Eternal Life Now

Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31  

Believe. Have Life…Eternal Life. Today would have been my sister’s birthday—but she has gone ahead of us to Heaven. All of us who believe have eternal life…and hers just happens to already be happening in that place we think of as eternity…heaven. For the rest of us still here on earth…our eternal life began the moment we first believed in Jesus. We don’t have to wait until we die. That is a concept that I’ve found that some people have trouble grasping. They are waiting for eternal life someday.

If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:9-13

He doesn’t say that we “will someday” have eternal life—He says that we have it. That is to say that we have it NOW. I claim this promise. How about you?  

RSVP:  God the Father is telling you that you have eternal life…if you believe that Jesus is His Son.

How will you respond to Him today? If you already can claim this promise of eternal life, will you share it with others? 

Prayer ~ Dear Heavenly Father…this is eternal life, that we may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3. Help me to share this promise with others…for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23. I believe that Jesus is Your Son and I claim the promise of eternal life.

Happy Birthday to my sweet sister, Shirley.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Is Seeing Believing?

Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."  John 20:29 

Do you see first and then believe…or believe first and then see? Seeing is sometimes with the heart, not the eyes and the mind. Peter writes about “seeing” and “believing in” Jesus. …and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory….1 Peter 1:8. Just knowing Jesus creates joy in our lives. Knowing what He gave up…and that He did it for me—for us—is humbling…and yet creates a rejoicing deep in my heart. I want to worship Him—in spirit and in truth—even though I can’t see Him right now.

O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. Psalms 34:3. 

RSVP: Jesus is offering you a blessing…if you believe in Him without seeing Him. Will you see Him for who He is and exalt His name with me?  

Prayer ~ Jesus, Blessed are You. O God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary. The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people. Blessed be God! Psalms 68:35. May You have mercy on Your people of Israel—keeping them safe from harm as they live with trials and tribulations of battles now in the land You have given them. May they “see” You for who You are…Messiah…and believe.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Are You Like Doubting Thomas?

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were saying to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing." Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" John 20:24-28 

Thomas had to see to believe. Do you? We’re about 2,000 years too late to actually “see” Jesus after His resurrection, place our hand in His side and touch the scar of His nailed hands or wrist. But we can still see and believe because we have the written word in scripture. I trust that it is true—it is only by faith in the Word that we can “see” and believe. Faith is a personal thing. No one except God can really give it to you. Other people can “share” their faith and tell you about what they believe, and thus maybe what you should or shouldn’t believe. But when it comes right down to it, it is your own decision. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1. Believe in Jesus as the Son of God, as God, or don’t believe. Everyone has the choice. 

RSVP: Jesus has given us free will to decide what we believe. How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, just as the father of the demon possessed son asked You…"I do believe; help my unbelief." Mark 9:24. Help my unbelief…and help me to help others “see” You for who You are. 

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Peace Be With You

So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained." John 20:19-23 

Peace and forgiveness. Peace is such a sweet feeling. No turmoil—just a restful calmness. Peace to you—may God grant you His sweet peace today—waves of sweet peace overflowing, flooding your heart and life. Forgiveness. For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. Matthew 6:14-15. Was Jesus giving His disciples the power to forgive or retain sins? Everyone has the power to forgive. Forgiveness is divine…an act of humbling oneself and extending a heartfelt pardon of someone’s offense. Which is better? To be forgiven or to forgive?  

RSVP: Jesus is offering you His peace today. How will you respond to His offer? 

Prayer ~ Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

I Have Seen the Lord

Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her. John 20:18  

I have seen the Lord! What an amazing statement—and imagine the expression on her face as she made this announcement to His disciples, her close friends. She was undoubtedly glowing—like Moses, her face was radiant with the reflection of the glory of the Lord. Scripture doesn’t tell us that—I’ve just imagined that Mary Magdalene’s joy was shining forth as she shared the news that Jesus was alive. Jesus was alive. Resurrected. What does that mean to you? Here at the end of July we don’t often think of Resurrection day—that was in March or April. But we celebrate Jesus resurrection everyday—or should—as we worship Him. He is God. What other god has been “resurrected” from the dead? There are mythological stories of death and resurrected gods, but it seems that Jesus is the only true God that died and lived again. Search that information out for yourself if you still need to be convinced. 

RSVP: Jesus is challenging you today to see Him as the Resurrection and the Life. How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, You claimed, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies…" in John 11:25. I believe in You. I praise You and honor You today. Like Mary Magdalene, I see with all of my heart, soul and mind that You are the risen Lord—You are Lord of my life.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Rabboni

Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" John 20:15-17

Mary Magdalene spoke to Jesus and He spoke to her, but she didn’t recognize who He was until He called her by name, “Mary.” When someone special speaks to you—some dear to your heart—do you know who it is who is speaking to you? You do, especially if you see their face. We recognize people by their visual features as much as by their voice. Mary didn’t recognize Jesus by His visual features. Isaiah wrote about Jesus on the cross. He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Isaiah 53:3.  Jesus didn’t appear to have the same facial features after He was crucified. Before He was likely very dynamic—afterwards He still bore the marks of His beatings and crucifixion. Beaten unrecognizable. Listen closely to the voices of your friends and family. Keep the sound of their voice in your heart and mind so that if ever you can’t see them, you’ll still know them. Be wise listen to Jesus’ voice…the voice of the Holy Spirit calling to each of us.   

RSVP: Jesus is calling your name today. Do you hear Him? How will you respond to His call? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, I do not want to be one who despised You.  You are my Lord, my Savior, my Teacher—Rabboni. I am honored to call Your Father, my Father, and Your God my God.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Why Are You Weeping?

But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. John 20:11-14

Mary was crying—she was so sad that Jesus had died. She went to the tomb and looked in—like John she didn’t rush into the tomb. Angels spoke to her! Can you imagine that? As she turned around she saw someone she didn’t recognize. It was Jesus, but she thought that Jesus was dead. He wasn’t. He was resurrected. Living! 

Over whom do you weep? Does Jesus’ sacrifice bring tears to your eyes? Do you mourn for the lost—the unsaved? What can you do to reach the lost?  

RSVP:  Jesus is revealing Himself to us daily—as we seek Him. What can you do to share Him with the lost? How will you respond to Him today?

Prayer ~ Jesus, show me today how I can reach others for you. Let Your light shine through me—that I may only shed tears of joy as you fill my heart with your joy over one more person believing in You…the Resurrection and the Life. 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

It is zucchini time again! Gardens are producing…and farmers are bringing them to market. Here’s a fun recipe to use some of those zucchini before they get too big and turn to seed. Enjoy—any time of day.

Zucchini Carrot Cupcakes

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon each: ground cloves ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon each: ground ginger, ground allspice

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cup sugar

4 eggs

1/2 cup applesauce

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups finely grated zucchini

2 cups finely grated carrots

½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Cream cheese frosting (optional)  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cupcake pans with 24 paper muffin liners.

In a medium bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices, and salt.

In a large bowl beat sugar, eggs, applesauce, and vanilla extract for 1 minute.

Beat together wet and dry ingredients by hand until no traces of flour remain. Stir in zucchini, carrots, and nuts, if desired. Spoon batter evenly into muffin liners. Bake cupcakes for 15 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool on a rack.

Frost with icing if desired. Top with sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or raisins. You may skip the icing and dust the cupcakes with 10X sugar or just leave plain.

If you prefer a cake, bake in a greased and floured Bundt pan or 9 X 13 pan for 50-60 minutes.  

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Resurrection?

For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. So the disciples went away again to their own homes. John 20:9-10 

Peter and John saw the empty tomb, but the other disciples didn’t. Peter and John believed…but the others weren’t there and didn’t recall what Jesus had said before His death... I am the resurrection and the life….John 11:25. Those other disciples had been following Jesus for three years…and now He was gone…dead. They were discouraged…they lacked wisdom and understanding, so they retreated to the safety of their homes. When you are discouraged, where do you go? Is there somewhere you feel safe and secure…or people you want to be around for encouragement?  

RSVP: Safety and security are important for physical and spiritual beings. Jesus is offering you both…safety and security. How will you respond to Him today?  

Prayer ~ Thank You Jesus for revealing Yourself to me, to my family and friends that we don’t have to be discouraged like those other disciples. Use me to share Your love with others…that they too would be secure in their knowledge of You as Lord and Savior.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Run As Fast As You Can

So Peter and the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb. The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first; and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed. John 20:3-8 

Run, run, as fast as you can. Can’t you just see young John, who wrote this book later in life, running with Peter, who was a bit older. John passes Peter on the race to get to the tomb—but he when he gets there, he just peeks inside the open tomb. He doesn’t go in. What is he expecting to find? Would Jesus be there, even though Mary Magdalene said that the Lord was taken out of the tomb? John saw Jesus dead on the cross…so, he probably doesn’t want to see the dead body of Jesus even though He was wrapped in a grave shroud. Bold Peter runs past John and enters the tomb. Then John entered the tomb, too—and seeing that the facecloth had been discarded, realized that it wasn’t just that Jesus wasn’t there…He was risen. Jesus was resurrected! John believed. He believed that Jesus was the Son of God—He was the Living God. Do you have to see to believe?  

RSVP: Jesus has shared a wonderful truth with you. He is the resurrection. How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, just as You said to Martha when Lazarus died, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies…" John 11:25, You say to us now. I praise You for You are the Savior of the world—proven by Your resurrection. You are my Savior and Lord. I believe, even without seeing.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Keep Looking

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." John 20:1-2

Mary Magdalene couldn’t find Jesus. Do you ever feel that way? You can’t find Him. Keep looking and praying. Jesus taught about seeking in His Sermon on the Mount, and it is possible that He was repeating teaching from Deuteronomy.

·         …seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29

·         Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7.

So keep looking—searching. You will find Him…and then develop a relationship with Him. Get to know as much as you can about Jesus.

RSVP: Jesus is looking for you. Are you looking for Him? How will you respond to Him today?

Prayer ~ Jesus, just like the parable of the shepherd looking for that lost sheep, you are looking for Your lost followers—those who have gone astray. Thank you for searching for me…and bringing me back into Your herd of sheep. Guide me, my family, friends and neighbors as we continue to search for You with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. You are worthy of our love.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

The Garden Tomb and the Fragrance of Myrrh

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

John 19:38-42 

 

Secret mission for Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Shush…don’t tell the Pharisees. We want to show respect to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We’ll bury Him in my tomb—in this Garden that is close by. No one has been buried there. (This is the Garden Tomb.) So they laid Him in the tomb and wrapped Him with the burial spices that Nicodemus brought.

 

Were tears in their eyes or streaming down their cheeks? Is it alright for grown men to cry over the loss of a friend—their teacher—their leader? The smell of the spices was soothing. They thought how Jesus would have enjoyed the aroma of the myrrh. Wasn’t myrrh one of the gifts given to Him by the wise men from the east when He was born in Bethlehem? How ironic that it was His first gift…and now, His last gift. It is finished. Jesus is dead. He is buried.

 

RSVP: Jesus is asking you to consider your mission. Is it secret? Does it involve showing respect to Him and telling others of the gift—the gift He has given to you? What is that gift you may ask? Myrrh? No. It is eternal life. How will you respond to Him today?

Prayer ~Dear Jesus…Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of joy above Your fellows. All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made You glad. Psalms 45:6-8….You alone are worthy to be the ruler of Heaven and earth—and I long to smell the fragrance of myrrh that engulfs You as You are seated on Your throne.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

               

No Broken Bones

Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him; but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, "Not a bone of Him shall be broken." And again another Scripture says, "They shall look on Him whom they pierced." John 19:31-37 

He was dead. Jesus was dead. It was finished. His earthly life was over. The Jews were fanatical about keeping their ritual of not burying the dead on the Sabbath. Today Orthodox Jews or devout Conservative Jews still follow the tradition of burying the dead, before sunset, or as soon as possible—depending perhaps on how far the family must travel to reach their deceased relative. Death is final—and grieving may take weeks or months, but by their custom, they still get the deceased in the grave quickly. When Jesus died the Sabbath was the next day. The Jews didn’t want a reminder of the crucifixion—or those criminals still hanging on the cross. They wanted the process to be over. Break their legs. Let’s get on with this—so we can have our Sabbath in peace with purity. What an attitude!  

RSVP: Jesus is asking you today—what is your attitude about the Sabbath? Do you observe the commandment to keep that day holy? Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8. How will you respond to Him today?  

Prayer ~ Jesus, Your life on earth was over—but Your influence into the lives of the world still continues today. May Your Kingdom come quickly and Your Father’s will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

 

It is Finished

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, "I am thirsty." A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. John 19:28-30

It is done…finished. Usually when we utter those words it is with a sense of accomplishment, relief, even contentment to just know that a goal is reached. Jesus was in agony on the cross. His accomplishment of having completed what His Father sent Him to earth to do was voiced with a sigh, His last breathe, and the hush of death. It is finished. Jesus came to do a thankless job—to reach and teach humans the way God wanted them to live—to treat each other with kindness—and to explain that God’s Kingdom is a spiritual kingdom. In over thirty parables He explained that the Kingdom of Heaven is like…a mustard seed, leaven, a lost coin, a pearl…and how we should live—the obedient servant, the persistent widow, the ten virgins, the friend in need. He who has an ear, let him hear. His additional teaching occurred not just with His disciples, but with thousands of people seated on the hillside around Him. He taught in the Temple and synagogues that we should love God with our whole heart, mind and soul, and love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39 and Mark 12:29-31). We should seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness and all the things in life that you need will be provided (Matthew 6:33). Words by which to live. His words were to die for…It is finished.

RSVP: Jesus gave us words by which to live. Are you reading His words today…and living by them? How will you respond to Him today?

Prayer ~ Jesus, it was finished for You. Your work on earth was completed. My continues. I live to serve You…to share You with others that they too will live someday in eternity with You. Guide my thoughts, words and actions that this goal of serving You would bring You glory and honor.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Mary-Mary

Therefore the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" From that hour the disciple took her into his own household. John 19:25-27 

Mary must have been a common name during Jesus’ time—and it still is today, although in 2014 it was not in the top 100 female names in the United States, according to the Social Security Administration statistics.  Jesus’ mother was named Mary, as were several other women in the New Testament, including one of Lazarus’ sisters; Mary Magdalene whom Jesus healed from evil spirits and sickness; Mary the wife of Clopas; Mary the mother of John Mark; Mary the mother of James and Joses; and a hardworking woman in Rome. All named Mary. Miriam or Miryam is also a translation for Mary. In the Old Testament we see that name given to the sister of Moses and Aaron. Some other forms of that name are Maria and Marie, with variations on spelling such as Mariee, Mari, Maree, Merry or Meree. No matter how it is spelled, it means wish for child, rebellion or bitter. The name will always be recalled as the name for the mother of Jesus. You can picture her mourning the loss of her son at the cross—and Jesus appointing His friend and disciple, John, to take care of her. Where were Mary’s other children? Did they not care what happened to their Mother?  

RSVP: Jesus cared deeply for His mother. Is your Mother still living? If not, is there some other woman in your life who is like a mother to you? Is Jesus challenging you to take care of her, like John took care of Mary. How will you respond to Jesus’ challenge today? 

Prayer ~ God, You taught us to… Honor our father and our mother, that our days may be prolonged in the land which the You give us. Exodus 20:12. May all that we do and say honor them…and You. You provided me with a mother who deeply loved You and served You by her kindness to others. May I follow in her loving footsteps with kind actions that are pleasing to You.   

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

It is blueberry season. There is nothing like eating warm fresh blueberries right off the bushes in my own yard. I picked some with my grandchildren, Isaac and Lydia, yesterday. Lydia just stuffs them in her mouth--none in the basket. It is good to pick fresh fruit at places like Bill’s Blueberry Farm in Grandview, Washington—but picking homegrown fruit is extra-special. Hope you can enjoy some blueberries today, fresh and warm, or in a salad, dessert, pancakes, muffins, or a smoothie. 

Fruit Smoothie

For each serving add to a blender one cup fruit of your choice. Wash the fruit well and remove the pits or seeds prior to blending. Creatively include any of the following:

·         Blueberries

·         Blackberries

·         Black currants

·         Banana

·         Cherries

·         Peach

·         Nectarine

·         Apricot

·         Grapes

·         Melons (remove rind)

·         Pineapple

·         Mango

·         Orange or tangerine

Blend with a few ice cubes and about ½ to ¾ cups of liquid such as lemon, lime, apple, orange or pineapple juice or water. You may add yogurt, milk or milk alternative (soy, rice, almond or coconut) for a creamier smoothie. Serve immediately.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Don’t Tear Up His Tunic

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be"; this was to fulfill the Scripture: "They divided my outer garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." John 19:23-24 

It was unusual for a tunic to be seamless. It must have taken a skilled weaver to have created the fabric. Today that might not be as rare, since seamless fabric is often made in China. But look in your closet—how many seamless fabric items do you have? I only have a couple of bandana scarfs—one is knitted wool for winter. Two thousand years ago a seamless garment would have been unusual, rare, and even valuable. No wonder the soldiers cast lots to see who would win it. It seems bit cruel to be gambling for Jesus’ clothes even before He was dead. Jesus was through with His earthly clothing…but still He could have been buried in that tunic. There the soldiers were at the foot of the cross casting their dice to see who would win the prized garment. Have you ever wished to have something that wasn’t yours? Did you actually gamble for it? Is that the same as buying a lotto ticket? 

RSVP: Jesus is asking you today to evaluate the things you want in life? Are they seamless, flawless? How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Dear God, You gave up Your one and only Son. He surrendered His life, humbly on that cross—along with human dignity. Naked, brutally beaten, sleep deprived, rejected, slapped, cursed. What more did He endure for my sin? I have hope. Hope for an eternal life because of Your sacrifice.

Happy Birthday, Melissa. I am blessed to have you as my daughter-in-law.

May God continue to bless and guide you…give you His peace, love and strength.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

I Have Written

The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it. Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, "Change it from 'The King of the Jews' to 'He said, I am King of the Jews.'" Pilate replied, "No, what I have written, I have written." John 19:20-22 NLT 

Pilate wrote what he wrote…Jesus was The King of the Jews. The priests just didn’t want to accept it. They were looking for a political savior, not a spiritual savior. They just didn’t get it. They didn’t see the big picture. Heaven with Jesus seated at the right hand of God. It is hard to relive again the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Reading through the book of John we can’t ignore what Jesus did for each of us. We can turn aside and look at a more pleasant story—but this is real—Jesus’ sacrifice was real. Without it we would eventually have an eternal life of torment—in that lake of fire that is written about in the book of Revelation. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15. Do you know if your name is written in God’s Book of Life?  He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I (John) have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:12-13. 

RSVP: Jesus has offered Himself as the sacrifice for the sin of the world. How will you respond to Him today? If your name is in God’s Book of Life, will you share Jesus’ message with others that their names will be written there by yours?

Prayer ~ Jesus, You were born “King of the Jews” as the Wise Men said when they came to worship You. (Matthew 2:2) You died “King of the Jews” as Pilate’s sign stated on Your cross. You are my King and I worship You.  

Happy 1^st Birthday to Aaron!

Blessings little big guy!

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

King of the Jews - A Spiritual King

Carrying the cross by Himself, He went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with Him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." John 19:17-19 NLT 

King of the Jews. But most of the Jewish people didn’t recognize Him as King…as the Son of God…as their Messiah. Pilate acknowledged that Jesus was who He was…King of the Jews. Jesus is a Spiritual King over a Spiritual Kingdom. Paul wrote about spiritual things…

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding…. Colossians 1:9

Jesus carried His own cross, although in the Matthew and Mark accounts of the crucifixion a man named Simon from Cyrene was forced to carry Jesus’ cross for part of the way when He became too weak. Jesus carried a cross (or cross beam) made from a tree He created…to a hillside He formed…watched by people created in His image…a spiritual image. His blood was shed for the forgiveness of sin—spiritual sin of the people of the world—so that those who believed in Him would have eternal life. Living together in Heaven with Him…and with His Father forever. That is what this is all about. Spirit beings living forever. 

RSVP: Jesus went to Golgotha as a sacrifice. He was sacrificed at the exact moment of the sacrifice of the Passover lamb at the Temple. How will you respond to Him today, knowing what He sacrificed for you? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, I grasp this truth that what really matters is the spiritual part of life. You want us to have an abundant life…with You. You suffered and gave up so much to see that we have the opportunity to become children of God. I praise You now as I look forward to falling on my knees and worshipping You in Heaven.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.