Banquet With The King

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Are You Persecuted?

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:10 NLT

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture concerning persecution.

Persecution. It is varied in its forms but may include intimidation, hassle, annoyance, harassment, oppression, subjection, discrimination, tyranny, torment, suffering, or murder.

Jesus told a parable about a farmer, sowing seeds…using the soils to describe, symbolically, the hearts of those hearing about the Kingdom of Heaven. When persecution comes on some people, they respond as Jesus described.

The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. Matthew 13:20-21.

How do you react to persecution? When someone challenges your faith, your beliefs, do you turn away? Here in the United States, most people never experience real persecution—especially not like those in countries where Christians are executed for their faith.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 NIV.

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35 NASB.

Prayer – Jesus, be with our brothers and sisters around the world—and give them strength to endure the persecution that they are experiencing. Remind us that nothing and no one can separate us from Your love—and if we should ever have to face persecution…may we, through the Holy Spirit, find our strength in Your love and grace in our lives.

Verse of Salvation ~ Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18

Portions reused from August 26, 2014, and July 14, 2015, Banquet With The King blogs.

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

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®,

HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Saturday, April 18, 2026

Peacemakers – Are You One?

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 NLT

Meditate. Consider God’s promise of peace in scripture.

Peace is important to God. "Peace" appears 361 times in the New Living Translation and 400 times in the old Kings James translation. That is a lot of peace, but many of those verses deal with the sacrificial peace offerings as described in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, as well as other books in the Old Testament.

The dogwood tree reminds us of peace--
from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Search for peace.

Peace is that quality and attitude where there is a freedom from stress, turbulence, or anxiety. It is that feeling of prosperity, tranquility and safety. It was assumed to be the political position when the Messiah arrived, but we know that it was surely a state of mind...not a political quality when Jesus arrived on earth. Jesus was teaching that crowd on the hillside above the Sea of Galilee that they needed to be peacemakers--seeking peace. Actually, not just seeking peace for themselves, but to be peacemakers--spreading and encouraging peace with others. Here are a few verses that encourage peace.
- Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. Psalm 34:14
- In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 (NASB)
- The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11 (NASB)
- Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble. Psalm 119:165 (NASB)
- For the sake of my brothers and my friends, will now say, "May peace be within you." Psalm 122:8 (NASB)
- Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace. Proverbs 3:17 (NASB)
- When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7 (NASB)
- A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:8 (NASB)
- LORD, You will establish peace for us, since You have also performed for us all our works.
Isaiah 26:12 (NASB)
- And the work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. Isaiah 32:17 (NASB)
- For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12 (NASB)

These verses encourage us to seek peace—to pursue it. I certainly want peace in my life. How about you?

And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. Romans 14:17-19

The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:26 (NASB)

Claim that promise of being a peacemaker—and you will be a son or daughter of God.

Prayer – Lord God, where there is contention and strife with others in my community...give me grace to help them to solve their differences...to seek Your peace in their lives.

Verse of Salvation ~ How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! Isaiah 52:7 NLT

Portions reused from January 21,2018 Banquet With The King blog.

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

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®,

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Friday, April 17, 2026

Who Has a Pure Heart?

God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8

Meditate - purity.

Pure. Clean. Wholesome. Untainted. Uncontaminated. Basic. Fundamental. Strong. Vibrant. Genuine. Natural. Complete. Uncorrupt. That’s what is pure. Pure uncorrupt heart—following God’s will, His plan for life. Those are the people who will be blessed and see God. Imagine actually seeing the Almighty God, the maker of Heaven and Earth. The one who designed mankind and has a plan for each person’s life. There is a verse in the Bible that describes God with feathers and wings. Is that what we will one day see as we gaze on Him face to face?

Is this God's feather...floating on the
Columbia River?
Will He shelter you with His wings?

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalm 91:1-4

Those with a pure heart will see Him, with or without feathers.

Prayer – Lord God, I long for the day that I will see You face to face—feathers and all!

Verse of Salvation ~ Because I love Zion, I will not keep still. Because my heart yearns for Jerusalem, I cannot remain silent. I will not stop praying for her until her righteousness shines like the dawn, and her salvation blazes like a burning torch. Isaiah 62:1 NLT

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Barley is one of Israel’s seven healing foods. Many of the ways to use barley utilize barley sprouts. So, the best thing to consider here is how to sprout barley grain.

Steps in Spouting Barley Grain

First – choose whole-grain kernels, not pearl grains, those cracked, or treated with any chemicals.

Second - Rinse ½ cup of grain, remove any debris or dust, and place in a quart jar.

Third – Cover the grain with fresh water and soak for 6-12 hours.

Fourth – Drain the grain in the jar. Rinse and drain again.

Fifth – Invert jar in a bowl, allowing the air to circulate. Place in a dark, warm place. Rinse and drain 2-3 times daily.

Sixth – Watch the kernels and see sprouts after 2-3 days. When the sprouts are 1-2 inches long they are ready to use.

Seventh – Rinse and drain one last time. Can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days.

Enjoy in salads, puree in a smoothie, or combine into bread dough for “sprouted” bread. Google barley recipes for more ideas on ways to use the vitamin and enzyme packed sprouts.

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Are You Merciful?

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7 NLT

Meditate on mercy.

Don't be prickly like a cactus.
Be merciful.

There are countless…well, try 41 verses about being merciful in the New Living Translation of the Bible. Most of them are concerning how merciful God is. That is true. God is merciful. Here’s an example of that written by the minor prophet, Joel, as he called the Israelites to personal repentance

Don't tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead. Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Joel 2:13 (Underlined for emphasis.)

In the New Testament, we have an example of Jesus as our merciful High Priest. Although He was not of the tribe of Levi, the usual Jewish priestly family unit, Jesus became a priest in Heaven.

Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17

God promises to bless those who have shown mercy to others. What is the result of not showing mercy? James writes that there is no mercy, which is compassion, pity, understanding, grace, kindness, or leniency, for those who are not merciful to others.

There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. James 2:13

When I was in grade school, there was a girl who accidentally got hit in the face with a tetherball. Accidents happen. I was the one who had hit the ball, so she felt like I had slapped her in the face. She had just heard the verse stated by Jesus about turning the other cheek, and she was determined that I needed to hit her again. Wrong. I just couldn’t do it, but she kept nagging me and wouldn’t resume our tetherball game until I slapped her other cheek. Well, I finally tossed the ball, lightly at her other cheek, and we laughingly resumed the game just as the recess bell rang. Was it merciful? I felt like it could only be merciful if she would just forgive me for the ball hitting her in the face.

But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. Matthew 5:39 (Jesus words.)

Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies. Lamentations 3:30

Many of Jesus’ teachings were based on Old Testament statements that He clarified and made practical to the people of that time.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You were merciful to so many around You. I particularly think of the Pharisees, who, although some believed in You, like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, were often challenging evil people, but You listened politely. Ultimately, You were merciful to all of mankind by obediently taking our sins to the cross. Thank You. You are such a good example—we should certainly be merciful to others around us!

Verse of Salvation ~ So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. Lamentations 3:26

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Are You Satisfied with Your Life?

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. Matthew 5:6 NLT

Please God.
Be a sweet fragrance to Him...
like these lilacs.

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

Justice: fairness, impartiality, reasonableness, honesty, integrity, validity, and righteousness. This is also expressed in the Amplified Bible as those who actively seek right standing with God. Right standing. Doing what God expects. Being obedient. These are people who, deep in their heart and soul, want to please God, but I think that in seeking justice, they want what is fair for themselves and for others. Justice is a two-way street. Can you consider righteousness the same way? I think so. If a person is righteous, they are living right for God, and they are respecting themselves, too. That is an important quality in life. Respect.

God’s blessing on the righteous results in them being satisfied. Being content with their life. Paul expressed this well in his letter to the Philippians.

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:11-12

Are you content or satisfied with yourself, your life, your home, job, food, and clothes? See what Paul also advised young Timothy.

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Does anything take your attention away from God? What keeps you from being content? God wants you to be satisfied with your life and with Him. Is it time to evaluate what you think, say, and do so that you can choose to seek righteousness and please God?

Prayer – Lord, guide my thoughts, words, and actions today as I seek to serve You.

Verse of Salvation ~ If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced (Isaiah 28:16)." Romans 10:9-11

Have you done your taxes for the year?

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

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Who is Humble?

God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. Matthew 5:5 NLT

Meditate on humbleness.

Keep your ducks in a row.
Be humble.
Graciously let others lead.

Humble. Humble can be considered meek, modest, unassuming, unpretentious, respectful, or servile. It is also described as… inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled (AMP). The Bible is filled with verses about being humble. Was Jesus considering some of the Old Testament scripture verses when He advised His disciples and followers that God blesses those who are humble?

The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help be encouraged. Psalm 69:32

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

The LORD mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble. Proverbs 3:34 (also quoted in James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5)

Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:3-5

God appears to honor those who humbly put others first and live as His Son, Jesus Christ, lived and taught. Such a good example for us. Life is good, and better when one humbly lives to please God. There it is. Live humbly. Pray. Seek God. What more could we want in life but to please God? It is better than living to please ourselves. Do you agree?

God promises that those who are humble will inherit the earth. Inheritance is usually a delightful occurrence. This inheriting the earth may reference Psalm 37:11.

The lowly will possess the land and will live in peace and prosperity. Psalm 37:11

The land could be considered the earth now and in the future. It is encouraging to contemplate that God has promised this for those who humble themselves. Do you consider yourself humble? Do you see yourself as a humble servant of the Lord?

Prayer – Lord, You said to Daniel, “Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.” Daniel 10:12. Thank You for hearing my prayers, Lord. I patiently wait for Your response and trust You, no matter what You do.

Verse of Salvation ~ For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4 NKJV

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