Banquet With The King

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.

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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

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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

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Under the Fig Tree

Under a fig tree...my fig tree.
Growing my own figs.
Come sit with me...in my backyard!

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Come, follow me." Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter's hometown. Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, "We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth." "Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael. "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" "Come and see for yourself," Philip replied. As they approached, Jesus said, "Now here is a genuine son of Israel--a man of complete integrity." "How do you know about me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, "I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you." Then Nathanael exclaimed, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!" Jesus asked him, "Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." Then he said, "I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth." John 1:43-51

Meditate. Consider Jesus’ calling His disciples.

Come, follow Me.

Can anything good come from Nazareth?

These are statements and questions that anyone who has heard about Jesus has probably heard. Nazareth was not a town of great influence, or I’d say, deep respect. It was just a normal, little village—not a glorious city like Jerusalem. Even little children now will sing a song with actions about Jesus calling His disciples who were fishermen. I will make you fishers of men/fishers of men/if you follow me/ follow me/ I will make you fishers of men/if you follow me.

Have you ever considered what it takes to make someone a “fisher” of men? Catching men? Jesus had a sense of humor in invoking that idea—but it is truth. Those who follow Jesus will gather more people to follow Jesus—thus making them a type of fisherman.

It is amazing that Jesus saw Nathanael sitting under a fig tree before his friend Philip even found him. Nathanael knew himself to be a man of complete integrity. That seems a bit arrogant—but it is such a good quality. Honest. Truthful. Reliable. Honored. Yes. Nathanael would make a good disciple for Jesus. This Jesus who knows everything—even our thoughts and our whereabouts. Continually. Yes. He is the Son of God…He is God.

Do you recognize Jesus as the Son of God…as your Savior?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, whether You came from Nazareth, Bethlehem, or Jerusalem—I love You and serve You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength—from the moment I first believed. Thank You for seeing me, like You saw Nathanael under the fig tree.

Verse of Salvation ~ I long for your rescue (salvation), LORD, so I have obeyed your commands. I have obeyed your laws, for I love them very much. Yes, I obey your commandments and laws because you know everything I do. O LORD, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised. Psalm 119:166-169

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

Monday, February 23, 2026

Rabbi. Teacher. Messiah.

The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, "Look! There is the Lamb of God!" When John's two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus. Jesus looked around and saw them following. "What do you want?" he asked them. They replied, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?" "Come and see," he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means "Christ"). Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, "Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas" (which means "Peter"). John 1:35-42

Meditate on the Rabbi.

The Lamb of God

The day after John baptized Jesus, a couple of John’s disciples began to follow Jesus after they heard Him called The Lamb of God. They called Him Rabbi. Already, Jesus had the reputation of being a Teacher. He must have exuded a charismatic nature—drawing people to Himself.

The Lamb of God was likely a reference to the Passover Lamb from Exodus 12:3 and Isaiah 53:3-8, which even fishermen were probably familiar with if they were taught as young boys in the synagogue.

He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. Isaiah 53:3-8

Jews of that era were watching for their savior and redeemer. The Lamb of God. Andrew recognized Jesus as the Messiah, so he brought his brother, Simon, to meet Him. Would you have done the same by taking your sibling to meet the Messiah? Would you believe instantly, like Andrew?

We don’t know where Jesus was staying, but at four in the afternoon, there wasn’t much daylight left, so they spent a couple of hours chatting and then getting supper…and talking some more. Do you think that Jesus enlightened them with the prophecies of the Old Testament, since that was the scripture that was available at that time? Rabbi. Teacher. Messiah.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You are my Savior, my Messiah—the true Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world. Thank You. Help me to know You more day by day…and bring others to You to meet You as their Messiah. I praise You for all that You do and say. Rabbi.

Verse of Salvation ~ Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: "Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked him. "Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: 'You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.'" The man replied, "I've obeyed all these commandments since I was young." When Jesus heard his answer, he said, "There is still one thing you haven't done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. Luke 18:18-23

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, February 22, 2026

Following the Crowd?

Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. Matthew 4:25

Meditate on following.

Today is George Washington’s birthday, commemorating his birth in 1732, almost 300 years ago. Did he follow Jesus’ teachings? According to an AI overview, George Washington was a devout Anglican/Episcopalian church member who attended regularly. A plaque at his gravesite states a verse from the Gospel of John.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live…. John 11:25 KJV

In speeches and writing, Washington frequently referred to the Bible and “Providence,” which was a common term at that time for God’s guiding hand.

Sheep in Israel.
People are like sheep.
Follow the Shepherd.

Matthew wrote that large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. People are like sheep—they just follow the leader, and here we see that Jesus is the leader—the Shepherd. The people are eager to learn more about Jesus, His teaching, and of course, they want Him to heal them, their family, or friends. Large crowds followed Him. Were they jostling for a position to be close to Jesus as they walked from one town to another? Did someone run ahead to tell the next village that the teacher and healer was coming? Imagine the dust on those roads. Imagine the elated people freed from their illnesses and diseases. It must have been an exciting time!

Galilee and Judea are regions in Israel at the time of Jesus, and of course, Jerusalem is the great city of the Lord, of David, and the spiritual and cultural center of Israel. Jerusalem was the location of the Temple, making it the home of God on earth. Where are those Ten Towns? Known as the Decapolis, these Hellenistic or Greek cities are Damascus, Opoton, Philadelphia, Raphana, Scythopolis, Gadara, Hippondion, Pella, Galasa, and Canatha. They are generally east of the Jordan River. People from these towns would likely have been Gentiles—not Jews—but they were following Jesus—believing in the power of His teaching, mercy, and healing. Jesus came to the Jews, but here already the Gentiles were following Him.

Are you following Jesus?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I will follow You…wherever You lead me. Show me the way—for You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Verse of Salvation ~ Finally, believers, we ask and admonish you in the Lord Jesus, that you follow the instruction that you received from us about how you ought to walk and please God (just as you are actually doing) and that you excel even more and more [pursuing a life of purpose and living in a way that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation]. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 AMP

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

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

The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769.
Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain.

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