Banquet With The King

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Is There Birth to Sin in Your Life?

God listens from Heaven.
Have your sins cut you off from God?

Listen! The LORD's arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It's your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin. Your lips are full of lies, and your mouth spews corruption. No one cares about being fair and honest. The people's lawsuits are based on lies. They conceive evil deeds and then give birth to sin. Isaiah 59:1-4

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

Read those verses in Isaiah again. God listens—but do we? When people sin, they cut themselves off from God. Consider His purity as God turns away and won’t listen anymore to the murderers and those with dirty, sinful hands. No wonder Moms are always telling their kids to wash their hands! No…I realize that it is a germ thing that makes parents so intent on children continually washing their hands. Dirty hands and nails harbor bacteria and viruses that can develop into nasty colds, flu, and other diseases like COVID that can be debilitating or even deadly. Those “dirty hands” are not necessarily sinful.

Isaiah was concerned that no one cares about being fair and honest. Look around you—is the world any different now? The lives of most people—at least in the United States—center around “me”—what I want or need. Does it take an evil deed to get whatever that person wants? Those evil deeds may begin with a lie or bad language. A little evil gives way for more and jails are full of people doing those evil deeds. Those evil deeds are sinful in God’s eyes, so after He has tried to save mankind and they resist His efforts, He looks away. Who wants to be rejected by God? The sinful, prideful, arrogant, evil people of the world.

Prayer – Lord, Thank You for caring. Please forgive me for harboring the sin of ___________________ in my life. I confessed that I wasn’t ready to forgive another person, but through others, You intervened—and the forgiven offense vanished. Life is complicated—but with wise choices, we can live to please You. Jesus, You made the ultimate choice to be the sacrifice for our sins, but Hallelujah, You were resurrected. Death is admirable—it was necessary to destroy sin—but we can rejoice that You were raised from the dead. I look forward to that for me, too, and for all those who believe in You and serve You.

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

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, December 8, 2025

Ultimate Domestic Violence – 36 years later

Jeremiah, say to the people, 'This is what the LORD says: "'When people fall down, don't they get up again? When they discover they're on the wrong road, don't they turn back? Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path? Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back? They cling tightly to their lies and will not turn around. I listen to their conversations and don't hear a word of truth. Is anyone sorry for doing wrong? Does anyone say, "What a terrible thing I have done"? No! All are running down the path of sin as swiftly as a horse galloping into battle! ' " Jeremiah 8:4-6

Meditate on these words of God to the prophet Jeremiah.

…why do these people stay on their self-destructive path? What a good question. Why don’t people change? Why don’t they choose to do what is good, true, right beautiful? Doesn’t their conscience bother them? Just as this scripture passage asks—why don’t they say "What a terrible thing I have done?" They just keep on sinning—with no remorse, sorry, or regret. But this didn’t just happen. It has been going on for a life-time. Each choice someone makes takes them on the right or wrong path.

Shirley & Bob
Anne & Vicki

My sister, Shirley, married her college sweetheart, Ron, and they began what they hoped would be a life of bliss. But it wasn’t. Almost twenty years later they divorced. On December 8, 1989, Ron chose to murder Shirley, and their two daughter, Vicki and Anne, and Shirley’s new husband, Bob, and then himself. The ultimate act of domestic abuse. Death. No remorse. No regret. Just going down a self-destructive path away from God. Ron was not a believer. Shirley was. She made a wrong choice when she became “yoked” to a non-believer, unknowingly “teamed up” with a wicked partner.

Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 2 Corinthians 6:14-15

Be careful with whom you associate. Teach your children and grandchildren to choose their friends, and one day possibly, their spouse, carefully. Time may be short. We never know how much time we have left here on earth—but it is important to influence others for the Lord—to share the Good News that Jesus is the Messiah, our Savior. We need to take “the light of the world” to others, but not necessarily to team up for the rest of our days with them.

Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, helped the lame to walk, raised the dead, and fed the hungry. We should do the same. He was sinless. He did choose a couple of friends who betrayed and denied Him, but He always chose obedience to His Father, even when it took Him to the cross. That is what makes Him my Savior…our Savior.

Prayer – Lord, just as Joshua spoke to the Israelites…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. I choose to serve You, Lord. I choose to repent daily and turn from my sinful ways. I choose holiness…to serve You.

Verse of Salvation ~ For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, the "right time" is now. Today is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

Reused from August 17, 2020, 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, December 7, 2025

Blooming Desert

The LORD will comfort Israel again and have pity on her ruins. Her desert will blossom like Eden, her barren wilderness like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found there. Songs of thanksgiving will fill the air. Listen to me, my people. Hear me, Israel, for my law will be proclaimed, and my justice will become a light to the nations. Isaiah 51:3-4

Meditate. Consider God’s insight with scripture.

Date palm trees in Israel.

Have you been to Israel? Their deserts are blooming. Land that was not productive has become an oasis—growing date trees and numerous crops that support the growing economy of the nation. It is an amazing country. Much of the farmland is in kibbutz with people working together—combined efforts and talents—to raise irrigated crops that thrive like Eden—or what we imagine that Eden was like.

God wants the people of Israel to listen to Him…and to hear what He has declared to guide the Israelites with His law. Jesus, as God incarnate, lived in Israel and declared Himself to be a light to the world. Did people listen to Him and hear what He said?

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 8:12

No groping around in the dark—spiritually—for those who believe that Jesus is the Messiah—the long awaited Savior—providing eternal life to all. Joy and gladness to those hearing and listening to God’s message—in Israel and around the world.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, thank you for being our Savior, for being a willing sacrifice for our sins—for the sins of the whole world. It would be marvelous if everyone could listen and hear the truth—You are the light of the world. May those who see the blooming desert, believe that You are their Messiah. Joy to the world.

Verse of Salvation ~ Look up to the skies above, and gaze down on the earth below. For the skies will disappear like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing. The people of the earth will die like flies, but my salvation lasts forever. My righteous rule will never end! Isaiah 51:6

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 6, 2025

Do You Hear God? Do You Hear Others?

You see and recognize what is right but refuse to act on it. You hear with your ears, but you don't really listen. Isaiah 42:20

Meditate. Are you listening or hearing?

Do you have ears to hear?
Are you stubbornly NOT listening?

Have you ever looked at something and just not seen it? Have you ever heard someone speak and just found yourself not processing what they said? Are you even listening? I thought it was maybe just a senior moment thing…but I’ve noticed that it happens with younger people…even teens or kids, too. Isaiah asks if people see and know what is right, but just don’t do it. That happens. Years ago I recall a step-mom who lived next door complained and shook her head at her new teenager step-kids who would walk right by a scrap piece of paper on the floor and just ignore it, several times. They didn’t even see it. She expected them to automatically pick it up. Is that what God expects of us? Are we ignoring what He has right before us? We can see or hear, but we’re not observing or listening. What would motivate us to engage with our surroundings—with the people that are around us—so that we see and hear and really act on those things—especially on the expectations of the Lord?

What does He expect of us? As the prophet Micah wrote:

…O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

So, what will you do? You know what is right. You love mercy shown to you…can you show mercy to others? Are you walking humbly with God? Are you staying close to the Lord in your relationship with Him? Consider what Solomon wrote in Proverbs.

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Wisdom is always good. Wisdom was with God at the beginning. Here are a few verses that we can read in a chapter that covers the qualities of wisdom.

Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. ... I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. ... The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. ... And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family! And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful. Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don't ignore it. Proverbs 8:6-9, 12, 22, 31-33

God has provided His wisdom for us to follow—and those who do are blessed. Life may not be easy, always fun, or exciting—but it is the wise thing to do. Seek wisdom. That is an easy thing for us to do when we have Bibles accessible, but not everyone does. Pray for those in countries that are persecuted. Cover them with blessings that they may have opportunities to share God’s words with others. Do you share Jesus’ teaching and encouraging scripture with others?

Prayer ~ Lord, give me wisdom to know when to speak up for You. Help me see opportunities to listen to others and really hear what they are saying…and share Your compassion and love.

Verse of Salvation ~ Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16

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 5, 2025

Are You Listening? Do You Understand?

Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. His disciples came and asked him, "Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?" He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables, for they look, but they don't really see. They hear, but they don't really listen or understand. This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, 'When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.' But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn't see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn't hear it." Matthew 13:9-17

Meditate. Consider Jesus’ teaching in scripture. Are you listening to what He is saying?

Are you playing around or digging into the Word?

Are you listening? Are you seeing what the Lord is teaching? …blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear…. How often do you listen to someone and not really hear what they are saying? Do you really hear what your spouse, children or grandchildren, friends or neighbors are saying? Are you so caught up in your own thoughts or chasing rabbits that you are looking right at someone and not listening to what they are saying? That’s what Jesus must have been experiencing. He spoke to people about things they knew about—sowing seeds among rocky and good soil, or stories about sheep and shepherds. Those were things that were part of their lives—their livelihood, but they still didn’t hear and make the analogy to what He was saying. Do we make that connection today and understand what Jesus is saying to us? Not many people today have anything to do with live animals—especially sheep. Oh, they may have a dog or cat—but not a lamb. Nor do many people really sow seeds—they get their plants starts from a local nursery—if they do garden. In my neighborhood only three of nine homes around us even have gardens. Everyone just goes to the grocery store for their food. How about spiritual food? How many people do you think really get into studying the Bible for themselves—not being spoon-fed by a minister on Sunday morning? How about you? Are you spoon-fed or are you digging into the word—searching for Biblical truths to apply to your life yourself?

Prayer ~ Lord, open our eyes and ears to hear what you are saying and help us to not only understand the deep meaning of Your teachings, but to apply them to our lives. As You taught Your disciples from Isaiah 6, I ask that…our hearts not be hardened, and please let our ears hear, and our eyes be opened—so that we understand, we turn to You, and You heal us. In Your mercy Lord—may we be attentive to Your every word.

Verse of Salvation ~ Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

What are you planning for the coming holidays?

Prime Rib Dinner – Pre-holiday Family Time

Gyro Feast – Quick Meal after Church Christmas Program

It is Time to Plan for the upcoming feast days. Our family shares Christmas with the in-laws, so we have an early Christmas every other year. This year it will be about ten days early—but it is perfect so that we have two Christmas celebrations. Whenever and whatever you do to celebrate this season of our Lord—may you be blessed and be a blessing to others.

From October 14, 2017 blog, Banquet With The King.

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 4, 2025

Are You Tired? Do You Need Rest?

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation." Psalm 91:1-16 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Rest in the Lord God’s guidance in scripture.

Shelter - Rest in the presence of the Most High.
Under the wings of the Holy Spirit.

Key words to this Scripture passage: Rest. Refuge. Rescue. Reward.

The Lord promises to Rescue those who love Him. Do you love the Lord? The Bible teaches us that we are to love the Lord.

One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: "Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" The man answered, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "Right!" Jesus told him. "Do this and you will live!" Luke 10:25-28

The Reward for that love will be eternal life. We will all live forever…just where is the big question. If we love God, then we will be with Him in Heaven…forever. If not, we are choosing Hell—a horrible place of eternal damnation—forever without God. I personally do not want to go there. Who would? I choose to love the Lord my God with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.

Take your Refuge in the Lord. During turbulent times we may have to stay put in our homes…or near our homes. During the COVID pandemic if we ventured out to walk or run in our neighborhood, we had to stay away from others. Even today, we don’t know who has a virus…but let’s not get paranoid…no fear…just use some wisdom. Wash your hands, stay a safe distance away from others, cover your own cough or sneeze. Be Practical. Use Common Sense.

Rest. We are certainly need to do that—rest—whether we want to or not, but this rest doesn’t have to be just physical rest…but a spiritual rest. Live in the shelter of the Most High—God Himself.

The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7

Take a break—from worry, stress, and anxiety. Relax and rest in the presence of the Lord. Look for Him in things that are happening around you…and find Him within your own heart and life. Restfully sleep knowing that as a child of God, He is in control, while the world is under the control of Satan.

We know that God's children do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. 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. Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts. 1 John 5:18-21.

Do NOT be afraid of disease or disaster. ...if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. Claim that promise for yourself, your family, friends and neighbors today. No evil will conquer you—it’s not a promise that there won’t be evil…just that God wins in the end.

Prayer ~ Lord God… So many of us are just tired. We need rest. We need rest in You.

But as for me, how good it is to be near you, God! I choose You, Sovereign LORD, to be my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do. Psalm 73:28 NLT. I take rest in You, and seek You as my refuge, knowing that You will rescue me from evil and reward me with eternal life with You. Thank You.

Verse of Salvation ~ This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it." Isaiah 30:15 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Recycled from September 5, 2023, 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