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.

Friday, January 17, 2025

Are You Wrestling with God?

They wrestled through the night...
until the dawn was breaking.

Have you ever wrestled with someone? That was not a sport for girls when I was in high school—or one I in which I ever wanted to compete. In this passage of scripture, Jacob wrestled with Jesus Himself! He must have been exceptionally strong because he was winning. Winning against the creator of the Universe. Winning against the all-powerful God. How could any man do that? But Jesus dislocated Jacob’s hip and won the fight. Was that a fair fight? In any athletic competition, that would not have been a legal action. Jacob clung to Jesus until He blessed Jacob as requested. What a story! It is history and is recorded again in Hosea.

Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God. Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him. There at Bethel he met God face to face, and God spoke to him—the LORD God of Heaven's Armies, the LORD is his name! Hosea 12:3-5

The face of Jesus in the Old Testament. Jacob saw the face of God…that is the face of Jesus—and wrestled with Him. Then Jesus changed Jacob’s name to “Israel.” Israel means “he fights or persists with God.” Jacob not only was in God’s presence—he fought with God through the night. Do you ever feel like you’ve spent the night, not sleeping but wrestling with God?

This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob's hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the man said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!" But Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." "What is your name?" the man asked. He replied, "Jacob." "Your name will no longer be Jacob," the man told him. "From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won." "Please tell me your name," Jacob said. "Why do you want to know my name?" the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. Jacob named the place Peniel (which means "face of God"), for he said, "I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared." Genesis 32:24-30

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I don’t want to fight or wrestle with You. You are an awesome God whom I worship and adore. Forgive me for being selfish and wanting to do my own thing. Is that how Jacob was to You?

Meditate. Consider what it would mean to you to see the face of God.

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. 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

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Let the meal you share with the Lord today fill each of you with His love, peace, and joy together.

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, January 16, 2025

How Big is Your Fatih?

How big is your faith? If God asked you to sacrifice your child, could you go forward with that request like Abraham did? He was ready to thrust a knife into his son, Isaac, when an angel stopped him. An Angel. Was it the LORD Himself? When we see the LORD all capitalized, it has been translated from the Hebrew word Yahweh. See Exodus 3:15 where God, in speaking to Moses, declares that this is His name.

God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you. This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations." Exodus 3:15

Once again we see Jesus in the Old Testament. If He hadn’t spoken to Abraham at just the right moment—testing Abraham’s faith to the last second—then Abraham would have sacrificed his son. That was great trust on Abraham’s part. He knew God had a plan. Did he think that God would give him another son if Isaac died? That took trust and deep faith. Abraham’s faith was big. He even told Isaac that God would provide a lamb, or sheep, for the offering. God had promised that Abraham would be the father of a great nation.

The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others." Genesis 12:1-2

God’s plan meant that Isaac would be the beginning of the blessing. He had to live. Because Jesus was there and provided that sheep, Isaac lived, and God has the nation of Israel today, as well as a multitude of followers who believe in Jesus as their Savior. Notice that the LORD told Abraham to “go to the land that I will show you” just as Jesus told His followers to “go into all the world.” Do you have the faith to follow Jesus’ command? Are you ready, prepared, and willing to serve Him? It is your choice. Seek Him and ask Him to prepare you to be prepared.

We have the fire...
and the wood.
Where is the sheep?

Sometime later, God tested Abraham's faith. "Abraham!" God called. "Yes," he replied. "Here I am." "Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you." The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. ... Isaac turned to Abraham and said, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "We have the fire and the wood," the boy said, "but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?" "God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son," Abraham answered. And they both walked on together. When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. At that moment the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Yes," Abraham replied. "Here I am!" "Don't lay a hand on the boy!" the angel said. "Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son." Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Genesis 22:1-3, 7-13

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, once again I see You working in and through the people of the Old Testament. Awesome. Give me wisdom and understanding to follow Your commands and to serve You by sharing the Gospel—the Good News about You—with others. You are such an encouragement to me, my family, and friends—so help me to be encouraging to others. I am grateful everyday for Your sacrifice and Your love.

Meditate. Consider sacrifice.

Verse of Salvation ~ The LORD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him—my father's God, and I will exalt him! The LORD is a warrior; Yahweh is his name! Exodus 15:2-3

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, January 15, 2025

The Lord’s Promise…Again

Laughing flower - Promise Fulfilled
////////////

Did you ever laugh when you anticipated having a baby? I remember being thrilled—but not laughing, but I wasn’t an old woman like Sarah. There are a few women in the Bible who had children when they were considered past childbearing years. Consider Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, who was the mother of John the Baptist. How about Hannah, the mother of Samuel? She waited for years to be a mother. It is not clear just how old she was, but it is certainly evident that the Lord heard and answered her prayer, just as promised. Abraham and Sarah had a promise from the Lord, too. It is presumed that one of the three men who came to speak with Abraham was Jesus Himself. He promised that Sarah would have a son by that time next year. He asked… Is anything too hard for the LORD?

The Lord used that phrase when He had Jeremiah predict the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile.

"I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?" Jeremiah 32:27

In the New Testament we see that even the angel who announced to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus said…

For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37

We can count on God…on Jesus, that He is all powerful and nothing is impossible or too hard for Him.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

Nothing is too hard for Him—even showing you where to go and what to do. Trust Him.

The LORD appeared again to Abraham near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. One day Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent during the hottest part of the day. He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground. "My lord," he said, "if it pleases you, stop here for a while. ... Then one of them said, "I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!" Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent. ... Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, 'Can an old woman like me have a baby?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son." Genesis 18:1-3, 10, 13-14

Prayer – Lord Jesus, it is amazing to see You at work in the Old Testament…and I hang onto Your promise that nothing is impossible, not too hard for You. I trust You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, not leaning on my own understanding—but knowing that You will fulfill your promises. Thank You.

Meditate. Consider laughter./

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

Happy Birthday to Mom—GGDorothy—Resting in Heaven

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

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

An Angel…or the Lord?

Was Jesus the angel who appeared and spoke to Hagar—who was pregnant with Abraham’s child? Some commentaries and authors have indicated that Jesus was the angel that spoke to Hagar when she ran away from her mistress, Sarah. Have you ever seen an angel? I don’t think I have…but the author of Hebrews wrote about entertaining angel without being aware of them.

Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Hebrews 13:2

Who knows? Maybe we have seen angels and didn’t even know it.

Stop Running Away
Go - Serve the Lord

Genesis 16 is the first time in scripture that an angel is mentioned. This angel—who is the Lord Jesus—spoke to Hagar and gave her wise advice. Go back to your mistress. Hagar had been giving Sarah a hard time, treating her with contempt (Genesis 16:4), gloating over the fact that she was pregnant and Sarah wasn’t. Having Abraham’s baby was important since God had promised that He would make Abraham a great nation. Now, Sarah was barren and her maid was pregnant with Abraham’s child. Life was difficult and Sarah made Hagar leave their community. As Jesus advised Hagar, was this the first time He said, “Go”? She obediently went back to Sarah. Hagar was blessed to have had Jesus speak directly to her. We have scripture to speak to us…and the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, if we are listening closely.

Later throughout the Bible there are other incidences that Jesus commands someone to “Go.” Has He told you to “Go” and do something specific? Are you listening for a still small voice, or are you expecting a loud, booming voice directing your way and telling you which path to follow? Go and tell others about the Lord Jesus Christ. Go and serve the Lord—be His hands and feet. What is God—in the form of the still small voice of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Kings 19:12) or specific verses in the Bible—telling you to do?

The angel of the LORD found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur. The angel said to her, "Hagar, Sarai's servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?" "I'm running away from my mistress, Sarai," she replied. The angel of the LORD said to her, "Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority." ... Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the LORD, who had spoken to her. She said, "You are the God who sees me." She also said, "Have I truly seen the One who sees me?" Genesis 16:7-9, 13

Prayer – Lord, I’m listening to You…and looking for Your advice and commands as I study scripture. Give me wisdom to understand what You are saying and the courage to do just what You say. I’ll “Go” where You want me to go…and do what You want me to do.

Please be merciful and bless those who have lost everything—especially family and friends—in these devastating fires in California—and the earthquakes around the world.

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

Verse of Salvation ~ In that day the people will proclaim, "This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the LORD, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!" Isaiah 25:9

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

Monday, January 13, 2025

If you are chatting with someone who might not know Jesus as their Savior—tell them the Good News—the Gospel which is all about Jesus—anyway and encourage them. If they don’t know Jesus as their Savior—then you’ve just given them some very valuable information. They can choose for themselves. If Jesus is their Redeemer, then you can rejoice together since you are both part of God’s family. Amazing grace sharing that common bond.

In order to share Jesus, you have to know Him. Are you reading your Bible daily…for at least five minutes? Where do you see Jesus in the Old Testament? Can you list the things He did during His three and one-half years of ministry as described in the New Testament?

Let’s make a list, starting with the Old Testament.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Day one was creation of heavens, earth, and light. It was good. Compare that with John 1:1 from the New Testament that declare the Word (Jesus) as God.

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:1-5

These passages declare that Jesus created the heavens and the earth, so we can say that He is the Creator.

Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. Isaiah 40:28

In the translation of LORD the Hebrew word is listed as Jehovah or existing One, as the proper name of God. Of interest is the comparison to the “God” translated from Elohim in Genesis 1:1. This God is in a plural form—meaning that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were present at creation. The word God in the translation from Greek used in John 1:1 refers to theos which can also be considered the trinity, indicating again that the three elements of the godhead are present. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is very interesting to consider the original languages and with the help of programs like the Blue Letter Bible, online, you can easily see word by word the translations from the original languages. Have you never heard? Have you never understood? Go and learn for yourself…and share that with others.

Prayer – Lord, as we go out to share knowledge of You, please give us wisdom. Help us to see You clearly and to explain the Gospel that is so wisely throughout the Bible.

Meditate. Consider the wisdom and depth of knowledge in the Bible.

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, January 12, 2025

Go…Tell. Tell What?

Have you ever been at a loss for words? I occasionally have a “Senior Moment” where I just can’t think of a particular word for a few seconds—and that can be downright frustrating and even embarrassing, but then the word comes to me…and I rejoice! Hurrah! I am not senile or even forgetful—just brain overload. It can happen at any age.

Jesus told His disciple, and that applies to us, to “Go” and “preach” but what are you going to tell others?

The rooster crows.
Do you?
Rooster in Israeli thrift shop.

"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned." Mark 16:15-16

We are to preach the Good News. So, you may ask, isn’t this just for preachers…for ministers or pastors? No. Jesus expects us to share it with others…just as His apostles and Paul did. So, what is the Good News? The Good News is the gospel.

But we should and are [morally] obligated [as debtors] always to give thanks to God for you, believers beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through the sanctifying work of the Spirit [that sets you apart for God's purpose] and by your faith in the truth [of God's word that leads you to spiritual maturity]. It was to this end that He called you through our gospel [the good news of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection], so that you may obtain and share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 AMP

The Gospel…or Good News…is just what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians. In a nutshell, Jesus was born, lived, ministered to the people of Israel, was crucified, died, buried, resurrected, and rose to live eternally in Heaven. Beyond that, He has promised to come back to get His believers and take them to live with Him in Heaven forever.

For whom was the Gospel…or Good News…developed and written? Actually, it was God’s plan from the beginning. Probably even before Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, God’s plan was to sacrifice His Son, Jesus, for the sins of mankind. Paul wrote that the Good News is for the Jews and the Gentiles. It is for everyone. Believe. Trust. Share.

And this is God's plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God's children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God's grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. Though I am the least deserving of all God's people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. ... This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence. Ephesians 3:6-8, 11-12

Go. Tell. Share the Good News.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You are the Good News. Thank you for being an obedient Son…and for being a willing sacrifice. Help me to share the Good News today…tomorrow…all week…all year with anyone and everyone, but especially with those who have not heard of You or don’t know You as their Savior.

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

Verse of Salvation ~ He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:14

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

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP),

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, January 11, 2025

Don’t Be Ashamed

Go tell other people the Good News. That is what we’ve been commanded to do. Paul emphasizes that we should never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. Have you ever not wanted to share the truth about Jesus with someone? I’ve felt that way sometimes if I thought that person just didn’t respect God, Jesus, or Christianity. Then I thought about my reaction to their critical viewpoint and decided that God’s acceptance of me was more important than their bigoted views. Would my eternity with God could be compromised if I didn’t voice my true opinion—the true facts as I viewed them—about Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world and the resurrected Messiah? Jesus Himself told a crowd listening to Him the reason that they should not be ashamed of Him.

Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels." Luke 9:23-26

The bottom line is…don’t be ashamed of Jesus, or He will be ashamed of you. It is time to take a deep breath, and then, if necessary, ask God for courage. Go and tell others about Jesus without shame.

Rise above!
Don't be ashamed of sharing the Good News.
Jesus is the risen Savior.
Prosser, WA - Hot Air Balloon Festival

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:7-9

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You are worthy of my praise and adoration. Like Moses, I’m not a strong speaker—but I sincerely love You and want to serve You. Almighty God, please give me courage and strength to stand up for what I believe in—Jesus. If that mean suffering, then so be it. Jesus has already paid for my sins completely. Thank You, Jesus.

Meditate. God saved us and called us to live a holy life. Are you following God’s plan, allowing His grace to flow through you to tell others about Jesus Christ?

Verse of Salvation ~ For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. Titus 2:11-14

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