Grace in Memories

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 NLT

When I was a young teenager I overheard my older sister and mother talking about a teenage girl in a nearby town who had gotten drunk with a couple of boys after a basketball game and they decided to have sex in the back of a van. Soon there was a line of guys also wanting to take advantage of her…so her “friends” held her down and let twenty guys have a go at her. Needless to say she ended up in the hospital and some of the boys went to jail. Where was the love in that? Her life was ruined by poor decisions. Now some fifty years later as I recalled that incident I prayed, if she is still living, she found Jesus in her life, that He blotted out the memory of that evening and gave her renewed hope in life. I also prayed that those boys had shame and guilt in their actions and have taught their grandsons to respect young ladies—and themselves. Jesus can make things right. His grace is sufficient to change attitudes and actions. If you have painful memories, give them to the Lord. The Holy Spirit can guide your thoughts and cover your sins, doubts, despair, guilt or remorse with the blood of Jesus—wiping away whatever is bothering you in your past. Jesus tells us not to look back. But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62. Instead of looking back—look ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14. Press on—go for the gold. Respect yourself and God by accepting His grace in your life. Then fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Develop a relationship—a commitment to knowing and understanding the Holy Spirit part of God. Spend time with Him.

Prayer ~ May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:19-20 NLT

© 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

Inner Strength

I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. Ephesians 3:16-18 NLT

Inner strength from the Holy Spirit--from God's unlimited resources. Can you imagine unlimited resources? That's God--the great creator who can make everything out of nothing! Not only physical things--but qualities like inner strength, peace, joy--and comfort for those in need. Love. It all comes back to love--God's love. It is unfathomable. Deep and wide--like a fountain flowing--into our hearts and lives. Trust Him. He has your best interests in mind. He wants to expand His Kingdom. He wants more people to make room in their hearts and lives for Jesus. If Jesus is in your heart already, will you give Him even more of your life and time? Will you share Him with others? Ask God for wisdom and the grace to understand Him--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--more deeply. We won't know God fully until we're in Heaven--but as we seek Him here and now He will reveal more of Himself and His love. 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, please show me more of God's love and guide me as I share and show others that love--that unfathomable love that only comes from above. 

© 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

Live to Love God

We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 2 Corinthians 6:6 NLT

 

And they shall know us by our love...our love to each other--if we follow Christ and His example. 

By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35 (HCSB)

It is only with the Holy Spirit within us that we can sincerely love--with an agape love. We only need to "prove" ourselves to God. It doesn't matter what others think of us. We tell ourselves that anyway--but there are some people we do just have a deep desire of love to please--or basically just want to "prove" that we are worthy of their attention or love. Christ Jesus told us that we are  to love our Christian brother and sisters if we love Him. Paul wrote in Galatians 6:2...Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. He continued...

So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10. So hang in there--don't get discouraged. The Holy Spirit will bless you with the Fruit of the Spirit--kindness, goodness and faithfulness--to love God and others. Love is the positive action. Live to please God and not men.

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit--just as I have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so I speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines my hearts.  1 Thessalonians 2:4 (HCSB). Help me to live a life of holiness and 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

A Perfect Guarantee

We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God Himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee He has given us His Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:2-5 NLT

Guarantee. What a wonderful word. When you purchase a new appliance, they always ask you if you want warrantee protection. A guarantee that the appliance will last, will function correctly and will be replaced if it doesn’t work. So God gives us a greater guarantee—the Holy Spirit. Take a look at the qualities of the Holy Spirit. To begin with He has the God qualities of Omniscient, Omnipresent, Immutable, Omnificent, Eternal, Truth, and Love. I think we could add Holy, Helper and Humble. Humble, since He always puts God the Father and Jesus Christ above Himself. Helper—for that is the title that Jesus gave Him—and that is part of His mission, to help us lowly humans remember what Jesus taught. And Holy—as that is part of His very name. He teaches us to be holy, because He is Holy.

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit—give us grace to seek Your holiness in our lives—and to continue to be thankful everyday.

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

Leftovers? Is turkey your favorite leftover after Thanksgiving dinner? Or is there some other leftover that you crave more of as you open the refrigerator to peruse leftovers on the day after one of the biggest dinners of the year. Not everyone has LOTS of leftovers—but favorites at my house include leftover dressing and my homemade cranberry sauce. My niece suggested using any extra cranberry sauce for a tasty addition to homemade scones. Sounds like a good idea to me.

Fresh Cranberry Sauce

1 bag - 12 ounce fresh cranberries
2 finely chopped apples—any variety
½ cup fresh squeezed orange juice, plus ½ orange, coarsely chopped and the zest of one orange  
1 cup sugar, or less to taste
1 tablespoons minced crystallized ginger (candied ginger)
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Cover and bring to a gentle boil over a medium-low heat. Cook about 15 minutes. Uncover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook about 5 minutes until sauce thickens.
Transfer the sauce to a heatproof serving dish and cool 10 minutes. Serve warm or you may cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or more before serving. Makes 3 cups. Serve with turkey, and then on turkey sandwiches the next day. To create cranberry scones swirl ½ cup of sauce into scones batter before baking. Enjoy anytime of the year by using frozen cranberries.

© 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

Give Thanks

As for us, we can't help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 NLT

Happy Thanksgiving! So often we give thanks at this time of Thanksgiving for “things”—for blessings that have occurred in the last year. With this scripture that Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica we note that he was thanking God for “dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord.” What a great idea—thank God for people—particularly for God’s chosen people. Who in your life has been instrumental this year in helping you to grow spiritually? Who have you spiritually encouraged, guided or even brought to salvation or sanctification this year? Several years ago the concept was brought to my attention that everyone should be mentored by someone and they should be mentoring someone. My mentoring efforts have been a casual rather than intentional arrangement with a friend over the last couple of years. Personally, I would really like to be mentored in a more specific way.  Consider this verse. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14. We must have goals if we are ever to go or grow! It isn’t too early to set some goals for the coming year for yourself and those you mentor. One of those goals could be daily thanking God for choosing you to be part of His family. Giving thanks shows a true trust in God and initiates closer growth to Him. Seems to me that He is the One on whom we should focus our thankfulness. Enjoy your day of Thanksgiving—and remember those who have touched your life…spiritually.

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit—Shower us with Your love and draw us closer to You today. Thank you for being part of our lives—and giving us hope, love, joy and peace, no matter what happens.

Happy Thanksgiving!

© 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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What Do You Expect?

He has enabled us to be ministers of His new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life. The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses' face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn't we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? 2 Corinthians 3:6-8 NLT

What do you expect? Do you think that your face should glow like Moses? He was in the very presence of God. Like Moses—in God’s presence as we worship and serve Him. Like, but different. The laws given to Moses were written in stone—God’s new laws, the new covenant, are written on our heart. That covenant gives us life—an abundant life. Jesus said…The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10. Peter wrote that knowledge gives life…Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:2-3.

The Holy Spirit gives us life—eternal life through Jesus. Peter continues to teach the importance of true knowledge. Knowledge of Jesus is the key. For by these (true knowledge) He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:4-8. Are you thankful for the knowledge that the Holy Spirit has given you—so that you can see the glory of the Lord—and apply it to your life? Do you expect to see His glory in your life?

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, give us grace to see You working in our lives. Help us look beyond ourselves—not to be puffed up with our own pride or a holier than thou attitude—but to have an attitude of gratefulness for all that the Lord has done for us and through us.

Bless those who are nearing the end of their usefulness here on earth—that the mantle of their strength, courage, and positive attitude would be graciously passed onto their loved ones.

© 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

Your Body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit

Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT

A Temple. Imagine what the people of Corinth thought of Paul’s statement. They were used to seeing beautiful old Greek temples that had been restored by the Romans at Paul’s time. These temples honored Apollos, Aphrodite, Poseidon, and Hermes among others. What an honor to think that our bodies are a Temple of the Holy Spirit. God the Father paid a huge price for us…He gave up His only Son so that we could become part of His family. What a trade! But since God raised Jesus from the dead—it was a win-win situation for Him. He has Jesus back in Heaven with Him…and we’re in the wings waiting for our cue to go. OK. In the meantime…our bodies are a Temple for the Holy Spirit. Paul said the same thing a couple of chapters earlier. Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. You are a temple of God…a temple of the Holy Spirit. So that’s what you are…holy. Yet now He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault. Colossians 1:22 NLT. Pure and spotless—no faults or blemishes.

Do you feel holy?

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, wash us white as snow, pure and spotless that we will be able to stand before the Almighty God—reconciled to Him. I praise You—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—for You alone are worthy of praise, honor and glory. Come into the Temple of our hearts that we would be holy unto 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

No Doubt About It

Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NLT

We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus….Romans 3:21-24. There are a couple of interesting scripture passages about continuing to sin:

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? Romans 6:1.

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…. Hebrews 10:26.

Don’t fool yourself…or make a fool of yourself. You can be cleaned—miraculously. God is always with us (Hebrews 13:5) so that we don’t have far to go to get forgiveness for our sin. Ask. Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8. Call on the name of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit will cleanse you. No doubt about it.

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, by Your power show us any sin in our lives and cleanse our hearts that we may come closer to God—to know God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in a deeper relationship.

© 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

Share the Joy and Hope

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them. Romans 15:13-14 NLT

Yes, my dear brothers and sisters—in the Lord—I know you are full of goodness. I rejoice each time I see you greet each other with a hug, a smile, and a word of encouragement. It is so obvious that the Holy Spirit is at work in you—flowing into you, filling you with God’s love and enabling you to help others. That is what God’s love is all about—caring for others by showing kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control, patience, faithfulness to God and others, along with year-round joy and peace. Most people are more joyful at this time of the year, but those in God’s family—who seek and serve Him—find joy and peace and share those qualities all year around. Paul encourages the Roman Christians to teach other Christians about God’s love and about the hope that they have through the Holy Spirit. Joyful, joyful, we adore You—God of Glory and of Hope. Without God our lives would be hopeless. What is the level of hope in your life today?

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, fill us anew today with goodness and hope that only You can give, that we can share our hope and encouragement with others around us.

Happy Birthday Blessings—Brother Barry!

Happy 91^st Birthday- Aunt Carole!

Love & 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

Nothing Can Separate Us from His Love

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NLT

I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God—and that it is the Holy Spirit who has revealed Christ Jesus to us. Whether we live or die we will still have God with us—in us and around us. Like Paul…it doesn’t matter—if we live or die—it is for the Lord.

For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. Romans 14:7-8

But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith….Philippians 1:22-25.

Again like Paul, I run the race with the goal of Christ in mind and am focused on Him.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 1 Corinthians 9:24.

No worries. Jesus didn’t want us to worry. In His Sermon on the Mount, He said…So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34. No worries—nothing can separate us from His love. Be thankful for that.

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit—I am thankful for You—for the love that God the Father, Son and You, Holy Spirit, have shown to me, even though I don’t deserve it. I am overwhelmed with Your love, peace and joy that I receive in faith. Praise be to God that nothing on earth or above the earth—or even in my heart, soul, and mind can separate me from You. I live for the Lord with thanksgiving and praise from my very being. No worries.

© 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

It’s Not What We Eat or Drink

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 NLT

Peace and Joy. It’s beginning to look a little like Christmas. Along with friends, my husband is already watching Christmas movies on TV. This is going to be a long pre-Christmas season. The joy that those movies exude doesn’t come from the Holy Spirit—it is a superficial joy that the people in the movies portray to make us feel happy. Hmmm. What is wrong with that? At least it is a life of goodness that we are watching…not violence, abuse, and corruption. But after an hour and a half, is life any better? Does it draw us closer to the Kingdom of God? There are 86 references to the Kingdom of God throughout the Bible, NASB version. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all. Mark 10:15. Jesus told several parables…about soil and seeds, and a mustard seed…that relate to the Kingdom of God. In the Lord’s Prayer we declare that we are waiting for the coming Kingdom. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10.

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God's power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NLT

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, inspire us to live by God’s power—as we wait for Jesus Christ’s return. May our life be one of goodness, peace and joy in You--all year.

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

The garden produced tomatoes right up to the current cold weather—so we’ve harvested a bunch of green tomatoes. It’s time to have some Fried Green Tomatoes.

Fried Green Tomatoes         Serves 4 or 5

3 medium, firm green tomatoes, unpeeled
Fresh ground Himalayan salt
1 cup flour, regular or a gluten free blend
1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning (optional) or ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1/3 cup white cornmeal
1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs

1/4 cup peanut oil or other vegetable oil

Cut the tomatoes cross-wise into 1/3 to 1/2 inch slices. Sprinkle slices with salt. Let tomato slices stand for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, place in three separate shallow bowls: the flour and Cajun seasoning (if desired); buttermilk and egg; and bread crumbs and cornmeal.

Heat the oil in a large cast iron skillet on medium high heat. Whisk the egg and buttermilk together. Dip tomato slices in the flour-seasoning mix, then buttermilk-egg mixture, then the cornmeal-bread crumb mix. Fry the coated tomato slices in the skillet for 3-5 minutes on each side or until brown. Set the cooked tomatoes on paper towels to drain. Serve warm as soon as all of them are fried. These are great served with a little Tabasco sauce or Remoulade. [See March 13, 2015 Banquet with the King post for Remoulade recipe.]

Adapted from simplyrecipies.com.

© 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

Spirit Gives Life

And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. Romans 8:10 NLT

The Spirit gives life. The Holy Spirit gives life to each person who is right with God. Life is hope—this is eternal life—unending—forever. What a blessing that is! Our bodies will die—but our soul will live on if we love the Lord our God—and IF we are right with Him. What does it mean to be “right” with God?

Like the Israelites at the time of Daniel we struggle—or actually rebel—against living the way God wants. To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him; nor have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His teachings which He set before us through His servants the prophets. Daniel 9:9-10. When someone wants to be “right” with God I think it means to confess our sins—our mistakes and short fallings—and to ask for forgiveness. It is one thing to know that you have sinned, but another to feel totally sorry—and to repent—to give up that wrong and ask God for forgiveness. Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord….Acts 3:19. Ideally when we give God our sin, we don’t take it back—but like a boomerang sometimes it just comes swooping back and we have to let go again. That’s OK. God knows our heart and that we want to distance ourselves from our mistakes. Our attitude towards God makes us right with Him—provided it is a good attitude. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…. Philippians 2:3-5. How are you doing with your attitude—with setting yourself right with God?   

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, thank you for giving us life—and hope and helping us set ourselves right with God.

© 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

Love? Others as Yourself

For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:14-16 NLT

Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives so that you will desire to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Now that would make the world a better place to live—of course people would have to love themselves first—then love others. Maybe that is the problem with the world—not enough people love—truly love or even like—themselves. Culturally it appears that some nationalities are so indoctrinated with hate that they are not capable of loving. If ISIS people loved themselves…and then others, would we have the whole Middle East crisis…and the Paris bombings? What about all the killings we have on a daily basis right here in the United States? If people had better self-esteem—loved themselves—would there be as many senseless evil actions against family homes, schools, sporting events, entertainment centers, or government buildings?  God help us. It is time to pray.

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit—have mercy on us. Have mercy on all the Christians around the world. May we be protected from evil forces in the world—deliver us from evil. Continue to give us the desire to love our neighbor as ourselves.

© 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

Are You Waiting for Righteousness?

But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. Galatians 5:5 NLT

Righteousness—right living before God. God is righteous. He gives His righteousness to those who seek it…to those who seek Him. Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21 NLT. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12. That would be a good prayer—for a willing spirit—one to pursue righteousness in their lives. What better thing could we hope for, but to please God with the way that we live? This verse in Galatians 5:5 tells us that those who live by the Spirit will receive the righteousness of God by faith—and God gives faith. It is all tied together. Seek God—get faith—get righteousness that will please God. How wonderful the world would be if more people would seek God—instead of trying to harm others. No more bombings. What a wonderful world it would be. God will give us faith. Continue to look for God and live walking in the way that He wants you to live—waiting for righteousness.

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, give us willing spirits in our hearts that we would seek to live pure lives—lives pleasing to the Lord. We know that it is not our own efforts—but it is the by the gift of God’s grace that He gives us faith…and that living within that faith we will be rewarded with righteousness and ultimately with a home in heaven. For today…may those we know and those you know be protected from evil—and delivered from temptation—for the Heavenly Father’s kingdom, power, and glory are forever. 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

Home Sweet Home

I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the LORD has spoken!'" Ezekiel 37:14 NLT

Home Sweet Home! There’s no place like home. It is always good to go away…to visit family and friends. But there is no place like home—sleeping in your own bed and connecting with local family and friends. Ahhh. How sweet it is!

Returning home to your own land—filled with the Spirit. This was spoken by the Lord to Ezekiel at the valley of the dry bone. No army of dry bones for us. Like theirs, our home is only temporary. Home is where you can call out to your father—and get a big welcome home hug. Abba, Father. Jesus told His disciples…Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. John 14:1-3 NLT. The Jewish custom was for the bridegroom to add a room onto his father’s house to live in with his bride. Jesus is in heaven—even now…sitting at the right hand of God the Father, creating a new home for His bride—the Church. Heaven is our ultimate home—mine anyway. How about you? Where is your ultimate home?

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit—We are so glad that You are in our hearts and lives—teaching us more about Jesus, reminding us of His grace and of our future with You. We look forward to the new home in heaven that Jesus promised to create for us.

© 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

Baptized into God’s Family

The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and walk along beside the carriage." Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" The man replied, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth." The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?" So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look! There's some water! Why can't I be baptized?" Acts 8:29-36 NLT

Baptism is a sacred thing. A special action that declares to the world that you belong to Christ—to our very God Himself. When we are baptized, we die to ourselves.

Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4.

Death…we choose to die to ourselves in baptism. We give up all our selfish desires. In that death we are buried—our sins are destroyed—not just covered. In baptism we choose to live—to walk—in Christ’s love. Can there be any better thing in life…or in death…than to be part of God’s family?

I grew up learning about Jesus at church…and by watching others, especially my mother, live in a Christian way. I experienced a sprinkling baptism before I was confirmed and became a member of my home church as a teenager. When I was in college I accepted Christ as my Savior…but it wasn’t until several years later when I rededicated my life that I decided to be baptized by immersion. To me that was the moment of my spiritual rebirth—I died to myself, was buried and rose again. It was a sacred moment. Have you experienced baptism? Have you asked yourself…Why can’t I be baptized?   

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, guide those have not made a decision for Christ…give them wisdom to see Jesus for who He is…and to die to themselves. May they live for Christ and become part of God’s family.

© 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

Humble Children of God

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. Galatians 3:26-27 NLT

Faith is a wonderful thing. It is a gift. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9. When I was teaching a first grade Sunday School class I remember taking a fancy present to church and letting the children unwrap it to find the word FAITH inside. God gives us faith—we just have to accept that gift. If we leave it wrapped up or in the box, it is of no use to us. Rejected. Likewise, we can’t say that we got our faith in Christ ourselves. We can’t brag and be all proud and puffed up that we are adopted by God—He chose us. Have a little humility. It is a privilege to be chosen—and to accept His gift. Have you accepted or rejected His gift—Christ Jesus? Are you united with Christ in baptism?

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit—refresh our hearts that we would humbly be renewed to the knowledge of the GIFT of Christ in our lives—and that we would join our hearts with Christ as children of the Heavenly Father—being obedient, as Christ was—living by faith.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Lucy!

© 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

Obey Faithfully or Be Cursed

But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under His curse, for the Scriptures say, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God's Book of the Law." So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life." This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, "It is through obeying the law that a person has life." Galatians 3:10-12 NLT

This is a bit confusing. We shouldn’t take the scripture out of context. God gave the Law to Moses so that the Israelites would have a standard by which to live—so that they could know how to please God. He knew that people couldn’t really keep the Law and were cursed for not obeying. A sacrificial system was established to cover over the people’s sin of not keeping the Law. Then to “remove” the curse, God sent His Son to be a sacrifice for us. What a plan! What a loving God—to love us so much that He would offer His Son’s very life for us. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16.  A Holy Sacrifice. How many of us would be willing to give up our child to help someone else deal with the mistakes in his or her life. That is God’s way of creating an opportunity for people to be righteous—to be pure so that they can stand before His holy throne one day. Faithfulness to God—believing in His Son, Jesus as the Savior.

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, reveal to me anyway that I might be depending on the Law…obeying the letter of the Law, rather than faithfully being obedient to God…believing. Believing in Jesus…believing in God and His plan. 

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

Looking for a quick and easy low calorie meal for one? Double it for two people.

Fish Salad for One

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Sprinkle of sea salt

½ teaspoon minced garlic

½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger

 

Sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or cilantro flakes

 

Sprinkle of fresh ground pepper

4 oz white fish fillets: cod, halibut, tilapia or monk fish

4 oz of salad fixing: spring mix salad greens, chopped cucumber, and or tomato

Sprinkle of apple cider vinegar

Three drops Splenda

Rinse and dry fish. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Combine the seasonings; sprinkle over fish. Heat a small Teflon frying pan over medium heat and add fish or broil 4 in. from the heat for 10-12 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

On a small plate combine the salad ingredients. Top with fish; drizzle with vinegar and Splenda, if desired, and additional salt and pepper to taste.

© 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

Faith—Hope in What We Can’t See

What's more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would declare the Gentiles to be righteous because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when He said, "All nations will be blessed through you." So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith. Galatians 3:8-9 NLT

Blessings from faith! Believing in what is hoped for…and not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Sometimes it is hard to believe in things we can’t see. We don’t see molecules that make up our very being…unless we have access to an electron microscope—or look on the internet for a cellular photograph. Nor do we see angels or God…but we know—we believe—they are real…they are with us. When I was in high school we sang a song, “I Believe.” It is still a song that touches my heart.

I believe for every drop of rain that falls
A flower grows
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
A candle glows
I believe for everyone that goes astray
Someone will come to show the way
I believe
I believe
I believe above the storm the smallest prayer
Will still be heard
I believe that Someone in the great somewhere
Hears every word
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry
Or touch a leaf
Or see the sky
Then I know why I believe
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry
Or touch a leaf
Or see the sky
Then I know why I believe.

Someone in the great somewhere—we can’t see but we believe exists. That’s faith in God. Faith in what—in who—we can’t see. Are you looking for God? Do you have faith to believe in what you can’t see.   

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, open our eyes and heart to believe in what—and who—we can’t see. Give us faith like Abraham to believe—to rely on 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

Are You a Real Child of God?

How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it? I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. In the same way, "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith." The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God. Galatians 3:3-7 NLT

Put on your faith.

For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out His anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when He returns, we can live with Him forever. 1 Thessalonians 5:5-10 NLT

Be faithful…clearheaded. Don’t try to do it on your own. Such good advice. Comforting that whether we are dead or alive when Christ returns…we will go to be with Him…forever. Not because of anything we did...not by obeying the law…but just by faith…by believing. That makes us just like Abraham—a real child of God—adopted into His faithful family. Faith. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1. Faith is the key to believing. Put on your faith…along with the armor of God…taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16. How is your faith level today on a scale of one to ten?

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, I put my faith in You.

Thank You to the Veterans who have kept our nation free and safe for over two hundred years.

If you love freedom—thank a Vet.

© 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

Abba Father

But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father." Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are His child, God has made you His heir. Galatians 4:4-7 NLT

Freedom. Freedom from the law…from obligatory rules. Freedom to be who God created us to be…His children. His very own children. Daddy…Abba. Who wouldn’t want to be part of a loving family…with a Father who loves you no matter what? As His children, we are His heirs. Most heirs have to wait until after their parent dies to inherit property…but God hasn’t died—He never will. We’ve inherited property—a place in His home. A glorious palace in heaven. What else do people inherit? The “gift of the Spirit” is just that…a gift—like an inheritance. …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. Any one of those qualities is a valued asset—a desired attribute. Those characteristics are evident in people who are obedient to God—to His will and His way. Recently in the church service I was visiting with family we sang a song that talked about being in Jesus’ will. I thought…hmmm. Jesus’ will is to do the will of His Father. For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those He has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father's will that all who see His Son and believe in Him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day." John 6:38-40 NLT. Will you be “raised up” at the last day?

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, I praise You that You came into my life and into my heart. Continue to fill me anew. I look forward to the day when all those who know Jesus will be together in Heaven—gathered around Abba Father God’s table for a heavenly banquet.

Happy Birthday Blessings, Brother Joeske!

© 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

How Did You Receive The Spirit?

This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:2

Who led you to the Lord? Did they tell you about the Holy Spirit?  Were you under the Law?

Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus…. Romans 3:19-24

 Under the law is a legalistic way to approach God—to try to keep the Ten Commandments and all the additional requirements that are written in Leviticus. Try to keep the rules. But no one can really keep the rules. By the grace of God—He forgives our sin and then we can enter into His presence…in prayer, praise or worship and thanksgiving.

I feel like I’ve known about Jesus all my life. Some of my earliest memories are going to Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Those experiences taught me about Jesus—but it wasn’t until I was in college that I developed a real “relationship” with Him. Lots of people pointed me to Jesus and the Holy Spirit—but it was the Holy Spirit Himself—revealing Himself to me—that really taught me. No law or rule keeping could have done that. So are you open to being taught by the Holy Spirit—to listening for the voice of God and responding in a positive way—in obedience to His grace and mercy?

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, since I have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, I throw off my old sinful nature and my former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Holy Spirit, renew my thoughts and attitudes. Thank you for changing my attitude. Put on my new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT.

© 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

Hanging From an Old Tree

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"—in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14

 

By Jewish law or custom there is a curse put on anyone who is hung on a tree. If someone has committed a crime worthy of death and is executed and hung on a tree, the body must not remain hanging from the tree overnight. You must bury the body that same day, for anyone who is hung is cursed in the sight of God. In this way, you will prevent the defilement of the land the LORD your God is giving you as your special possession. Deuteronomy 21:22-23 NLT.  

 

Hanging from a tree sort of congers up the image of life in the old West—gangsters getting their due swinging from a knotted noose. Washington State, where I live, is one of only two states that allows hanging as a death penalty. Currently, Governor Inslee opposes the death penalty and refuses to order any executions. No curses will be hanging around those nine men who are on death row there. Do they know the Lord? Can you pray for them? Christ has offered them redemption from the curse…just the same as He has offered us liberation from our sins. Everyone just needs to claim their redemption in faith—knowing that the promise of the Holy Spirit is waiting for them. The joy of knowing God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit—reveal Yourself to those who wait…for freedom from their sin, for the release of their past, and for the joy of knowing 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