Obedience…Is It Too Much to Expect?

However, if you do not listen to me or obey all these commands ... And if, in spite of all this, you still disobey me, I will punish you seven times over for your sins. I will break your proud spirit by making the skies as unyielding as iron and the earth as hard as bronze. All your work will be for nothing, for your land will yield no crops, and your trees will bear no fruit. If even then you remain hostile toward me and refuse to obey me, I will inflict disaster on you seven times over for your sins. I will send wild animals that will rob you of your children and destroy your livestock. Your numbers will dwindle, and your roads will be deserted. Leviticus 26:14, 18-22

A promise from God for punishment. This is pretty harsh punishment that God is commanding. Seven times over for their sins. No crops. No fruit. All their work for nothing. And their population will get smaller. Sad prognosis. Would it instill in them a desire to obey?

Once again, we are blessed to be under God’s grace…not under the Law. Some people must have thought that Jesus came to abolish the Law—Moses Law, the Ten Commandments and all the added laws, but Jesus clearly said in His Sermon on the Mount, that was not His purpose.

Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Matthew 5:17-18 NASB

There are additional teachings from Paul to the churches in Rome and Galatia.

For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace. Galatians 5:4

Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Romans 6:14-15

God’s grace covers all our sins through Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Romans 3:19-26

All have sinned. Pretty straightforward. No one is without sin. What are you doing about that? Do you believe that Jesus died for your sin?

Prayer –Lord God, forgive me for my sin. Thank You for sending Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice.

Daily Bible Reading: February 28 – Numbers 11-13

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Are You Running…When Not Chased?

However, if you do not listen to me or obey all these commands, and if you break my covenant by rejecting my decrees, treating my regulations with contempt, and refusing to obey my commands, I will punish you. I will bring sudden terrors upon you—wasting diseases and burning fevers that will cause your eyes to fail and your life to ebb away. You will plant your crops in vain because your enemies will eat them. I will turn against you, and you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will run even when no one is chasing you! Leviticus 26:14-17

If…if…I will…I will…I will. God has a plan set out before the Israelites. If they would just listen…and obey. If not they could count on disaster from the hand of God. Punishment. Terror. Disease. Fevers. Stolen crops. Defeat. Worst of all is that God Himself will turn against them. No wonder He says that they will run even when no one is chasing them. Such fear.

Would more laws motivate them to listen and obey? There were so many laws assigned by God that they must have been just totally overwhelmed at this point. The oppressive slave drivers in Egypt must have whipped them into obedience…and now God was just giving them rules to follow. They had choices to make. If you obey…then I will be your God and bless you. If you don’t obey…expect punishment. Can we expect any less? Yes. We are under God’s grace. His unmerited favor. How blessed we are—to have Jesus pay for our sins, but we are still expected to live a life of holiness. God wants us to respect Him by showing our obedience to Him and love to others. That way we will never have to run without being chased…unless we run just for exercise.

No one is chasing us.

This path is straight--walk or run?

No stumbling when God is with us.

Prayer ~ Lord God, as Your child, I am listening to You and trying to do as You say, so I will have a long, good life. You are teaching me wisdom's ways and leading me in straight paths. When I walk, I won't be held back; when I run, I won't stumble. I am taking hold of Your instructions and I won't let them go. I guard them, for they are the key to life. Proverbs 4:10-13.

Daily Bible Reading: February 27 – Numbers 8-10

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Walk Among Us, Lord

If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, ... I will live among you, and I will not despise you. I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people. Leviticus 26:3, 11-12

Come to the Garden...Walk or Sit With Me

God walked about in the Garden of Eden…When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden.…..Genesis 3:8. How pleasant that must have been for Adam and Eve to stroll through the Garden of Eden with the Lord…but then Eve and Adam ate of the forbidden fruit and that ended those leisurely walks. That ended that time of fellowship and broke the relationship that had existed. He was still their God—but their disobedience broke their healthy relationship…and they hid from God. Did God despise them? Did He loathe them? The Bible doesn’t tell us that, but God was disappointed in Adam and Eve so He banished them from the Garden. He couldn’t trust them not to eat of the Tree of Life, too. Do we disappoint God? He wants us to follow and obey His commands—just as He was requesting of the Israelites. But we have a new promise…that Jesus gave us.

Jesus replied, "All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them." John 14:23. 

Right after this, Jesus promised that He would send the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit lives in believers.

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:26

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…. 1 Corinthians 6:19.

God is our God…He is with us...always.

Prayer ~ O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. Psalm 139:1-10. You are an awesome God. You are my God.

Daily Bible Reading: February 26 – Numbers 7

© 2017 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. www.blueletterbible.org/dailyreading

Is Fear Keeping You From Sleeping?

If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, ...I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep with no cause for fear. I will rid the land of wild animals and keep your enemies out of your land.  Leviticus 26:3, 6

Peace, peace wonderful peace. A peace that allows me to rest, just as David expressed in a Psalm that he wrote about trusting God.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe. Psalm 4:8

Trusting God is really what it is all about. He has promised to keep the enemies and scary wild animals away. There was a cougar spotted only a few miles from my home this winter when it was unusually cold and snowy. The animal didn’t harm anyone…but it was likely very hungry as all the rabbits it customarily ate were hiding from the blustery weather. I’ve personally seen coyotes nearby three times in the last twenty years, but I’m not losing any sleep over having these animals in our vicinity. I worry more that they will get hit by a car and killed. Then how will the mouse population be controlled? There is an ecological balance when we have natural predators. Balance gives peace—no fear—but does it give you restful sleep? Trusting in the Lord gives peace and fearless sleep. Ezekiel commented about living and sleeping securely when he wrote about a new covenant, the millennial kingdom and the Messiah.

I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate harmful beasts from the land so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. Ezekiel 34:25 NASB

I’m not sure how many people really like to “sleep in the woods” but that is a favorite of mine. There is nothing like sleeping and waking under tall pine or fir trees, hearing the wind through their branches, and smelling the fresh mountain air. Add in a babbling brook and you’ll have a peaceful night’s sleep. Being out in the wilderness reminds me of another depth of God’s creation. You can see God’s creation in the produce at the grocery store, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, in newborn babies and in the stars in the night sky. But the quietness of a vast wilderness experience whether it is in the desert, mountains or seashore provides another dimension of God’s creativity. Can you find His peace there? Can you find His peace in your heart no matter where you are?

Prayer ~ Lord God, provide me with a new revelation of your peace in my life so that I will lie down and sleep well, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.  

Daily Bible Reading: February 25 – Numbers 5-6

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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A Promise of Safety and Security

Honeysuckle flowers in the Land of Milk and Honey

Your threshing season will overlap with the grape harvest, and your grape harvest will overlap with the season of planting grain. You will eat your fill and live securely in your own land. Leviticus 26:5

Eat your fill and live securely in your own land. God didn’t say you’ll just have enough to eat…He said they would have their fill—as much as they wanted, providing the bountiful harvest that they would need. God didn’t say you’ll live in a rented house in a scary neighborhood—but they would have a safe, protected place to live that belonged to them. God is so good. He planned ahead, knowing just what His chosen people needed after all those years of slavery in Egypt and after wandering around homeless in the desert. No more flaky old manna, but they’d have grains and grapes in the land flowing with milk and honey. Another wonderful promise from God to His chosen people… You will eat your fill and live securely in your own land. Can you claim this promise from God? Eat your fill of God’s good fresh foods—not man-made processed foods. The nutrients from fresh foods are so much richer and satisfying than the stuff we find in cardboard boxes and cans on the grocery shelves. Live securely knowing that God is with you always, Hebrews 13:5. He loves you and is providing good things—just like He did for His chosen people.

Prayer ~ Father God, help me to make wise choices as I eat my fill of Your good foods. We have so many other foods tempting us…but I know that if I don’t buy it, I won’t eat it. It is amazing all the bounty that is right before me in the produce section of the grocery store…and You created it all. Wow! Thank you. Nourish my mind and my body that I would eat my fill and honor You, for my body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 6:19.

Daily Bible Reading: February 24 – Numbers 3-4

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

As usual every Friday is Feast Day—Feasting at the King’s Table. We can’t live on just spiritual food …nor can we live on bread alone. We’ve got to have some grain and grapes. That combination is reminiscent of good curry sauce over rice with raisins on top. But don’t end with just raisins. Here’s a fun list of curry condiments:

Raisins, chopped, maybe soaked and drained

Nuts - ground peanuts or cashews, pine or pistachio nuts, chopped

Chutney – try Major Grey’s Indian Chutney – or make your own with cranberries, gooseberries, limes, mangos, mint, peaches, pineapple or tomatoes

Pickles, chopped – (not dill) – sweet gherkins, or pickled carrots or mushrooms

Coconut, freshly chopped or grated

Eggs, hard boiled and chopped

Green pepper, finely chopped

Scallions or chives, thinly sliced and chopped

Parsley, chopped

Orange, lemon or grapefruit rind, chopped

Olives, green or ripe, chopped

Bombay duck – a salty dry fish

Roasted ham, cold, chopped

French-fried onion rings

Apples, chopped

Ginger, candied, chopped

Enjoy a variety of curry condiments and find your favorites.

Happy Birthday Blessing, Debbie J.

May God Continue to Bless You with an Abundance of Creativity!

© 2017 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. www.blueletterbible.org/dailyreading

I Will Send You Rain

If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you the seasonal rains. The land will then yield its crops, and the trees of the field will produce their fruit. Your threshing season will overlap with the grape harvest, and your grape harvest will overlap with the season of planting grain. You will eat your fill and live securely in your own land. Leviticus 26:3-5

Olive Trees in the Garden of Gethsemane

If you’ll obey…I will send you rain. Rain is a very important resource all around the world—but especially in Israel where it is very dry except for the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee. What a wonderful promise God made to His people. Just obey. It’s like we say to a two or four-year old…obey and I’ll give you a treat. The Israelites “treat” was going to be the rain to make the land produce abundant crops. And then, well fed, they would live securely. What a wonderful promise. What happened? Did the Israelites obey? Did all of God’s commands just overwhelm them? What about you? Can you obey God’s commands? Of course, we know that the important ones are as Jesus said…

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

The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments. Matthew 22:40.

If we carefully obey these commandments, what will be our reward?  Rain, bountiful crops, salvation…a home in heaven? What is your heart’s desire? 

Prayer ~ Lord god, in Your grace and mercy may we be obedient to Your word…to Your commands—that we would live to please and honor You. Rain on us with a bounty of blessings that only You can provide.

Daily Bible Reading: February 23 – Numbers 1-2

© 2017 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. www.blueletterbible.org/dailyreading

Promise of Living Off the Land

Modern Israeli Harvest

If you want to live securely in the land, follow my decrees and obey my regulations. Then the land will yield large crops, and you will eat your fill and live securely in it. But you might ask, 'What will we eat during the seventh year, since we are not allowed to plant or harvest crops that year?' Be assured that I will send my blessing for you in the sixth year, so the land will produce a crop large enough for three years. When you plant your fields in the eighth year, you will still be eating from the large crop of the sixth year. In fact, you will still be eating from that large crop when the new crop is harvested in the ninth year. Leviticus 25:18-22

Everything needs a rest—even the land. God had a plan. He followed it Himself—which is a good example to us.

Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 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. 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. Exodus 20:8-11

That decree that God gave the Israelites to let the land rest is what got them into trouble later and sent them into captivity in Babylon. They didn’t observe God’s command to have the Jubilee year.

In addition, you must count off seven Sabbath years, seven sets of seven years, adding up to forty-nine years in all. Then on the Day of Atonement in the fiftieth year, blow the ram's horn loud and long throughout the land. Set this year apart as holy, a time to proclaim freedom throughout the land for all who live there. It will be a jubilee year for you, when each of you may return to the land that belonged to your ancestors and return to your own clan. This fiftieth year will be a jubilee for you. During that year you must not plant your fields or store away any of the crops that grow on their own, and don't gather the grapes from your unpruned vines. It will be a jubilee year for you, and you must keep it holy. But you may eat whatever the land produces on its own. Leviticus 25:8-12.

To me a Jubilee sounds like a great time to have a party—a big celebration. Just the sound of that word…Jubilee…is a joyous sound. I think that is what God wanted. He wanted His people to give Him thanks and rejoice for all that He had provided for them in the past 49 years. Then they were to rely on Him for free provisions for the coming year. How scary is that? Could you imagine doing that today? Could you have saved up enough to pay your mortgage for a year…and not work? Could you have had a productive garden and canned or purchased enough food to last you for a year?

God promised…I will. He just wants His children to trust Him to provide for them. Can you trust Him today?

Prayer ~ Lord God, when do I start counting my years to have a Jubilee with You? I’m not on the farm anymore, but I can trust You to provide.

Daily Bible Reading: February 22 – Leviticus 26-27

© 2017 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. www.blueletterbible.org/dailyreading

Day of Atonement Requirements

Be careful to celebrate the Day of Atonement on the tenth day of that same month--nine days after the Festival of Trumpets. You must observe it as an official day for holy assembly, a day to deny yourselves and present special gifts to the LORD. Do no work during that entire day because it is the Day of Atonement, when offerings of purification are made for you, making you right with the LORD your God. All who do not deny themselves that day will be cut off from God's people. And I will destroy anyone among you who does any work on that day. You must not do any work at all! This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation wherever you live. Leviticus 23:27-31

God is serious about the celebration of His Festivals. The Day of Atonement offered the Israelites an opportunity to make things right with the Lord. That Festival continues to be observed today and is better known as Yom Kippur. It begins at sunset on the ninth day of the seventh month on the Jewish calendar, ending at sunset on the tenth day. This year it falls on September 29-30.

Temple Model - Jerusalem

Purified priest entered that Holy of Holies to offer

Atonement to God for sins on the Holiest Day of the year.

Now we can go straight to God--daily. 

During Tabernacle and Temple times the high priest sacrificed a goat as a sin offering on the altar within the Holy of Holies and another goat was released into the wilderness as a scapegoat carrying the iniquities and transgressions (fancy words for sins) of Israelites (Leviticus 16:20-22).  It is a sacred and holy day—one that God requires that NO WORK be done on that day. Here He promised that if anyone worked on that day, He would destroy them. Death. What a promise! Would that motivate you to be obedient? Yom Kippur is the holiest of all Jewish holidays. Obedience to God—to seek God’s forgiveness is of upmost importance to a Jew. It should be important on a daily basis to Christians.

Prayer ~  Heavenly Father, I humbly bow before You acknowledging that You required the Israelites to make an atonement for their sins…and You expect me to do the same. I pray that people won’t wait until Yom Kippur to set things right with You. I confess that I don’t always have a good attitude…and that it blocks my relationship with others…and especially with You. Forgive me…and help me to treat others more kindly—to treat them as if they were Jesus.

Daily Bible Reading: February 21 – Leviticus 24-25  

© 2017 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. www.blueletterbible.org/dailyreading

Expect Honesty

… Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need--one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.  Hebrews 7:24-26 NIV

Honest—doing and saying what is right and true. Being accurate with facts. Being straight with others and with God. Jesus was honest…and never lied. He expects the same of us. That is why He responded to the question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” by saying to keep the commandments, including the one…“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16. Bearing false witness is plain and simple lying. Lying doesn’t bring honor to the person doing it, or to their family or even to their friends. It is not a quality of which anyone could possibly be proud.
Honesty is a quality that is so very important to instill in your children. I remember as a child having to take my youngest brother back into a store to return some candy that he had taken. He was only about four years old, but it was still wrong, and my mother insisted that he return the candy. At least he hadn’t opened or eaten it yet. It was humiliating to have to go to the store owner and give it back, but I took him by the hand and the storekeeper was gracious enough to take back the candy. I was watchful of my brother so that we didn’t have to go through that humiliating act again. He never helped himself to another candy treat, or anything else without paying for it. Now he is well respected for being honest and hard working. Through that lesson our mother taught us all the importance of honesty.
What can you do to instill honesty in your children? First of all pray for them that they would have self-control. Trust God that He will work in their lives. Even though you do trust God, you are still accountable for your children. Teach them by example. As always in any character development, your actions speak louder than words. Watch their actions. Reward good behavior. Calmly and quietly discuss any unmet expectations.
Lord – Help_______(my child or grandchild) to be self-controlled, honest and pure (Titus 2:6-8). Guide them as they make decisions today. May all of our lives be pleasing to You.
Daily Bible Reading: February 20 – Leviticus 22-23

Adapted from February 19, 2013 Banquet With The King blog.

© 2017 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. www.blueletterbible.org/dailyreading

I Will…You Must…

You must keep all my decrees and regulations by putting them into practice; otherwise the land to which I am bringing you as your new home will vomit you out. Do not live according to the customs of the people I am driving out before you. It is because they do these shameful things that I detest them. But I have promised you, 'You will possess their land because I will give it to you as your possession—a land flowing with milk and honey.' I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from all other people. You must therefore make a distinction between ceremonially clean and unclean animals, and between clean and unclean birds. You must not defile yourselves by eating any unclean animal or bird or creature that scurries along the ground. I have identified them as being unclean for you. You must be holy because I, the LORD, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own. Leviticus 20:22-26.

Land of Milk and Honey

Out with the old…on with the new. The new improved clean and holy version. Or at least that is what the Lord wanted for His chosen people in the Promised Land.  Are the Israelites listening? He wants to get the current residents of Canaan out of that land because they are detestable and shameful. But He wants the Israelites to not defile themselves. Be holy. God made promises to the Israelites—but He had expectations of them. Be holy. Does He expect any less of us?

Are you holy before the Lord? We live in a different time…after the time of Peter when a sheet of unclean animals was lowered from Heaven (see Acts 10:9-11:10) and Peter heard… the voice from heaven spoke again: 'Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.' Acts 11:9. So we don’t have dietary restrictions like the early Jews did. Eat whatever we want—as long as it is not a stumbling block to others.

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.  Romans 14:13-15 NASB

Prayer ~ Lord God, You told the Israelites that they must keep all Your decrees and regulations by putting them into practice. Do You expect any less of the rest of us…of Your adopted sons and daughters? We may not be Jews…but we feel privileged to be part of Your family. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty. May we live a holy life before You—pleasing You in all that we think, say and do.

Daily Bible Reading: February 19 – Leviticus 19-21

© 2017 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. www.blueletterbible.org/dailyreading

Death for Disobedience

Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the LORD by burning before Him the wrong kind of fire, different than He had commanded. So fire blazed forth from the LORD's presence and burned them up, and they died there before the LORD. Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD meant when He said, 'I will display my holiness through those who come near me. I will display my glory before all the people.'" And Aaron was silent. Leviticus 10:1-3

The wrong kind of fire—burning the incense incorrectly. God had a plan and these two sons of Aaron’s didn’t follow the plan. Poof! They were gone. God is serious. Do things my way…or you won’t be doing that again. Not just do it my way…or not at all. Just follow the rules. Makes you want to look very closely at just when, why, how and where God wants things done His way. Aaron’s sons took a short cut and burned the incense their way. How do we take short cuts in our dealing with God? Do we use rote prayers…saying the same thing over and over? Do we not take His commands seriously…and take His name in vain when we get frustrated or upset? Are we truly observing a Sabbath day? Do we honor Him with our whole heart, mind and soul, and love our neighbor as ourselves? Are we living the holy life that God’s expects? He will display His Holiness to all who come near Him.

Prayer ~ Wow Lord, You were serious about doing things Your way in Your Tabernacle. Everything belongs to You…so we need to do things Your way. Open our eyes and hearts that all we do pleases and honors You.

Daily Bible Reading: February 18 – Leviticus 16-18

© 2017 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. www.blueletterbible.org/dailyreading

Food Needed?

The eyes of all look to you in hope; You give them their food as they need it. Psalm 145:15

Wild poppies in Israel

Hope. Jesus promised…

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? "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. Matthew 6:30-33.

So don’t fret about what you are going to eat—God knows you need to eat something.  Jesus also addressed anxiety in His Sermon on the Mount…

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25.

No worries. Life is more than food and clothes. You want to be entertained, right? It’s more than about that too. There is a spiritual dimension to our lives that Jesus was concerned about. Seek God’s Kingdom…here on earth. You don’t have to wait until you die…and hope for Heaven as your forever home. God’s kingdom is here on earth…as well as in Heaven. It all belongs to Him.

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. 1 Chronicles 29:11.

Lots of people need food, spiritual as well as natural food. Today, I’m concerned about those who are going without food—especially those who rely on food from food banks that are closed when the roads are icy. What about those who are shut-in all the time? How can you help those going hungry?

Prayer ~ Lord, meet the needs of those who are truly hungry today—both with physical and spiritual food.

Daily Bible Reading: February 17 – Leviticus 14-15

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

As usual every Friday is Feast Day—Feasting at the King’s Table. We can’t live on just spiritual food …nor can we live on bread alone. We’ve got to have some meat, veggies and fruit.

This may be a real treat for someone who is hungry—especially if they are craving chocolate. I like to think of it as a “healthy” treat since it has a vegetable in it. I thought it would be a little more of a red cake, but it is dark brown and wonderfully moist. The cayenne pepper adds a nice kick, although if you are going to serve this to picky eaters or children you may want to skip the cayenne pepper. This is a great accompaniment to chicken enchiladas or even just ground beef tacos.

Cocoa Beet Cake

1 can beets (15 oz), drain and save liquid

¼ cup vegetable oil

2 cups flour (may mix varieties, whole wheat/regular/gluten free)

1 cup organic cane sugar

½ cup unsweetened dark Dutch-processed cocoa powder

1½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp Himalayan salt, fresh ground

2 pinches cayenne pepper (optional)

2 large eggs

¾ cup beet juice (adjust amount drained from the can, adding water if necessary)

1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour, or spray with Baking Spray, a 9-inch square pan.

In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, soda, salt, and cayenne pepper, if desired.

Puree the beets, then blend in the ¾ cup beet juice, eggs, oil and vanilla. Add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until well mixed. Pour into the prepared baking pan. Bake for about 35 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time. It is done when a toothpick tester in the center comes out clean. Let cool about 20 minutes in the pan and then invert on a wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or top with whipped cream or ice cream to serve. Enjoy.

Adapted from a Martha Stewart recipe.

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.  All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Be Strong and Courageous

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:7-9

God promises over and over to be with us. He told Joshua that He’d be with him…wherever he went. He promised that in Deuteronomy and it is repeated again in Hebrews 13:5. Jesus told us that He would be with us until the end of the age in Matthew 28:20. What a promise!

Even though God is with us, He expects us, like Joshua, to be strong and courageous. Very courageous. For Joshua that meant facing battles against people who inhabited their Promised Land. God was with them—but those battles still required courage. What requires courage of us today?

·         Driving in increasingly heavy traffic—at what seems like breakneck speeds.

·         Crossing the street—even in a crosswalk.

·         Visiting large cities where there are gangs hanging around on the streets. In cases like that, we must choose carefully where we go and what we do.

·         Facing surgery or a medical treatment.

·         Confronting a teen, other family member, or a friend with a behavior issue.

·         Standing up for what is right in front of your co-workers, family and friends.

·         Standing before God—when you know you’ve made a poor choice.

Be strong and courageous. God expects us to follow His commands—and do what is right. Keep on studying His word—so you know what is right—what He expects of you. Meditate on it and obey it. Then—as God promised—you will prosper. Are you being brave and courageous?

Prayer ~ Lord God, I know that You are always with me, and expect me to be strong and courageous. Give me that strength when I feel weak. Fill me with Your power and love…always.

Daily Bible Reading: February 16 – Leviticus 11-13

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.  All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Wherever We Walk

After the death of Moses the LORD's servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, "Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—from  the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.' No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them." Joshua 1:1-6

Where are your steps leading you?

Think about where you put your foot. About where you step. Lately with all the icy sidewalks and streets it has been risky to even venture out of our nice, cozy, warm house. But as we did we were very cautious and chose the route to our car very carefully. Those Israelites were about to step into the Jordan River—flowing at flood stage. Would you be eager to step into a raging river? Didn’t they remember the parting of the Red Sea? Go back to the story… among all those who originally left Egypt only Joshua and Caleb were allowed to go into the Promised Land.

Then the LORD said, "I will pardon them as you have requested. But as surely as I live, and as surely as the earth is filled with the LORD's glory, not one of these people will ever enter that land. They have all seen my glorious presence and the miraculous signs I performed both in Egypt and in the wilderness, but again and again they have tested me by refusing to listen to my voice. They will never even see the land I swore to give their ancestors. None of those who have treated me with contempt will ever see it. But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land. Now turn around, and don't go on toward the land where the Amalekites and Canaanites live. Tomorrow you must set out for the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea." Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "How long must I put up with this wicked community and its complaints about me? Yes, I have heard the complaints the Israelites are making against me. Now tell them this: 'As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you the very things I heard you say. You will all drop dead in this wilderness! Because you complained against me, every one of you who is twenty years old or older and was included in the registration will die. You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you. The only exceptions will be Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun."  Numbers 14:20-30

Obedience and loyalty to the Lord God is essential to stepping foot into the Promised Land. Moses got to see the Promised Land—but never to enter it. Without Moses asking God to pardon the Israelites they all would have perished in the desert.   

"Please, Lord, prove that your power is as great as you have claimed. For you said, 'The LORD is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But He does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.' In keeping with your magnificent, unfailing love, please pardon the sins of this people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt." Numbers 14:17-19

Where are your steps leading you? Is your attitude like Caleb's towards the Lord?

Prayer ~ Lord God, we recognize that You have not changed—You are still powerful above all. You see our mistakes…our sins...and don’t excuse the guilty. So have mercy on each of us, on our family and friends, too, that we would not only recognize Your power, but willingly submit out lives to You and live to please you. Wherever we step may that be where You want us to walk—to honor and serve You. May we be strong and courageous.

Daily Bible Reading: February 15 – Leviticus 8-10

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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Heart and Soul

As the time of King David's death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon: "I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. Observe the requirements of the LORD your God, and follow all His ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go. If you do this, then the LORD will keep the promise He made to me. He told me, 'If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.'" 1 Kings 2:1-4

It’s Valentine’s Day. A day to consider Heart and Soul. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Now that King David was so old that he was near death, it was time to name a new king. The controversy was on which of his sons would be the next king. King David had promised Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, that her son would be king. So Nathan the prophet, reminded Solomon of his promise to Bathsheba. Although another son of David’s, Adonijah, declared himself king, Solomon, chosen and blessed by David, rode his father’s donkey to Gihon where he was anointed with oil by the priest and became the new king.

Descendants of King David were challenged to live righteous lives. This scripture in 1 Kings 2 David is warning his son Solomon to follow the laws from the Lord. That would be his key to success as a King over Israel and Judah.

If…that is a challenge from God that results in a promise from Him. We know He keeps His promises. IF involves obedience by His followers.

'If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.'

Model of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem

Solomon was blessed by God with great wisdom—but he didn’t consistently follow God’s rules and commands. He had many successful years, constructing great buildings including the Temple, and amassing abundant wealth. Yet it was his seven hundred wives and turning to their gods that showed his disobedience to the Lord. The kingdom became divided. (See 1 Kings 11:9-13.) God was angry with Solomon because he turned his heart away.

You may not have seven hundred wives or husband, but have you ever turned your heart away from God?

Prayer ~ Lord God, open my eyes to Your truth and Your ways that I would always live to please You—doing what Your heart desires.

Daily Bible Reading: February 14 – Leviticus 5-7

Happy Birthday, Kendall--May God continue to bless you and Lindsey.

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.  All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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Who Do You Say That I Am?

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" "Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." Then He asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven." Then He sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:13-20
Jesus took the disciples to Caesarea Philippi and asked them, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”  They thought John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or another prophet. Then Jesus asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus said, “Blessed are you Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. …upon this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it….whatever you shall bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Jordan River - near the headwaters

Palace ruins

At the headwaters of the Jordan River, Philip, a tetrarch ruler of Judaea from 4 BC to 34 AD who inherited the northeastern part of his father’s kingdom, built a massive city called Caesarea Philippi. He wanted that city to rival that of Caesarea that his father, Herod the Great, had built along the Mediterranean coast.

 Philip’s palace which stands in ruins (see the photo to the left) was an architectural marvel. The temple he built nearby was dedicated to Pan, an evil Greek god related to rustic music, nature and fertility. Pan is associated with the root word in pandemonium or panic. These ruins of the city still exist and it is there that we saw a cave that is referred to as “the gates of hell”. The entrance to that cave was actually where the temple was built, so that there was no back wall inside, but the just the opening into a deep cavern. This was fitting for worship of Pan in a natural setting.

Gates of Hell

Jesus took His disciples away from the Jewish region of Galilee to this Gentile region of Caesarea Philippi, about a day and a half walk from the Sea of Galilee, to teach them without distractions. He wanted to see who could “Hear.” He even spoke to them in Greek (a Gentile tongue)—not in Hebrew or Aramaic. Peter was the only one to “hear” the truth. Jesus is the Son of God!  Jesus gave the keys of heaven to Peter, like gifting him “salvation.” The Gates of Hell will not prevail---evil will not stand in his way. Simon in Hebrew is Shimon, meaning One Who Hears. Simon Peter was the first missionary to the Gentiles and it was here in Caesarea Philippi that Jesus commissioned him.
Visiting Caesarea Philippi was an awesome epiphany moment for me when we went to Israel. I knew that Jesus was the Son of God—but to hear it again in the place it was declared touched my spirit deeply. This was where Jesus told his disciples to reach out to Gentiles. Being a “gentile,” that meant me. If it weren’t for this event, maybe I wouldn’t know Jesus like I do.

Who do you say that Jesus is? 

Που λέτε είναι ο Ιησούς;
Kdo říkal že je Ježíš?

Wer sagt man, dass Jesus ist?

누가 예수님은 말합니까?

人はイエスだ？

Кто вам сказал, является Иисус?

Vous dites, qui qu'est Jésus ?

Hvem sier du er Jesus?

Vem säger ni Jesus är?

你說耶穌是誰？

Care vă spun este Isus?

Siapa yang Anda katakan Yesus?

¿Que dices que Jesús es?

Kim İsa diyorlar?

Ai làm bạn nói Chúa Giêsu?

Który trzeba powiedzieć, że Jezus jest

Que dius que Jesús és?

מי אתה אומר שישוע הוא? 

The Gates of Hell will not prevail against us. We can claim that promise today. Evil will not stand in our way. The Kingdom of God is within you—within us. We should go to Godless places to change their hearts. Evil will not prevent us from doing that. Don’t panic or run—don’t fall victim to terror. God wants you to get revelation in dark places. Be like Shimon—hear the Word of God and respond. Are you listening?

Prayer ~Lord, I’m listening—help me to hear and understand You.
Daily Bible Reading: February 13 – Leviticus 1-4
(Adapted from March 28, 2012 Banquet With The King blog)

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.  All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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