Banquet With The King

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Faithless or Faithful? Anything is Possible if You Believe.

Help us to have the faith of a child.
And to pray.
For I can do everything through Christ,
who gives me strength.

When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him. "What is all this arguing about?" Jesus asked. One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, "Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won't let him talk. And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn't do it." Jesus said to them, "You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. "How long has this been happening?" Jesus asked the boy's father. He replied, "Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can." "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." The father instantly cried out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. "Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak," he said. "I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!" Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, "He's dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up. Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, "Why couldn't we cast out that evil spirit?" Jesus replied, "This kind can be cast out only by prayer." Mark 9:14-29 (Underlined for emphasis.)

At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, "Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn't heal him." Jesus said, "You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well. Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, "Why couldn't we cast out that demon?" "You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible." Matthew 17:14-20 (Some manuscripts add verse 21, But this kind of demon won’t leave except by prayer and fasting. Compare Mark 9:29)

The next day, after they had come down the mountain, a large crowd met Jesus. A man in the crowd called out to him, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, my only child. An evil spirit keeps seizing him, making him scream. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It batters him and hardly ever leaves him alone. I begged your disciples to cast out the spirit, but they couldn't do it." Jesus said, "You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you and put up with you?" Then he said to the man, "Bring your son here." As the boy came forward, the demon knocked him to the ground and threw him into a violent convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy. Then he gave him back to his father. Luke 9:37-42

Meditate. Consider another healing and the power of faith.

Jesus, along with His disciples Peter, James, and John, had just had a truly marvelous mountain top experience. Jesus had gone through a transformation, glowing with spiritual enlightenment and fulfillment. They had heard God speak from a cloud saying, “This is my Beloved Son. Listen to Him.” Then they came down from the mountain to be confronted by this man and his demon-possessed son, whom the other disciples could not help. They tried to cast out the demon—but they couldn’t do it. Jesus rescues the boy and restores his health. We assume that the kid could speak after that.

The father asked Jesus to help him, if He could. IF! Jesus pronounced…Anything is possible if a person believes. Ultimately, the dad asked Jesus to help his unbelief. We all need that—help with our unbelief. More faith. We don’t read that Jesus prayed…just that He states that casting out demons requires prayer…and some translations add fasting. Fasting. Does that indicate that if we give up food, we are closer to God? He hears our prayers…always. Fasting may just help us focus on putting Jesus first in our lives—seeking Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength in the spirit—not the desires of our heart or stomach! I think that by bringing this to our attention, Jesus is challenging us to focus on Him, to trust Him, to believe and obey. Can you do that? I don’t want Jesus to see me as a faithless and corrupt person. Yet for me…it is not by my strength, but by the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Like that father…help my unbelief.

There is so much to understand and believe about Jesus from these scripture passages today. What is your take away?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, help my unbelief.

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.

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Monday, August 3, 2026

Why?

Then his disciples asked him, "Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?" Jesus replied, "Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn't recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer." Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist. Matthew 17:10-13

Then they asked him, "Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?" Jesus responded, "Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. Yet why do the Scriptures say that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be treated with utter contempt? But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they chose to abuse him, just as the Scriptures predicted." Mark 9:11-13

Meditate. Read these passages again and focus on Jesus’ answer.

Why? Why? Why? How often do you hear that? Especially if you have a four-to-six-year-old child around, you will hear it several times a day! Why do I have to brush my teeth? Why can’t I have ice cream for breakfast? Why is the sky blue? Why are my eyes blue and your eyes brown? Why can’t the dog talk like me? Why do I have to go to bed now? And on and on! Why!?! Here, the disciples ask a question: Why? And Jesus answers with scripture and truth. Elijah was predicted to come before the Messiah.

The wilderness wastelands of Israel.

Listen! It's the voice of someone shouting, "Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!” Isaiah 40:3

"Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. Malachi 3:1

John the Baptist is the Elijah of that era, but he was not recognized as such. Jesus is the Lord, the Messiah that was predicted. Both were treated with contempt. People chose—yes, made the deliberate decision to abuse them—to kill them. But as Jesus foretold—He rose from the dead. Keep reading for the rest of the story!

Why? God had a plan for Jesus to suffer as a sacrificial lamb for the sins of all mankind. He endured for each one of us! We are unworthy—but He did it anyway. Can you accept Jesus and what He did for you? Why? Or Why Not?

What do we learn about Jesus from these short scripture passages?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I am overwhelmed that You gave up Your life—that You were so completely obedient to our Heavenly Father that You would die for me! Why? Thank You. Those words hardly seem enough. I am eternally grateful.

Verse of Salvation ~ A psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation--so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? Psalm 27:1

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Sunday, August 2, 2026

What is Transfiguration?

Jesus' face shone like the sun.
Transfigured!
Amazing Grace.

Six days later, Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus' appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. Peter exclaimed, "Lord, it's wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I'll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him." The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground. Then Jesus came over and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus. As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." Matthew 17:1-9 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus' appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus. Peter exclaimed, "Rabbi, 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." He said this because he didn't really know what else to say, for they were all terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him." Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them. As they went back down the mountain, he told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept it to themselves, but they often asked each other what he meant by "rising from the dead." Mark 9:2-10

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. Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem. Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus' glory and the two men standing with him. 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 9:28-36

Meditate on change and recognized approval.

Transfiguration. It is the complete change in appearance to a more beautiful spiritual state. That is just what Jesus went through on that mountain. John, James, and Peter went with him, but apparently fell asleep. When they woke up, they saw Moses and Elijah with Jesus. What?! Those guys had been dead for years! Peter suggests making shelters for each of them, since apparently it was the time of the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles when everyone built shelters to remember the tent dwellings at the time of the Exodus from Egypt and slavery. That request wasn’t necessary since the elder Israelites left. As Jesus and His friends prepared to leave, they were shocked to hear the voice of God. Yes, the actual voice of God thundering from Heaven. "This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him." That was very similar to God’s proclamation at the baptism of Jesus. Jesus was obviously doing what God had requested of Him—He was obedient. God was pleased. Peter recalls this event in his book recorded later in the New Testament.

For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy." We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place--until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:16-21

It is inspiring that Peter authenticated this event. He had the opportunity to TELL--when at the time of this, he was forbidden to do that. It must have been an awesome experience—for Jesus and His disciples. God was recognizing Jesus and giving His voice of approval. One day, we can hope to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” as Jesus taught in the parable of the three servants as recorded in Matthew 25:14-30. You can read that for yourself. What will you hear at the end of your life? To be proclaimed “faithful” or dearly loved, we have to be obedient now. Am I? We can try—but it is only with guidance and power from the Holy Spirit that it truly happens. Will we be transformed someday?

What do we learn about the character of Jesus from these scripture passages today?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, open our eyes to Your truth and mercy. I want to be obedient—but it is not my will, but Yours that will be done. I praise You for Your obedient example. Thank You.

Verses of Salvation ~ 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 made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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Parenting Day By Day
Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Saturday, August 1, 2026

Telling the Truth – No Death

Jesus went on to say, "I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!" Mark 9:1

And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom. Matthew 16:28

I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God." Luke 9:27

Meditate on these verses and truth.

Jesus will return in the clouds.
Where will you be?

That is exciting…not dying until they see Jesus. These verses from three different Gospels are virtually the same. Jesus was telling the truth. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We assume that everyone will die someday. Everyone sins…everyone is going to die.

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28

We are destined to die. We are told that right here in Hebrews…and of course, we all know that from experience. We are all destined to be born…and to die.

A time to be born and a time to die. …. Ecclesiastes 3:2

Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die. Isaiah 57:1-2

Good people pass away. It is hard to understand why good people pass away…at a young age. They have so much potential…so much to give in service to the Lord. Why? Isaiah tells us that it is to protect us from coming evil. Once we lost a very dear friend—to cancer. It was less than a month since her diagnosis. It just seems unfair…but we just have to trust God. He has a plan. She was a godly lady…so we have the promise that she is resting in peace. Salvation—for each of us—is from the Lord. We are eagerly awaiting His return. Will some here now be alive when Jesus returns?

What do we learn about Jesus’ promises from our original Scripture today?

Prayer ~ Lord, open our eyes and hearts to understand Your plan as we wait for Your return. May all that we do please and honor You. Thank You for our wonderful friend. Please give her family and friends Your peace, strength and hope.

Verses of Salvation ~ For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. 1 Peter 2:21-24

Jesus’ death on the cross provided salvation for us. Will you accept what He has done for you?

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, July 31, 2026

What is the Benefit of Gaining the World if You Lose Your Soul?

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. Matthew 16:24-27

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." - Mark 8:34-38

Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. Luke 9:23-26

Meditate on these verses. What is your soul worth?

The same thing is recorded in these gospels—turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross (daily). In modern language of The Message translation Jesus says…

“Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?”

He is in the driver’s seat. I like that. Self-sacrifice is the way of Jesus—and He wants us to follow His example. We don’t have to die on the cross…just pick up our cross and follow Him. So what does it mean to “pick up our cross”? We have to be willing to give up what we want…and turn from our selfish ways to Jesus’ way—die to ourselves, our old self and old ways.

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Galatians 2:20.

Can you admit that life is not all about you—and give up what you want and desire?

Matthew also wrote a similar text earlier in his book.

"If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it”. Matthew 10:37-39

Have you found Christ in your life? Are you ashamed of or confident in Him? What do we learn about Jesus in these scripture passages?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, Your cross seems heavy, but in reality, it is not heavy. You have promised that if we come to You, our burdens will be light.

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30.

Thank You for bearing my burdens…as I take up my cross and follow You.

Verse of Salvation ~ And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:26

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Today would have been my sister, Shirley’s,78^th birthday. She carried her cross all the way to heaven—loving Jesus and obediently following Him. When we were growing up, Shirley and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen baking and would often make these cookies. It seems like a lot of sugar—but it makes a lot of cookies. You can use less, but my daughter makes these often now and she assured me that they won’t brown as well with less sugar. Use your own judgment about your sugar usage.

Shirley’s Snickerdoodles 8-10 dozen

3 cups sugar

1 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 cup shortening or coconut oil

4 eggs

5 ½ cups unbleached flour

4 teaspoons cream of tartar

2 teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Mix shortening, butter, sugar, and add eggs.

Mix dry ingredients and then add to the butter mixture.

Chill the dough for a couple of hours or overnight.

Roll into small balls and dip into cinnamon & sugar mixture.

Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. These are soft and puffed up when taken out of the oven, but they flatten out with crinkly tops. Enjoy with a cold glass of milk!

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Sister Shirley!

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

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Thursday, July 30, 2026

The Beginning of the Suffering…the Road to the Cross

It was time to head for Jerusalem.
Storm clouds looming - The cross before Him.

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. "Heaven forbid, Lord," he said. "This will never happen to you!" Jesus turned to Peter and said, "Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's." Matthew 16:21-23

Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. "Get away from me, Satan!" he said. "You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's." Mark 8:31-33

Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone who he was. "The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things," he said. "He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead." Luke 9:21-22

Meditate on these scripture passages. Think about suffering.

Jesus knew what lay ahead of Him. He told the disciples what was going to happen and reiterated that they were not to tell anyone who He was. There were people around who would be willing to turn Him over to the Pharisees, who wanted to kill Him. The timing had to be in accordance with God’s plan. Over and over, Jesus had admonished people not to tell anyone who He was and the miracles He had done. Yet He had recently at Caesarea Philippi pointedly asked the disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” “Who do you say that I am?” How would you answer those questions? Who do you say that Jesus is today?

Would you ever reprimand Jesus as Peter did? Who did he think he was to try to change Jesus’ mind and to not follow God’s plan? How could he say that Jesus shouldn’t be killed and rise from the dead? No wonder Jesus said, "Get away from me, Satan! You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's." Jesus was following God’s plan. Anything that is not of God is of Satan. Peter’s viewpoint was not God’s plan. Jesus had to be rejected by the Jewish leaders and had to go to the cross. That was God’s purpose for Jesus.

We have to be careful that day by day we see things from God’s view—not from a human’s point of view today. How do we do that? It comes back to what Jesus taught. Love God. Love others. If we keep that in mind and in that perspective as we go through our day making even little decisions, then we will be in God’s will. Seems simple, doesn’t it? But in reality, it is our own selfish desires that often get in the way. We do things that Jesus would say to us…Get away from me, Satan! What Jesus taught and thinks—who He is…and what we think, say, and do, still matters. Do you believe that Jesus suffered for you?

What do you learn about Jesus from these scripture passages?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, reveal more of Yourself to us today and help us in even small decisions to be in God’s will—to see things from His point of view.

Verse of Salvation ~ The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

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

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