Loving the Ultimate Friend

Memory Verse this week…

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:20

Jesus wants to be a friend—the ultimate friend. What qualities do you look for in a friend? Common interests. Honest, trustworthy, loyal, kindhearted, generous, peace loving, patient, gentle, self-controlled, sense of humor. Friendly. Yes. Jesus has all those qualities…and more. We can be not only friends with Jesus…but friends of God.

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:6-11

Imagine Jesus is standing at your door…or the door of your heart. Can you hear His voice? Will you open the door? If so, He has promised…He will come in…and share a meal together as friends. What a great promise! In His last hours and at His last meal with His disciples Jesus reminded them that they were His friends and that love is the key—His love for them, their love for Him and for each other.

I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:9-17

No greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. That is the ultimate love…by the ultimate friend. What a friend we have in Jesus! Do you hear His voice? Do you consider Him a friend?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, we acknowledge that there is no greater love than Your love. You laid down Your life for us. Holy Spirit, help us to honor Jesus Christ by obeying His commandments…and loving Him and each other.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 3-4

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Breathe in the air that God created just for you. Outside my door I have peppermint planted and on a morning like today with the windows open and a gentle spring breeze blowing, I can smell the mint. It’s time for a cup of mint tea. Please pull up a chair and join me.

Herbal Mint Tea

Brew up a pot of herbal tea of your choice…lemon, rosehip, or my favorite today…Mint. To a pot of hot water or freshly brewed herbal tea, add a handful of chopped or torn peppermint leaves, stir and brew for a few more minutes. Serve in your favorite teacup or pour over ice cubes in a tall glass and enjoy. The fruity peppermint flavor is so thirst quenching and refreshing. Love in glass or a cup—for you and a friend. Feel it?

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Share a Meal With a Friend

Memory Verse this week…

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:20

Let’s share a meal together as friends. There is nothing better than sharing a meal with friends or dear family members. Does anyone really like to eat alone? I know several single or widowed individuals who won’t even go out to a restaurant by themselves because they just don’t want to eat alone. I find that if I have to eat a meal alone…I either eat it at the kitchen sink looking out the window…or sit out on my deck if the weather is good. I prefer not to sit at the dining room table…or even in front of the television alone. Alone. It is such a lonely word. Like an old song said…One is the loneliest number….  But Jesus has promised us that He will never leave us or forsake us.

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU." Hebrews 13:5 NASB

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. Joshua 1:5

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:8

Reenactment of Jesus sharing a meal with friends.
Richland Nazarene Church.

What meal would you share with your friends...with Jesus?

Share a meal with a friend, treating them like you would treat Jesus Himself. They will appreciate it…even if it is a simple sandwich, salad or slice of pizza. You will feel good about being hospitable. Jesus wants to be part of your life—to have a relationship with you. Jesus is the ultimate friend. Are you willing to open the door, invite Him in, and share your life with Him? Share not just a meal…but your life? There will be a reward for your invitation to Him. It will be an invitation to join Him at a Banquet With The King, one day. In heaven. You’ll even get a white robe to wear to that special occasion. I personally am looking forward to that day…to that Banquet.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, Please come in and join me for a meal…no matter how humble any meal in my home may seem…You are worthy of a great banquet. Thank You for Your promise to always be with me. What a comfort and joy that brings to my heart.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 119

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Please, Come In

Memory Verse this week…

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:20

Purity of the Lord.
Come into my heart and my home,
Lord Jesus.

Come in.  When someone comes to your home, knocks on your door, you invite them to come in. At least that is what a hospital person does…one with the intention of being hospitable to others. Jesus promises that He will come into your heart and home…if you hear His voice and open the door. What an honor to have Jesus in your heart and in your home.

It is important to love Jesus…to love God. Jesus was questioned by an expert in religious law.

"Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" Jesus replied, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment."  Matthew 22:36-38

Paul stressed that it is not only important to love the Lord Jesus, but to tell others—to verbally acknowledge Him to others.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Salvation. Being saved from our sins…and from an eternity without God…maybe the most important thing to ever happen to us. For me…there is no “maybe” it is a surety. I want to spend eternity with God…not without Him. I do believe that Jesus is my Lord and Savior and that God raised Him from the dead. How about you? Can you add a hallelujah to that? Do you believe?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that You are the Son of God, You are my Lord and Savior whom God raised from the dead…so that I may live with You forever. I praise You. You are so welcome in my heart and my home. Come on in. I rejoice in Your presence in my life.

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 1-2; Psalms 37, 71, 94

Open the Door

Memory Verse this week…

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:20

Is it so cold that you can't open the door to your heart?

Open the door. That seems like a pretty easy thing to do, but some people just have a hard time opening the door of their heart to Jesus…to God. Maybe it is their own pride…they don’t want to rely on Jesus to be Lord of their life. Maybe it is an old memory of a way that they were treated in a church that left them feeling awkward about having anything to do with religion or God. Maybe they are just too busy. Whatever the reason…they choose not to share their life with Jesus. Yet there He is, standing at the door knocking. Can you hear His voice? Will you open the door? 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I see You standing at the door, knocking. I hear Your voice and open the door of my heart. It is not an easy thing for me to do. There are those I know who don’t want You as part of their life…and they would like to see reject You, too. But I can’t do that. You are more important to me than life itself. Thank You for all that You have done for me. I am forever grateful.  

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 111-118

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Listen Closely

Memory Verse this week…

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:20

If you hear my voice…Listen closely. Do you hear Jesus’ voice? Will you open the door…perhaps the door of your heart? It is Jesus who is calling us. How will you respond? Listen closely. Remember how Elijah heard God speak…listen closely for God’s guidance in a still small voice—a quiet whisper.

"Go out and stand before me on the mountain," the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12

Listen for a still, small voice.
Keep listening.
This is the day the Lord has made.

That gentle whisper was the Lord. Can you hear Him today? Be still and know that He is God. We need a quiet time every day to listen to God…to hear Him calling to us…directing us to the right path. Rejoice if and rejoice when you hear His voice…and keep listening.

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Several years ago a very dear older friend of ours quoted this passage. It became my husband’s favorite verse and it changed his view of life—although he has always been a positive and jovial person. For that I am grateful. That’s why I fell in love with him…he had a sense of humor.

           

Prayer ~ Lord, Thank You for these years You have blessed Jerry with…and the blessing that he is within our family, to each person within our group of friends over the years, and to our dear neighbors, too. May You continue to guide and direct his paths, give him wisdom, keep him safe and healthy, and help us all to make good decisions. We appreciate each day that You give us…and rejoice that this is the day that You have made.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 26-29; Psalms 127

Happy Birthday, Hubbysan Jerry!

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Knocking At My Door

Memory Verse this week…

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:20

Who is knocking at your door?
Blue Door - to ward off evil.
Jerusalem, Israel

In context… Jesus is speaking through John’s revelation to the churches. He says…"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches." Revelation 3:20-22

Polite people don’t just barge into other people’s homes. They stand at the door and knock. Several years ago I decided that Jesus is the ultimate gentleman. He never forced Himself on anyone He was always polite whether He was offering to heal them, drive out demons, allow them to walk on water, feed them or explain that He was the Messiah. Now here in Revelation He is standing at the door…the door of your heart perhaps…and knocking—not barging in demanding His own way in your home and your life. How will you respond?

Prayer ~ Lord, I hear You knocking at my door—the door to my heart and home. Come in Lord Jesus…come in today…come in to stay…come into my heart, Lord Jesus. You are my beloved Lord and Savior.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 131, 138-139, 143-145

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Die and Be Judged

Memory Verse this week…

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment…. Hebrews 9:27

For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment. And God did not spare the ancient world--except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God's righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood. Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority. These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at supernatural beings without so much as trembling. But the angels, who are far greater in power and strength, do not dare to bring from the Lord a charge of blasphemy against those supernatural beings. 2 Peter 2:4-11

God didn’t spare the angels who sinned…those are the ones who fell with Satan. God is pure. He can only have purity around Him—no sin. That was the whole purpose of Jesus being the sacrifice for our sin…so we can one day stand before God—sinless.

Gather before judgment begins, before your time to repent is blown away like chaff. Act now, before the fierce fury of the LORD falls and the terrible day of the LORD's anger begins. Zephaniah 2:2

Time for Judgment?

For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God's household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God's Good News? 1 Peter 4:17

Judgment begins with God’s household—those who belong to Him. What a message Peter gives us! Judgment will be a terrible fate for those who have never obeyed God's Good News. Like those fallen angels, the non-believers, disobedient people will be cast into hell. That will be a terrible place to spend eternity. The choice is ours where we spend eternity…with God or away from Him. God’s judgment will reflect our choices…our obedience to Him…our willingness to serve…our attitude towards Him…our holiness and purity. Our holiness and purity is a reflection of Jesus’ sacrifice and our acceptance of His gift to us. That would ultimately be the gift of eternal life. Where do you stand with the Lord? We never know just when we’ll die and face judgment. Are you ready?

Prayer ~ Lord God, I submit myself to You…to Your will and Your ways, knowing that I will one day I will die and face Judgment. May all that I think, say and do today be acceptable to You. If not, please forgive me and show me the right path to take that You would rescue me in my trials.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 23-25

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Do You Have a Servant Attitude?

Memory Verse this week…

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment…. Hebrews 9:27

He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, "Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else." Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me." Mark 9:35-37

Can you be a servant to others? Servants welcome people and wait on them. Can you be like Jesus—washing His disciples’ feet or providing for their needs?

It takes a special person to be a real servant to those around him or her. Not everyone is even gracious enough to allow someone to be their servant. We have the “I can do it myself” attitude. You even see it in two and three year old children. So when Jesus said…Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me…He was saying…welcome that one who is a servant…and His Father. No one should want to turn their back on Jesus…or His Father. Welcome them into your home…and into your heart. Develop a relationship with them. Serve God by serving others—that is just what Jesus did as He ministered to the lame, blind, sick, dead, demonized and hungry. Those hungry for food or spiritual nourishment. Our attitudes and actions will be judged during the great Judgement.

Prayer ~ Lord—may all that I think, say and do be pleasing to You—welcoming You into my heart and my life.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 108-110

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Goat’s Milk

And there will be goats' milk enough for your food, for the food of your household, and sustenance for your maidens. Proverbs 27:27 NASB

I love goats’ milk cheese. It is tangy and tasty on a salad or even on pizza. Now my mouth is watering, wanting a taste of good goat cheese. Goats have a reputation for eating everything in sight, but actually they will not eat inedible material like tin cans. Goats are raised in countries around the world. In reviewing various websites with goat production statistics it was interesting to note that China is the country with the most goats, although apparently they use the animals for meat more than for milk production. Bangladesh produces the most goats’ milk for any one country. Since goats’ milk is similar to cows’ milk in lactose (sugar) it is unfortunately not valued as a replacement for those who are lactose intolerant. So although I’d rather have a cheese and milk that is good for the lactose intolerant, the goats’ milk cheese still is tasty. Try some goat cheese on salads, roasted veggies or scrambled eggs.

In the Proverbs 27:23-27 passage Solomon talks about paying attention to knowing and raising flocks of sheep and goats. They are valuable animals that will provide the shepherd’s family and household with milk, food and monetary income. God provides.

Sheep feeding in green pastures in Israel.

Sheep and goats are symbolic of the righteous and the unrighteous people that God deals with in the end times. See Matthew 25:32-34, 41. “All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels’…”  I want to be among the sheep when the Lord calls us to Heaven. How about you? Will we have goat’s milk cheese in Heaven? God is so creative that we can be sure that whatever He serves, it will be exemplary.

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Rewards for Kindness?

Memory Verse this week…

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment…. Hebrews 9:27

John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn't in our group." "Don't stop him!" Jesus said. "No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us. If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded. Mark 9:38-41

How often do you offer a cup or bottle of water to someone besides your family or friends? So you give water to the repairman or service representative that is coming to help you with your furnace or air conditioning?

Can you do something…anything…without considering that you should be rewarded? Jesus didn’t consider His reward at any time when He did or even said anything. We should be more like Jesus—not expecting anything from others. Jesus said they will get their reward if they serve Him…even if it is something they do for us because we belong to Him. Turnabout. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

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 7:2 NLT

The best known…Golden Rule.

Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12.

Share Refreshing Water
Near the headwaters of the Jordan River
Israel

How do you treat others? I’ve been trying to help teach my two year old granddaughter this concept of behaving kindly or nicely to others. No hitting, unless you want to be hit back. Treat others the way you want to be treated. As an adult are you expecting a reward for your good deeds…or do you expect others to get some reward for treating you well? Food for thought.

Prayer ~ Dear Jesus…You said… "And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded."  Matthew 10:42.  Lord—Please, pour out Your love and grace upon all who need it…just like they daily need fresh water to drink. Reward or not for me…please provide Your living water—just like You offered to the woman at the well. 

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21-22; Psalm 30

Happy Birthday, Zander!

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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It Will Be Final…Someday

Memory Verse this week…

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment…. Hebrews 9:27

In the Final Judgment everyone will be gathered together. It will be the beginning of a great celebration for some…and the beginning of a horrible reckoning for others.

But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn't feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn't give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn't invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn't give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me.' Then they will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?' "And he will answer, 'I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life. Matthew 25:31-46

Judgment – separating the sheep and the goats. Each person will be judged. The Lord is my shepherd. Shepherd herd sheep. Goatherds herd goats. In this passage the sheep are herded to the right…the goats are placed on the left. The righteous sheep will have eternal life…the poor goats will be sent into eternal punishment.

Food, water, clothes, focused attention, hospitality.
Share the basics.

What does the Lord expect us to do? Feed the hungry, give water to those who are thirsty, clothing for those without clothes, be hospitable, and visit the sick or those who are in prison. Does He literally mean for us to go into prisons? Not necessarily, although some people are allowed to have prison ministries. Consider what prison may be for some people…loneliness, illness, anxiety, addictions, poverty or financial problems, stress, anything that keeps someone in a state of isolation from others. We are to help others. Encourage, provide, and nurture…whatever it takes to meet their needs. How would you treat others if that person was Jesus Himself?

Prayer ~ Lord, Thank You for this promise that one day You Yourself will descend from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise…and then those believers who are still alive will also be caught up into the clouds. What a sight that will be! Thank you that we don’t have be overwhelmed by this teaching—nor do we have to keep it a secret. We have hope in You and in Your return. We are the sheep that You shepherd.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 95, 97-99

© 2019 Text and photos 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 Ready for Judgment?

Memory Verse this week…

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment…. Hebrews 9:27

Judgment is used 173 times in the New Living Translation of the Bible. Of course there are multiple uses of that word. Some people just don’t have good judgment. Proverbs writes about that.  The judgment used here in Hebrews is the Final Judgment. We will all have to stand before Christ one day…and be judged for our actions here on earth.

So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

Stained Glass Cross
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Kennewick, WA

We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil…. Receive what we deserve? How can that be? By human nature we all deserve to be judged as evil…but remember, Christ died for our sins. Those who accept His sacrifice have been washed clean, our sins forgiven—by His mercy…not our good deeds.

Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But--"When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life." Titus 3:3-7   

When we who believe in Jesus as our Savior are “judged” God won’t see our sinful nature…but He will see us as Jesus Christ presents us—washed pure and spotless. There is a description of this in the book of Revelation.

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb! Revelation 7:9-10

Will you be wearing a white robe, standing before the Throne of God during the Final Judgment? The choice is yours.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, Thank You for taking my sin upon Yourself to the Cross. I eagerly await the call for the believers—Your church—to come up to Heaven to be with You forever. As I stand before Your throne in the day of Final Judgment—I long to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” not only for myself, but for each and every one of my Christian family and friends…and believers around the world and throughout time. May we be faithful servants…and may You never tire of saying that to the millions who believe in You as their Lord, Savior, Redeemer and Friend. I praise You.

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 22-23; Psalm 57

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Praise at the End

Memory Verse this week…

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment…. Hebrews 9:27

Christ will return in the clouds.

Die once. That’s it. No reincarnation. We live…we die. Sure there are Biblical examples of a couple people, like Enoch and Elijah, who God just took up into heaven. No death. There were also a few more people who died, like the son of the widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17), the daughter of Jairus (Luke 8:40-56), Lazarus (John 11), and the son of a widow at Nain (Luke 7:11-17). Otherwise, everyone died only once. No life, death, new life, death, repeat. When we die…we will live again with or without Christ. The choice is ours—not to come back as another person, or some animal, but as to whether we live eternally in the presence of God or in a place without Him. Personally, I choose to want to live with God…with Christ as my Savior. The void of no God will certainly be hell—a horrible place, filled with evil. I do not want to go there. Heaven is a wonderful place. I want to go there. How about you?

When His disciples asked about end times, Jesus told them…

And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:30

Will you be mourning or victoriously praising Jesus Christ when He returns?

Prayer~ Let them all praise the name of the LORD. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven! Psalm 148:13

Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 5, 38, 41-42 

© 2019 Text and photos 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.

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Destined for Loss

Memory Verse this week…

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment…. Hebrews 9:27

In context….

For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice. And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:24-28

We are all going to go…to die…someday. Of course we can hope for the Rapture to come soon…but until God the Father decides when that will be we are all in suspense and might as well just live each day…moment by moment…patiently awaiting Christ’s return. His return will be from that true holy place—heaven. He did His work here on earth…obedient to the Father…and He died once. He will never have to die again. He died for mankind’s sin—that is yours and mine. I find a great assurance in that Jesus won’t have to come again to pay for our sin—He has done that. He will be coming in the clouds—just as He left earth (see the book of Acts 1:10-11) and He will take His church up to heaven to be with Him. He came so that everyone could one day live with Him.

That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit. 1 Peter 4:6

Are you shrouded in a fog?
Feel the Lord's presence in your life.
Fog at Mt. Rainier

Death is a hard thing to understand. As people deal with it they are usually under a lot of stress, feeling of loss, emptiness and often confusion. Confusion as to what to do now. There are bills to pay—that may be more than anticipated. Unmet expectations of dealing with the bereavement process. It may be harder than expected. That emptiness and feeling of being left behind—knowing that their loved one will never again walk in the door…or sit down and talk, laugh or eat with them again here on earth. Personally in dealing with death I found that when a younger person died—there was a greater level of grief, especially if it was a sudden or unexpected death. God provides a veil of grief that protects us from our heartbreaking emotion. It is like walking in a fog—and that fog is the loving arms of the Lord. With older people, when death is more expected, the level of grief depends on the relationship and years of experiences that have bonded us together. Sadness is to be expected…but God is merciful. I think the Holy Spirit brings the good memories to mind—that is why you hear laughter at wakes, visitations, memorial services, funerals and remembrance dinners. Laughter is such a healer. If you are dealing with death…remember the good times. Laugh. If you are not dealing with death…create some good memories with those you love…laugh together, so when you are gone…or they are gone, you can remember those good times and laugh. Sometimes sympathy expressions seem trite—so one must seek assurance and comfort from the Lord Himself. Be prepared. God may seem angry at times…but His love for you is for a lifetime.

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 NASB

Seek the Lord while there is time.

Prayer ~ Lord, You said, 'Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.' Hosea 10:12. Shower Your love, comfort and blessings on those who are suffering loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship or dealing with an unmet expectation in their life.

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 19-21

© 2019 Text and photos 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.

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Purpose for Life

Memory Verse this week…

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9

Do you want the purity of the Water Lily in your life?

If…is there always an IF?

If we confess our sin to God

He is faith

He will forgive us

He will clean us up—take away the evil desire.

What a great promise! The result is a clean heart…and a mind free from evil. It begins with a choice.

Do you want to be forgiven…or do you want to wallow in your own selfish desires? That choice will make a difference in your life. It may give you a purpose that is fulfilling and honors God. What greater purpose could there be? None of my own desires, goals and idle pastimes could possibly result in much of anything. Oh, maybe I would do a painting of something in nature that God so beautifully created…or make a card to send to someone that might encourage them. That might bring God glory. But His desire is beyond encouragement.

Will you settle for muck and garbage in your life?

So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. ... Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:21-22, 27

O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Do what is right, be merciful towards the widows, orphans, and the poor, and walk submissively with God, honoring Him. That sums it up. That gives life meaning and purpose.

Prayer ~ Lord, let it be. Let my life be a pleasing sacrifice to You—giving me purpose in my life.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 26, 40, 58, 61-62, 64 

Happy Birthday Blessings on you—Sweet Rachel.

With Love and Prayers

© 2019 Text and photos 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.

Follow And Like "Banquet With The King" on Facebook. 👍