Adopted

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15 NLT

 

Today is a special day for Ellie, a sweet young lady—a six year-old girl—at my church. She is going to be baptized. She is adopted by her earthly parents…and now adopted by her Heavenly Father. Even at her young age she has received God’s Spirit—the Holy Spirit. It will be a glorious and memorable day for Ellie and her family.

 

Jesus taught His disciples about His return and about being witnesses for Him. So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:6-8. We are to be witnesses right where we are…then beyond our community to our state and finally out to all parts of the earth. That corresponds to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria…and beyond. We need to start right at home, just like Ellie’s parents did. They were witnesses to Ellie. She learned about Jesus while sitting at her parents’ feet. Day in and day out she could see Jesus working in their lives…and in her own. The power of the Holy Spirit is upon them in a mighty way because they are obedient to God’s word and choose to follow in His ways…all the days of their lives. They will dwell in the House of the Lord, forever.

 

Prayer ~ Abba Father, Precious Lord and Holy Spirit, bless Ellie…and all those who choose to be baptized in Your Holy Name. It is an honor to know You and to be known by You. You are worthy of our praise and we rejoice.

 

Sweet Ellie, may God continue to give you His approval and guide you always.

 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Gentiles Baptized

Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked, "Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?" So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days. Acts 10:44-48 NLT

 

The Jews who believed in Jesus may have thought that only Jews could believe. Here in the book of Acts Peter was leading Gentiles to saving knowledge of Christ and they were being filled with the Holy Spirit. Baptism is the next step in their Christian growth. Just before His ascension into Heaven Jesus spoke to His disciples… saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus wanted new believers to be baptized. Baptism is an outward sign of an inner change in a person’s heart and life. By being baptized a person is publically declaring their allegiance to Jesus…having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. Colossians 2:12. Do you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you been baptized?

 

Prayer ~ (Use this prayer as guidance to accept Jesus as your personal savior—whether you are Gentile or Jewish.) Jesus, I believe in You as my Lord and Savior. Forgive me. I repent of my sin and know that You took my sin to the cross—for that I am eternally grateful. Your blood has washed away my sin—the mistakes I’ve made in my life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

No Favoritism

Peter told them, "You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. …I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. …And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” Acts 10: 28, 34-36, 38 NLT.

 

Are you partial to certain people—showing favoritism? Are you generous with your friends and family—but not others? Do you ignore those people who stand on the street corners with signs asking for money…for a hand-out? I will admit that I usually just say a prayer for them and drive on. I’ve heard reports that they make a lot of money panhandling like that. I once saw two guys in Spokane, Washington actually arguing over a particularly busy street corner. It must have been a really lucrative corner. The way the street people are treated is similar to the way the Jews treated the Gentiles during Peter’s time. Don’t associate with them—certainly don’t invite them to your home or eat with them. Now Peter is being told that God doesn’t have favorites—He loves the Jews and the Gentiles alike—accepting everyone who respects Him. He filled His Son Jesus with the Holy Spirit—so then Jesus healed those harassed by Satan. No favoritism shown by Jesus either. When we believe in Jesus as the Son of God and our own personal Savior, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and gain that same power that Jesus had—to heal and do good. How will you use the power of the Holy Spirit in you? With impartiality?

 

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, …create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me, (Psalm 51:10) that I would serve You by helping others, impartially.

 

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

Summer is here. Fresh mint is growing in the garden and watermelon is available. Here’s a refreshing herbal tea to brew up on the next hot day. That could be today. It was 95 degrees yesterday!

 

Watermelon Mint Iced Tea

• 8 cups chopped seedless watermelon
• 6 peppermint tea bags or ½ cup fresh chopped mint leaves
• Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish, optional

Puree the watermelon in batches until smooth, then strain into a pitcher. Cover and refrigerate until very cold.

Bring 6 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from the heat, add the tea bags or loose chopped mint and let steep 5 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until cold. Strain and discard the mint leaves and add the tea to the watermelon juice. Serve over ice in tall glasses with mint sprigs, if desired. Makes six servings.

 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Are You Stubborn?

You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That's what your ancestors did, and so do you! Acts 7:51 NLT

 

People often follow in the footsteps of their parents. Did your parents reject God, including the Holy Spirit…and by their example taught you to do the same? Or have you had some other model or mentor in your life that has shown you another path to take in life…the path that has led you to the truth of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life? Look at your life…are you “stiff-necked” or stubborn? We can be stubborn about a lot of things. What are you stubborn about? You may insist on your way about what you eat, where you eat, with whom you share your meals, what you wear, the type of car you drive or where you go on your vacation. We are warned against being stubborn. But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. Romans 2:5 NLT. Are you so stubborn that you think that God’s judgement won’t be on you? Think again.

 

Prayer ~ Lord God, show us how to be obedient to You as we apply Your Word to our lives.

 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Apart from Me You Can Do Nothing

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  John 15:4-7

 

Cut off from food, water, nourishment we cease to exist. That is how it is for a branch removed from the vine—it ceases to exist. That how it is if we are spiritually cut off from Jesus—we’ll cease to exist. The Merriman-Webster dictionary defines abide as to accept or bear, to stay or live, or to remain or continue. I’ve always considered that to abide means “to live” in Christ…and He lives in us. What a comforting thought. Living with Christ. That is His promise again…to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). I keep coming back to that—everyday…all day. His promise in these verses in John are certainly ones I will claim regularly… ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Jesus promised this also in Matthew 7:7 and Luke 11:9, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Another promise that He made… Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. John 16:23  This just shows us how much Jesus loves us…and that if we show that we love Him, too, He will give us our hearts desires. Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4. Do you abide in Christ’s love…and focus your attention on His words? Jesus is offering you promises. Do you live for Him and His words? How will you respond to Him today?

 

Prayer~ Jesus, Thank you for answering my prayers…for the healing that has taken place in this year since Jerry’s hip surgery. He is doing so well because of Your touch on his life and his hip. May You continue to hear our prayers and give us the desires of our hearts—love, joy and peace. Restored health, protection, healing, grace and the ability to make good decisions with our family and friends.

 

Happy Birthday, Jerry! May God continue to bless you.

 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Gift of the Holy Spirit

"So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!" Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God." Acts 2:36-39 NLT

 

When was the last time you received a gift? Your birthday or maybe Christmas? Today is God’s special day for you. Unwrap His gift! It is the Holy Spirit, given by the Heavenly Father to everyone who believes in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. What a perfect gift! No strings attached—and no reciprocal gift expected.  Some people just feel unworthy to accept a totally free gift—without feeling that they have to do something to earn it…or pay someone back for it. Salvation and the Holy Spirit cannot be “earned” or bought. Jesus already paid the price on the cross. The Holy Spirit is ours for the asking. Just as Peter said, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38 NLT. So you don’t have to be a Jew to have Jesus as your Savior. Do you feel that you have the need of a “Savior?” A Savior is one who can take away your sin. Do you feel that you have sinned at some time in your life? Paul tells us… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God….Romans 3:23. Even if we feel righteous, we aren’t. We’re human and everyone makes mistakes. I have…and still do even though I’ve been a Christian for more than 40 years. The thing is, I’m forgiven. Jesus took my sin to the cross. I’ve received the gift of the Holy Spirit…and day by day I seek to be more like Jesus—though I know I’ll never be perfect like Jesus. I just want to be holy and acceptable to God. How about you? Where do you stand with the Lord? Remember that Salvation and the Holy Spirit living in you isn’t something you can earn or buy…you just have to humbly accept it for the gift that it is.

 

Prayer ~ (sample prayer for the new believer) Heavenly Father, I admit to You that I am a sinner…and I am sorry for my past attitude, sins, and inappropriate behavior. Please forgive me. All I want is Your forgiveness and Jesus to be in my life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I thank you and praise You for Your love and mercy.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Go Back to Nazareth with Jesus

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD's favor has come.” He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. "The Scripture you've just heard has been fulfilled this very day!" Luke 4:18-21 NLT

 

The Scripture in Isaiah 61:1 was fulfilled when Jesus read it there in Nazareth that day. It is exciting that Scripture is given as prophesy, then fulfilled and recorded. The people didn’t believe that Jesus was fulfilling that…that the Spirit of the Lord—the Holy Spirit—was upon Him. Would you have believed him if someone that you grew up with was professing to be anointed with the Lord’s favor? Thinking ahead now to the day of Pentecost—celebrated yesterday—would you have understood or believed that God was anointing three thousand people with the Holy Spirit at once? It is easy for us to believe such things because we can look back with the facts recorded in scripture. We’ve learned to trust God’s Word to be true…and it has many intertwining confirmations or reoccurring situations presented by God to His people to teach them…and us…about His love and care.  

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit please continue to reveal God’s will for our lives that we would be obedient and follow You. Just as Jesus fulfilled Scripture that day, show us how we can fulfill God’s plan as we pray—and intercede for our fellow Christians, family and friends.

 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

 

Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit …. Acts 2:1-4.

 

So the people who were gathered together were Jews from all over the world—there in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. ... So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. Acts 2:5, 41.  This festival or feast is based the scripture in Leviticus 23 that describes the Jewish Feasts as given to Moses by God.

You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the LORD. 'You shall bring in from your dwelling places two loaves of bread for a wave offering, made of two-tenths of an ephah; they shall be of a fine flour, baked with leaven as first fruits to the LORD. 'Along with the bread you shall present seven one year old male lambs without defect, and a bull of the herd and two rams; they are to be a burnt offering to the LORD, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the LORD. 'You shall also offer one male goat for a sin offering and two male lambs one year old for a sacrifice of peace offerings. Leviticus 23:16-19.

Pentacost, also known as Shavout or Feast of Weeks, is fifty days after Passover. It is a spring festival at the end of the barley harvest and the beginning of the wheat harvest.  This was one of the three festivals or feasts that all Jewish males had to appear before the Lord. Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths, and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. Deuteronomy 16:16. So it isn’t harvest time here in the United States—but it is harvest time in Israel. When we visited Israel in 2007 and 2010 we actually saw modern combines harvesting grain. Not exactly like Ruth, gleaning in Boaz field. Boaz probably took grain from the first of his harvest to the Temple in Jerusalem. That was the custom of the day. In this passage today there was no harvest—except a harvest of souls. The Holy Spirit was given to three thousand people when they believed in Jesus as the risen Savior. Peter shared the truth about Jesus—and souls were saved. Have you shared the truth about Jesus with anyone recently? Look for an opportunity—and see if Holy Spirit gives you the words to say…like He did for Peter. You might not reach 3,000 people—but even one will make one more to experience eternal life with God …and with you in Heaven. Hallelujah!

 

Prayer ~ May the Holy Spirit cleanse our hearts and fill us anew with His holiness just like at that first Pentecost.

 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Receive Power and Witness

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 NLT

 

After His resurrection Jesus spoke to His disciples on many occasions. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20. In this scripture in Acts Luke tells us that Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would give them power…and that they would be witnesses for Jesus. We have that same promise—to be witnesses in our community, state, neighboring regions and throughout the world. Everywhere! Go and make disciples. What does it entail to “make disciples?”  Jesus taught His disciples how to live and empowered them to heal the sick, drive out demons…and even raise the dead. Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Matthew 10:1. He sent them out to the Israelites—to tell them the Kingdom of Heaven was near. Making disciples is more than just “saving” people—in introducing them to Jesus as their Savior. It entails teaching them about Jesus, His commandments, His guiding words and His love.  Scripture memorization helps us to “hide God’s Word” in our hearts. Your word I have treasured (hidden) in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11.

 

Know Jesus. Memorize His Word. Live to please Him and serve others for Him.

 

Prayer ~ Jesus, fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we may live to please You and serve You by caring and loving others.

 

Happy Birthday, Zander!

May God continue to bless you and help you make good decisions.

We Love You!

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Sealed

In Him (Christ), you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

 

Sealed in Christ. Protected from the enemy. God the Father has promised us eternal life—that is our inheritance. What more could we ask for? I’m looking forward to an eternity of praising God—glorifying Him. Life is good here—but I just know that it will be awesome in Heaven. Knowing that we are “sealed” in Christ is a promise with a future—a hopeful future to all who believe in Jesus as their Savior—their Christ—their Messiah. Do you believe? Do you share that belief with others? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!" Romans 10:15. Good news. News that you want to reveal —so that others may share an eternity with God…and with you.

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, prepare the hearts of those to whom You prompt us to present the good news of Jesus. May they also be “sealed” in Christ for eternity.

 

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

Oatmeal is one of the best breakfast foods—and I love carrots. Here’s a fun variation on oatmeal for breakfast.

 

Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal                                   Adapted from Green Kitchen Stories
Serves 6-8

2 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
1 t. baking powder
¼ t. each ground ginger
¼ t. ground nutmeg
¼ t. salt
½ t. ground cinnamon
1 1/3 c. grated raw carrot
1/3 c. raisins
2 eggs (Alternative: combine 2 T. Chia seeds and 1/3 c. water. Set aside for 15 minutes.)
2 ¼ c. milk
½ t. vanilla extract

¼ c. maple syrup or honey
2 T. coconut oil, room temperature
1 c. nuts
¾ c. seeds
½  c. unsweetened, shredded coconut

Preheat the oven to 375°. Grease a 9×13″ baking dish with coconut oil; set aside.

1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the rolled oats, baking powder, spices and salt. Stir in the grated carrots and raisins. In another mixing bowl, beat the eggs, add the milk and vanilla extract; whisk until combined. Pour the milk mixture into the oat mixture and stir to combine. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
2. To create the crunchy topping, combine the syrup or honey, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, and coconut in a small bowl until everything is evenly coated. Sprinkle over the top of the oat mixture.
3. Bake for 25 – 35 minutes, until the oatmeal is set and the top lightly browned and crunchy. Serve with maple syrup, milk, and/or fruit, if desired.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Love Each Other

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. 1 John 4:11-13 NLT

 

Moses saw a burning bush…but not the face of God. Jacob wrestled with …a man, or was it an angel…or God Himself?  Jacob named the place Peniel (which means "face of God"), for he said, "I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared." Genesis 32:30 NLT. This scripture in 1 John tells us that no one has ever seen God—that is God the Father. God the Son, Jesus, was seen by thousands of people. He actually fed five thousand and then three thousand men, plus their families. That is a lot of people. That was a lot of love—to feed all those people. He fed them spiritually—teaching them how to live in accord with each other…and then He fed them with nourishing food, physically meeting their need to sustain their bodies with energy.  Here in this verse above God reminds us that He lives in us in the form of His Holy Spirit. That is love—that He chooses us to live in us—if we love each other. Love each other. When was the last time you showed a fellow Christian love? Have you shared a smile, hug, encouraging word or verse today?

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, let Your love shine through us that we would share Your love with everyone around us—expressing God’s love.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

The Spirit Lives in You

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people (false prophets), because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world's viewpoint, and the world listens to them. But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception. 1 John 4:4-6 NLT

 

Greater is He that is in me…in us…that he that is in the world. A favorite verse to comfort and strengthen a fellow believer going through a trial or tough time. God will fight our battles for us. Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the LORD your God fights for you, just as he has promised. Joshua 23:10 NLT. What a marvelous thought! God—and His army—fights for us. He always wins in the end. We may not see His army…we don’t have spiritual vision, but that doesn’t mean that they are not there. When Joshua fought the battle of Jericho a great mighty warrior appeared to him. He asked if the warrior was for him or against him, “friend or foe?” The warrior replied…"Neither one," he replied. "I am the commander of the LORD's army." At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. "I am at your command," Joshua said. "What do you want your servant to do?" Joshua 5:14 NLT. Are you looking for God’s help…for His army to do your spiritual battles?  If you belong to God you have already won. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

 

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, we belong to You. Surround us with Your army as You fight our battles. We praise and thank you.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

 

Test What You Hear

Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here. 1 John 4:1-3 NLT

 

Test what you hear others saying. Do they believe that Jesus is who He says He is? That as God, He came to earth as a real man? Be careful of false prophets. Listen closely, not naively or blindly, to what preachers and teachers are saying and judge their words against the Word of God. Don’t be mesmerized by their smooth talking. Evaluate for yourself what they are saying. Listen to yourself speak, too. Make sure that you are telling the truth when you are telling others about Jesus—about God the Father and the Holy Spirit.

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, guide us in all truth that we would be witnesses for Jesus and would listen closely to what others are preaching and teaching so we clearly evaluate what we hear.

 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Transformed

And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit….” John 20:22

 

Jesus was with His disciples in the Upper Room after His resurrection. He walked into the room…without going through the locked door. Hmmm. What does that tell us about His resurrected body? He could walk through walls. Our resurrected bodies will one day be like His.

Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man. What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:48-53 NLT.

We will be transformed…just like Jesus. Will we be able to walk through walls? In heaven will there be walls like we have on earth? So many questions…so little time.

 

Jesus breathed on the disciples and they received the Holy Spirit. Then again at Pentecost about three thousand people received the Holy Spirit.  And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts 2:4 NLT. People can receive the Holy Spirit in groups or individually. One amazing thing now is that unlike those in the Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit remains…abides in us.

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit—come and live with us. We receive You into our hearts and lives that we would be transformed like Jesus—spiritually obedient and eternally loving.

 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Glory to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.' John 16:13-15 NLT

 

One thing that The Holy Spirit and Jesus have in common is that they both listen and speak what they hear. Here in this scripture today we see that the Holy Spirit speaks what He hears from Jesus. Jesus speaks what He hears from the Father. For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me. John 12:49-50. Jesus’ focus was to give glory to the Father…and the Holy Spirit’s goal is to give glory to the Son…to Jesus. As an example for us…we shouldn’t speak on our own initiative, but on what we hear…from the Holy Spirit…or from what we read in God’s word. May God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be glorified in what we think, say and do.

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, guide us into all truth. Show us things about Jesus that we didn’t understand…or that we just didn’t see before. Set our hearts on fire to share what Jesus is doing in our lives—and about the eternal life that is offered to us as a gift from God. A gift. No work involved.

 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Are You Listening? Are You Sharing?

When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning. John 15:26-27

 

The Helper, the Spirit of Truth—the Holy Spirit. He comes from the Father—from Heaven. Heaven is the “home” of the Holy Spirit—along with Father God and Jesus Christ, who is seated at the right hand of the Father. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God. Luke 22:69. This same Holy Spirit is with us here now…and testifies about Jesus. He tells us what we need to know—confirming the truth about Jesus. Jesus told His disciples that they would testify about Him, too—because they had been with Him since the beginning of His ministry. They had seen Him heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons, and raise the dead—and He gave them power to do the same. We need to “testify” about Jesus, too. To witness or share with others about Him…to tell them of His power, glory, mercy and love. Are you prepared to do that? What has Jesus—or the Holy Spirit done in your life? Not just ten or twenty years ago…but TODAY? I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit….Romans 9:1.

 

Today, the Holy Spirit convicted me, yet again, about being on time to meetings. But this time He showed me that it isn’t just about being disrespectful to others about being 5-10 minutes late…but about being disrespectful to Him, too. That hurt. I’m not being lazy or relaxed about my schedule…or lack of it—it is just a lack of regard for the whole time element in life. I stopped wearing a wristwatch a few months before I retired. There are clocks everywhere so I don’t need one on my arm. I have a clock on my phone and set reminders for myself for appointments and meetings. Still there is that element of appreciation for other people’s time and devotion to a particular gathering. Other people’s time IS God’s time. Consider what the Holy Spirit is showing you about yourself—are you listening to His voice in your life. God speaks to us in His Word and in our own conscience. Here is a promise that God gave to the Israelites (and to those who love Him) through Moses…

If you obey the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways, the LORD will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do. Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the LORD, and they will stand in awe of you. The LORD will give you prosperity in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, blessing you with many children, numerous livestock, and abundant crops. The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them. If you listen to these commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom. You must not turn away from any of the commands I am giving you today, nor follow after other gods and worship them. Deuteronomy 28:9-14 NLT

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, help me to be respectful of Your time—and treat others with the respect that I would give to You—to Jesus. May my thoughts, words and actions be pleasing in Your sight and witness to the Truth of Jesus.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Helper & Teacher

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26

 

I love the fact that the Holy Spirit will bring to my memory…all things. That’s not really what this verse says…but that is what I understood it to mean early in my understanding of the Holy Spirit. I would pray that I would find my keys…or other lost things. Sure enough. Immediately I’d find them. Remarkable. Then I learned that the “remembering” was about recalling what Jesus taught His disciples. It is important to not take scripture out of context. Again, this is part of a long discussion that Jesus had with His disciples in His last “teaching” session during the Last Supper. He was teaching them…and He wanted them to know that after He was gone the Holy Spirit would continue to “teach” them.

 

Are you being taught by the Holy Spirit today?

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit—show us not only what Jesus taught His disciples as He walked on this earth, but teach us, giving us insight into God’s will and His ways for us today.

 

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

Cinco de Mayo was earlier this month, so here’s a favorite Mexican inspired dish to try.

 

Mexican lettuce wraps

3 cups shredded cooked chicken or turkey

1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies

1 can black beans, 15 oz., rinsed and drained

 

1 medium tomato, seeded and finely chopped

¼ cup finely chopped onion

¼ cup finely chopped sweet red pepper

1 tablespoon lime juice

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 

1/2 teaspoon sea salt 

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup salsa

1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and finely chopped

1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream

12 Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves

 

In a large bowl, combine the first 11 ingredients. Refrigerate until serving. Just before serving, stir in avocado. Place 1/2 cup mixture on each lettuce leaf; top each with 2 teaspoons sour cream. Fold lettuce over filling. Serve with additional salsa, if desired.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Heavenly Help

Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. John 14:13-17 

Jesus was addressing His disciples in His final discourse during the Last Supper before He was arrested, tried and crucified. He was always giving glory to the Heavenly Father. By asking for something “in Jesus’ name” prayers are answered thus giving glory and honor to the Father. Additionally, Jesus promised to ask His Father to send the Holy Spirit—the Helper to be with the disciples forever. Those promises are valid for us, too.  Whatever we ask for in Jesus’ name, we can be assured that He will do it…IF we love Him and keep His commandments. That is a big IF.

Another Helper. Jesus saw Himself as a “Helper” doing the will of His Father. This new Helper wasn’t really new. He had been around since the beginning of time—with the Father and the Son. Now this Helper would be with the disciples…and us…forever. Forever. This Helper is the Spirit of Truth—living in us and being with us. So do you love Jesus and keep His commandments? IF you do, you can be assured that you’ll have the Holy Spirit…forever.

Prayer ~ Jesus, I love You and although I’m not perfect please give me the grace and skill to honor You by keeping Your commandments—not just trying, but honestly doing what You’ve instructed. Fill me anew each day with Your Holy Spirit that I would live a life holy and pleasing to You.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Ask for Good

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" Luke 11:13 

Ask—God wants us to ask Him for things we want and need. Spiritual things, too. That would include the Holy Spirit. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:21-22. "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." Matthew 21:22. Ask away! Have you ever asked for the Holy Spirit? I have. And God heard my prayer and filled me with His Holy Spirit. A joyous day. It is not just a one-time experience. I have asked to be renewed and refreshed many times. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10. It is part of the sanctification process—being continually renewed in the Spirit. Seeking a life of holiness. Holiness unto the Lord. … that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Ephesians 4:22-24. Where do you stand with the Lord? 

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, Create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Fill me again and refresh me with Your Holy Spirit. May my heart and my life be pleasing to You, Lord.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Rejoice In The Holy Spirit

"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven." At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight." Luke 10:20-21 

He rejoiced…that is Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit. He had just sent seventy of His disciples out to heal the sick and to witness about Him. The Holy Spirit was continually in Jesus—and Jesus was delighted because people were being saved. They believed in Him as their Savior. He said not to rejoice that the spirits were subject to those 70 disciples, but that they were headed to Heaven—their names were recorded in the Book of Life. Do you rejoice—celebrate when someone is saved? 

When was the last time you led someone to the Lord? Do you have a plan…an intentional idea or strategy for sharing Jesus with others? Do you feel that you need to be “specifically” trained in evangelism…or that it is not your “gift”? Just before His ascension into Heaven Jesus told His disciples… "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20. The same command is for each of us today. We can’t ignore His command. Meet people at their point of need and the Holy Spirit will guide you in what to do and say.   

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, show me the person with whom You want me to share the Good News and help me to lead them to Jesus…whether it takes a day, a month or years. I understand that just leading them to Jesus doesn’t “disciple” them, but it takes an investment in my time and energy to help them develop a lasting relationship with You.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Guilty?

But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin."  Mark 3:29 HCSB 

Guilty? Eternally guilty? Whenever God repeats something He is really trying to teach us something important. God has repeated this lesson on the Holy Spirit and blasphemy several times. Well—each of the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke tell us about the consequences of being disrespectful to the Holy Spirit. Eternal sin—everlasting unforgiveness. 

God has taught me a few lessons this way…repeating scripture passages that just jump off the page at me, several sermons—from different pastors, and Sunday School or Bible Study classes that all have the same message. One on forgiveness was particularly memorable—who did I need to forgive? The Lord specifically told me that, too. Another lesson was on love…and another on humor. God has a sense of humor. Trust me—God will teach you what He wants you to know. Are you listening? Is there a pattern to what He is teaching you on a daily basis? 

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, show me what is important to You. It is important to me, too. Blasphemy? May it never be. I don’t want to be guilty of blasphemy—particularly blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Search me and know me that I would be found acceptable in Your sight. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." Psalm 139:23-24. God, Your way is the way I want to live my life. To serve You—eternally.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Natural Consequences…No Forgiveness?

Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the one to come.  Matthew 12:32 HCSB 

No forgiveness—that is pretty stiff punishment. Everyone is forewarned. No forgiveness for speaking against the Holy Spirit. To speak something is pretty much the same as thinking or doing it...so you may want to rethink any tendency to thoughts or actions that are disrespectful. Children need to be taught about natural consequences for their action—like having to clean up their spilled milk. Christians…and others…need to know that there are natural spiritual consequences for their actions—even for their thoughts, too. This passage in Matthew and other passages, like the one yesterday from Luke 12, show us that there are results from blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. The consequence…No Mercy—No Forgiveness. Forever. Think about it. Would you ever blasphemy the Holy Spirit? Can you encourage others NOT to blaspheme the Holy Spirit? 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, please find all that I think, do and say acceptable to You—for I never want to blaspheme against You. You are worthy of praise and adoration.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

No Blasphemy

Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don't worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.  Luke 12:10-12 NLT 

Blasphemy—showing or speaking with disrespect, contempt, or lack of reverence about religious things—is serious business with God. Jesus is forgiving…but those who bad-mouth or are disrespectful to or about the Holy Spirit will be sorry someday—they will not be forgiven. That is thoughtless on their part—eternally thoughtless. Self-control is part of the fruit of the Spirit…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23. It is the wise person who has self-control. Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. Proverbs 13:3 NLT.  Conversely, without restraint…He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness. Proverbs 5:23 NLT. We choose our thoughts, words and actions. It is encouraging to know that the Holy Spirit will stand with us if we have to go to trial—assumedly for some action involving God. He will give us the right words to say. There are plenty of times that I’ve been at loss for what to say. So it is comforting to even just imagine the Holy Spirit giving me words to speak. Comfort from the Comforter. Like in prayer when the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:25-27. I’ve experience that interceding in prayer when I just didn’t have the right words—hurting so deeply that I just couldn’t speak or stumbling about looking for the will of God. So…do you know the will of God? Are you seeking Him daily? 

Prayer ~ Lord God, as I study Your Word reveal to me Your will for my life, for my family and my friends so we would know You better, do what is pleasing in Your sight, and become more like Your Son every day. …For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren…. Romans 8:29. We want to be like Jesus—pleasing and obedient to You. Thank you for loving us and hearing our prayers.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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