Banquet With The King

Daily Devotional focusing on spiritual "food" at the King's Banquet Table. In 2024 this blog will explore verses to meditate on as we examine our "choices" daily, pursuing a deeper relationship with God as we grow in Christian maturity. This web page has had over 230,000 page views by people in over 135 different countries who are seeking God through His Word. God has promised if you seek Him, you will find Him. May you be blessed reading Banquet With The King.

Thursday, March 31, 2022

No Need to Try to Do Everything on Your Own

Prayer ~ Lord—I’m here. Tired and in need of Your renewed strength. I marvel at the way You have rebuild and renewed Israel—it is indeed a garden spot with areas that might even rival the Garden of Eden! You are miraculous in Your love for them. May they see You for who You are—the Messiah for each individual. Did you promise an inheritance to only the nation of Israel? No, I think it was to individuals with each promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. May Your promise be fulfilled soon!

Old style yoke - Charleston Museum
Let Jesus carry your burden.

Then when you call, the LORD will answer. 'Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply. "Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes. Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don't pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD's holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don't follow your own desires or talk idly. Then the LORD will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the LORD, have spoken!" Isaiah 58:9-14

Meditate. The Lord has spoken to Israel. Has He spoken to you?

Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Jesus Himself spoke about a yoke…

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30

What a great promise—Jesus will help you. Just ask Him. No need to try to do everything on your own.

Verse of Salvation ~ Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16

Memory Verse of the Week ~ What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins of the Bible: New Testament Stories

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Can You Fast for Others?

Prayer ~ Lord, show me how You see me. I want to be pleasing to You in all that I think, say, and do…but am I really pleasing You? Our relationship is vital to me—without You, I feel worthless and alone—but with You I am complete and no matter the circumstances—I find joy in life. I want to serve You by serving others.

What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD? No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. - Isaiah 58:4-8

Meditate. What are you doing to serve God and His chosen people?

I have been fasting a lot for months…intermittent fasting. It has not been spiritual fasting—just a new way of eating. It is not really a diet, but a way of reducing my weight, my waist and hopefully making me healthier. I was surprised by this scripture passage. Can we fast for others?

Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.

Can you hear the echo of Jesus' words when He described how we are to treat our Christian brothers and sisters?

Are you fasting or eating?
Can you share it with others?

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!' Matthew 25:34-40

Jesus was teaching His disciples…and us…with the story of the King and the coming judgment. A good lesson on how God sees what we are doing. Look at how you treat others. Do you turn away from opportunities to serve the thirsty, hungry, and poorer people—assumed to be Christians—in your community? Time to consider others—to serve God’s chosen. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.

Verse of Salvation ~ 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 25:45-46 (Eternal life = salvation)

Memory Verse of the Week ~ What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins of the Bible: New Testament Stories

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Are You Listening?

Prayer ~ Lord God, You have promised to never leave us or forsake us. I cling to that promise…knowing that I can always take refuge in You and that You are always here with me…I am with You…You give me strength and hope. I am still…listening to You now.

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God's voice thunders, and the earth melts! The LORD of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The LORD of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Psalm 46:1-11

Meditate. Do you know that God is always with You?

This is in memory of our good friend, Mel. This scripture passage was read during his memorial three years ago. Time just goes by too fast, but he is not forgotten. He always had such a positive attitude—and I asked him about that one time. He’d been in an automobile accident and was a paraplegic—but a totally positive one as he moved about in his wheelchair…and later in a motorized wheelchair. He decided on the first day in the hospital, after spinal surgery that had left him paralyzed, with a roommate that was complaining and negative with similar complications, he would be positive. He was just that kind of person. Positive and encouraging to others. As a civil engineer, he had his own successful business that did core sample testing for roads and other projects. He believed in Jesus as his Lord and Savior and lived a life of integrity in his community as an active school board member and local softball league association advocate. He really got the ball moving when they were building a great baseball field for the local kids. Mel was probably the most positive and encouraging person I’ve ever met. One of his traits was that he was a great listener. I think that is what made him smart. He’s said that if you do all the talking, you can’t hear others. It is how we learn. We listen.

Do we listen—really listen to God? It is an essential element in our relationship with God. Listening. There will be earthquakes—they are happening around the world—just check them out on the internet! But even with the earthquakes and chaos, God is still in control. The scripture passage for today tells us that God is even in control of wars. The LORD of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear. No fear. Once again, like yesterday, we have no need to fear. If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Be still and know that He is God. Are you listening?

Verse of Salvation ~ 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 51:6

Memory Verse of the Week ~ What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins of the Bible: New Testament Stories

How much are you willing to give to the Lord?

It is all His anyway!

Have you lost a coin lately?

Will you search until you find it?

Monday, March 28, 2022

No Fear

Prayer ~ In my distress I prayed to You, LORD, and You answered me and set me free. You, LORD, are for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? From Psalm 118:5-6

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us. Romans 8:29-34 (Underlined for emphasis—this week’s memory verse.)

Meditate. Are you afraid...is someone "against" you?

Farm Scene
View from our friend's home.

If God is for us, who can be against us? A lady who was a good friend of my parents when I was growing up was afraid to be alone at home since their house was out in the country a couple of miles from town and probably about a mile from any other homes. I once overheard my parents discussing her fear…and this verse was their response… If God is for us, who can be against us? We lived a few miles away from her and it was also at least a mile to our nearest neighbor, but most of the time we didn’t even lock our door—and I can’t remember ever being afraid of anything, other than maybe a rattlesnake coming along our road.

Fear is a terrible thing. Once it gets hold of a person, it can certainly eat away at them—but God can help. If a person believes in the Lord God as their Savior, then who can be against us? People may try…and sure enough, there will be times when the evil forces may overpower someone, but in the end, God and His people will win. It is so reassuring to know that we are chosen people—that we have “family” status like Jesus. God chose us in advance…in advance of creation. There is not a question…If God is for us. We know that it is really…When God is for us…and that is always. He is for us always—and is willing to give us anything—even His one and only Son, Jesus. Jesus became the Christ—the Messiah for all who will believe that He died for their sins, making Him Savior. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. He is my Savior. This I know…for the Bible tells me so…God is for us. No fear.

Verse of Salvation ~ The LORD is my light and my salvation--so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? Psalm 27:1

Memory Verse of the Week ~ What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins of the Bible

New Testament Stories

Sunday, March 27, 2022

It is in Forgiving That We Find Love

Prayer ~ Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?" "No, not seven times," Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven! Matthew 18:21-22

Meditate. Can you count to 490?

It seems that the rabbis at Jesus’ time were telling people that they needed to forgive others three times—but Peter was generously asking if seven times would be good enough. Jesus’ answer puts a lot of weight on forgiveness. Four hundred and ninety times. (Seventy times seven.) That is so much forgiveness that one would lose track—so I think that is Jesus’ point. To forgive without counting. Counting only adds to the weight of the whole issue—making bitterness get its roots in deeper. Bitterness is what eats at the person feeling it—not at the person to whom it is against. Similar to anger.

There was a time in my life—years ago—when I was feeling a lot of anger, so I looked up all the verses in the Bible on anger. I only got MORE ANGRY! When I started focusing on forgiving the person with whom I was angry and looking for joy (as in to enjoy my life instead of anger!) life became so much better. I was amazed! Truly, God doesn’t want us to focus on anger, bitterness, or rage, but on forgiveness and love. Remember, God is love—and everyone who loves is born of God (1 John 4:7-8). That builds our relationship with Him.

Don't let the sun go down on your anger.
See Ephesians 4:26
Deal with it.

Another incident in my life that dealt with anger and forgiveness was when I was just a teenager and someone decided to nickname me “IG” for ignorant, dumb, or stupid. It was not appropriate—and it just made me mad. I think that was that person’s goal—just to get under my skin and rile up my anger. Needless to say, I still hear that “you’re just IG” voice in my head sometimes. That issue came up in my Bible Study group recently and one gentleman said I needed to deal with that issue. Sure enough—he was right—and I have forgiven that person for the IG status and given that problem to the Lord. It is wonderful to know that we are so valued by the Lord. He sees us as we are—smart, beautiful, and of great value. We are created in His image—so how could we be anything worthless, ugly, or ignorant? It is in forgiving that we find love.

Verse of Salvation ~ Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name. Psalm 79:9

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins of the Bible: New Testament Stories

Saturday, March 26, 2022

Have You Seen the Visible of the Invisible?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing Yourself to the world and to me—in God’s word. You are the Word. You are the light of the world—shining visibly.

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Colossians 1:15-17

Meditate. Consider life before anything existed—only God.

Paul wrote this passage to the church as Colossae, which is about 100 miles east of Ephesus—in what is now Turkey. Those Christians were influenced by Oriental mysticism, Greek thinking, and Jewish legalism. He was setting them straight about the deity of Jesus Christ. You can read more of Colossians to gain more insight into his teachings dealing with worshipping angels and the self-disciplined view of asceticism.

There is an unseen world around us. Paul continued to write about this “unseen” in a warning to the church at Ephesus.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

Just as they were battling unseen forces two thousand years ago…we are still battling unseen forces today. Satan knows that the end is nearing…and he won’t give up using his evil spirits to influence and encourage people to not worship the one and only true God. Look at the evil that you see in the world. Terrorism, disunity, distrust, television programs and movies that depict wicked, disgusting, and malicious situations, negativism, and of course, the wars and rumors of wars that terrorize so many people. Is there no end to the sinful and immoral behavior and activities in this world? God help us.

The helmet of salvation.
What other parts of God's
armor do you need?

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:10-18

Dress for spiritual battle. You won’t have to fight alone—God is always with us. But as Paul taught—be strong. Resist the enemy. One of the key elements in fighting a battle is knowledge. Know yourself and know your enemy. You also need to know the one who is fighting with you. Jesus Christ. Have you seen the visible of the invisible?

Verse of Salvation ~ Open up, O heavens, and pour out your righteousness. Let the earth open wide so salvation and righteousness can sprout up together. I, the LORD, created them. Isaiah 45:8

Memory Verse of the Week ~ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

Did you memorize this verse this week?

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins of the Bible: New Testament Stories

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Friday, March 25, 2022

Here’s a Secret to Share – Christ Lives in You

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, for years I have believed in You…and that You live in me. Open my eyes and my heart to ways that I can convey this formally secret message of Your love to others. It is not a secret that Your very existence as a human was to set mankind free from the sin of Adam and Eve. Thank You for being our Messiah.

This message (The Good News) was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God's people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. Colossians 1:26-28

Meditate. Do you know the secret?

I’ve always been amazed by the way things are so intricately created, like the nautilus sea shell and the geometry involved within it. It’s not secret that there is a mathematical formula involved in the measurements in the interior of the shell. It is actually a logarithmic spiral, also known to be in a Fibonacci sequence. I have a nautilus shell—but I won’t be cutting it open to show the intricate spiral. You can search on the internet to see pictures of those hidden, secret details.

Another secret that is hidden—but it really meant for everyone to know and to share is God’s plan for salvation—the Good News that Jesus is the Messiah—Savior of the world. He has saved the world from mankind’s sin. Paul wrote about this secret plan to the churches of the Colossians and the Ephesians.

And this is God's plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God's children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God's grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. Though I am the least deserving of all God's people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 3:6-11

Since this secret is no longer a secret—share it. Christ can live in you.

Verse of Salvation ~ But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:24

Memory Verse of the Week ~ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Moses reminded the Israelites what God said about the importance of bread as compared to His word. See Deuteronomy 8:3. Jesus declared the same fact when He was tempted by Satan…

But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4

So, what do you want to eat today after a good serving of His word?

Isaac’s favorite food when he was four years old was spaghetti. Now it is sushi rice bowls. It is like having sushi only all in one bowl, serving it buffet style so that each person builds their own meal. Start with sushi rice (adding sushi vinegar to warm rice). Then add meat, veggies, and fruit of your choice. The meat can be raw fish or cooked fish, shrimp, or crab. For variety include chopped cucumbers, avocado, grilled asparagus, seaweed salad, and mangoes. Top with some sesame seed sprinkles, chopped nori, sushi sauce, or a spicy mayo and sriracha sauce. Enjoy with a nice cup of green tea.

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins of the Bible: New Testament Stories

Thursday, March 24, 2022

What Creates Joy in Your Life?

Prayer ~ Lord, give us joy—joy deep down in our souls that bubbles up and overflows to those around us.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4

Meditate. What does it take to make you grow—to have joy despite troubles?

Spring is here! The trees and flowers are blossoming, growing, as they get ready to create fruit. Our lives are similarly the same. We grow and produce fruit, too. Of course, spiritually we think of the Fruit of the Spirit…

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

Hoping for a good crop of grapes!
Jesus is the vine.
We are the branches.
The fruit comes from the Spirit.
Love - Joy - Peace

Producing fruit was one of the topics about which Jesus talked to His disciples at their Last Supper,

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. John 15:5-8

This is also the end of the winter season when the workers in the vineyards have completed their pruning. They are cleaning up the piles of vines that have been removed so that the new fruit gets all the energy the plant has and the fruit can grow to be the biggest and best. Juicy grapes. That is just what the viticulturists want. That’s what God wants in our lives, too. Produce lots of fruit for Him. How? Jesus also told His disciples…

You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. ...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. John 15:3-4, 9-12

Troubles in our lives might reveal that pruning. Then joy can come to us as we love and know God. Love is the key—the integral part—of building a relationship with Him. The love of God might not remove the troubles, but God helps us endure them. He can give us joy even in the midst of trials. I know that God has given me joy during low and even despairing times. What creates joy in your life?

Verse of Salvation ~ "Open up, O heavens, and pour out your righteousness. Let the earth open wide so salvation and righteousness can sprout up together. I, the LORD, created them. Isaiah 45:8

Memory Verse of the Week ~ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins of the Bible: New Testament Stories