Second Death

Meditate. Consider life and death.

I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:12-15

Is your name in the Book of Life? Actually, I recently heard a great teaching about life and death in which a Pastor explained that everyone’s name is written in the Book of Life and it is only those who reject Jesus Christ as their Savior whose names are deleted from the Book. That is a heavenly assurance for babies and children who have died before they had the knowledge to profess a faith in Jesus.

All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don't believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don't believe what God has testified about his Son. And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life. 1 John 5:10-12

Second death is the Lake of Fire. Personally, I don’t think that I will ever see that. I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. He is risen from the dead—and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He taught that we should love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength…as well as loving our neighbor as ourself. I profess that I do love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength…and certainly try to love my neighbor—all those around me—as myself. Sometimes, I’ll admit, that loving myself is the hardest part—but God made me—and He loves me enough to have sent His Son, Jesus, to die for my sin—so with that in mind—I love me. If Jesus can love me…I can, too.

This Second Death considers the resurrection of everyone—all the people who have ever lived on earth. Over the thousands of years of existence, that is a lot of people. God is going to judge them all. At that point, everyone will have had an opportunity to accept or reject Jesus as their Savior. Don’t wait until then…it will be too late. Decide today—the sooner the better. I hope that if you have not decided yet, that you will choose Jesus. To reject Him is to choose an eternity in the Lake of Fire. Choose carefully. Choose wisely. There is no turning back once the Second Death has been pronounced.

The Rapture hasn’t happened yet…so of course the Second Death is still a thousand years off…after the millennium when Christ will rule on earth for one thousand years. But once someone dies…there is no opportunity to change one’s mind about Jesus as Savior. Once the Rapture happens, things will be set in motion and may change very rapidly. Additionally, we don’t know when we’ll die…so the time to choose is now. October is almost gone…2021 is drawing to a close, rather rapidly. Choose today whom you will serve in eternity. Do you want to stoke the fire in the Lake of Fire or bask in the presence of the Son of God worshipping Him in all His glory and might?

Prayer ~ Lord God, just as Joshua declared…“But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15. I choose to serve You, Lord—me and my family.

Verses of Salvation ~ [Jesus words to a crowd during Passover—after His Triumphal Entry.] Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. John 12:25-26

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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

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First Resurrection

Meditate.

Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.  Revelation 20:4-6

John was given several visions from Jesus that are compiled in the Book of Revelation. At the beginning of that Book it says…

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 NLT

Listen and obey. That is a familiar theme in the Bible. You will be blessed. Don’t be afraid of the symbolism that is represented in that book. Don’t ignore the fact that God wants us to read and understand what is going to happen…and that He will bless those who listen. That verse above also says…the time is near. Those words were written almost two thousand years ago…but it is likely today that truly the time is near. Israel is back in the land and there is so much tension in the Middle East right now that it is very possible that a war could start very soon. There are numerous earthquakes and volcanos as well as unusual meteorological storms occurring daily. Check YouTube for coverage on the earthquakes which are more than three hundred each day at a magnitude over 2.5. My family in South Carolina even had one earlier this month. Amazing! So, when all this happens, the rapture won’t be far behind and then the Christians will be gone from earth.

John’s vision of the First Resurrection with the thrones takes place after the rapture and is actually focusing on those Christians who lived through the Tribulation. Those who were beheaded for their belief in Jesus Christ…and their refusal to believe in the beast.

White robes?

Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, "Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?" And I said to him, "Sir, you are the one who knows." Then he said to me, "These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white. That is why they stand in front of God's throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter.” Revelation 7:13-15

Revelation can be very confusing, but it is essential to understand it is written in layers, with focus on trumpets, bowls, resurrections and the ultimate powerful reign of Jesus Christ and the Almighty God the Father. That is the important part. Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords…and He shall reign forever and ever. Those believers of that first resurrection will reign on earth with Jesus Christ during the thousand years serving as priests and kings. What an honor that will be…to serve alongside Jesus.

I want to be a servant of our risen Messiah—Jesus Christ—the Son of God. How about you? Do you consider Jesus Christ your Messiah? Do you want to serve Him during His millennium reign and for all of eternity? Seek Him as your Savior…today. The time is near.

The same warning near the end of Revelation…

Then he instructed me, "Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near. ….“ Revelation 22:10

Read Revelation for yourself…and be blessed. 

Prayer ~ Lord God, please give me insight and understanding as I read Revelation…and come quickly, Jesus.

Verse of Salvation ~ I trust in you for salvation, O LORD! Genesis 49:18

Bible Trivia Answer to the Question: What does it mean to be Redeemed?

·        And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. Ephesians 1:13-14

·        For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:13-14

·        He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. Titus 2:14

·        With his own blood--not the blood of goats and calves--he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. Hebrews 9:12

·        For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days. 1 Peter 1:18-20

All scriptures underlined for emphasis to describe “redeemed” in regards to Jesus saving us from our sin.     

Bible Trivia Question for next week: What is the “number of completion” in the Bible? Give several examples.

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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

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Saved from What?

Meditate.

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 3:22-26 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Saved from What? Saved from Hell? Saved to go to Heaven? What does it really mean to “Be Saved?”

Brass cross from Korea.
Jesus died for the sins...
of all the world.
Do you believe this for yourself?

Saved from SIN. The penalty for sin is DEATH. An eternity apart from God.  Straight talk. We all are sinners—and there is nothing…I repeat NOTHING…we can do to cleanse ourselves from that dirty, rotten sin in our lives. Adam and Eve sinned—went against God’s command not to eat of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Ever since then humans have been plagued with SIN. God killed animals—shed blood—in order to cover their nakedness. Blood must be shed for sin. Jesus Christ, God’s only beloved and sinless son, died on a cross—taking our sin upon that cross. He was the ultimate sacrifice.

You may have heard…“You must be born again”…“You must be saved.” But you may be wondering…what is that all about? Read Jesus’ discussion with a Jewish ruler, a Pharisee named Nicodemus, in John 3:1-21. Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again, spiritually. The whole realm of God’s eternal existence is spiritual. Consider that you must be born again which will entail Jesus taking your sins upon Himself. Is it hard to get your head around this concept? It is a simple plan to take away your sin—to save you from death, judgment and an eternity in a Lake of Fire separated forever from God. The focus scripture passage today from Romans assures us of God’s goodness, His righteousness—His acceptance of us. Believe and be saved. The choice is yours.

Prayer ~ Lord God, Thank You for saving me from my sin…from death and destruction. I believe.

Verses of Salvation ~ For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son. John 3:16-18

Friday’s Feasting at the King’s Table

We can’t live on bread alone. I’m dieting…lost over ten pounds in the last year, but lost and found weight can be discouraging. My hips and waist “found” a couple of those pounds again. Ugh! Time to do some fasting. That is the tried, true and proven way to loose weight…and keep it off.

Think I’ll go have a waffle for now. Find a food you enjoy…and enjoy it occasionally. It may just help you spiritually, too. Just don't let your food be your "sin! You can fast tomorrow!

 © 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

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Plan A – Plan B

Meditate. Think about the choices you have.

Jesus shouted to the crowds, "If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. I will not judge those who hear me but don't obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. John 12:44-48

Do you choose Plan A or Plan B?

Plan A – Accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Trust Him and wait patiently for His return.

Plan B – Reject Jesus Christ…or just consider that your loyalty to Him can wait—that you don’t have to change your attitude to seek God first in your life. That decision, or lack of one, could result in you not being ready when Jesus Christ calls His believers and gathers them up to Heaven—in what is commonly referred to as the Rapture. Of course, you can choose to believe in Christ as the true Messiah, and your personal Savior, after the Rapture. You’ll have another chance, but there is going to be a time of great tribulation that won’t be pleasant to live through.

Totally rejecting Christ as your Savior will ultimately mean that your name will not be written in the Book of Life and you will be thrown into the Lake of Fire at the end of time.

I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:12-15

If you choose Christ now, chances are you won’t have to go through the time of tribulation. Oh sure, there will be trials and hardships even now. Jesus didn’t promise that by accepting Him as our Savior that life would be smooth sailing. Even if He had promised that it would be like a rose garden, remember that there are thorns on the roses…and weeds that grow around them that must be removed. He wants us to be like Him and seek to do the Father’s will.

So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. You won't spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2

Can you possibly be anxious to do God’s will—to serve others rather than yourself? Being anxious these days usually has to do with the anxiety of the COVID situation. Lots of people can’t deal with the isolation and even with wearing a mask when they are around other people. Masks can be so confining, smelly, and certainly don’t allow for good conversation. Yell a little bit louder-hey!? Trust Jesus to hear you with or without a mask.

What is your Plan A? Are you going to choose Plan B? There are only two choices…A or B.

Prayer ~ Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24

Verses of Salvation ~ (Spoken by Jesus.) I don't speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say. John 12:49-50

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

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It’s a Cloudy Day

Meditate.

So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, "Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?" He replied, "The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!" Acts 1:6-11

Has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?  What a great question that was two thousand years ago…and today. Has the time come? Jesus’ answer that the Father is the one to set the date hasn’t changed. Israel is back in the Promised Land…and things are looking pretty grim with the political activity in the Middle East—so it may not be long now.

There are clouds in the sky today—beautiful fluffy white and gray clouds. Were the clouds fluffy, puffy cumulus clouds when Jesus ascended into Heaven? We have no way of knowing. We just know that the two men—presumably angels—said…someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go! That is in the clouds. On cloudy days I feel an extra bit of joy in my heart…could today be the day? Then on cloudless days I feel like it is not a day for Christ to return, but remember what Jesus Himself said…

You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Matthew 24:44

We can’t depend on our feelings…joy or disappointment. We just need to be ready all the time. God the Father will surprise us one day, cause the dead to rise, transform those believers who are still living and have Jesus call us all home. Home to Heaven. And then we will go everywhere with Jesus—serving Him however we can—maybe even as kings and priests. Eternity is going to be a long time…are you ready? Put Jesus first in your life—accept Him as your Savior and you’ll be ready.

Watch for a day with clouds…and be ready.

Prayer ~ Lord God… Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Psalm 90:14

Verses of Salvation ~ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. Hebrews 12:1-3

Do you know the ABCs of Salvation?

A - Admit

Admit what you have done wrong and ask forgiveness.

• Romans 3:23 All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 
• Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death.  
• 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.-   

-     B - Believe

Believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again as a payment for your sins.

• -        John 3:16  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
• -        1 Corinthians 15:3-4  Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
• -        Romans 5:8  But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

C - Confess and Choose

Confess and choose to allow God to the be in charge of your life

• -        Matthew 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
• -        Romans 10:9  If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 
• -        Romans 10:13  Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

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Are You Groaning?

Meditate.

And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)  Romans 8:23-25

God keeps His promises.

Are you groaning? Life is tough—and we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. Those who have Jesus—have hope—eager hope. We’ve been adopted by God…but He hasn’t taken us to His home yet. That home is Heaven…and we’ve gotta have new bodies to get there. It is like in the movies—a spiritual realm with a spiritual kingdom where God is the Almighty Supreme Ruler and Jesus is King. King of kings. We’re the priests and kings that serve the exalted King who is going bring us into His magnificent city. A glorious city that is 1,400 miles square. That’s big. There will be room for everyone. We’ve just got to get those new bodies—and we’ve gotta wait for those. Don’t groan too much. Just have hope. The promise has been made by the greatest spiritual promise maker and keeper—God. We’re waiting on Him.

Do you belong to God’s family? We are all sinners—but just ask…and you can be forgiven. Just ask…and you can be saved and be part of God’s family.

Prayer ~ Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving Your life for me…for dying for my sins. I am so filled with hope as I wait for my new body and Your return to take us to Your Father’s home.

Verses of Salvation ~ My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way. My strong arm will bring justice to the nations. All distant lands will look to me and wait in hope for my powerful arm. Look up to the skies above, and gaze down on the earth below. For the skies will disappear like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing. The people of the earth will die like flies, but my salvation lasts forever. My righteous rule will never end! Isaiah 51:5-6

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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Daily Devotional for Building Character

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Will You Suffer Persecution?

Meditate.

And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you. And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don't know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-8

God will use persecution to see who is really on His side…to make you worthy of His Heavenly Kingdom. So stand up for Jesus and for yourself. Don’t be deceived or weak.

Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! 1 Peter 3:17

Light your lamp and let it shine for Jesus.
He is worthy of your love.
Jesus loved you enough to die for you!

If the time comes that you must face a firing squad or guillotine—know that God is with you and it is better to die for Christ than to live in eternity without Him.

Prayer ~ Lord, thank you for always being with me. I know you won’t abandon me because You have promised that. Please give strength to those who are persecuted or will go through persecution.

Verse of Salvation ~ Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. - 1 Peter 3:18

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

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You Are Privileged – To Trust and To Suffer

Meditate. Can it be a privilege to suffer?

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Don't be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it. Philippians 1:27-30

Citizen of Heaven…not just a citizen of our town, state, nation…but of heaven! We belong to heaven…to the Almighty God and Jesus as the King of kings, Lord of lord—ruling the great high heaven—our ultimate home. Glorify Him.

You are privileged to trust Christ…to allow Him to have suffered for your sin—to have forgiven you—and to guide you on the path that you follow into the future. A passage in the Old Testament gives us the wisdom for that trust.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8

Suffering isn’t something that any one chooses willingly—although there are those in the world that are mentally unstable who are engaging in a practice of cutting themselves—self-punishment that brings them some sort of bizarre satisfaction. There have been people like that throughout history who harm themselves—but that is not the suffering that we may have to endure or that Paul wrote about.

Each time he (God) said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Like these sheep grazing in Israel, 
you are not alone. 
God is always with you.

Paul wrote to the church at Philippi about suffering for Christ in the focus scripture passage today. Suffering together. We don’t have to suffer alone—although Paul was writing about the privilege of suffering for Christ…with other Christians. But what if you are alone when you have to face hardships, persecutions, and troubles? Remember that God is always with you. He has promised that He will never leave you or forsake you. He won’t abandon us. That is one of my favorite passages and God has repeated it several time in the Bible…just to be sure that we see it and remember it.

-        So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:6

-        Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." Hebrews 13:5

Go ahead. Face your trials and persecution head on. God is right there with you. Have some memorized scripture in your heart and mind so that you can have peace and strength as you face whatever troubles come your way. Any of these scripture passages mentioned above are good ones to hang on to and memorize, or consider a long passage like Psalm 119. It is full of great promises from the Lord. You are privileged to know the Lord…to trust Him…and suffer with Him.

Prayer ~ Lord, Joyful are people of integrity, who follow Your instructions. Joyful are those who obey Your laws and search for You with all their hearts. ... I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:1-2, 11

Verse of Salvation ~ LORD, give me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me. Psalm 119:41

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

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Be Ready All the Time

Meditate.

Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready. "Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected." Luke 12:35-40 (Underlined for emphasis.)

The Holy Spirit is represented by a dove.
Be filled with the Holy Spirit...
and the love of the Lord.
Be ready.

Be ready. Spiritually ready. Prayed up. Every day—all the time. Don’t be unprepared or unwilling to serve. Keep the light and love of Jesus burning brightly in your heart and life—and be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Be ready.

Prayer ~ Lord God…my heart is not troubled because I trust in You and also in Jesus. There is more than enough room in Your home, Father. If this were not so, would Jesus have told us that He was going to prepare a place for us? When everything is ready, He will come and get us so that we will always be with Him wherever He is. From John 14:1-3. Come quickly, Jesus.

Verse of Salvation ~ Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man (Zacchaeus) has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost." Luke 19:9-10

Bible Trivia Answer to the Question: Can you explain the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds?

Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, "Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field."

Jesus replied, "The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels. Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! Matthew 13:36-43

The wheat is the believers. The weeds are the corrupt evil people who reject Jesus Christ as their savior.              

Bible Trivia Question for next week: What does it mean to be Redeemed?

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Available as an e-book or paperback at Amazon.com

Faith to Endure Trials

Meditate.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 1 Peter 1:3-8

Be glad and find joy in your life—despite the fact that you have to endure many trials for a little while. The rapture didn’t happen. Maybe next year? In the meantime…don’t give up hope. Don’t be deceived by false teachings. Read and study God’s word…the Bible…for yourself. The trials and persecution that you will face will be easier to face IF you trust in the Lord with all your heart.

And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you. And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don't know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-8

Faith is important. Believing in what you can’t see…that Jesus in the spiritual realm is powerful. This is a spiritual battle that is raging around our world, but Jesus is Lord of lords and King of kings. He loved you enough to die for you…so He loves you enough to care about you through the trials, tribulations and even persecution that you will or are facing. Have hope. Trust Him.

Prayer ~ Lord God, I long to hear…your praise. 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!' Matthew 25:21

Verses of Salvation ~ The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. - 1 Peter 1:9-10

Friday’s Feasting at the King’s Table

Forty years ago a friend of mine gave me an old cookbook, “Choice and Tried Recipes” Compiled and Published by the Young Women’s Home Missionary Society of the Delaware Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church in Buffalo, New York, 1908. It originally cost seventy-five cents. Here’s a recipe from the Soup section.

RECIPE FOR A HAPPY DAY

A key to open the door.
The door to God's Word...and His way
will bring you happiness

A heart full of thankfulness,
    A thimbleful of care.
A soul of simple hopefulness,
    An early morning prayer,
A smile to greet the morning with,
    A kind word as a key
To open the door and greet the day,
    Whatever it brings to thee.
A patient trust in Providence
    To sweeten all the way.
All these combined with thoughtfulness
    Will make a happy day. –Exchange.

May God bless you with happiness as you seek and serve Him.

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Available as an e-book or paperback at Amazon.com

What Does it Mean to be Glorified?

Meditate. Glory. Glory. Glory.

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. Philippians 3:20-21

The Empty Tomb - Jerusalem

What does it mean to be glorified? When Jesus died, His body was just His body—without His spirit. That body was in a tomb for three days. When He was resurrected, He was glorified, His body and spirit were reunited and restored to a state of heavenly dignity. He was recognizable—although the two disciples He met on the road to Emmaus didn’t recognize Him until He offered thanks and broke bread for dinner. Then Jesus appeared to the disciples where they were in the Upper Room back in Jerusalem. He didn’t go through the door—He just appeared. When they saw Him, they were frightened. (See Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-23). Can you imagine seeing someone just materialize in the room—without opening a door?

But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

When we die our body goes to the grave and our spirit lives on. One day we will also be glorified. The bodies in the graves will be raised first. Bodies and souls will be reunited. Will we’ll be able to go anywhere instantly and go through walls like Jesus did? If He has a purpose for us to do that to serve Him, it will happen. Paul tells us that at the point of our resurrection we will be with the Lord forever. Forever.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Prayer ~ Lord, please give me the wisdom and words to say to encourage others—Christians—as we see the time drawing short. May Your words fill them with hope. Also, help me to encourage those who don’t know You…that they would seek You and recognize You as their Lord and Savior. May we all give You the glory—as one day we all will be glorified.

Verse of Salvation ~ Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. Romans 5:1-4

Do you know the ABCs of Salvation?
A - Admit
Admit what you have done wrong and ask forgiveness.

- Romans 3:23 All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

- Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death.

- 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

B - Believe
Believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again as a payment for your sins.

- John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

-1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

- Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

C - Confess and Choose
Confess and choose to allow God to the be in charge of your life.

- Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

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

- Romans 10:13 Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Pray and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Available as an e-book or paperback at Amazon.com

 

Are You Ready?

Meditate.

When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. ...So you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.   Matthew 24:37-39, 42-44(Underlined for emphasis.)

Jesus told His disciples to be ready all the time. That was almost two thousand ago. Were they ready?

Jesus is the light of the world...
not just the Messiah of Jerusalem...
or just the Savior of the United States.

People during Noah’s time were partying right up to the time the rain began. They weren’t ready for the flood—because they didn’t believe. They certainly were not the righteous people that God wanted. Compare that age and spiritual attitude to today. Are there righteous people now who believe that Jesus is the Messiah of the world—that He can be their personal savior? Do you believe in Jesus?  What will you be doing when the Son of Man returns? Is your spiritual "house" in order?

What are you doing to be ready?             

Prayer ~ Lord, help me to clearly see what I need to be doing to “be ready” for Your return—for that time when You snatch Your believers up to heaven. You said that You, the Son of Man, will come when least expected. If I am ready all the time…then I am ready.

Verse of Salvation ~ And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 1 Peter 1:5

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Available as an e-book or paperback at Amazon.com