 8:26-39.)
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Put on your armor every day. Stay protected. You wouldn’t go out in the hot sun without sunglasses and a hat or sunscreen, so don’t go into your day without protection of God’s Word.

Sometimes life happens in ways that we can’t find the good—like domestic violence, but we still have the assurance that…
…we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28
Find something today that is good…from God.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus Christ, You are my rock, my fortress, and my Savior. You are my God and my rock, in whom I find protection. You are my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. You are my refuge, my Savior, the one who saves me from violence. I call on You LORD, because You are worthy of praise, and You save me from my enemies. 2 Samuel 22:2-4.

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 59-63

Happy Heavenly Birthday to my Sister, Shirley. Miss you, Sis!
Rest in Peace…and listen for the sound of the Trumpet.
The dead in Christ will rise first!
See you in the air…or up there!

© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
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Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Those Who Love God


Memory Verse:
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

Bird of Paradise - the Love of God
Israel
…those who love God…. That is the significant central idea of this verse. It applies only to those who love God. Do you consider yourself part of that group? I want to do just as Jesus said… And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. Mark 12:30. I love God more than life itself. My goal in life is to please Him—to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Is that your goal also?

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit…I want to put You first in every way in my life…but like Paul…”I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God's law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.” Romans 7:21-23. Help me Lord—free me from my sinful nature. Help me to do what is right…to follow Your teachings and live to please You.

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 54-58

© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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Monday, July 29, 2019

Consider How God is Working In Your Life


Memory Verse:
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28


Hope of life...a blossom in the desert.
Study this verse in context. Read it two or three times. Paul was writing to the people at the church in Rome concerning sanctification and hope as part of God’s family. What is it really saying to you? Do you find hope in this passage?
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. Romans 8:18-30
Hope and prayer are themes in this section of the book of Romans. The memory verse gives us a special hope…knowing that God makes things work together for the good of those who love Him. What more could we want out of life? Knowing and loving God should give us hope. And when we don’t know how or even what to pray…the Holy Spirit prays for us. Wow. That is love—praying for us when we don’t know what to say.

Consider how you see God working in your life…and in the lives of your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors.

Prayer ~ Jesus—may my attitude reflect Your glory and honor. I want to serve You with the highest devotion that You and our Heavenly Father deserve in all that I do. Please help me and each person reading this to choose to follow You and may we see evidence of You working in our lives.

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 49-53
© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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Sunday, July 28, 2019

Restore this Scripture


Memory Verse:
Restore me to the joy of my salvation.
Your promise in the heavens.
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12

How can you apply each of these portions of the scripture passage to your life today?
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
and don't take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
Utilize this scripture in your life…in my life.
Create in me a clean heart, O God. – Change my attitude.
Renew a loyal spirit within me. – OK Lord—I submit myself and my life to You—right now.
Do not banish me from your presence, – I will seek to know You more, Lord. If I know You more deeply, then I’m in Your presence. Let it be.
and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. –  Fill me again…and again with Your Holy Spirit.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, – I rejoice…totally joyful…in knowing that my eternal life began when I accepted You, Lord, as my personal Savior. I don’t have to wait for eternal life—it is now.
and make me willing to obey you. – Make me willing to obey. I am obedient. I love You, Lord.
Are you seeking a renewed spirit or just the renewal of joy—like what you experienced when you first received salvation? That salvation was a gift from God…you didn’t earn it, deserve it nor could you even expect it. God gave it to you—to each of us—when Jesus died on the cross.

Prayer ~ Jesus, Restore us, O LORD, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had! Lamentations 5:21.

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings19; Psalms 48, 80, 135

© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
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Saturday, July 27, 2019

Sing to the Lord


Memory Verse:
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12

Renew a Right Spirit within me.
Renewed--new life like a butterfly.
How are you doing memorizing this verse? Did you write it out and post it on your mirror or by your kitchen sink? Have you sung it as a song? The lyrics to a “Create in Me a Clean Heart” were written by Keith Green, recorded, and are a familiar chorus sung in churches today.
Create in Me a Clean Heart
Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me

Cast me not away from Thy presence, oh Lord
And take not Thy holy spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me.
Each translation of the Bible is a bit different so even the words to this song may vary from the passage that you are trying to memorize—but it is still the Word of God and give us guidance and assurance. Singing the song that Keith Green wrote…or making us a song of your own…will help you to memorize God’s Word. Sing it to the Lord.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, give us the desire to have You renew a right spirit within each of us and create in each of  us a clean heart. Help us to know that You are always with us…we are in Your presence. Don’t take the Holy Spirit from us. Give a renewed and refreshed joy associated with the salvation that You have provided for us.

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 44-48

© 2019 Text and painting by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
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Friday, July 26, 2019

Willing to Obey

Memory Verse:
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12

Make me willing to obey you. Make me. God doesn’t force us to do anything. We are not His puppets. He has given us free will and the ability to make our own choices in life. Choices can be selfish…just for our own benefit…or to please the Lord. We can always ask for His help and guidance—knowing that He loves us and wants the best for us. The choices we make impact our family, friends, work associates and neighbors…sometimes even strangers. Choose wisely.
But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose. Psalm 25:12

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1

Willing to obey you. Obedience involves a surrender of our will, of being willing to submit to another’s will, whether it is obedience to the Lord God Himself or to a covenant made between two people and God—as in marriage vows. Love, honor and obey. Not everyone uses that phrase in their exchange of wedding vows, but it is a pledge to honor God as well as the other person. Honor God by honoring and obeying His commandments. No adultery…no lies. God expects us to obey…but it is by faith that we are saved.
Clearly, God's promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God's law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. If God's promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!) So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham's. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. Romans 4:13-16 

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. Hebrews 5:7-8
During His last supper with His disciples, Jesus reminded them about His love and the obedience that He desired from them.
I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:9-14
Are you willing to obey? I choose, once again, today to serve God…and to obey His word to the best of my ability. I’m not perfect…just wanting to please the Lord in all that I think, say and do.k

Review this scripture passage for memorization.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
and don't take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
How can you apply each of these portions of the scripture passage to your life?

Prayer ~ Help me—as well as my family, friends and neighbors to be willing to be obedient and to love each other…as You love each of us.  

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 40-43

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table
Next Wednesday would have been my sister, Shirley’s 71th birthday. She was killed over twenty-nine years ago in a domestic violence incident. She was a great cook…and baker. Her apple pies were the best and growing up she won several blue ribbons at the county fair for those great pies. To honor her I want to share her favorite pie crust and apple pie recipes with you.

Pie Crust
2 c. flour
1 tsp salt
¾ c shortening
¼ c cold water

Mix 1/3 cup flour and the ¼ cup water into a paste. Set aside. Cut the shortening into the remaining flour until pea-sized lumps. Add the flour-water paste. Mix well. Divide into 2 parts. Roll out crusts and place in pie tin.

Note: This may be doubled to make more pies. It is our family’s favorite pie crust recipe. Always a flaky crust. The original recipe came from a 1954 Betty Furness Westinghouse Cook Book. The cover is torn off and it is a well-used cook book, especially the pie section.

Shirley’s All-American Apple Pie
5 c thinly sliced, pealed apples
1 c sugar
2 Tbsp flour
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 Tbsp butter
Pastry for 2 crust 9” pie

Combine sugar, flour, spices, salt and lemon juice. Add apples. Toss to mix.
Roll out pastry, line pie pan. Trim off overhanging pastry. Roll pastry for top. Add half the apple mixture. Dot with butter. Add the remaining apples. Moisten the rim of the crust with water. Adjust top crust, trimming so there is about ½ inch overhang. Fold edges of crust together and seal rim by pressing together. Flute edge. Brush crust with milk. Add vent holes—usually cut in the letter “A” for apple.

Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 50-60 minutes or until apples test done with a fork. You may want to put foil around the edge of the pie crust before baking and remove for the last 15 minutes.

Enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
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Thursday, July 25, 2019

Restore Joy


Memory Verse:
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12

R
Renew joy...like this Morning Glory in Israel.
estore to me the joy of your salvation.
Restore – bring back. Reinstate. Restore to me…not to someone else…but to me. Restore…joy. Joy—to rejoice or be glad. It is something that you think of at Christmas time. Joy to the World and all…. There needs to be joy all year around, joy doesn’t depend on happiness. There can be joy…even in sorrow.
The young women will dance for joy, and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing. Jeremiah 31:13

So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. John 16:22
No one can rob of that joy…of your joy.
As David wrote about joy with a sparkle in his eyes.…
O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O LORD my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Don't let my enemies gloat, saying, "We have defeated him!" Don't let them rejoice at my downfall. But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the LORD because he is good to me.
Psalm 13:1-6
Salvation. Redemption. Deliverance. My salvation. It is from the Lord. Jesus paid the price of my salvation with His death on the cross.  The knowledge of that salvation gives me joy.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Is their joy in your salvation?

Prayer ~ Jesus, You are my Savior…and my Lord. Thank You for loving me…as well as my family, friends and neighbors. For my heart rejoices in You, because I trust in Your holy name. Psalm 33:21 NASB

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 37-39; Psalm 76
© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
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Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Who Is The Holy Spirit?


Memory Verse:
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12

Don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. You may ask…“Who is the Holy Spirit?” The Holy Spirit is part of the triune God. Jesus also called the Holy Spirit the Comforter, the Counselosr, and the Advocate.
But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:26
The Holy Spirit came to the Christians, those who were followers of Jesus Christ, after Christ was resurrected, just as Jesus had promised. You can read about it in Acts 2. Peter preached to the thousands that were gathered together on that day of Pentecost.
Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He (Jesus Christ) has poured forth this which you both see and hear. Acts 2:33 NASB

As a missionary to the Eurasia region of the world Paul encounter believers who did not know who the Holy Spirit was.
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers. "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" he asked them. "No," they replied, "we haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." "Then what baptism did you experience?" he asked. And they replied, "The baptism of John." Paul said, "John's baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus." As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:1-6
Jesus ascended into heaven...in a cloud.
He sent the Holy Spirit to comfort, encourage and remind us.
Have you received the Holy Spirit? Do you believe in Jesus Christ as your savior, as Lord of your life, that He is God Himself? Then believe that the Holy Spirit is God…part of the triune God. God is One, but He is made up of three part: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Just before Jesus ascended into Heaven He gave a great commission to His disciples…and to all believers. Make disciples and baptize them. That is what we are to do, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me and I certainly don’t want to grieve the Holy Spirit.
Let no unwholesome word proceed from my mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom I am sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from me, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven me. Ephesians 4:29-32 NASB

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 35-36

© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
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Tuesday, July 23, 2019

The Presence of God


Memory Verse:
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12

Do not banish me from your presence….
Where is the presence of God? Is God only in heaven…or is He here with me now…always and forever?
Don't make rash promises, and don't be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2

I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. ... You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. 
Psalm 16:8-9, 11

The Holy Mount in Jerusalem.
Is God's presence there...or is He with you wherever you are?
Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the LORD's blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. Psalm 24:3-6

But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God's presence. Let them be filled with joy. Psalm 68:3

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence. Ephesians 3:12

How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God's presence.
1 Thessalonians 3:9 

And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life. 1 John
5:20

Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Isaiah 55:6

The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all [people] life and breath and all things; and He made from one [man] every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined [their] appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.' Acts 17:24-28 NASB

Those who seek—really look for—the Lord will find Him. They will come into His presence.

Job was wanting to find God, yet he was afraid in His presence.
If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court. I would lay out my case and present my arguments. Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me. Would he use his great power to argue with me? No, he would give me a fair hearing. Honest people can reason with him, so I would be forever acquitted by my judge. I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed. "But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. For I have stayed on God's paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food. But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind? Whatever he wants to do, he does. So he will do to me whatever he has planned. He controls my destiny. No wonder I am so terrified in his presence. When I think of it, terror grips me. Job 23:3-15
Trust is the key to finding God…in the midst of life. Trust Him.
By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:20-23

Prayer ~ Lord, How we thank You! Because of You we have great joy as we enter Your presence.
1 Thessalonians 3:9

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 31-34
© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
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Monday, July 22, 2019

Loyalty


Memory Verse:
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12

Renew a right spirit...a loyal spirit in me.
Renew a loyal spirit within me. Renew your spirit…your thoughts and attitudes. Sometimes we all need an attitude adjustment. I know I do from time to time. I get caught up in the doldrums of life and haven’t lived putting Christ first…doing just what He wants me to do, but knowing that I should focus on Him and serving others. Being loyal to Him should be of upmost importance in our lives.
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:21-24
The prophet Ezekiel wrote God His relationship with the Israelites. He wanted to give them a new pure heart. Sounds like a good thing…a good plan. It would be good today for everyone…not just the Israelites—but they are still His chosen people. Actually this scripture is part of prophesy about Israel’s restoration and God’s new covenant with that nation which is said to be initiated at the time of Christ’s second coming. We can all use a new heart and new spirit anytime. No stone heart.
Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 NASB

Prayer ~ Jesus— Create in me a clean heart and renew a loyal spirit within me. An attitude that is encouraging to others…and loyal to You.

© 2019 Text and painting by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
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Sunday, July 21, 2019

Wash My Heart


Memory Verse:
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a clean heart, O God.
A clean heart—morally and ethically pure. This is a plea for purification of the heart. The heart being the innermost part of a person—the soul or conscience, the will or intellect, the center of the emotions, passions and courage—is the controller our lives. Paul wrote to Timothy about Christians having genuine faith and a pure heart—filled with love. A clear conscience will certainly result in a pure heart.

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 1 Timothy 1:5

How is your heart? Is your conscience clear or do you feel the need for the purification of your heart? Sure. We all know that at one time or another…we have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory…His will for our lives. We need God to create in each of us…a clean heart.
Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin"? Proverbs 20:9

Prayer ~ Dear Jesus, create in me a clean heart. Only You, Lord God can cleanse my heart and purify my very soul. I am trusting You. Thank You for caring about me…and loving me so much.

Daily Bible Reading: Hosea 8-14

© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Follow And Like "Banquet With The King" on Facebook. 👍