Be Strong, Willing and Dedicated

Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God's presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 2 Timothy 2:14-16

Remind everyone about these things…what things?

The verses before this are concerning being a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

            Be strong in the grace of Christ Jesus.

            Be willing to suffer hardships for Christ.

            Be dedicated to Christ.

For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him;

If we endure, we shall also reign with Him;

If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.  2 Timothy 2:11-13 NASB

So this is that which we are to remind…or even teach others. Don’t argue or quarrel over words. That would make satan oh so happy. He would be pleased for us to get our eyes off Christ and get nit-picky over words rather than following Jesus’ teaching…love one another.

Can others see in you strength of grace…the unmerited favor…of Christ?

Are you a living example of Christ’s love?  

Are you willing to sacrifice your time and give of your talents to help others?

When was the last time you helped a person in your church, gave them a call or took over a meal? Is that a hardship for you?

Are you dedicated to Christ?

Do you read His word every day…or do you just go to church on Sunday, hoping to catch a few pointers from the Pastor? Work hard, diligently, at learning what Jesus taught, make that part of your daily routine, and then explain it to others. To whom would you teach…or explain Jesus’ instructions? Whoever is around you will be able to see how you live.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, Give us grace to use words that explain Your truths and encourage others. Guide our hearts, thoughts, words and actions that all that we think, say and do would be pleasing to You. Please give us courage to suffer…if necessary…for You. We know that You didn’t promise that everything would be perfect for us…but that You would never leave us or forsake us. For that we are humbly grateful.

Happy Birthday...to niece Vicki--at home in Heaven!

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Be Prepare - Study

The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing and beautiful jewelry made of gold and precious gems and pearls. In her hand she held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality. Revelation 17:4

The woman represents Babylon…a symbolic reference to a city and false religious system centered in Rome during the Tribulation Period, according to the footnotes in my Ryrie Study Bible. Revelation can be a very confusing and disturbing book to study with all the symbolism that is evident throughout the book. But it is worth digging into…as is any book in the Bible. As Paul wrote to Timothy… 

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. ... But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra--but the Lord rescued me from all of it. Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:1, 10-17 (underline mine for emphasize)

Be prepared. Dig into God’s word—reading, studying and being taught how to live. Be prepared—like Paul we may…or more likely…WILL…have to endure persecution. Remain faithful. Don’t be deceived—just persistently follow Jesus. Know what He wants and expects of you. Read and study His word to show yourself approved by God. Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15.

It is one thing to know and understand God’s word…and it is another to be able to explain—correctly explain—it to someone else. That is where studying is important. Choose a mentor who can help you—go beyond the Sunday sermon. Then pay close attention and learn to share the details of God’s word with another person. Be a mentor to someone else. Is God challenging you in your heart to do that?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, provide insight into Your word that I would understand details like those You’ve written in the book of Revelation. Provide me with a mentor who can challenge me and give me additional insight. One of the greatest joys in my life is studying Your word. Make it new every morning to me.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

What Is The Color of Honor or Wisdom?

The craftsmen made beautiful sacred garments of blue, purple, and scarlet cloth—clothing for Aaron to wear while ministering in the Holy Place, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. Exodus 39:1

Most people consider purple a color for royalty…and for older people. In the book of Acts, Lydia is the first convert in Philippi. She was a merchant of expensive purple fabric (Acts 16:14). In Daniel, King Bellshazzar offered a reward to anyone who could read the handwriting on the wall. The king shouted for the enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers to be brought before him. He said to these wise men of Babylon, "Whoever can read this writing and tell me what it means will be dressed in purple robes of royal honor and will have a gold chain placed around his neck. He will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom!" Daniel 5:7. Dressed in purple robes. Purple was a dye color that was expensive to produce so anything woven or fabricated from purple cloth was expensive. Maybe that is why it is considered a color for older people to wear—they are the ones who could afford it in the “olden” days. Here’s a poem about wearing purple that helped found the Red Hat Society—an American organization for women primarily over 50.

Warning by Jenny Joseph, 1961

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

This poem doesn’t necessarily reflect the ideals of Christianity, but it has brought so many women together with the idea of “loving one another.” People need others to care about them. Jesus cared about others…we should, too--and set a good example. When was the last time that you encouraged others to enjoy life—to live life to the fullest? Love one another. Wear purple or red…or any color you prefer—just honor God by honoring others with your time and attention. That is love.

Prayer ~ Lord God, thank you for the color purple—and for the opportunity to honor You by honoring others—by showing them Your love and grace. In all that I do…I give You thanks. “And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20. 

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Did You Forget Something?

But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren. Deuteronomy 4:9

Memories—the things you have seen God do in your life, like Moses reminded the Israelites as he wrote in Deuteronomy—are important to recall and share with your children and grandchildren. Spiritually the important things might be when you first accepted Christ as your Savior—your Messiah—and then your baptism. Can you tell the story of your spiritual life…of your spiritual growth? What scripture verses are important to you? What verses have helped you?

Personally, I like to focus on Jesus response when asked what is the most important Commandment. Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: 'Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these." Mark 12:29-31 (also found in Matthew 22 and Luke 10). It is a great passage to focus on when I need a word of encouragement to think, say and do the right thing. If my actions are not showing “love” to God, then I need to think again!

Another verse that guides me is…And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8. Pure wisdom. One final thing…Think. Remember to put God first and honor Him be thinking about the good, pure and lovely things. Things God has done for you. Continue to honor Him with a grateful heart.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, I don't worry about anything—knowing that You care about my every need. Thank You for all You have done—and for helping me to remember that and to tell others, particularly family and friends, just what You have done in my life. Philippians 4:6

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Listen and Pay Attention

My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:20-23

Listen. We can never stop listening. Cover your ears and you still hear…hear yourself or memories in your mind. Our minds never stop working. Listen to your heart. One reason to keep the Lord’s words hidden in your heart is so that you continue to hear them. Such wise advice to listen to the Lord’s words—as Solomon wrote here. His words were really the Lord’s words. Listen. Apply those words…take hold of my instructions. Words bring life. Eternal life. 

My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. I will teach you wisdom's ways and lead you in straight paths. When you walk, you won't be held back; when you run, you won't stumble. Take hold of my instructions; don't let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life. Proverbs 4:10-13

Listen and pay attention. What are you listening to today? The local news, the world news, the latest football game, Pokémon games, music, comedy, TV shows…or redemption, salvation, or the love of the Lord? I’m headed to finish reading a good book and have a cup of tea. It’s a cool wintery day and the best place to be is by the fireplace. Listening to my heart. What is your heart telling you?

Prayer ~ Lord, I am listening to Your words. Guide my heart, soul and mind that I would pay attention to what I hear from You and apply Your words to my life.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Wise Apples

Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. Proverbs 25:11-12

To one who listens…Listen up. Listen. Hear what is being said. Can you bear to hear what is said to you? Is someone being critical—can you take it? Look again…the verse says “valid criticism.” So is “valid criticism” the truth? Once when Jesus was talking to some of His followers who believed in Him, He said… And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32. Who is the truth? Jesus told him (Thomas), "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me". John 14:6. Jesus is the truth that will set us free and the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts. And when He (the Holy Spirit or Advocate) comes, He will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment. John 16:8. For me, I judge myself more critically than others. I think that is the way it is for most people. We’re our own worst critics.  

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. John 16:13.  If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. Proverbs 15:31. If you listen…and it is an honest analysis that gives you advice, with truth and compassion, then it will be like a golden apple—providing nourishment to your soul and freeing you from the sin, the mistakes about which the Holy Spirit is convicting you. Good, true criticism is worthwhile. Listen. If it is from God, it will make you wise. 

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, You are the way, the truth and the life. I’ll listen to what You say through the Holy Spirit and Your written word. I humbly acknowledge that Your words of advice are convicting, but welcome. I want to live to please You in all that I think, say and do.

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Apples are plentiful now…including golden apples. An apple a day will keep the doctor away…or keep you away from the doctor. There are so many good nutrients in apples—including in the skin—so eat the whole thing. They contain many vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants which fight free radicals that cause cancer, and phytonutrients that help lower cholesterol. Results of eating apples –less heart disease lower chance of cancer, and a happy, healthy digestive system from all that fiber. Don’t eat the seeds—but it might be fun to try to plant them and grow more trees! Save seeds from a couple of different apples. Keep them moist in paper towels for about eight weeks in the refrigerator. Then plant them in pots indoors, but don’t let the seedlings dry out. When they get large enough not to get destroyed, plant them outdoors. It may take a few years, but what are you going to be doing in a few years with that time anyway?! For now try to incorporate eating an apple every day at breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack time.

Apple and Oatmeal with Chia Seeds

1 cup steel cut or old-fashioned oats (not quick cook oats)

5 Tbsp dry chia seeds

2 cups milk (coconut or regular milk)

1 Tbsp honey (or less to taste)

1 apple, finely chopped

2 Tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes, optional

Soak oats and chia seeds overnight in milk. In the morning, cook the mixture for five minutes, until desired consistency. Stir in honey and apples, then top with coconut, if desired. Serves 3 or 4, depending on everyone’s appetite.

Welcome Baby Andrew…Blessings~

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Never Forget the Good Things

Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. Psalm 103:1-3   

Never forget the good things that God has done! This is a day to be thankful. To be totally grateful for the things that God has done…for our country, our homes, family, friends, health and way of life. Freedom. Most of all the gift of salvation—the best thing. We can never have too much gratitude for forgiveness for sin— so great a gift. Have you received that gift from God?

Temple model in Jerusalem

Don’t forget what He has done for you…for the good things. It is easy to be complacent and just take everything that we have for granted, but everything—EVERYTHING—belongs to God. Even we belong to God…we are the temple of God. How honored we are!

Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world's standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, "He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness." And again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise; He knows they are worthless." So don't boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you—whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. 1 Corinthians 3:16-23  

What a wonderful thing to embrace on this day of Gratitude—everyday! You are so blessed. We are so blessed.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus…Let all that I am praise You; with my whole heart, I will praise Your holy name. Let all that I am praise You, Lord; may I never forget the good things You do for me. You forgive all my sins and provide health and strength. Thank you, Lord.

Joyous Day of Gratitude to Everyone!

Happy Birthday, Marv.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Don’t Forget

Do not forget the covenant I made with you, and do not worship other gods. 2 Kings 17:38

Don’t forget. Don’t forget your keys…or your library books…or your jacket…or…. There are so many things we have to remember, like taking our shopping list when we go to the grocery store…or coupons when we get the oil changed in the car. Someone asked me yesterday why the flags were not at half-mast—has everyone forgotten the death of President Kennedy, November 22, 1963?

Is this your home in Heaven?

God promised not to forget the covenant He made with Abraham, then with Isaac and with Jacob. He would make of them a great nation. He would be their God. But they must worship ONLY Him. For the LORD had made a covenant with the descendants of Jacob and commanded them: "Do not worship any other gods or bow before them or serve them or offer sacrifices to them." 2 Kings 17:35. There is wisdom in honoring God. In Revelation John tells us about a group of people who died…or will die…in the Tribulation. They gather around the throne of God worshipping and singing. They sang, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen." Revelation 7:12.

Are you forgetting something? Remember God’s covenant…do not worship any other gods. Do you have other gods in your life?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus…Let all that I am praise You. O LORD my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and majesty. Psalm 104:1. You are worthy of praise—and thanksgiving.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Sustained With Joy

Your eternal word, O LORD, stands firm in heaven. Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans. If your instructions hadn't sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life. I am yours; rescue me! For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments. Psalm 119:89-94

I can imagine my brother, Barry, saying this to God. God does sustain him with joy. He has joy deep in his heart…and he shares it with others. He truly cares about other people…and their relationship with the Lord. He is living in the Philippines now with his sweet Philippine wife, Evelyn. They are joyfully building onto their home there and enjoying a warm winter season. They worship the Lord where they are—knowing that the Lord has promised to never leave them, forsake or forget them. They don't forget God. In this season of Thanksgiving—they give thanks for the Lord and His faithfulness—to them, to their children and grandchildren—two of whom are yet to be born. This is a joyful season, yet JOY is not happiness. Happiness can fade—it depends on external circumstances. Joy is a gift from God.

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth about the churches in Macedonia. We can learn a lesson from them. Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in His kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 2 Corinthians 8:1-3.
During this time of Thanksgiving…let us give THANKS and be joyful—filled with abundant joy from the Lord. Jesus said…I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10 NASB. A life filled with abundant joy. What more could we want?
Prayer ~ Jesus, Thank You. Thank you for being You…for giving us an abundant joyful life—physically and spiritually.

Happy Birthday, Barry.

JBlessings~Today…and always.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

He Will Not Abandon You

For the LORD your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant He made with your ancestors. Deuteronomy 4:31

Overlooking the Israeli dese

Deuteronomy in part recounts the history of the Israelites exodus and a reminder of commandments that the Lord gave them. One commandment they were to follow was…No other gods. The same goes for us. No other gods for us. He wants our intentional and undivided attention. He made a covenant with Abraham—promising to give him land and a huge family. He kept His promise. He hasn’t forgotten that family—we’re part of it. God is merciful. He cares about us. Another promise that He made is to not abandon or destroy us.

Moses spoke to Joshua reminding him of the Lord’s promise.

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:6-8 NASB. (underline mine)

 Another reminder of God’s love and promises for His godly chosen, righteous people is in the book of Psalms: For the LORD loves justice (righteousness), and He will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die. Psalm 37:28. There is such security in knowing that we will not be abandoned--not left behind...not forgotten.

Prayer ~ Lord, Thank you for Your promise that You will never leave or forsake us…that You won’t forget Your covenant. Safe forever.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Beauty From Within

In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. 1 Peter 3:1-5

A lot of women have a difficult time with these verses. Accepted the authority of their husbands…God wants us to have order in our lives as well as respect for others and for Him. Where does that begin? Within each person’s heart there is a longing for love and respect. In my opinion, that begins with Christ—with submitting to Him. Within a marriage relationship there should be a mutual respect…and a reverence for each other. Mamma may call the shots…and determine the time and place for things in the home…but who helps her? Her sweet husband who is hopefully guided by Christ Jesus our Lord.

For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of His body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up His life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word. He did this to present her to Himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. Ephesians 5:23-27

Without fault—that is beautiful. So many people today are so critical of others—we want others to be perfect…when in actuality, I think, we want to be perfect…or to be seen as perfect. But no one is perfect!

So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:15-17

For women, as well as men, it is good to have someone to look up to…an example of holiness. Paul wrote some great words of wisdom and advice to a young Gentile Christian, Titus.

As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can't be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:1-8

Integrity. That is the key to a good life with healthy relationships. A key to the beauty within.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, Thank you for Christian friends who are wonderful examples of devotion to You. Help all of us to…be careful how we live.  Not like fools, but like those who are wise. May we make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Not acting thoughtlessly, but understanding what You want us to do. Ephesians 5:15-17.

Happy Birthday, Sylvia O.

I am so grateful for your friendship, service to our church family and

your example of dedication to our Lord. Blessings, dear one!

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Are the Ten Commandments in the Sermon on the Mount?

So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.  Matthew 6:31-34

Jesus was speaking to His followers as they sat on a hillside above the Sea of Galilee.

Site of the Sermon on the Mount

He wasn’t talking to them about salvation…about believing in Him…but about how to live a righteous life. He pretty much goes back to the Ten Commandment and tells it like it is. Live right—do what God the Father told Moses for the children of Israel. These are listed in Exodus 20. The first four commandments deal with men’s relationship to God. The other six commandments concern relationships between people.

 Then God gave the people all these instructions:

² “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.

³ “You must not have any other god but me.

⁴ “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. ⁵ You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. ⁶ But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those^[b] who love me and obey my commands.

⁷ “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.

⁸ “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹ You have six days each week for your ordinary work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

¹² “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

¹³ “You must not murder.

¹⁴ “You must not commit adultery.

¹⁵ “You must not steal.

¹⁶ “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.

¹⁷ “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”

I want to seek God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength...as Jesus taught…You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. Matthew 22:37. So what does seeking God mean? Above all else…seek Him first just as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew chapters 5-7. Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death. Proverbs 19:16.

·         Honor God.

            …Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10

            … Seek the Kingdom of God above all else. Matthew 6:33

·         Do not murder.

… You have heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.' But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. Matthew 5:21-22

·         Do not commit adultery.

…You have heard the commandment that says, 'You must not commit adultery.' But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28.

·         Do not steal.

            … But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! Matthew 6:23

·         Do not falsely testify.

            …You have also heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the LORD.' But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, 'By heaven!' because heaven is God's throne. And do not say, 'By the earth!' because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, 'By Jerusalem!' for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, 'By my head!' for you can't turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, 'Yes, I will,' or 'No, I won't.' Anything beyond this is from the evil one. Matthew 5:33-37  

·         Do not covet—that is like judging other—wanting what they have.

            …Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Matthew 7:1-2 NLT

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was teaching about how to live righteously. Things haven’t changed—we still need to follow His teachings. How are you doing with that?

Prayer ~ Dear Jesus—I understand that You said… Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. Matthew 5:17 NASB. Thank you for your lessons in righteous living and for fulfilling Your promises.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Give Thanks Everyday

I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded." Daniel 2:23

This is the season of Gratitude. Best place to start is with God. How are you thankful to Him today? Daniel expressed his praise, adoration and thankfulness to our God—for the wisdom and strength God had given him. What a good example as we are in this season of thankfulness. Daniel didn’t need a national holiday to encourage him to give thanks. Let’s give thanks every day—for the Lord blesses us daily. Give us this day our daily bread…physical and spiritual food.

Prayer ~ Bless us. O Lord—and all the gifts You give us—the family, friends, food and fellowship—from Your bounty and great resources. Thank you…today and always.

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Here’s an alternative to the traditional pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.

Give Thanks for Pumpkins...

and Pumpkin Lovers

Pumpkin Custard

1½ cups milk

4 Tbsp cornstarch

1½ cups cooked or canned pumpkin

½ cup sugar

½ tsp freshly ground Himalayan salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 Tbsp fresh grated ginger root (½ tsp dry ground)

1/8 tsp ground cloves

¼ tsp ground mace

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Wisk together milk and cornstarch in a large bowl until smooth. Add pumpkin, sugar, salt and spices. Pour into a custard dish and bake for 45 minutes, or until firm. If using four small individual dishes, you may bake for a shorter time. Cool before serving.

This is an egg-less, crust-less version of traditional Thanksgiving pumpkin pie.

Bake in an unbaked pie crust if you prefer.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Listen Very Carefully

So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus Himself and then delivered to us by those who heard Him speak? And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever He chose. And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about. Hebrews 2:1-5 (underline mine)

Wisely listen. Listen to the truth. I think this is a reminder to “listen and obey” God’s words. Just as Moses wrote to the children of Israel in Deuteronomy:

Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you. Deuteronomy 6:3.

What is the point of listening if there is no action to follow it? Listen and obey—don’t drift away. That is a very plausible situation. Not paying attention to God’s word…not listening to the truth…can result in a drawing back…a falling away…slowly slipping into sin.

Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall. Hosea 14:9

Listen up…listen and obey. Obedience is the key to a life of joy and hope in the Lord.

God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and He blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near. Revelation 1:3.

When I haven’t listened and obeyed, I have found myself in a miserable condition—regretting my actions and words. It is much more pleasant to listen and obey…and do things in God’s way according to His timing.

How about you?

Prayer ~ Lord God… You have said—My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Proverbs 4:20.

Please give me grace and wisdom to do just that…to LISTEN, wisely and attentively to Your words. May I dig deep into the written word and “hear” You speaking to me…guiding my thoughts, words and actions that I would live in a manner pleasing to You.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Wisdom to Discern

He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. …1 Corinthians 12:10a

Discerning minds want to know. They recognize good and evil because God give wisdom to understand and perceive that difference. Gifts. We are already thinking of Christmas gifts…and planning our lists to give and receive. I recently read another devotional that was encouraging the reader to “dream big” because Jesus Himself is the one that gives us our hopes and dreams. One of my favorite promises from Jesus is… My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10 NLT. Another translation talks about an “abundant” life. So Jesus “gift” to us, along with salvation, is a rich and satisfying life. I’ll accept that and dream big.

Find Your Gift

God has a list, too. He gives gifts through the Holy Spirit to each of His followers. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 1 Corinthians 12:4. The chapter of 1 Corinthians 12 lists those gifts, including the ability to discern or differentiate between God’s spirit and other spirits. Discerning minds DO know. They have been blessed with the wisdom from God that gives them the ability to perceive God’s will and His true message.

God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10. If you have not discovered your spiritual gift, talk to your pastor or e-mail me and I’ll send you some on-line links to tests that will help you determine your gifts.

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gifts that You give to each of us. Help us not only to discover these gifts, but to use them for Your glory and honor. We are grateful for Your love and this ability to express our thanks to You.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

God Be With You

Yes, my lord the king will give us peace of mind again. I know that you are like an angel of God in discerning good from evil. May the LORD your God be with you. 2 Samuel 14:17

A wise woman from Tekoa spoke to King David concerning the murder of David’s son Amnon by  or another of David’s sons, Absalom. Amnon disrespected and took advantage of Tamar, Absoalom’s sister. We could say…like father, like son, but Amnon, unlike David, did not show any remorse, regret or shame for his actions. Their actions showed a lack of integrity. David confessed his sin to God and was repentant—not Amnon. At this point in the story, David is being confronted by a wise woman—and she recognizes that David has discernment between good and evil. David appeared to be like an angel of God to this wise woman.  

Are you discerning? Do people see that you can discern between good and evil?

Prayer ~ Lord God, Lead us not into temptation…but deliver us from evil. From evil thoughts, words and actions. Give us discernment…like wisdom…that we would be able to truly tell the difference between good and evil…and live in a way that honors and pleases You. May You always be with us…as You were with David.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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