Banquet With The King

Monday, December 23, 2024

Have You Chosen Your Word of the Year for 2025?

Prayer – Lord, does time really matter? Does anyone really know what time it is…does anyone really care? We can only wait for time and use our time wisely—seeking You, Lord.

Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

Meditate. Consider God’s timing in scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

Seek God's Blessing--New Life in Christ.

Are you seeking God’s blessings?

What were you doing twelve years ago? It had been a year since I had started writing this blog—and last year I looked at the twelve days of Christmas. Twelve is an important number in the Bible. Note that it is in 163 verses in the New Kings James Version. It is noteworthy that Ismael, firstborn son of Abraham and Sarah’s maid Hagar, had twelve sons—who became the nations surrounding the current nation of Israel. Abraham’s grandson, Jacob’s twelve sons became known as the twelve tribes of Israel. History playing out before our eyes. Wars and rumors of wars resulting from centuries of sibling and family rivalries. What other twelves do we see in scripture? There was frequent mention of twelve gold or silver utensils in the temple and twelve oxen, rams, goats or other animals offered before the Lord as sin offerings. There were also twelve thousand soldiers and twelve hundred chariots. Twelve months, twelve years, twelve cities, twelve disciples, twelve baskets. Even in heaven there will be twelve gates. Search for yourself how many times twelve is significant throughout the Old and New Testaments.

Is twelve significant in your life? Twelve years of school. Who were the twelve most influential people in your life? How about five or even two most important individuals? Yes, twelve is an important number. There are twelve months ahead of us in this year of 2025. What impact will you make in other’s lives during this coming year? How will you serve the Lord by serving others? It isn’t too late to set goals and make choices about what you do—rather than just drifting through life and letting others tell you what to do and when to do it. Choose for yourself.

Choice. That was my word of the year for 2024. We all have a choice each day in hundreds of little things—that often result in a lifetime direction. Consider and choose wisely whom you will serve and what will you do with the time you have left here on this earth. Joshua encouraged the Israelites to choose before they crossed into the Promised Land.

"Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:14-15 NKJV (Underlined for emphasis.)

I’m still considering my “word” for next year. Possibly, “undecided,” “invincible,” “peace,” “patience,” or “obedient.” What is your “Word of the Year?” Have you chosen a word to guide you and give you encouragement each day? Can you choose a word that will impact on your life this year…and twelve years from now?

In choosing your word of the year, pray, then consider how you’ve seen God working in your life this past year. What were the highlights and joys of this year? What were your challenges and what did you learn from them? Where do feel that God is leading you? What area of your life need growing or healing? What is God calling you to focus on this coming year? God wants us to have a plan—He does. Embrace your word and focus on it trusting God to use it to guide you through each day. I’m going to follow this design. You can too; the choice is yours.

Verse of Salvation ~ For the Scriptures say, "If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:10-12

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Fourth Sunday in Advent - LOVE

Prayer – Lord. You are my Messiah...my Lord...my Savior. I praise You and look forward to celebrating Your birth—as the shepherds and wise men did. Holy. Holy. Holy—are You, Lord God Almighty. Open the eyes of anyone reading this—and reveal Yourself as their Messiah.

No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 1 John 4:12-16

Meditate. Consider God’s love in scripture.

Love is born. God is love and loved us so much…that He wanted to show us His love by giving us His Son as a sacrifice for the very sins of mankind.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven's Armies will make this happen! Isaiah 9:6-7

These verses out of Isaiah 9 are classic. The Savior and King that the world was waiting for was born as a little baby…in of all places a stable in Bethlehem. Bethlehem was a shepherd’s town. David, an ancestor of Jesus, had been a shepherd and at the time of Jesus’ birth sheep were raised in Bethlehem that were used for sacrifice at the Temple in Jerusalem. So this baby was wrapped in swaddling cloths, just like a baby lamb that would one day be sacrificed.

From Bethlehem, David’s hometown, came this Holy baby—part of the Trinity so that He would be part of: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. When we think of the Wonderful Counselor, we think of the Holy Spirit. The Mighty God and Everlasting Father invoke thoughts of our Heavenly Father, and Jesus Himself is our Prince of Peace. As you contemplate and meditate on the names of Jesus…and of our God, consider the other names of Jesus, besides Lord, King and Savior. Creator, Redeemer, Righteousness, Morning Star, Alpha and Omega, Messiah, Rabbi, Jehovah, Jehovah Jirah (Lord Provides), Jehovah Rapha (Healer), Yahweh, Yahweh Jireh (Provider), Yahweh Nissi (Banner), Yahweh Shalom (Peace), Yahweh Sabbaoth (Lord of Hosts), Sanctifier, Yahweh Ro’i or Jehovah-Raah (Lord is my Shepherd), Righteousness, Yahweh Elohim Israel (God of Israel) Adonai, Theos (Greek for God), Kurios (Greek for Lord), Despotes (Greek for Master), and Jehovah Shalom (Lord of Peace). Do some studies for yourself in the Blue Letter Bible, other on-line resources or in a concordance to discover more information on the names of Jesus. Seek to know more about Jesus. He has promised that if you seek Him, you will find Him. The choice is yours.

Verse of Salvation ~ Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name. Psalm 79:9

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Note to Self—Don’t Get Sick!

Prayer – Lord Jesus, did You ever catch a cold? Were You ever sick? You healed so many people—from Peter’s mother-in-law who had a fever, to lepers, lame, blind, and even raising people from the dead. You are an awesome Healer. Please even now…heal the sick, help and strengthen the broken hearted, and give us Your peace. We know You are with us always…even to the end of the age. Thank You!

Rest. Sit a minute and pray.
Bench in the Gaiser Conservatory.
Spokane, Washington

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. James 5:13-15

Meditate. Pray.

Note to self—don’t get sick! Ah…but you’ve a sore throat—is it the beginning of a cold? I’ve learned, once again, that if I don’t slow down and rest, that my body will make me rest…and then I’m sick! Ugh. I know that I forget what to do when I have a cold or am just plain sick. Here’s a checklist of things to remember.

o   Pray. Ask others to pray for you. Jesus is with us where two or more are gathered together—even over the phone or texting messages.
o   Take your vitamins and supplements, so you don’t get sick. Take extra if you are sick.
o   Take allergy medicine as directed by your physician.
o   Exercise and walk outside at least 20 minutes a day. Rain/snow/heat/wind. Walk anyway!
o   REST! That is the best preventative and healer. Sick—put an extra blanket on the bed and sleep!
o   Drink plenty of extra fluids besides your 8-12 glasses of water each day.
o   Make some hot tea with lemon, honey, and fresh grated ginger. Drink it while it is still warm, adding just a little cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar for an added kick.
o   Drink a quart of orange juice every day while feeling sick.
o   Eat chicken soup. Ideally make the broth yourself pressure cooking the chicken bones.
o   Eat fresh pineapple and kiwi. They have more vitamin C an orange.
o   Eat oranges, lemons, and limes.
o   Sleep—sleep—sleep.
o   Use Vicks or Essential oils (Peppermint, Thieves or Immunity) on your throat and chest.

Always begin each day…each moment with prayer. Prayer is powerful. It connects us with our living God, not with worthless idols. Be careful to whom you pray. Remember, there is only one God.

Verse of Salvation ~ Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Welcome Winter!

Today is the shortest day of the year—the Winter Solstice

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Friday, December 20, 2024

Who Can See God?

Faith...gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
Hebrews 11:1
Drawing of an eye by Amelia
Who can "see" God?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I believe in You. You came as a baby…and people had to wait until you were about thirty years old before You started Your ministry. You defended God—You always listened to Him and told your followers that the only way to the Father was through You, the Son. You let us know that we needed to please God the Father and as Jude says, we need to defend the faith—not denying God the Father or You. Please give us insight into our own desires and commitments.

Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God's marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude 1:3-4 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

Have you ever defended the faith—your faith?

Paul encourages us to do just that and directs us to live in a way that honors God, not being intimidated, overwhelmed or frightened by our enemies. He realizes and brings to our attention that we are in this together—and we still are in it with other Christians today.

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Don't be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it. Philippians 1:27-30

Like Paul, I am not ashamed of God or the gospel.

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life." Romans 1:16-17

Faith is the basis of our Christianity—actually an essential element for any belief. It is

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1

We are almost to Christmas. What do you believe? We each make a choice about…well, about anything. Stay holy.

Verse of Salvation ~ For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

What does your family have for Christmas Eve Supper? Over the years we’ve tried Chinese, Czech, a full turkey dinner, tacos, soup and sandwiches, fried chicken, breakfast for supper…whatever. The best supper is one that is done ahead of time…like this Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas which is just what my husband requested for Christmas Eve supper this year. Think about preparing this dish ahead of time for your family on Christmas Eve. Mine enjoys it…and it is easy to do so that we can spend time together…not slaving away in the kitchen. Enjoy and then head for your favorite church for a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas

One onion, chopped

2 Chicken Breasts, cooked and shredded

8 large tortillas (corn or flour)

1 pound mixed shredded cheese

1 can green chilies

White sauce gravy:

¾ stick butter

4-5 Tbsp flour

3½ cups milk

3 Tbsp chicken broth

1 can green chilies

Melt butter and stir in flour. Gradually add milk, chicken broth, and green chilies.

Line bottom of baking pan with thin layer of gravy. Warm up tortillas, by frying corn ones in a small amount of oil. You can microwave flour tortillas if necessary to make them pliable. Roll chicken into tortillas with some chopped onion and cheese. Place tortillas into baking pan. Pour remaining gravy over top of tortillas. Bake for 15 minutes at 350º. (Cook for 30 minutes if prepared ahead of time and refrigerated.) Serve with a tossed salad, chips and salsa.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Promises—Promises

Prayer – Lord God, I trust You to keep Your promises…and I vow to keep my promises to You. Just as You promised that You will never leave me or forsake me…I promise to never leave You or forsake You.

Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope. Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles. The proud hold me in utter contempt, but I do not turn away from your instructions. I meditate on your age-old regulations; O LORD, they comfort me. Psalm 119:49-52

Remember the Rainbow Promise?

Meditate. Consider God’s promises in scripture.

Do you keep your promises to others, to yourself, and most importantly, to God?

And may the LORD make us keep our promises to each other, for He has witnessed them. 1 Samuel 20:23

When you make a promise to God, don't delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to Him. Ecclesiastes 5:4

God doesn’t lie—He cannot—so we can rely on His promises and oaths. Ezra, who wrote this Psalm, assures us that God never changes His mind. He actually expects the same of us.

Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary. Hebrews 6:16-19

Our hope—for an eternal life with God and Christ Jesus—is secured by God Himself. I was recently impressed that we should not just focus on our Heavenly home…but on the service we can provide to our Lord Jesus while we were still here on earth. The expectation is for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus serving others as He would now. Additionally, we should be seeking to know God more deeply. Those are my life goals now. What are your spiritual goals? Everyone has a choice.

Verse of Salvation ~ So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness. 1 Peter 2:1-3

Partial recycle of July 10, 2017, Banquet With The King blog.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

God Can Be Trusted

Prayer – Lord, I trust You with all of my heart, mind, soul and strength. You are the light of my life…shine through me. Help me to trust others and share Your love and good news with them.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Consider what it means to trust.

You can trust this bridge.
You won't fall in the water.
You can trust God...Cross His bridge to eternal life.
Bridge at Japanese Garden - Spokane.

Who do you trust…really trust with your hopes, dreams, secrets, joys and sorrows? God can be trusted.

There were many times that the Israelites throughout history didn’t put their trust or their hope in God…and we still see that today in them and in us. But we can trust God…He wants us to trust Him. David wrote about trusting in God.

The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7

I recently read the book of Ecclesiastes written by Solomon, who even with all his wisdom and riches, was so mournfully, depressingly hopeless about life. Isaiah repeats that when he writes about having no purpose…but Isaiah still has hope and trust in God. He is looking for a reward.

Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The LORD called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name. He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver. He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory." I replied, "But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the LORD's hand; I will trust God for my reward." Isaiah 49:1-4

For the nation of Israel to be delivered from bondage may have been the reward. For everyone called by God, it is His salvation that is our reward. The Lord speaks to Israel through His prophet Isaiah about the Messiah—Jesus. The Messiah is God’s promise.

He says, "You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." Isaiah 49:6 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Promises. God says, “I will.” God certainly has provided us with hope—hope for today and hope for our future with Him. We can trust Him to keep His promises. Encourage others with that Good News. You’ve made the choice to have Jesus as your Savior—can you inspire others to do the same?

Verse of Salvation ~ Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. Jude 1:3

Refreshed and reused from June 25, 2017, Banquet With The King, blog.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories