Banquet With The King

Friday, February 6, 2026

Who is the Trinity?

After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy." Matthew 3:16-17

Meditate. Consider the Trinity.

The Trinity of God is made up of the Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. There is no direct reference to the Trinity in the Bible, except in the Amplified translation.

After these things I looked, and this is what I saw: a vast multitude which no one could count, [gathered] from every nation and from all the tribes and peoples and languages [of the earth], standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Christ), dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands; and in a loud voice they cried out, saying, "Salvation [belongs] to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb [our salvation is the Trinity's to give, and to God the Trinity we owe our deliverance]." Revelation 7:9-10 AMP

The three persons of the Trinity were together at Creation and again at Jesus baptism. Then, as recorded in John, the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, descended and landed on Him as Jesus came up out of the Jordan River. Additionally, the very voice of God from heaven was heard saying, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy."

There were only a couple of instances when we hear God speak about Jesus from Heaven. Besides at Jesus’ baptism the other time was at the Transfiguration, when Moses and Elijah appeared to talk with Jesus about when He would leave the earth.

About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. ... As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, "Master, it's wonderful for us to be here! Let's make three shelters as memorials--one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." But even as he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them, and terror gripped them as the cloud covered them. Then a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him." When the voice finished, Jesus was there alone. They didn't tell anyone at that time what they had seen. Luke 9:28-29, 33-36

The Trinity each has their specific personality and function. For them to be all together at the Creation and the baptism is unique. They were there…together…and separately.

What can we learn from this about Jesus, about life, and about God?

Prayer – Lord God, guide me into a greater knowledge and understanding of You—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Help me apply this to my life and my testimony of You.

Verse of Salvation ~ Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Psalm 25:5 ESV

Lemons at a Cafe in Lisbon, Portugal

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

It’s gray outside. Time for a tangy taste of lemons to brighten our days.

Tasty Lemon Bars

1 cup all-purpose flour or substitute

½ cup butter

¼ cup powdered sugar

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

2 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice

Rind of ½ lemon, zested

Blend flour and powdered sugar, and cut in butter. Press into an 8-or 9-inch square pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Beat remaining ingredients together. Pour over baked crust. Bake 20-25 minutes. Let cool, slice, and enjoy.

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

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Baptized by the Holy Spirit

The Lamb of God
Sacrificed for our sins.
Can you testify to this in your life?

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one I was talking about when I said, 'A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.' I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel." Then John testified, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn't know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God." John 1:29-34

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture.

Jesus was baptized with water. John told us that Jesus was the Chosen One of God and that He would baptize with the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?

When a person repents of their sins and accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, they become indwelt by the Holy Spirit, filled with the Holy Spirit. That is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is an experience that everyone who believes experiences, whether they realize it or not. As Christians, we are all part of the body of Christ.

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, encouraging Christians to be united in the body of Christ and the Spirit.

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. Ephesians 4:3-6

One baptism.

John the Baptist testified that he knew Jesus. When he baptized Jesus, he knew that He was the Chosen One of God because he saw the Spirit descend and rest on the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. That would be Jesus, whom John had just baptized.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, it is amazing that John the Baptist recognized You as the Chosen One. It must have been exciting for him to see the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, coming down on Him. God had a plan…and He still does. It will be exhilarating watching it unfold. Will it be soon?

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

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Who is This Lamb of God?

Baptism in the Jordan River
Israel

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. "I am the one who needs to be baptized by you," he said, "so why are you coming to me?" But Jesus said, "It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires." So John agreed to baptize him. Matthew 3:13-15

Meditate. What does it mean to be baptized?

Who is this Lamb of God? John declared that the Lamb was Jesus as he saw Jesus coming toward him. John felt unworthy. Could he already have known who Jesus was, although he said that he didn’t recognize Him as The Messiah? The Lamb of God was the Messiah—the one who came to take away the sins of the world. Read on in John 1. God told John to baptize people and the Messiah would be revealed.

What does it mean to be baptized? During Jesus time…and in earlier Biblical times, purification was a cleansing ritual for people so that they were pure when they went into the Temple. There were special baths for their routine. The purification process was specifically delineated with instruction from the Lord and is noted in the books of Leviticus 15 and Numbers 19.

Then someone who is ceremonially clean will gather up the ashes of the heifer and deposit them in a purified place outside the camp. They will be kept there for the community of Israel to use in the water for the purification ceremony. This ceremony is performed for the removal of sin. Numbers 19:9, 17

Now, Christians become Christians when they realize they are sinners…we all are…they repent, ask for their sins to be forgiven, and for Jesus to be their Savior. Their lives change. Transformed.

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died. It doesn't matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God's peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God. Galatians 6:14-16

Frequently, soon after their conversion, the individuals are baptized. Baptism takes the form of either a sprinkling or a full immersion. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change—their conversion. What does that mean? It is a spiritual rebirth. The person has actually changed.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God. You gave up so much to leave Heaven and become the Lamb of God, as well as a teacher, prophet, servant, only Son of God the Father, our Savior, and trusted friend. Thank you, Jesus. Your blood covers our sins, wipes them away, and we can be purified. Cleansed pure so that we are forgiven. Help us to serve You in our endeavor to seek You with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Verse of Salvation ~ For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, 'The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.' There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved." Acts 4:11-12

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, February 3, 2026

What is a Winnowing Fork?

"I (John) baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I'm not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire." Matthew 3:11-12

Meditate on Jesus’ role in coming to earth.

What is a “winnowing fork,” and how is Jesus going to use it? A winnowing fork is an implement that farmers in ancient times used on the threshing floor to separate the chaff from the kernels of grain. Matthew records John’s words that the grain and chaff will be separated. The grain would be gathered and saved. The chaff would be burned up in an eternal fire.

Is the grain those who would believe in the Son of God, the Christians, and the chaff, the unbelievers, those who would be condemned to a final death in an eternal fire? I think that would be a logical, good guess. The winnowing fork was essential for separating the parts of the wheat—the grain kernels and the chaff. Spiritually, what could the winnowing fork be attributed to? Who…or what…separates the grain from the chaff? In this scripture passage, we are told that “someone” is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. That “someone” is Jesus. He is the one that John was referring to as not being worthy to be His slave and carry His sandals. Yes. Jesus is the one with the winnowing fork. We can be sure that He will one day be separating the grain and the chaff—those who believe and those who don’t. Where will you be? On the pile of chaff headed to the eternal fire or gathered with the kernels of grain?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I believe in You as my Lord and Savior. I know that one day you will winnow the harvest of souls. The good ones in one pile…and the chaff to be discarded in the fire.

Verse of Salvation ~ Who among you fears the LORD and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the LORD and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment. Isaiah 50:10-11

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, February 2, 2026

Who is Worthy to Carry His Sandals?

Carry my sandals and staff.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. "You brood of snakes!" he exclaimed. "Who warned you to flee God's coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don't just say to each other, 'We're safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.' That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now, the ax of God's judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I'm not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." Matthew 3:7-11

Meditate. Read the scripture passage three times.

It was time for Jesus to begin His ministry. John the Baptist had been out at the Jordan River calling for people to “Repent” and change their ways. He was baptizing those who repented. It seems that the Pharisees and Sadducees thought they were holier than anyone else, but John the Baptist saw through them. Was he warning or accusing them of being bad fruit? Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. Bad fruit—pride, haughtiness, unrighteousness. That was what John was seeing in the Pharisees and Sadducees. He was condemning them to Hell—thrown into the fire.

John the Baptist was foretelling of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. He already revered Jesus. He felt he was not worthy to even carry Jesus’ sandals. Who carries another person’s sandals…or even unties them, but a slave? Was John considering himself lower than a slave?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, like John, I am unworthy to untie or carry Your sandals—but by Your blood and sacrifice, You have saved me from the doom of Hell or of the rejection of the Father. Thank You. I look forward to serving You forever in Heaven one day. I would even be willing to carry Your sandals.

Verse of Salvation ~ Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:21-25

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, February 1, 2026

Can I Be a Priest?

The Sacrificial Lamb
Is it perfect?
The Lamb of God takes away the sins of the world.

Only Aaron and his descendants served as priests. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and the altar of incense, and they performed all the other duties related to the Most Holy Place. They made atonement for Israel by doing everything that Moses, the servant of God, had commanded them. 1 Chronicles 6:49

Meditate. Consider God’s message in scripture.

At the time of Passover, when I went to the Temple in Jerusalem, I observed the Priests. They were dressed in dramatic robes with headdresses. Can I be a priest? Did I want to be a priest? Nope. Only men in the Levite tribe, in Aaron’s line, could be priests.

Call for your brother, Aaron, and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Set them apart from the rest of the people of Israel so they may minister to me and be my priests. Make sacred garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful. Exodus 28:1-2

The priests had specific duties, which included teaching the people.

And you must teach the Israelites all the decrees that the LORD has given them through Moses. Leviticus 10:11

The priests were to resolve conflicts.

Then the Levitical priests must step forward, for the LORD your God has chosen them to minister before him and to pronounce blessings in the LORD's name. They are to decide all legal and criminal cases. Deuteronomy 21:5

Of course, the priests offered sacrifices to atone for the Israelites' sins.

These are the sacrifices you are to offer regularly on the altar. Each day, offer two lambs that are a year old, one in the morning and the other in the evening. With one of them, offer two quarts of choice flour mixed with one quart of pure oil of pressed olives; also, offer one quart of wine as a liquid offering. Offer the other lamb in the evening, along with the same offerings of flour and wine as in the morning. It will be a pleasing aroma, a special gift presented to the LORD. "These burnt offerings are to be made each day from generation to generation. Offer them in the LORD's presence at the Tabernacle entrance; there I will meet with you and speak with you. Exodus 29:38-42

Blessing the people is another responsibility of the priests. This results in those people getting God’s blessing.

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: 'May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.' Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them." Numbers 6:22-27

Only sons of the tribe of Levi get to be priests. I was born into the family of David in the line of Judah. True, Abraham was the father of all Israelites, but his grandson, Jacob, had twelve sons. One was Judah, and another was Levi. Levi’s family became priests, one of whom got to speak directly to God once each year at the Day of Atonement.

The Rabbis that I studied with at the Temple taught me the finer points of the Jewish priests—those gentlemen from the family of Aaron that still practiced the sacrifices according to God’s instructions through Moses. Here in the rebuilt Second Temple, since Solomon’s Temple was so damaged by the Babylonians, there is so much corruption. There are merchants selling lambs and doves to people who come bringing sacrifices that are declared inferior. Are they really blemished? It looks to me like someone is just trying to make some easy money. I’m not a priest, but I can see perfect sacrifices. Hearts that are repentant when they bring their sacrifices to the Temple. They heard God’s message. Repent. One day, that will be my message, too.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You had such wisdom—even as a child. Repent was the beginning of Your ministry. Did you learn that in Jerusalem? With a repentant heart, daily I am seeking God’s purpose for my life—what would You have me to do, minute by minute?

Verse of Salvation ~ Now after John [the Baptist] was arrested and taken into custody, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the good news of [the kingdom of] God, and saying, "The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God's purpose for your life] and believe [with a deep, abiding trust] in the good news [regarding salvation]." Mark 1:14-15 AMP

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