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.

Monday, July 31, 2023

Who is Worthy to Break the Seals on This Scroll and Open It?

Prayer – Lord, please give us wisdom to understand Your word and the relationship between these scrolls. Are they the same scrolls?

Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: "Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it. Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, "Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David's throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals." Revelation 5:1-5

Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, surrounded by a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face shone like the sun, and his feet were like pillars of fire. And in his hand was a small scroll that had been opened. He stood with his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. And he gave a great shout like the roar of a lion. And when he shouted, the seven thunders answered. When the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write. But I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Keep secret what the seven thunders said, and do not write it down." Then the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand toward heaven. He swore an oath in the name of the one who lives forever and ever, who created the heavens and everything in them, the earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it. He said, "There will be no more delay. When the seventh angel blows his trumpet, God's mysterious plan will be fulfilled. It will happen just as he announced it to his servants the prophets." Then the voice from heaven spoke to me again: "Go and take the open scroll from the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land." So I went to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. "Yes, take it and eat it," he said. "It will be sweet as honey in your mouth, but it will turn sour in your stomach!" So I took the small scroll from the hand of the angel, and I ate it! It was sweet in my mouth, but when I swallowed it, it turned sour in my stomach. Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings." Revelation 10:1-11

Meditate. Is what is sweet and turns sour in your stomach? What mysteries can you find in God’s word?

The scrolls hold the mystery of God’s plan. There are two descriptions of scrolls in Revelation. They are not the same scrolls according to the Life Application Bible notes. You can note that the second scroll is described as a small scroll.

Both God and Jesus are seated on thrones in Heaven.

The scroll of Revelation Five is one that gives us an image of judgement against evil. God is holding that scroll and an angel asks who is worthy to open the scroll. It is evident that Jesus is the only one worthy to open the scroll. Is that because He is God…or because He lived an obedient, perfect life conquering sin and death? Whatever the reason, it is evident that Jesus is declared worthy to open that scroll. Read on. He is worshipped by angels and elders. Will you be there as an elder worshipping Him? You must repent and believe in Jesus, the Son of God, as your savior to be able to stand before His throne and worship Him in heaven. That choice for you is yours alone. Choose wisely.

The second scroll is in the hands of an angel who appears by the description to be Jesus—the one who lives forever and ever. Angels are messengers and Jesus is identified at other places in the Bible as a Messenger.

And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God's messenger and High Priest. For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God's entire house. But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself. For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God. Hebrews 3:1-4

The purpose of this second scroll is not specified since John was actually told not to write down what he heard. Instead, John is told to eat the scroll. It was tasty, at first, then it turned sour in his stomach. He was told to prophesy about people, nations, languages and kings.

Verse of Salvation ~ For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life." Romans 1:16-17

Happy Heavenly Birthday – Sweet Sister Shirley

Knowing the Lord is what life is all about.

Knowing Him is Life.

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

Sunday, July 30, 2023

What Do You Know About Heaven?

Statue of St Francis of Assisi at Capernaum.
Thanking God for Miracles.

Prayer – Lord, please give us insight into what You want us to know about heaven—Your home…that will one day hopefully be our home, too. I believe in You, Jesus, as my savior and as the savior of the world. Thank you for creating a heavenly home for us--as well as saving us from our sins. It's a miracle that by God's grace we are saved.

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 Corinthians 5:1

Meditate. What is heaven to me?

I recently asked friends…What do you know about heaven?

Here is their response:

Perfect.

Satan will not be there.

Chapters Revelation 4 & 5 give us a picture of heaven, with streets of gold.

No tears, pain, or sorrow—just as Jesus said.

Perfection—no link to the past—so that we have no recollection of past feelings, sorrows, or regrets.

Paradise.

Praise.

Absence of all impurity as in the evil and turmoil we face now.

No need for bottled water.

Indescribable.

Interesting. `

It will be a place where we realize that “Jesus paid it all.”

We’ll sing hymns in heaven.

Working—unto the Lord.

Fulfilled promise.

Jesus has promised that He is preparing a place for us in heaven. He’ll be back to take us there.

What does heaven hold for you? What do you know about heaven?

Verse of Salvation ~ After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting, "Praise the LORD! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God. Revelation 19:1

Knowing the Lord is what life is all about.

Knowing Him is Life.

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

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Every Word is True

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I know that You are the God from heaven who came down to earth…and went back up…and You are seated on a throne in heaven—right next to Your Father—the Almighty God. One day You will come to earth again. That will be a glorious day—I can hardly wait!

Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name—and his son's name? Tell me if you know! Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar. O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, "Who is the LORD?" And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God's holy name. Proverbs 30:4-9

Meditate. Who is the Lord?

This sign was posted in Israel.
Pray for Peace.
Peace comes from God the Father and Jesus Christ.
He has a plan for Israel...and for each of us.

Do you know the truth?

The author of Proverbs asked, "Who is the LORD?" That was answered over and over throughout the Bible—read it and see for yourself. The Lord is God. Here’s one example:

Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. 2 John 1:3

God’s words are always true.

God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? Numbers 23:19

John wrote an amazing statement in an earlier book that is applicable today. Remember that the Holy Spirit is part of our God…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Since He teaches the truth, I want to pay particularly close attention to Him.

I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true--it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. 1 John 2:26-27

Another of the Holy Spirit’s attributes is to remind us of what Jesus taught.

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

I’m trusting the Lord that all that He has taught us about heaven…and about Himself…is the truth since …every word of God proves true. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

Verse of Salvation ~ "I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” John 5:24

Knowing the Lord is what life is all about.

Knowing Him is Life.

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, July 28, 2023

Who is Worthy?

Prayer – Lord God, You’re amazing. You created everything…heaven, earth, all the animals and plants…and all of us. You are worthy of praise.

"You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased." Revelation 4:11

Meditate. Consider God’s creation. The heavens, the earth, the plants and animals…and you.

Who is worthy? Worthy to receive glory, honor, and praise? God is! He is eternally awesome—creator of everything. There is so much variation in plants and animals…and people. He is above all and totally worthy of all praise, glory and honor—because He is all powerful. It is interesting that John wrote that God created all things and they exist because (He) created what pleased Him. That tells me that creating the heavens and earth pleased Him, as well as creating the plants and then the animals that inhabit the earth. God is not only creative, He is also compassionate by crafting human beings in His own image and giving them free choice. Choice to choose between two things…especially choosing whether to honor God and worship Him…or not. That is the greatest decision in any one’s life. Choosing Jesus as your savior…or not. The choice is up to each individual. No one else can choose for you. It is a personal decision. One that procures one’s place in eternity. Choose Jesus…choose heaven. Reject Jesus—eternity maybe in the fiery lake of fire. Be careful whom you choose to follow and obey. God is worthy of our praise, glory and honor. Is there any other god or satanic being worthy of praise?

Verse of Salvation ~ 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. 1 Peter 1:3-5

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Several years ago a friend of mine shared her friend’s homemade spray that is a real killer—a weed killer. The original recipe came from a community garden at a local college.

1 gallon vinegar…or 3 cups vinegar

2 cups Epson salts…3 oz Epson salts

¼ cup of blue Dawn dish detergent…0.375 oz dish soap

Mix and fill a spray bottle. Just spray it on in the morning, after the dew has evaporated, and by dinner time the weeds are gone.

Knowing the Lord is what life is all about.

Knowing Him is Life.

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, July 27, 2023

Are You Redeemed?

Prayer – Lord God, You are at Your home in heaven…and we are still here in our earthly home…waiting. Will we truly be able to say someday that “heaven is our home?” I long for that day, but am apprehensive of the days between now and then. What will we have to go through…the tribulation trials, depravations, and scary times? We look to You, Lord, for safety, security, and a redemptive hope for our future. A future with You—forever.

LORD, look down from heaven; look from your holy, glorious home, and see us. Isaiah 63:15a

Meditate. Consider God’s promise of an eternal home in heaven.

A Favorite Place...Home Sweet Home

Where is your favorite place? Is it your home? Are you thinking that your forever heavenly home in the

future is your beloved location?

God’s habitation is above earth—in His own creation—a place we can only visualize and dream of—but hope that it too will one day be our home. One of the Psalmists wrote about an eternal home—the grave for those who don’t believe in God. People can try to “redeem” themselves and thus pay for their own sins—but it will take eternity. God has a better way that involves repenting of one’s sins and establishing a relationship with Jesus and with God the Father. Not just acknowledging God exists, but truly having a connection at a spiritual level with Him. As this Psalmist indicates—everyone dies, but God redeems the life of the one who loves and serves Him.

For my words are wise, and my thoughts are filled with insight. I listen carefully to many proverbs and solve riddles with inspiration from a harp. Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me? They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches. Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough to live forever and never see the grave. Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind. The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves, but their fame will not last. They will die, just like animals. ... But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave. Psalm 49:3-12, 15

Are you redeemed?

Verse of Salvation ~ The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation." Psalm 91:14-16

Knowing the Lord is what life is all about.

Knowing Him is Life.

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

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Worship in Heaven

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I worship You here on earth…and in heaven. You are an awesome God—worthy of glory, honor, and praise.

Worship in spirit and in truth.

Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, "You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased." Revelation 4:9-11

Meditate. Consider how you worship God.

Worship—giving honor in reverence; to bow down; to glorify. Worship begins in a person’s heart…and can be individual or corporate. Worship is designed in heaven—the true place of worship…by God Himself. He intentionally instructed Moses and David about the design and construction of the earthly Tabernacle and Temples. Those structures provided places for God to be worshipped here on earth. Priests had a significant role in worship in the Tabernacle and Temple when they offered prayers, sacrifices, offerings and worship to the Lord God. Jesus is our High Priest in Heaven taking that priestly role, just as Aaron’s family had been assigned the priestly tradition during the time of the Exodus.

Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands. And since every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices, our High Priest must make an offering, too. If he were here on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there already are priests who offer the gifts required by the law. They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: "Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain." But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with Gd, based on better promises. Hebrews 8:1-6

Will worship be continual in heaven? Jesus spoke to the woman at the well about worshipping God.

Jesus replied, "Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it's here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:21-24

No matter where—on earth or in heaven—we are or when we exalt our Lord and Savior…we will worship God in spirit and in truth.

Verse of Salvation ~ "Listen to me, my people. Hear me, Israel, for my law will be proclaimed, and my justice will become a light to the nations. 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 51:4-6

Knowing the Lord is what life is all about.

Knowing Him is Life.

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

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Heaven…What Do You Know About It?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, I know that You are seated on a throne in Heaven at the right hand of our Heavenly Father. A place of honor and respect. You are worthy…being the obedient Son of God—willing to sacrifice Your life to justify our sins. Thank you.

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. Ephesians 1:19-21

Meditate. Pray for understanding.

At God’s right hand. Who do you place at your right hand when you have guests for dinner? There is no place more special than the right hand of God Himself. Picture God on His magnificent Throne in Heaven. And there at His right hand is His beloved Son, Jesus. God declared Jesus to be His beloved son a couple of times. When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, God spoke to His Son.

One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy." Luke 3:21-22

At the transfiguration when Jesus spoke with Moses and Elijah, God declared to Jesus’ disciples.

Then a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him." Luke 9:35

What else do we know about Heaven and about God and His relationship with His Son? God created heaven and earth. Isaiah was given a prophetic vision of the future.

This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that? Could you build me such a resting place? My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the LORD, have spoken! I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.” Isaiah 66:1-2

Heaven is God’s Throne.

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

Did you catch that…Everything was created through him and for him. (Underlined for emphasis.) Created for him! God would do anything for His Son…and Jesus would do anything for His Father. That includes creating Heaven. That is an astonishing revelation.

Verse of Salvation ~ While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. 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 5:7-9 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Knowing the Lord is what life is all about.

Knowing Him is Life.

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