Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Banquet Time

Invite Jesus to a Banquet at your home.
Levi did--along with many other people.
Jesus and His disciples were feasting at the
Richland Naz Church Last Supper drama. 

Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi's fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus' disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with such scum?" Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent." Luke 5:29-32 

Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus' followers.) But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?" When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." Mark 2:15-17

 

Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with such scum?" When Jesus heard this, he said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do." Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." Matthew 9:10-13

 

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

 

Scum!? Those righteous Pharisees considered the tax collectors and others to be scum. But who needed a doctor?

Jesus said…Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. Do you need a doctor? What kind of doctor? A physician to heal your body? A psychologist for your mental stability? Or a specialist—like Jesus—for your spiritual health?

 

Jesus was the great physician. He could and did it all. He healed the blind and lame (Matthew 15:30), cured the demon-possessed (Matthew 8:16), and offered eternal life to everyone who believes (John 5:24). Do you need a doctor…or do you need more of Jesus in your life? How do you get more of Jesus? Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal more of Jesus and anoint your life with a deeper understanding. Then read God’s Word expecting to receive a blessing, wisdom, and understanding. Does that seem too simple to do? Well, if you seek Jesus with all of your heart, you will find Him.

But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them. Deuteronomy 4:29-31 NASB

 

Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Isaiah 55:6 NLT

What a great promise…

I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me. Proverbs 8:17 NASB

Claim that promise…seek the Lord and find Him. He is worth the search…eternally worth it! And when you find Him…like a treasure…share Him with others. Job’s friend counseled him…

If I were you, I would go to God and present my case to him. He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles. Job 5:8-9

God is still in the miracle business. He still loves and cares about people. Seek Him while you can find Him.

            What do you learn from Jesus in this passage?

 

Prayer – Lord God, I treasure that You have allowed me to “find” You…to see You in all that I do. You provide me with everything I need and more…from parking places, warm clothes during the cold winter, a comfortable home, and a loving family. I have it all…and You. I look forward to seeing You face to face one day….and throughout eternity. Please continue to bless me, my family and friends, and all who read this blog…and especially search for You in Your Word today.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God." Psalm 50:23

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

Portions recycled from 2018, Banquet With The King blog

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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

Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

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, March 24, 2026

Follow Me And Be My Disciple

Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him. Mark 2:13-14 

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9

 

Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. Luke 5:27-28

 

Meditate. Consider Jesus’ calling, “Follow Me.”

 

Pay your taxes.
Give to Caesar what is Caesar's.
Give to God what is His.
Taxes. Are you ready for the 2025 taxes? Maybe you’ve already prepared yours—time is drawing close since the Tax Deadline is less than a month away. The Romans oppressed the Israelis—and all the Roman Empire—during Jesus’ time with taxes. The farmers were taxed until they sold their land to pay their taxes, and then they became the tenant farmers of the land they once owned. Can you imagine that the Sea of Galilee was even taxed as if the fishermen were renting the area where they fished? And then the fisherman were also taxed for their catches. That is just what is described in the book “Life in Year One” by Scott Korb. It is no wonder that the Israelites felt oppressed, overtaxed, and rebellious. This is the condition of the society where Levi, a young Jewish man also known as Matthew, lived and worked as a tax collector for the Romans. The Jews didn’t trust him, but Jesus called him to become a disciple. Levi obediently followed. He left everything and became a believer in Jesus as the Messiah.

What do we learn about Jesus from this passage? Jesus chose men from all different walks of life, and they followed Him. I imagine that He had a charismatic personality. People were drawn to Him. There is no mention of Jesus healing anyone at this point in His chronological story, but it is possible that He spiritually healed Levi, as the tax collector joined Jesus troupe. Read on in the story.


How about you? Are you willing to give up everything and follow Jesus? Do you hear Him calling you?

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, help me to see others as You see them. Levi wasn’t well-liked by the Jewish community. They didn’t trust him, but You did. Is there someone who needs to know and trust You? You had Solomon write in Proverbs: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6. Actually, different translations say it a bit differently. The NLT says… Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6. Seek His will in all you do…that is important. We have the promise that if we seek Him, we will find Him. I love You and seek You, Lord, with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Here You are…with me. Thank you.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ I trust in you for salvation, O LORD! Genesis 49:18

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Biblehttp://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

 

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

 

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Monday, March 23, 2026

Your Sins are Forgiven – Jump Up and Go or We’ve Never Seen Anything Like This Before

St. Francis statue in Capernaum.
Like Jesus known for compassion,
holiness and peace.
One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord's healing power was strongly with Jesus. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn't reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, "Young man, your sins are forgiven."
Luke 5:17-20 

Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven." Matthew 9:1-2

 

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God's word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My child, your sins are forgiven." But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, "What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!" Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, "Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man 'Your sins are forgiven,' or 'Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk'? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!" And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, "We've never seen anything like this before!" Mark 2:1-12

 

Meditate. Consider what you expected Jesus to do or say.

 

Jesus knew what the Pharisees were thinking. Can you imagine how Jesus was hearing, and still is hearing, everyone’s thoughts at once? Was it noisy? Amazing how He can filter all of it out and focus on just the ones on which He comments. He knew that they thought He was blaspheming God. They weren’t caring about the miraculous healing of the paralytic. They just wanted to trip up Jesus and discredit or accuse Him of a sin. Jesus was sinless.

What wonderful friends this young man had! They knew Jesus could heal him, so they carried him from his home to Peter’s house where Jesus was staying. It was so crowded that they couldn’t get in. Up on the roof they went. There were likely steps up on the outside of the house, since that was a common architecture feature at that time. Ingeniously, they removed a section of the roof and lowered their friend right down to Jesus! What a friend! Jesus healed the young man, but a big part of this story is the reaction of the Pharisees. What would have been your reaction to this situation? Would you have been praising the Lord, along with the former paralytic and his friends? Or would you have been criticizing Jesus for forgiving sins? Jesus was who He was. He was the great I Am. He could and did forgive sins. Did the Pharisees think they were sinless, or that they needed to be forgiven of their sins, too?

Not only the Pharisees, but probably everyone present, were amazed and thought or said, “We've never seen anything like this before! What would you have said?

What do we learn about Jesus from this passage? Once again, compassion with His healing words. Encouraging. Forgiving. Honest. Integrity – doesn’t back down under Pharisees’ accusations.

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, Thank You. You are obedient, compassionate, forgiving, honest, and loving. You are generous with Your healing. Please continue to touch our friends and family who have health issues and need Your merciful healing and encouragement.

 

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

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Biblehttp://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

 

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

 

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Sunday, March 22, 2026

Be Healed

In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. "Lord," he said, "if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean." Jesus reached out and touched him. "I am willing," he said. "Be healed!" And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said, "Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed." But despite Jesus' instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. Luke 5:12-16

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. "If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean," he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. "I am willing," he said. "Be healed!" Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: "Don't tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed." But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn't publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him. Mark 1:40-45

 

Down from the mountainside.

Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. "Lord," the man said, "if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean." Jesus reached out and touched him. "I am willing," he said. "Be healed!" And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus said to him, "Don't tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed." Matthew 8:1-4

 Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture.

 

God was protecting His creation—people—as He established the laws like those for skin diseases listed in Leviticus 13. Leprosy was a disease that was very contagious, uncurable, and feared during Biblical times. It is a sad disease that attacks the nerves, muscles, and skin, causing the skin to rot away, deforming the person. It is caused by bacteria, so with modern medicine, it is now treatable, and found not to be contagious by casual contact. Few people have it today.  

A person with leprosy was isolated from their community and as they traveled, they had to shout “unclean” to warn others nearby of their disease. You can imagine how this man whom the Lord healed, was overjoyed. He was told to Don't tell anyone about this…but of course he was so happy that he was probably dancing and singing on his way to the priest for confirmation of his cure. Everyone could see that he was healed, so in turn they told others about this miracle performed by Jesus. It is no surprise that Jesus became so well known that He had to retreat from public view. No privacy for this poor guy! He withdrew to the hills where He could go talk to His Father uninterrupted. Imagine that conversation. “Hey Dad, what’s next? What should I do about all these needy folks? Why can’t they listen and be obedient…and not yap about everything they see? How are things back home? I miss the peace and quiet of Heaven.”

Jesus provided salvation from disease to that leper—and salvation for all mankind from spiritual sins. People came to Him with diseases, but left with hope of an eternal future. Jesus told the leper He was willing to cleanse him. Be healed. That healing was likely physical and spiritual. Visualize how that man’s life changed. Relationships could be renewed with family and friends. Life could be normal.

What do we learn about Jesus from this passage? Compassion. Gentleness. Honesty. Hope. What are you seeking from the Lord?

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, did You miss Heaven while You were here on earth? It was very gracious of You to heal this man with leprosy…and all the others. Thank You for that…and for healing me of my minor irritations, for healing and encouraging my family and friends with their infirmities, trials, and tribulations. You are still the miracle worker! I praise You.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ This is what the LORD says: "At just the right time, I will respond to you. On the day of salvation I will help you. I will protect you and give you to the people as my covenant with them. Through you I will reestablish the land of Israel and assign it to its own people again. Isaiah 49:8


Happy Birthday Isaac!
Blessing today and always!

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed, he healed them all. 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 4:23-25 

But he replied, "I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent." So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea. Luke 4:43-44

 

So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons. Mark 1:39

 

Meditate on these verses.

 

Jesus traveled. He could have just stayed in one place, like Capernaum, with everyone bringing the sick to Him, but He went to them, and they continued to follow Him, coming from beyond the Promised Land…the land of the Jews. The Ten Towns were Greek and Roman cities in the Gentile region east of the Jordan River, revealing that His mission already was to more than the Jewish people.

People with all kinds of diseases were brought to Jesus, and He healed them. It didn’t matter to Him what the disease was, where they lived, or what they did—He healed them. I think that He was showing that He loved them by restoring them physically, mentally, and spiritually. His preaching was naturally done in the synagogues where the Jewish people were accustomed to coming regularly to worship and to be taught. After all, Jesus was a Jew, so the synagogue was a place within His comfort zone. As the Jews lived in many different areas from earlier dispersions, there were synagogues or worship places across the whole Roman empire, especially in the Jewish regions of Galilee or Judea.

What do we learn about Jesus from this scripture passage? We are reminded that Jesus is compassionate and loving, as shown by His generous healing of so many people with different diseases. He may have originally come to save the Jews, but He very quickly progressed to offering the Good News, His plan of salvation, to everyone.

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for including the Gentiles in Your plan of salvation—Your Good News. I’m a Gentile, grafted into Your family. I feel so blessed to be part of God’s Family—and to call Him Abba Father. Even though not all of my prayers are answered the way I want…as soon as I want, I know that You hear my prayers—and our Heavenly Father has a plan. Life is not about me…it is about You! I praise You, and I am honored to know, serve, and love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

 

Share these home-grown potatoes 
with the hungry.
Good advice to care for those in need.
Verses of Salvation ~ No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. Isaiah 58:6-8

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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, March 20, 2026

When and Where Do You Pray?

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, "Everyone is looking for you." But Jesus replied, "We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came." Mark 1:35-38

Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. But he replied, "I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent." Luke 4:42-43

 

Meditate on Jesus’ dedication to prayer—communication with His Heavenly Father.

 

Did you ever wonder why Jesus came to earth? He tells us in the scripture passage today, one of the reasons was that He must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God. Preach. Often, preaching involves teaching, admonishing or correcting, encouraging, and providing hope. Hope that is definitely what Jesus brought to earth. Remember that when He came here, the Israelites were under harsh Roman rule actually, oppression. They lived in fear. On top of that, the Jewish religious leaders imposed strict adherence to the Jewish laws. Life did not provide freedom, fun, or fortune.

Seek the Lord, and you will find Him, just as David advised his son, Solomon. How do we “seek” the Lord? You won’t find Him under a rock, behind a cloud, or probably not hanging out at your favorite gym—although Christ is within all believers, so you could possibly find Him anywhere. The most likely place to “find” Him in in scripture—using the Bible translation of your choice.

And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9

How are you seeking Him today? What passage of scripture have you read and meditated on? Consider your own prayer time. When, where, how? Like Jesus, did you go somewhere alone and pray early in the day? Did you pray…to the Father…to Jesus, the Son…or to the Holy Spirit? To whom of these three are you most comfortable praying? Of course, Jesus prayed specifically to the Father, but we have the option of praying to any or all of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is always with us, and actually intercedes for us to the Father. Just seek first the Kingdom of God—just as Jesus preached. The Kingdom of God is within us—it is Jesus, our Lord and Savior. He is the Good News.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

Pray for God to reveal the Kingdom of God to you—and then share it with everyone around you.

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing this simple truth to us. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I praise Your name forever.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The LORD is great!" Psalm 40:16

 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Grapes hanging in my yard!
Pure goodness on the vine!

So obey the commands of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills. It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey. It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. Deuteronomy 8:6-10

 

The seven foods that are special in Israel are wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates (or date honey). Studies have been done on these seven fruits, and they have been found to have compounds that give them healing qualities. The power is in the seeds—so don’t choose seedless grapes!

Grapes go all the way back to Noah, when he planted a vineyard after he got off the ark. Purple and red grapes are rich in an antioxidant known as anthocyanina, which will cross the blood-brain barrier, so they are known to protect the brain and spinal nerves from free radical damage. To prevent any damage at the molecular level in our bodies is a good thing, especially as we age. Grapes benefits start early. They fight tooth decay, stop viruses, and have strong cancer-fighting elements. Additionally, another phytonutrient in grapes has been found that helps protect the heart and blood vessels, decreasing the stickiness of platelets, boosting the good cholesterol, blocking the bad cholesterol, and decreasing inflammation.  Sounds great to me! Please, pass the grapes!

In an ancient recipe, grape honey is made using four cups of washed grapes, stems removed, cook with one-half cup water for twenty minutes or until thickened. No sugar added. Strain off the grape seeds. Place in sterilized jars. Refrigerate. Serve on whole-grain bread, crackers, or with unsweetened Greek yogurt. Enjoy the fruit—whether it is from Israel or grown here in the United States. As Moses wrote…be sure to praise the Lord for the bounty He has provided.

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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