Banquet With The King

Monday, March 2, 2026

Believe and Not Perish

Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:11-21 ESV

Meditate. Consider God’s love.

Truly, truly. In this translation, Jesus was emphasizing to Nicodemus that He was telling the truth. Other translations have the same emphasis—although they may use different words like verily, or I assure you, these translations all stress that Jesus was being truthful as He spoke to the Pharisee.

God Loved the World
He still loves the world today!
Come to the Light.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

This is probably the most worldwide, well-known verse in the Bible. It is one that children are taught to memorize. Have you memorized it? Here, Jesus is teaching Nicodemus about God’s gift and eternal life. That is spiritual life. Everyone will live forever spiritually, and those not embracing the light—rejecting the light—are evil and thus will not be in God’s presence forever. They will not be saved. Saved from what? Eternal damnation—but Jesus did not explain it that bluntly. They will be condemned to live apart from God forever. I picture them gnashing their teeth, in a fiery pit, and moaning…forever. That is horribly sad. Where will you find yourself?

Jesus tells Nicodemus to be saved—not condemned. Believe in the Son—but He doesn’t directly tell him that He is the Son. Nicodemus had acknowledged that Jesus was a teacher from God (John 3:2)…but not that He was the Son of God, or God Himself. There is still some insight and teaching to be done. Are you convinced that you must believe in Jesus to have eternal life with Him?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, just as You taught Nicodemus a deeper understanding of You, give us wisdom and insight to know You more. Help us to comprehend spiritual insights and nuances that we have not previously grasp. Thank You, once again, for Your sacrifice and Your tremendous gift of love that believing in You we could have eternal life—and serve You together forever.

Verse of Salvation ~ So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:13-16

What do we learn about Jesus from this scripture passage?

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

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Sunday, March 1, 2026

Who is this Nicodemus?

Like the Butterfly--you can have a new life.
Be Born Again!

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:1-21 ESV

Meditate. Consider being born again.

This is a long passage. What do we learn from it? Nicodemus is a Pharisee—a Jewish leader and teacher—who approaches Jesus at night. Is he afraid of what his fellow Pharisees will think of him…or do to him? He must have made an appointment with Jesus—and snuck out so others didn’t know just who he went to see. It is an interesting interchange that Nicodemus and Jesus have—starting off with Nicodemus acknowledging that Jesus is a great teacher. He has seen or heard of the miracles that Jesus was doing. Did he know that Jesus turned water into wine? Who instantly does that? Who heals the sick, the blind, and lame? Yes, Jesus had already done all that, so Nicodemus knew His power. Jesus teaches Nicodemus the concept of being “born again” illustrating the basic concept of Christianity. You must be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. It is a spiritual rebirth. Jesus emphasized this when He said… that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.God is a spiritual being. Jesus goes on to say…The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. Like the wind, we don’t see the Spirit, but the Spirit is real.

Born again. The disciple Peter later writes about this in the book he authored. He learned about this from Jesus, and passes that knowledge on to encourage other Christians. They have been born again.

- All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance--an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 1 Peter 1:3-4

- For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 1 Peter 1:23

Jesus confronts Nicodemus with being a Jewish teacher, but not understanding this concept. He states that we teach what we know—so how can Nicodemus teach about heavenly, spiritual things without understanding them? What a great challenge! Jesus goes on to discuss more concepts that Nicodemus and all those seeking knowledge about God need to understand. We’ll look at those for a couple more days this week. For now, reflect on just what it means to be born again.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I have been “born again” just as You told Nicodemus. The Holy Spirit lives within me and reminds me of the truths that You taught. I’m so glad we have the Bible—Your living Word—to teach us and remind us how we should live—loving God and loving others. You have been so gracious and merciful to have given Your life—so that we might live forever with You. Thank you!

Verse of Salvation ~ You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 1 Peter 1:8-10

What do we learn about Jesus from these scripture passages?

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

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),

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, February 28, 2026

Give Us a Sign

Raise up this Temple--this body.

But the Jewish leaders demanded, "What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it." "All right," Jesus replied. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." "What!" they exclaimed. "It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?" But when Jesus said "this temple," he meant his own body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said. John 2:18-22

Meditate. Consider if you are looking for a sign.

Show us a miraculous sign to prove it. Those Jewish leaders were always trying to trip up Jesus. They just didn’t want to believe He was and is who He is. The Son of God. He is God.

- One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority." Matthew 12:38

- One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. Matthew 16:1

- When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. Mark 8:11

- Others, trying to test Jesus, demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. Luke 11:16

- They answered, "Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? John 6:30

Where is your Temple? This appears to be a new idea. There are no specific references to the Holy Spirit being within or creating a Temple within a believer in the Old Testament. The Jews were taking Jesus’ words very literally. How could anyone build or rebuild a Temple in three days? John clues us in that it was the body of Jesus that would be “raised,” as in resurrected. There don’t appear to be any direct teachings about resurrection in the Old Testament, although it is known that the Sadducees did not believe in resurrection (Matthew 22:23). Actually, everyone will have eternal life, but only those who believe in Jesus will go to spend eternity with God.

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth about the Temple within us.

- Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

- Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Jesus must have considered the Holy Spirit—part of the Triune God—to be within Him. We have that same existence now within us—once we accept Jesus as our Savior. Where do you stand with the Lord? Do you need a sign…or is the Holy Spirit within you showing you the Way, the Truth, and the Life?

What do we learn about Jesus from these scripture passages?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for Your truth, teaching, and sacrifice, for I know that You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that it is only through You that I will be able one day to stand before the Heavenly Father. I praise You!

Verse of Salvation ~ Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. Philippians 1:27-28

Goodbye February

Another month gone – What are you doing with your life?

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

Friday, February 27, 2026

99 Years of Knowledge and Excellence

But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it. Luke 7:35

Meditate on wisdom.

I once knew a gentleman, Dade W. Moeller, of great wisdom, knowledge, and true excellence. He was born on February 27, 1927, which would have made him 99 years old today. He died in September 2011. A great scientist, mentor, and man of God, Dade was internationally known as an expert in radiation safety and environmental protection, and whose association was treasured by family, friends, colleagues, and work associates. Notably, he worked for the U.S. Public Health Service early in his career, then was a Professor of Engineering in Environmental Health at Harvard University, served on many Nuclear Regulatory Commission Committees, and founded the Dade Moeller & Associates company. When he spoke at a University commencement, he used these Guidelines for Life – Rules for Success that evolved into Recipe for Success in a "What's Cookin' at Dade Moeller & Associates" cookbook.

Recipe for Success Dade W. Moeller

Don’t ever burn your bridges! The person you tell off may be the one who will be asked to provide an endorsement for your next important position.
Don’t sell yourself short. At the same time, however, don’t over-rate your own importance.
You cannot lift yourself up by running everyone else down.
Remember that leaders emerge; they are seldom appointed.
Your job is what you make it; don't wait for the boss to tell you what to do.
Shape your job so you are doing what you like to do; when you're having fun, time flies; a clock watcher will never be more than a hand.
Do every job a little better than anyone expects. If it is good enough, it’s not.
Do your homework; be as well-informed as possible on every subject that the committee or work group to which you have been appointed is scheduled to discuss.
Analyze your data. File cabinets are full of data that were collected and stored without ever gaining the benefit of understanding and insights that the simplest of analyses would have revealed.
Finish the job--this often includes writing a paper on what you have done and publishing it; don't stop just short of the goal line.
Respect your co-workers and supporting staff. These include the technicians in the laboratory, the people who tabulate the data, and the janitors who keep the building clean.
Never let your education interfere with your work. Just because you have a degree does not make you better than others.
When you are near a fountain of knowledge, do everything possible to get thoroughly soaked.
Volunteer for new assignments, including a transfer to another city for a position with more responsibility--even if it does not include a salary increase.
Be active locally—in your professional society, civic activities, youth work, and your church. National leaders emerge from those who lead locally.
Finally—remember that you should never take both a sleeping pill and a laxative just prior to going to bed.

When I was around Dade, I wanted to get thoroughly soaked in his wisdom and knowledge. Often our conversations drifted to where we’d seen glimpses of God working in our lives. He put Jesus first in his life—by example—not by boasting. I share his Guidelines, knowing that each one is also like a message from our Lord.

What do we learn about Jesus from this list?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for the people that You bring into our lives—especially those who challenge us to seek You more clearly. We are grateful for the opportunities that You provide to know other like-minded Christians.

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

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Feast on God’s word. Find scripture that fulfills the wisdom from Dade and other wise people that you have known in your lifetime.

Dade Moeller’s 99^th Birthday

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

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Cleaning Up My Father’s House

Model of the Temple and Court
Jerusalem, Israel
The Money Changes had space for their animals
and tables. Jesus changed that scene!

It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers' coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, "Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father's house into a marketplace!" Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: "Passion for God's house will consume me." But the Jewish leaders demanded, "What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it." "All right," Jesus replied. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." "What!" they exclaimed. "It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?" But when Jesus said "this temple," he meant his own body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said. John 2:13-25

Meditate. Remember God’s guidance in scripture?

At the time of the Passover, all Jewish men had to go to Jerusalem, as required by God in His instruction to the Israelites.

Each year you must celebrate three festivals in my honor. First, celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread (Passover). For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast, just as I commanded you. Celebrate this festival annually at the appointed time in early spring, in the month of Abib, for that is the anniversary of your departure from Egypt. No one may appear before me without an offering. Second, celebrate the Festival of Harvest (Pentecost), when you bring me the first crops of your harvest. Finally, celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest (Festival of Shelters) at the end of the harvest season, when you have harvested all the crops from your fields. Exodus 23:14-16

As stated in Psalm 69:9 David wrote…Passion for God's house will consume me…. This is just as what the disciple recalled. They likely studied the Psalms as young synagogue students. They could see this happening as Jesus entered the Temple court and cleansed the Temple area. It wasn’t actually in the Temple, but on the grounds from the Gates to the Outer Court. Within that Outer Court is apparently where the merchants worked, selling the blemish-free animals for sacrifice and exchanging money for the Temple coins necessary for the taxes. They were making a living, cheating out-of-town Jews, all in the name of holiness. No wonder Jesus was righteously angry with them.

What do we learn about Jesus from this incident in the Temple? Jesus was respectful to His Father. He wanted everyone to honor His Father…and His Home—the Temple. Holiness at the Temple. Jesus abhorred the selling of animals and exchanging of Temple coins. He had righteous anger towards the whole group. Get Out! Jesus expects the same of us. Respect and honor for the Lord and His house—our churches. Does passion for God’s house consume you?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, we admire You for Your holiness and righteousness. Help us to honor You…and be like You, respecting and honoring our Heavenly Father.

Verse of Salvation ~ Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name. Psalm 79:9

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

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Water or Wine?

The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus' mother told him, "They have no more wine." "Dear woman, that's not our problem," Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." But his mother told the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, "Fill the jars with water." When the jars had been filled, he said, "Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies." So the servants followed his instructions. When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. "A host always serves the best wine first," he said. "Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!" This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples. John 2:1-12

Meditate. Consider God’s timing.

My time has not yet come. That is what Jesus declared—but His Mom told the servants just what to do. And they did. It was the best wine of the evening! It was an amazing amount in the six stone water jars, nearly one-hundred eighty gallons of wine. This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. First miracle! And his disciples believed in him. What would it take for others to believe in Jesus now? Water changed into wine?

The disciples that He had called just the day before were there at the wedding including Andrew, Simon, Nathanael, Philip, and possibly James and John. His glory was revealed to the disciples, the wedding party, the region where the wedding was held, and eventually the world. The disciples believed in Jesus—in His mercy and power. He is the Son of God. Other disciples were chosen later.

Jesus’ time had come. His ministry had begun. Water turned to wine.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for Your dedication to mankind. Your ministry started with water changed to wine and continued until…water was drained from Your body on the cross…and even until today! Your mercy, compassion, power, and love continue always.

Verse of Salvation ~ See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The LORD GOD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory." With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation! Isaiah 12:2-3

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