Banquet With The King

Daily Devotional focusing on spiritual "food" at the King's Banquet Table. In 2025 this blog will explore verses to meditate on as we examine Jesus' command to "Go", pursuing a deeper relationship with God as we grow in Christian maturity. This web page has had over 288,000 page views by people in over 140 different countries who are seeking God through His Word. God has promised if you seek Him, you will find Him. May you be blessed reading Banquet With The King.

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

How Much Patience Do You Have?

When my kids were small, my patience was tried probably every day! Strong willed children can be very challenging. Are we that way to God? Challenging? When I prayed for patience my Bible Study friends’ eyes got big and they shook their heads. “No! You don’t want to pray for patience! That will bring on more challenges!” Uh-oh! Eventually, I learned to be patient with my kids and later when they were older another friend remarked that I had such patience! Ha! It was a God given talent or fruit of the Spirit that God had bestowed on me after lots of testing!

Apple Blossoms
What kind of fruit is produced in your life?
Is it the fruit of patience?

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Patience in the Old and New Testaments can be identified with the LORD’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, rather than just with Jesus. Patience in the Strong’s Concordance, known as number 3115, is defined as longsuffering, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, and slow to avenge wrongs. These are associated with how one bears troubles. I guess that includes the Holy Spirit having patience with us, like we read in the question of the Micah passage below. Yet, it is the Holy Spirit working in us that produces patience. Without Him, how do people ever have patience? I’ve seen mothers lose their patience with their kids, particularly in the grocery store or some department stores where the kids just keep hounding their moms, or throw a tantrum if they don’t get what they want. What a shame. Parenting skills are just that…skills. They have to be learned and practiced. The kids have to be told what is expected of them and then the parents must intentionally and consistently follow through with enforcing the boundaries they have established. Not an easy task—but look at how God treated His chosen people…His family. He told them what was expected of them…and then punished them when they rebelliously didn’t comply. He does reward for good behavior, too.

How are you doing with the rules or directives that God has put before you? Are you grateful for the patience that the Holy Spirit has with you? What are your plans this month for honoring God—showing Him that you love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength…and your neighbor as yourself?

Should you talk that way, O family of Israel? Will the LORD’s Spirit have patience with such behavior? If you would do what is right, you would find my words comforting. Micah 2:7

We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 2 Corinthians 6:6

Prayer – Lord God, forgive me for my rebellious thoughts, words, and actions. I’m not always listening to You and obediently responding to Your words. Cleanse my heart and put a right spirit within me—that I would prove myself by the purity, understanding, patience, kindness, and sincere love that the Holy Spirit has put within me. Thank you…for hearing my prayers and for the grace and mercy You have shown to me and my family.

Meditate. Consider the patience of the Holy Spirit.

Verses of Salvation ~ But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:14-15

How can I pray for you? Let me know in the comment section below.

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

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

April Fool? The Dead Will Rise – Old Testament or New Testament?

No April Fool joke here.

Do the Old Testament and the New Testament have teachings about the Lord Jesus and resurrection of the dead? Search for yourself. I did and these passages below are some of what I found. Those who believe in the LORD Jesus will be resurrected—rise again. Jesus comforted people whose loved ones had died by explaining to them that those loved ones were merely sleeping (See Matthew 9:24, Mark 5:39, or Luke 8:52). Once again, we see Jesus addressing the same subject in the Old and New Testaments, revealing Himself to those who read only those books and emphasizing the same teaching, thus strengthening the truths He was teaching throughout the Bible.

It is exciting to know—to be reassured—that not only is Jesus Christ returning, but He will raise from the dead those who believe in Him as their Savior and we will all be in Heaven together with Jesus. That is part of the Good News of the Bible. Jesus was born, lived, and died as a human being, but the best news is that He was resurrected and is now in Heaven. He will come back again, just as He said, and we will live eternally with Him in a new home that He has prepared for us. We’ll serve Him forever. What a wonderful and unique opportunity. Yes, we will sing for joy! That is hopeful encouraging news. If you are among those who believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, share this Good News with everyone you meet. If you are not a believer…why not?

But those who die in the LORD will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead! Isaiah 26:19

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for Your promises. We look forward to Your return—whether it happens when we are already in the grave…or before…we are excited to know that You’ve prepared a place and an opportunity for us to serve You for eternity. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Meditate. Consider this promise from the Old and New Testaments that the dead in Christ will rise from their graves and then we who are still alive will be caught up to Heaven, too.

Verse of Salvation ~ As for us, we can't help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13

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

Monday, March 31, 2025

Where Do You Find Joy?

Where do you find joy? Are you looking for joy…for happiness in your life?

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4

…be full of joy in the Lord.

JOY! Joy is happiness, delight, pleasure, elation, thrill, gladness, delight, and wonder. There it is. Jesus felt JOY! He says my joy. He wants us to be full of joy!

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:11

He wanted the disciples and us to have His joy. Not only just basically full of joy…but joy overflowing! That is a human emotion that everyone feels at some time in their lives. Jesus did, too.

Look at this passage a little more in the context of where, when, and to whom He was speaking. He and His disciples were in the Upper Room and they had just finished the Passover Meal. Jesus was giving those disciples His last pep talk…His last lecture…His last teachings. What He said during the first three years of His ministry was so important…and He was reminding them of His love for them and the importance of obedience. Be loving, obedient and overflowing with joy.

Be filled to overflowing with Joy...
as you bear much fruit.

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. 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. John 15:5-12 (Underlined for emphasis.)

In Isaiah 5 there is a parable of a vineyard where Israel is depicted as the vineyard and it produces evil fruit. Here Jesus is telling the disciples that those who live the way He has taught them will produce fruit…good fruit. Consider the Fruits of the Spirit…

Those were the “fruits” for which Jesus was looking. He was trying to encourage those in His disciples and in us. Note that “joy” is in that list. He wants all His followers to have that overflowing joy. Paul encourages the Romans with this same joy…as well as hope and peace.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13.

In the Old Testament, David wrote about joy that comes from obedience to the Lord, to Jesus. That is the joy that Jesus wants us to have. Because of obedient, loving actions as the result of pure, undefiled hearts seeking holiness, we will be filled with His joy.

- The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living. Psalm 19:8

- So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! Psalm 32:11

How is your heart today? Filled with joy? Overflowing? Have you found joy in your life? Has your life brought joy to others? What could be keeping you from this joy? Give it to the Lord.

The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair. Psalm 19:7-9 (Underlined for emphasis,)

Prayer – Lord, May the desires of our hearts bring You delight. Fill us with Your joy…overflowing to those around us.

Meditate. Consider the joy in your life.

Verse of Salvation ~ But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The LORD is great!" Psalm 40:16

Revised August 15, 2019, 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

Sunday, March 30, 2025

What Does a Shepherd Do?

Peaceful water on a calm day.
The Sea of Galilee - Israel

Jesus is our shepherd in the Old and New Testaments. The classic Psalm 23 depicts Jesus—our LORD—as the ultimate shepherd taking care of all our needs, guiding and protecting us—even when we go through some really tough times…like the death of a precious loved one. That’s just what a shepherd does. He keeps his sheep close by, feeds, guides, protects, encourages, strengthens, cares for them by anointing them with oil (keeps the bugs away!) and provides a forever home. That’s the kind of shepherd I’m glad I have. The author of Hebrews also acknowledged Jesus as the great Shepherd. He has certainly been the one to care for mankind through all the ages…and He continues to guide, direct, and care for those who follow Him—those who believe in Him as their LORD and Savior.

Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 (Underlined for emphasis.)

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:1-6

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I put my trust in You, knowing that as my Shepherd You will take care of me as I honor You. You provide everything I need, keeping me secure and safe, guiding me safely along the right paths, even if that path is what might be considered the Valley of the Shadow of Death—a very sad time. You are with me—protecting and comforting me…and those after me. A feast?! Ah, yes. Even if my enemies—pain, rejection, and persecution—are there, You provide a banquet fit for a king and bless me, continually, with Your unfailing love. I don’t deserve it—but You willingly give it—along with a home with You forever. Thank you!

Meditate. Focus on the peaceful streams.

Verses indicating Salvation ~ The LORD will appear above his people; his arrows will fly like lightning! The Sovereign LORD will sound the ram's horn and attack like a whirlwind from the southern desert. The LORD of Heaven's Armies will protect his people, and they will defeat their enemies by hurling great stones. They will shout in battle as though drunk with wine. They will be filled with blood like a bowl, drenched with blood like the corners of the altar. On that day the LORD their God will rescue his people, just as a shepherd rescues his sheep. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. How wonderful and beautiful they will be! The young men will thrive on abundant grain, and the young women will flourish on new wine. Zechariah 9:14-17

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, March 29, 2025

Are You Looking for Hope?

Years ago, in 1984 there was a song written by Johhny Lee about looking for love in all the wrong places. Life is basically lonely without love…love of God and friends. Are you looking for love—do you need to find the creator of love…Jesus? Well, Jesus has plenty of love for you so that you can spiritually love God and love others.

Put on your glasses and look for Hope!

Similarly, are you looking for Hope? Hope is the things we long for or an expectancy. Job had terrible trials in his life…but he didn’t give up on God. His friend, Eliphaz, tried to encourage him about God and his own integrity in this passage below from Job 4. God provides as much hope as we desire—but that desire has to come from us. How much hope do you have? We can see that Job was pretty discouraged as recorded in Job 17, but read the whole book of Job and discover he never totally gave up and God blessed him doubly. We can have hope because we know God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Hope for our days—even when we are facing trials and tribulations that may include walking through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. We don’t need to fear—God is with us. He will provide the hope we need. Trust Him. He will give us the desires of our hearts.

Doesn't your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn't your life of integrity give you hope? Job 4:6

Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance—all who seek the LORD! Consider the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were mined. Isaiah 51:1

Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:3-5

Can you give others an explanation of the hope you have found in your life…in God?

Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 1 Peter 3:13-16 (Underlined for emphasis.)

"My spirit is crushed, and my life is nearly snuffed out. The grave is ready to receive me. I am surrounded by mockers. I watch how bitterly they taunt me. "You must defend my innocence, O God, since no one else will stand up for me. ... My days are over. My hopes have disappeared. My heart's desires are broken. These men say that night is day; they claim that the darkness is light. What if I go to the grave and make my bed in darkness? ... Where then is my hope? Can anyone find it? No, my hope will go down with me to the grave. We will rest together in the dust!" Job 17:1-3, 11-13, 15-16

Prayer – LORD, You are my hope. Show Yourself through me to others by the things I say and do. May my life bring joy to You…and peace and hope to those around me.

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

Verses of Salvation ~ Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:5-8

It's been a year--farewell to Auntie Merc!

There's still so much to chat about...someday.

Love you much.

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, March 28, 2025

Can You Be Renewed Like a Butterfly?

Understanding repentance? Repentance is not just a New Testament thing. That was part of God’s plan from the time sin entered the world when Adam and Eve ate that forbidden fruit. Sin demands repentance. We cannot ever even hope to see God one day without repenting from our sins…and having the blood of Jesus purify us—washing us as white as snow. As Paul wrote, we need to make things right. Right with God and right with others.

A New Life...like a new Butterfly
demands a change in the lifestyle.
Repent - Change - Love God

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. Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 2 Corinthians 7:10-11

Repentance is an important part of the whole Bible story. God’s desire is for us to have pure hearts and the only way to achieve that is to turn from our bad thoughts, words, and actions. We can be like the butterfly--reborn with a new life and new intentions. Seeking God. Josiah was just a little guy when he became king—but he was seeking God and living to please Him. He was a good example for us.

Do you seek and love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? That is just what Jesus was teaching as was originally written in Deuteronomy. Choosing to love God is just that…our choice.

That is my goal, daily…moment by moment—but I’m not perfect—God is still working with me.

Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: 'Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these." Mark 12:29-31

Love God. Love others. When we do just that there will be no Godly sorrow.

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah from Bozkath. He did what was pleasing in the LORD's sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right. In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent Shaphan son of Azaliah and grandson of Meshullam, the court secretary, to the Temple of the LORD. ... Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the court secretary, "I have found the Book of the Law in the LORD's Temple!" Then Hilkiah gave the scroll to Shaphan, and he read it. ... Shaphan also told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll." So Shaphan read it to the king. When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair. ... (The prophetess Huldah said…) But go to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the LORD and tell him: 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the message you have just heard: You were sorry and humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I said against this city and its people—that this land would be cursed and become desolate. You tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the LORD.' 2 Kings 22:1-3, 8, 10-11, 18-19 (Read the whole chapter of 2 Kings 22 and more for a bigger picture understanding.)

Prayer – LORD, hear our prayers…as we, too, repent. There is no greater joy in this world than to please You.

Meditate. Consider God’s joy in scripture.

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

Planning your garden? Now is the time to consider just what and WHERE you are going to plant particular plants in your garden. Have you heard of “companion” planting? It is deliberately choosing to plant particular plants side by side because research and time old gardening methods have shown that certain plants do better when planted beside each other. Google “planting companion” for lots more specific information on this process.

Classic companion plants are:

Tomatoes, peppers, basil, onions, marigolds, carrots, lettuce

Cucumber, beans, dill, lettuce, peas, radishes, spinach, sunflowers

Squash (including zucchini), beans, corn, cucumbers, dill, nasturtiums, peas, marigolds

There are also ones to avoid planting together:

Potatoes with tomatoes, carrots, squash, zucchini

Cucumbers with aromatic herbs

Tomatoes with cabbage, corn, beets, dill, peas, potatoes, rosemary

Zucchini with potatoes

With our days being so much warmer—and with the wonderful spring rains—it is almost time to start planting. For now—hopefully today, I’m just getting the soil tilled up and ready. Ready for seeds and great garden beginnings! Blessed gardening for us all!

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