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 195,000 page views by people in over 133 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.

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Someday You’ll Harvest What You Plant

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, help me to plant encouraging words…Your words…in my life and the lives of those around me.

Don't be misled--you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone--especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:7-10

Harvest of Green Tomatoes
What have you planted?

Meditate. Someday you’ll harvest what you plant.

What have you been planting lately? Tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, beans, or beets? Those were on my list…and most have been planted. What else have I planted—what have you planted? I hope not seeds of anger, anxiety, strife, judgmental attitude, hopelessness, or guilt. Plant seeds of encouragement instead. This following passage may seem long…but read it anyway and apply the applicable parts to your life. You know your thoughts and motives—if not, spend some more time with the Lord and get it straight what He wants you to think, say, and do. Then do it.

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God--truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And "don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:21-32

From the Old Testament, God provides more words of encouragement and direction.

I 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

Plant today—physically and spiritually. Someday you’ll harvest just what you plant now.

Verses of Salvation ~ (Isaiah’s message to Damascus and Israel) Then at last the people will look to their Creator and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. They will no longer look to their idols for help or worship what their own hands have made. They will never again bow down to their Asherah poles or worship at the pagan shrines they have built. Their largest cities will be like a deserted forest, like the land the Hivites and Amorites abandoned when the Israelites came here so long ago. It will be utterly desolate. Why? Because you have turned from the God who can save you. You have forgotten the Rock who can hide you. So you may plant the finest grapevines and import the most expensive seedlings. Isaiah 17:7-10

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7 NIV

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 in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Monday, May 30, 2022

Which is the Right Path?

Prayer ~ Lord God, in Your mercy, please forgive my sins—my erring attitude. …This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for my salvation is nearer now than when I first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So, remove my dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because I belong to the day, I must live a decent life for all to see (from Romans 13:11-13) and give glory to You. Show me the right path to take that I would live to please You.

Which path do we follow?
Walking at Candy Mt. Richland, WA

Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose. They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the land. The LORD is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. My eyes are always on the LORD, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies. Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. ... May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you. O God, ransom Israel from all its troubles. Psalm 25:12-16, 21-22

Meditate.

This passage considers “relationship” with the Lord as a friend—and yet He is more than a friend. Sure, a friend loves at all times, but here David is declaring that the Lord rescues him from his enemies. In the Amplified version that I have, verse 14 (Zondervan 1987) reads:

The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to the its [deep, inner] meaning.

I like that idea of companionship. That relationship goes beyond just being friends. That is the kind of relationship that I want to have with the Lord—my constant companion.

Earlier in this this chapter of Psalms in the Amplified version David pleads with the Lord for pardon, protection and guidance. He acknowledges that his salvation is from God.

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in You I [have unwavering] trust [and I rely on You with steadfast confidence], Do not let me be ashamed or my hope in You be disappointed; Do not let my enemies triumph over me. Indeed, none of those who [expectantly] wait for You will be ashamed; Those who turn away from what is right and deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed (humiliated, embarrassed). Let me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You [and only You] I wait [expectantly] all the day long. Remember, O Lord, Your [tender] compassion and Your lovingkindnesses, For they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; According to Your lovingkindness remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and goodness and truth and faithfulness To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my wickedness and my guilt, for they are great. Psalm 25:1-8 AMP

David is a good example for us…asking for forgiveness. We cannot deceive God—He know we are sinners. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God as it is written in Romans 3:23. God cannot be mocked or made fun of. Even as a “friend” we must rely on God’s sovereignty and His mercy for Him to forgive us and show us the right path.

Verses of Salvation ~ Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:4-5

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7 NIV

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm and Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Who are you "parenting" today?

Is God "parenting" you?

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24 NLT

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Are You Thirsty?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, You satisfy the thirsty and fill the hungry with good things. I am thirsty. Thirsty for the living water that You offer. Continue to fill me with Your Holy Spirit—that the spiring of living water would bubble up through me showing Your love and drawing others to You.

Are you thirsty?
Thirst for Living Water.

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you and to give you assurance of these things for the churches. I am the Root (the Source, the Life) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and bright Morning Star. The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, believers) say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take and drink the water of life without cost. Revelation 22:16-17 AMP

Meditate. Thirsty?

Jesus declared Himself to be the Messiah during His discussion with the woman at the well. He was thirsty…but He offered her living water.

Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water." ..."But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." ... Then Jesus told her, "I AM the Messiah!" John 4:10, 14, 26

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life…and the source of Living Water, as well, just as He declared during the Feast of Tabernacles.

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'" (When he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.) John 7:37-39

In the focus scripture for today from Revelation 22, Jesus offers a last invitation to those who are thirsty to believe in Him, and to receive eternal life. Free eternal life. That is freedom from sin and an assurance that anyone can come to Him and can believe in Him. Are you thirsty?

Verses of Salvation ~ This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. Romans 13:11-14

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm and Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Saturday, May 28, 2022

Stay Loved

Prayer ~ Jesus, Who am I that You have chosen me? I am honored and humbled to be loved by You, to be chosen. You said to “remain”…meaning to continue, to linger, or wait…in Your love. I certainly never want to leave Your love. Love others the way You loved me. You gave up Your life…for me and for all mankind—if we could just love You…and thus love others. Can I lay down my life—give up my life for others? Am I so selfish that I can’t do that? Only with Your help, Lord. With Your help…I can do all things because You give me strength. Thank You, Lord.

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

Meditate. Everyone's basic need is to be loved, but we can be overwhelmed even thinking about the love of a perfect God. How do you show your love for Christ and for others?

Love. God is Love—as we read in 1 John 4:8. What more can we say? John continues to write about God and love in in the verses that follow.

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love--not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 1 John 4:7-17

God’s love is so great that it is unfathomable—but Paul describes it well in his prayer for spiritual growth. I want to fall on my knees, too, in worship and prayer.

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:14-19

Love God—He is love. Love one another—for we are created in the image of God. Stay loved.

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

Memory Verse of the Week ~ For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:9

Did you memorize this verse this week? Be satisfied with your memory skills. Review. Review. Review.

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 in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Friday, May 27, 2022

Great Days Begin With the Lord

Prayer ~ Thank You. Lord, for this great day that You have given us. We gratefully celebrate with joy. Show us what just what You want us to do…and to say to others today. Your word is a light unto my path shining glory into every day with You and into our relationship.

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

Meditate. The Lord made this day. He is still the creator and sustainer of life.

What is your favorite verse? What scripture speaks to your heart…and gives you joy? This verse is my husband’s favorite—and he learned it from a wonderful Christian gentlemen and dear friend, John Foster, who went to be with the Lord several years ago. John was a good example. He not only read and truly studied God’s word, he applied it to his life. He lived it and had a devoted relationship with the Lord, serving others in a quiet and gentle manner. What a great example for us.

Is this…or any day—a day that the Lord has made for you? Are you made in God’s image for this day? Good question. We are all made in the image of God…just like Adam. God has breathed into us life—for as long as we live. Personally, we can rejoice because we know the Lord—and seek to know Him more each day. For that we can be glad. We have not only the desire, but the opportunity to learn more about God daily. Do you take that for granted…and spend your time doing other things? What have you learned about God today? Are you systematically reading and studying God’s word daily? For myself—and my relationship with the Lord, I need to improve on intentionally analyzing, memorizing, and applying God’s word to my life. Sure, I read it daily—if only a few verses, and I love studying God’s word—especially doing studies of particular words—but it just doesn’t seem to be enough. I guess my appetite for His word is greater than my consumption. How it going for you? Do great days begin with the Lord?

Verses of Salvation ~ As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

Memory Verse of the Week ~ For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:9

Watermelon Cake
Refreshing and delightful!
Fun - for a great day!

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Choose this day…what you will eat! Usually, you read a “choosing” verse…choose this day whom you will serve—meaning serve God, an idol, or man…not considering that it may be that you are “serving” your own stomach! Most people on their birthdays have their cake…and eat it too. Today, my husband, Jerry, has a special day—and he is choosing to have his ice cream in a banana split sundae and eat it, too, along with some nice little shortbread cookies that our granddaughters are making for him! This will be a wonderful treat for us all. Yum! You don’t have to have “cake” for your birthday! When your birthday rolls around—consider having your favorite pie, strudel, cobbler, fruit crisp, cookies, or a slice of delectable fruit as a special treat. Watermelon cake anyone?

Happiest of Birthdays to you, Jerry!

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 in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Friend?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, I feel so honored to be considered Your friend. What a friend I have in You, Jesus—all my sins and griefs to bear. And knowing that You are standing up for me—vouching for me—before our Heavenly Father is an overwhelming thought. Thank You. How can I love You more? Open my eyes to ways that I can serve You…and know grow our relationship.

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

Meditate. How is your relationship with your friend the Lord Jesus Christ?

Do you know the song, “I am a Friend of God”? It has been going around in my head since we sang it in church on Sunday. I feel honored to be considered a friend of Jesus.

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 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Chosen by Jesus. Have you responded to His invitation to be His friend? Are you obeying His commandment to love others they way He loves you? He laid down His life—obediently to Our Father. Are You willing to do the same? Scripture says we should take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23) and that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for friends (John 15:13). That is just what Jesus did. Since He did that for you…and asked you to obey His commandments—are you being obedient to Him? Do you call Him, friend?

Verses of Salvation ~ In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. Hebrews 5:9

(Note: Jesus is the High Priest in Heaven (see Hebrews 7:26).

Physical and Spiritual Food.
A drama of the Last Supper.
Jesus giving food and drink to His hungry disciples.
Is He satisfying your hunger and thirst?

Memory Verse of the Week ~ For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:9

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 in the Bible: New Testament Stories