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.

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Gentleness

The gentle flutter of butterfly wings--
ushering in spring--bringing joy.

When you think of Jesus and gentleness you probably recall the drawing of Jesus with little children gathered around Him. That is a gentle portrait of our Savior. Paul used the gentleness of Jesus Christ as an example in one of his letters to the church at Corinth. He was speaking to those people gently—as Jesus Himself would. That is a great example for us, too. As Solomon wisely taught…

A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. Proverbs 15:1

I’ve experienced that. Before I became a Christian, I had a bad temper…and it sometimes flares its ugly head in times when I’m rattled by something. Whatever is inside of comes out when it is shaken.

Paul mentored a young Jewish-Gentile man named Timothy. Paul was instructing Timothy, as well as all the Christians in the coming years so that they would know and apply the qualities of Jesus…like gentleness, in a gentle way.

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth. 2 Timothy 2:24-25

Jesus declared Himself to be gentle and humble when he encouraged the crowd following Him that they didn’t have to be burdened with worries, He would help them. They would find rest…eternal spiritual rest when they trusted Him with their worries and cares.

Are you gentle with others, considering their feelings, ideas, and preferences? Do you listen intently and intentionally to every word that others are saying—not interrupting them to get your own thoughts and ideas into the conversation? Are you spiritually as well as physically gentle?

"Go out and stand before me on the mountain," the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12

Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. 2 Corinthians 10:1

Prayer – Lord Jesus, as I search for You, I hear You in a gentle whisper. You are gentle…and such an example to us of all the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Thank you. I love You with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength—because You are an awesome God—and You are my God, my Lord, and my Savior.

Meditate on gentleness.

Verse of Salvation ~ …rest for your souls, as Jesus Himself said…Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29

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, April 4, 2025

Faithful Faithfulness

God had promised to walk by Moses and show him His faithfulness. As He had said, He showed Moses his glorious presence. Was it this Yahweh the early form of Jesus, the LORD, who came down…from Heaven in a cloud?

The LORD came down in a cloud....
declaring His faithfulness.

Then the LORD came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he called out his own name, Yahweh. The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, "Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations." Exodus 34:5-7 NLT

God is faithful to keep His promises—and He expects those who love and follow Him to do the same. Faithfulness is reliability, stability, truthfulness, and certainty. We think of faithfulness in terms of being faithful to our spouse in marriage. It takes an intentional commitment, associated with love, honor, devotion, and compromise to make a marriage last until death do us part, as most people say in their vows. My marriage has lasted for more than fifty years...and I know that we've made intentional commitments to each other, continually over the years. That is similar to God’s commitment to us…and should be our commitment or covenant with God. He will never leave us or abandon me...the same applies to my own promise to God.

As the Hebrew people got near to the time for them to cross into the Promised Land, Moses explained once again to them about God’s faithfulness and love.

Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. Deuteronomy 7:9

We can count on God. Can He count on us? We all have decisions to make. Complete faithfulness to the Lord is attainable as we submit ourselves to the Lord—seeking to know Him more fully, just as Moses did. That submission is by choice. Jesus submitted to the Heavenly Father when He came into the world as a human being…and then died on a cross to save mankind from sin. An important part of God’s plan was the resurrection of Jesus from the dead—which provides a rescue and guarantee of eternal life for those who believe in Jesus Christ as their own Savior. We see Jesus’ faithfulness throughout the Gospels of the New Testament. Jesus made a choice to be obedient. Choose your action of faithful submission today.

The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, "Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Exodus 34:6

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son. John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, "This is the one I was talking about when I said, 'Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.'" From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart. He has revealed God to us. John 1:14-18 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Prayer – And may we be completely faithful to You, oh LORD our God. May we always obey Your decrees and commands, just as we choose to do today. As paraphrased from 1 Kings 8:61

Meditate on Faithfulness. God’s and yours.

Verses of Salvation ~ Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged--consecrated to Him--set apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own]. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 AMP

Revised and recycled from April 24, 2024, Banquet With The King blog.

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

What is Goodness?

Goodness. Just what is it and how does it relate to God and to us? Goodness, #19 in the Strong’s Concordance is used as uprightness of heart and life; kindness.

Once again, we can focus on a fruit of the Spirit—and note the differences in different translations of the Bible. The King James Version (KJV), one of the oldest English translations, used the term goodness in the verse below, in relation to God counting you worthy and you bringing God pleasure—by being obedient. Just reading between the lines on the obedience part—but we know that that is just what God desires. The same verse in the New Living Translation (NLT) uses the term good things that your faith prompts you to do. Honor Jesus. That's a good goal.

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 KJV

So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NLT

That is “goodness.” One of my grandmothers used to frequently say… “Oh, for goodness sake”…do this or that! She just wanted us to be good…or to encourage us to do better. Comb your hair… pick up your toys…or go outside and play. There is always an alternative to what we are doing—always a “good” choice to be made. What “good thing” is your faith prompting you to do today? What choice can you make that will help you accomplish something worthwhile and honor God? For goodness sake…do it!

Yet I am confident I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened--those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame. Hebrews 6:4-6

Prayer – Lord Jesus, help me today to see things as You see them, to choose “goodness” in my actions and encourage others to accomplish good things.

Meditate. Consider goodness.

Verses of Salvation ~ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:8-10

Fresh fruit at the Mahane Yehuda
Jerusalem, Israel

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

What's on your plate today? Everybody's body is different. How our bodies respond to different food is unique. One person can eat lots of carbs—carbohydrates—and another person just gains inches and weight from eating the same foods. That’s me. No processed carbs for me, please. Lots of veggies and some fruit along with a bit of meat, nuts, cheese, or eggs. A simple diet. So, what’s on my plate? That’s it…lots of veggies, some fruit, a few walnuts and cheese. Beef or red meat once a month—that’s the Mediterranean diet way—and fish a couple of times a week. Maybe an occasional slice of whole grain bread—with as little processing as possible. I’m still hoping to get a sour dough starter going and make my own bread again with freshly ground grains. I can almost smell the bread baking with just the thought of it!

Is there a food that you’d love to eat…maybe a comfort food…that evokes a memory? I’m right back in my first-grade class in Elementary School with my teacher Mrs. Sadie Peterson every time I bite into a fresh pear and experience that distinctive pear smell. Ahhh. Snack time. I love it. Slice up a fresh pear soon and see what you remember.

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, April 3, 2025

Have You Had a Taste of the Lord’s Kindness?

When was the last time someone was really kind to you…or when you were kind to someone, maybe a stranger? Do you feel that you have ever experienced the Lord’s kindness?

Kindness
Take my hand and walk with me.

Kindness is described in the Strong’s Concordance (#5543) as a quality of being manageable, mild, pleasant, easy, gracious, or benevolent. Those are all good qualities on their own. Wrap them up together and you’ve the makings of a wonderful potential in an individual. Think about someone you know is who kind and I think you’ll just automatically get a smile on your face. That is the sort of response a truly kind person evokes. It is a virtue for which I personally strive. It can be personally derived but is sincerely exceptional when it is part of the fruit of the Spirit that is bestowed on a person who is living a life that is worthy and bless by the Lord.

Have you had a taste of the Lord’s kindness and experienced it flowing though you to others? How would you rank yourself in the characteristic of kindness? What can you do to improve the kindness that you show to others? Do you really treat others the way you want to be treated? Do you encourage others, particularly your children or grandchildren, to live by the Golden Rule?

The LORD is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. Psalm 145:17-19

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

Prayer – Lord God, shower us with Your kindness—that it would flow through us to others.

Meditate. Consider God’s kindness in scripture.

Verses of Salvation ~ Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But—"When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life." Titus 3:3-7 (Underlined for emphasis.)

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

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, 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

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, 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