Banquet With The King

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Choosing to Do What is Right for Eternity?

Prayer – Lord, help me to do whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, and if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, may my thoughts dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB.

I was hungry and you didn't feed me.
Spiritual and physical food are necessary.
Thirsty? Need clothes?
Are you headed for a fire?

"But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit upon His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in His presence, and He will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at His right hand and the goats at His left. Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn't feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn't give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn't invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn't give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me.' Then they will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?' "And He will answer, 'I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life." Matthew 25:31-46

Meditate. Punishment or reward?

Judgement…Jesus is seated on His throne. Listen in to what this parable tells us that Jesus will say. We need to treat everyone as if they were Jesus. I see part of Jesus mission on earth was just to teach us how we should live and treat others. Good thing that those lessons were recorded in the Bible—because mankind just needs those lessons over and over…I do.

This parable is similar to what we read in Psalm…

There is joy for those who deal justly with others and always do what is right. Psalm 106:3.

Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. Matthew 7:12.

Jesus was just giving basic human kindness lesson that every two-year old must learn.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB.

Simply…do what is right and what is right is probably how you want others to treat you. Can you follow Jesus’ example and teachings? His promise for the righteous is eternal life. That is worth trying to mold our lives by Jesus’ principles.

Everyone will have eternal life. Everyone. Where each person spends eternity is up to them. Choose Jesus…choose eternal life with Him in Heaven. Reject Jesus…choose eternal life without Him. He spoke about this to His followers when He described the final judgment and how righteous will be rewarded for taking care of those in need—especially His brothers and sisters—those we would consider Christians. Those who don’t take care of others compassionately, as Jesus would, will end up chastised forever.

And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life. Matthew 25:46

What is your choice today? Eternity with Jesus…or without Him.

Verse of Salvation from the Lord ~ My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way. My strong arm will bring justice to the nations. All distant lands will look to me and wait in hope for my powerful arm. Isaiah 51:5

Thankful today?

Revised post from August 31, 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.

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Doing What is Right?

Prayer – Lord, I just want to please You. My life is Yours…or I want it to be. I struggle. Am I doing what is right? I know that sometimes I am…and I know deep in my heart, soul, and mind that…hmmm…I could be doing better. Sin is sin. In one’s thoughts, words, and actions…sin is sin. Sin is doing what is not right in Your eyes. Please hear my prayer and show me distinctly when I’m walking down the wrong path. I’m clinging to the verse…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 NLT. I trust You Lord—to be Lord and Savior of my life. Thank You.

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 3:12

Meditate. Consider doing what is “right” in the Lord’s eyes

Don't be deceived.
That serpent is still out to get you!

How do you know what is right in God’s eyes?

Have you read your Bible today? The key to all wisdom and understanding is right there in the Bible. Time is short. We don’t know when we will be called “home” to Heaven—when our life will end or we’ll be raptured, so make the most of your time now. Do you believe as Peter wrote that the end is soon? Study and discern for yourself—don’t be deceived.

The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. ... And also, "If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?" So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. 1 Peter 4:7, 18-19

Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still "today," so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. Hebrews 3:12-13

The choice to read, to study, to listen and meditate on God’s word is our every day. What do you choose to do with your time today?

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

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

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

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Monday, November 4, 2024

God’s Requirements

Prayer – Lord, I want to please You in all that I think, say, and do as I walk with You. Give me wisdom to understand Your word and a willing heart to obey You. Draw me close to You, my Lord and Savior.

What can we bring to the LORD? What kind of offerings should we give him? Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? No, 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 6:6-8

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

Are you walking humbly with our God?

I guess the first question is…is my God your God? Is Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life? Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? What does God require of us? As written to the people of Judah, the southern kingdom, by the prophet Micah seven hundred years before Jesus was born, we are to…do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

The sacrificial system used up until the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD involved sacrificing animals. That was the offering of which Micah was referring. A blood sacrifice for their sins. When Jesus died on the cross, He was the ultimate sacrifice for all the sins of mankind—no more sacrifices needed to be made, but the Jewish tradition continued until the Temple was destroyed. We don’t ever have to have any sacrifices like the Mosaic law demanded since Jesus was our sacrificial lamb. David wrote a Psalm about the sacrifice that God desires. A repentant heart.

You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalm 51:16-17 NLT

You may have heard this in another translation.

For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:16-17 NKJV (Underlined for emphasis.)

Does a repentant or contrite heart encourage or require of us to…do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God? To repent is to apologize, to regret, to be sorry, and to atone or ask for forgiveness. It is having a contrite heart. Don’t get caught up or distracted in the translation of a particular word. The important thing is to focus on your relationship with the Lord. To love mercy, doing what is right and humbly walking—living together—with the Lord—is what we are called to do. It is what I strive to do. Each of us choose of how we live in relationship with the Lord. What is your choice today?

Verses of Salvation ~ Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. Psalm 51:10-13

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

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Looking for a Blessing? Listen.

Prayer – Lord, I hear Your voice telling me to “listen and obey.” May my life be an honest and practical witness to others of Your love. Please continue to show me what You would have me know and wisely understand in Your word. Help me to listen closely, hear what You are saying, and apply it to my life.

God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near. Revelation 1:3

Don't play around.
Read God's Word. Listen and Obey.
Time is near.

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

Are you looking for a blessing in your life? Listen to what God is saying.

Have you heard the expression “ears to hear” as Jesus spoke them several times? Those same words were written in numerous places in the Old Testament. Note that this message of listening is picturing both those who are listening…and those who are not really listening.

Then everyone who has eyes will be able to see the truth, and everyone who has ears will be able to hear it. Isaiah 32:3

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

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. Matthew 13:15-16

Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7

The blessings, the rewards, mentioned in the book of Revelation are listed for the churches, and some people will try to tell you that those letters to the churches are written to the Jews, but please recall that as adopted children of God, we are grafted into His family and likely will receive His blessings in Heaven, too. Those include: the fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God; victory over the second death; some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven; a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17). Those seem like good rewards for listening and obeying God’s words. Just being in Heaven will be wonderful—but we shouldn’t just settle for being there—there are rewards to be had for obedience and joy to be ours as we serve the Lord. Don’t settle for the easy way now. Paul gives us an example of how some may act, following what they want, rather than what God requires.

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 2 Timothy 4:3

Are your ears itching for honest teachings that make you dig into God’s word and bring you new truths that God had written there long ago—or are you satisfied with feel good, prosperity news that tell you to have no fear? What are you teaching others by the way you live? The choice is yours.

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

For what are you Thankful today?

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

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Begin a Month of Thankfulness

Prayer – Lord, I am so very grateful for everything You have done for me. Besides being the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus, You have promised to never leave me or forsake me. That is so important to me—to know that You love me enough to die for me and then to always to have my back. I can count on You. Like David, I give You thanks and praise.

Begin Thankfulness at an early age.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

I give you thanks, O LORD, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. Every king in all the earth will thank you, LORD, for all of them will hear your words. Yes, they will sing about the LORD's ways, for the glory of the LORD is very great. Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud. Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me. Psalm 138:1-8

Meditate. Consider God’s promises in scripture.

What are you thankful for today?

I am overwhelmed with thankfulness to the Lord. I just look around me and am so very grateful. Love, life, home, spouse, kids, grandkiddos, friends, family, food on the table, clothes on my back, a comfortable bed to sleep in, wisdom, understanding, education, opportunities to share talents and knowledge for which I have been blessed, travel, beautiful scenery, books to read and write, and, yes, troubles. Without some troubles, temptations, trials, defeats, doom and gloom—life would be just too perfect and I probably wouldn’t see the Lord working in my life. But He is here—giving me strength to face each day and to endure the troubles, the anger of enemies, and best of all to pour out His love on me, my family and friends—and to you as you read this. God loves you. He made you uniquely you—with your talents and the ability to face the challenges and troubles that are part of life. God has a plan for each of us. I am counting on His plan to be fulfilled in His promise of faithful love that lasts—endures forever!

What is your favorite promise from God? What promise gives you hope and strength? What choice are you making today to focus on thankfulness? Please comment below.

Verse of Salvation ~ Cry out, "Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you." 1 Chronicles 16:35

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, November 1, 2024

Listen? Are You Hearing God?

Prayer – Lord, open my ears to hear Your word speaking to me and give me understanding. Then help me not to forget what I hear, but to be obedient and do what You say!

But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-25

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

Listen? Are you listening to God’s word? Are you hearing what He says?

Listen and obey. How many times are we told that in the Bible? Actually—lots of times. In the New Living Translation (NLT) the combination of listen and obey can be found in 22 different verses. How many times do we need to be told something before we actually do it? Is it motivating to you to know that God will bless you for doing it? Did you respond to your parents’ commands or directions quickly—or did they have to repeat themselves several times before you were obedient? Job’s friend, Elihu, spoke about listening and obeying God.

If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant. But if they refuse to listen to him, they will be killed by the sword and die from lack of understanding. Job 36:11-12

Listening and obeying God is repeated imperatively throughout the Old and New Testaments. So does knowing that God has a reward or a punishment encourage you to be more obedient? For me…I’d rather go for a reward. I prefer reward to punishment…and that is how I preferred to discipline my children, although spankings were useful at some points of rebellious behavior. “Spare the rod…and spoil the child.” I did listen obediently to God on that one.

Will you choose to live or die? To live is to seek God and obediently obey Him. To do otherwise, is to choose death…as a result of a lack of understanding. In the days ahead, we will need to trust the Lord. His wisdom. We need to trust in the Lord with all our hearts, and lean not on our own understanding—but in all our ways acknowledge Him…and trust that He will direct our paths.

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. 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 3:3-6

Listen—trust—obey. Are you listening to God, trusting Him, and obeying Him?

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Winter is on its way. The leaves on the trees have not only changed colors…but have blown away! Yup—winter is on its way—but we may have a freakish warm day or two still. Weather is so fickle. For now, it is time to get out the soup recipes and start cooking! We have a Ukrainian Pastor visiting our church this Sunday…and a soup that is thought to originate in that part of the world is Borscht Soup or Borsch Soup. Yes. A soup made from beets that can be served hot or cold—depending on the weather. Note that beets are good for the liver and circulatory system, but are high in oxalic acid, which is known to cause kidney stones. I’ve been avoiding beets for a year now…but my mouth is watering just thinking about this soup! Enjoy it for me.

Borscht Soup for 4-6 people

6 cups beef broth or if you prefer, use vegetable broth

(Note if making your own beef broth, you may include the cooked meat in the soup.)

1½ lb beets, cooked (roots, not tops) or canned shredded

2 Tbsp EVOO – olive oil

½ lb shredded cabbage

4 carrots, finely chopped

1 medium sized onion, minced

2 cloves garlic, grated

1 large potato, chopped

¼ tsp allspice

Salt and pepper, to taste

¼ cup fresh chopped dill, or 2 Tbsp dried dill

¼ cup lemon juice, or apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar

Sour cream for garnish

Heat olive oil in a large sauce pan. Add onions, garlic, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, and then the beets. Stir until vegetables are soft. Add allspice and broth. Bring to a boil. Add dill and lemon juice or vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and ladle into bowls. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, and an additional sprinkle of dill, if desired. If serving cold, this soup can be prepared a day or two ahead of time. Serve immediately, if a hot soup is preferred. Enjoy with a slice of crusty fresh bread.

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