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, November 30, 2023

What is Heaven Like?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, we are all wondering just what heaven will be like. You said You were going to prepare a place for us. Is it almost ready? We are eagerly, yet somewhat patiently, waiting for You to call us home—to our heavenly home. Will each person have their own dwelling place? What will we do besides gather around the thrones, worshipping and sing praises? I anticipate that some people will serve You as priests and kings—since that is what You told us in Revelation 1:6 (He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen) and Revelation 5:10 (And you have caused them (24 elders) to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.) Serving for You and with You in eternity will be a joy—for now we’ll be content where we are, with what we have, serving You however we feel called.

Here is another story Jesus told: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. ... Here is another illustration Jesus used: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. ... Jesus also used this illustration: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough." ... "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. ... "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. ... Then he added, "Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old." Matthew 13:24, 31, 33, 44-45, 47, 52

For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. Matthew 20:1

Meditate. Consider what Jesus was teaching.

Kingdom of Heaven. That phrase is only found in the New Testament. There are eight verses that have “the Kingdom of Heaven is like….” Lots of people—including one of my brothers—have experienced a brief glimpse of Heaven…and returned or been sent back to this earthy home—the dimension we live in for now. Jesus didn’t refer to different dimensions—but we can understand that God’s time is not our time so that it—as well as heaven—is in a different dimension. We can’t see it—but it is interesting that

The seeds fell...
on the foot path...
on rocky soil...
among thorns and...
on good soil.
What kind of "soil" does God's Word
find in your heart?

Jesus taught several times about what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. With which one do you identify?

Farmer planting good seed

Mustard seed

Yeast in making bread

Treasure

Choice pearl

Fishing net full of fish

Gems of truth

Landowner

Jesus used parables that spoke to different people in the circumstances in which they lived. Do you connect personally with any of these situations? Do you fish, garden, or bake? Are you always on the lookout for a bargain or treasure? Then perhaps Jesus is speaking to you about the mysteries, just like He did His followers—especially His disciples. What mysteries do you understand about the Kingdom of Heaven? Can you share your ideas in the comment box below, or with others challenging them to consider the Kingdom of Heaven? For you…what is heaven like?

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

November has come to a close. Soon Christmas will be here…and the coming New Year. Are you making plans and setting realistic goals for next year? Consider spiritual goals that you can attain.

Happy Heavenly Birthday Sweet Vicki B.

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, November 29, 2023

How Are You Doing? Faithful Followers Will Be Transformed Someday….

We don't know the hour or the day...
of Christ's return or the Rapture.
Be ready Faithful Followers

Prayer – Lord, we don’t know when You are going to call us home to heaven…whether at the end of our time…and usefulness…here on earth, or when the Rapture occurs, but we want to be ready. Guide us that we would wisely make the right choices in all that we do to bring You glory and honor.

We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God's grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. 2 Corinthians 1:12

Meditate. Consider what God expects of us as faithful followers.

Can we honestly say what Paul did in his letter to the church at Corinth as in the scripture above? Confidence, clear conscience, and conduct depending on God’s grace—not our own wisdom. How often do you use your own great thoughts rather than relying on scripture? I know that I catch myself doing just that—and I may even think that my wise thoughts are inspired by the Holy Spirit—but are they?

In this blog on November 6, 2023, “What Should We Do?” I considered a few things we need to do as faithful followers. What would He have us do while we wait on Him for His return? Our relationship to God is of upmost importance. How can we develop that relationship…and walk in faithfulness? First, you must be a believer in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as your Savior. He’s already given His earthly life—taking your sins and mine upon His perfect self to the cross to die a brutal death. Now, we need to do more than sit back and wait for Him to redeem us.

1. Decide to put God first in your life. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

2. Read your Bible—get to know God more intimately every day. Listen for the Holy Spirit to guide you. Galatians5:16

3. Pray – communicate with your Heavenly Father—as well as Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

4. Fellowship with other believers. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. - Hebrews 10:25

5. Trust God in everything—in all circumstances. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. Psalm 91:2

6. Yield to the Holy Spirit. So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:16

7. Be willing to give up your own selfish desires. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. James 3:15

We need to follow the Lord in all things—without being legalistic. I was surprised recently when a comment about the Pharisees came out of my mouth…The Pharisees followed the Law to the letter to honor the law, not to honor God. We need to honor God—not be legalistic about a set of do’s and don’ts. Be careful what you set as your guidelines. Are you going beyond Jesus’ teaching to Love God and love others as yourself? How are you doing as a faithful follower?

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 in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Can You Give Up Your Selfish Desires?

Path across a bridge to the Pacific Ocean.
Near Kalaloch Beach, Olympic National Forest
Washington Coast

Prayer – Lord, give me wisdom to see myself as You see me—for You know me better than I know myself. I don’t want to see myself with selfish desires—I just want to please You in all that I think, say, and do. Thank You for hearing my prayers and guiding me down the right path—considering others before myself.

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. Galatians 5:16-17

Meditate. Consider the forces of the Spirit and the sinful nature.

Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Show by your actions and words that you can let God lead you…that you can put Him first in your life. James gives us some very convicting words from God.

If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18

James gave us some wise advice about selfish desires. Additionally, Solomon and Paul give us directions from the Lord to guide us in unselfishness. Solomon, Paul, and

Unfriendly people care only about themselves (selfish desires); they lash out at common sense. Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. Proverbs 18:1-2

Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

The sinful nature of man is just what God wants us to avoid…but He gives us free will to make our own choices. If you need wisdom…ask God for it. I put my hope in the Lord--strengthening the bridge with my relationship to the Lord. What will you choose to do today? Can you give up any selfish desires that you may be experiencing?

Verses of Salvation ~ I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. 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 25:2-5

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, November 27, 2023

Do You Know the Holy Spirit?

Prayer ~ Lord, reveal to me an even greater depth of knowledge of the Holy Spirit. I am calling on You and asking You for more wisdom and understanding, too, that my prayers would be powerfully answered and bring You glory and honor, as I follow the Holy Spirit.

Meditate. Who is the Holy Spirit to you? Will you follow His directions?

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

The Holy Spirit. Most people—Christians I know—don’t focus much of their emphasis on the Holy Spirit. Oh, they pray to God the Father and to Jesus…but barely acknowledge the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is part of the Triune God, coexisting, coequal and coeternal together with the Father and the Son (see the description of the Holy Spirit in the Strong’s Lexicon of the Blue Letter Bible.) In the Old Testament there are actually only three times that the Holy Spirit title is specifically used.

Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:11

But they rebelled against him and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he became their enemy and fought against them. Then they remembered those days of old when Moses led his people out of Egypt. They cried out, "Where is the one who brought Israel through the sea, with Moses as their shepherd? Where is the one who sent his Holy Spirit to be among his people?" Isaiah 63:10-11

Jesus promised all His followers, including us, that if He left earth and went back to be with the Father, in heaven, that the Holy Spirit, also called the Comforter would come…to each of those who believe in Him… to teach (John 14;26, John 12:12, and 1 John 2:27), to remind (John 14:26), to console, gives spiritual birth (John 3:6), to encourage (Acts 9:31). Also see Jesus’ description of the Holy Spirit’s responsibilities.

But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Advocate won't come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world's sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged. There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can't bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.' John 16:7-15

One of my favorite promises about the Holy Spirit involves prayer. He helps us. He is there for us…our Advocate. Groanings. We don’t know what to pray…but He does and He intercedes for us. I’ve been there…done that…and relied on the Holy Spirit to get me through some rough days.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26

The Holy Spirit is more than an Advocate. Like Jesus, He is our friend…knowing us better than we know ourselves. Praying for us…showing us the way to go…teaching us what to say and when to say it. I don’t know about you…but I need the Holy Spirit, daily filling me with God’s love, mercy, joy, peace, strength and understanding. Without Him I would be tossed about on a wave…lost and alone.

Women's section of the Western Wall.
Jerusalem, Israel

When I visited the Western Wall, known as the Wailing Wall, where many people gather to pray in Jerusalem, I thought I saw a white dove. I was so awed…but it was probably a pigeon, not a dove. Oh well. It reminded me of verses in the Bible where the Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove, like at the baptism of Jesus. What an awesome experience that must have been to see a beautiful dove appearing as the Holy Spirit as He rose out of the Jordan River.

As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. Mark 1:10

Glory be to Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. I will follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit—yielding to His direction. The Holy Spirit is mine…is He yours?

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

Revised from June 4, 2019 “Banquet With The King Blog”

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, November 26, 2023

What is Transformation?

Prayer – Lord, reveal to us this mystery of transformation. It is so exciting that we have this promise for our mortal bodies to be transformed into immortal bodies—just like Yours was, Jesus. Immortal! We will live forever—forever serving You. What can I do to get ready? I feel like I’m ready now. Come quickly, Jesus. Glory be to the Father...and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

The Scriptures tell us, "The first man, Adam, became a living person." But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man. What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: "Death is swallowed up in victory….(Isaiah 25:8)" 1 Corinthians 15:45-54 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Are you looking for a wonderful secret?

Transformed! Changed from mortal to immortal. No more dying. How can that be? With God, all things are possible. How and when this transformation will take place is still a wonderful secret. God has revealed to us that we will be changed…in the blink or twinkling of an eye. So fast that we won’t even know it is happening, but we will know that we are changed. Even the dead in Christ will be transformed to immortal—raising first. Will we see them? Probably, since we will perhaps be living still. God has told us—promised it. The twinkling of an eye is just a moment of time. From mortal bodies that will die or are dead—to immortal bodies that will last forever.

Will transformation happen without any planning or preparation for all the believers? Jesus told His disciples and us to…be prepared for we don’t know just when exactly all this will happen. Read Mark 13 to obtain more clues as to the end times that Jesus described.

And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert! Mark 13:33

When we are changed, will we be just like Jesus was after His resurrection? I think so. God requires purity—to come before Him. Even the priests in the earlier Temple days could not touch or go near a dead body. As immortals we will be pure, like those priests and like resurrected Jesus. We will also have the righteous character and eternal qualities of Jesus Christ—with the pure and blameless lives that we strive for now.

Is food important to you? It is such an important part of the life of my family and me. I’ve noted a wonderful thing that post resurrection Jesus got hungry and ate food. That tells me we will be eating for eternity! How wonderful can that be? What will heavenly food be like? Will it just be manna like God provided to the Hebrew people after they left Egypt on their Exodus to the Promised Land? God provided Adam and Eve with a variety of fruits and vegetables in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2).

Buffet banquet at a hotel near the Dead Sea.
Israel

According to the book of Revelation we know that there will be trees in Heaven that will provide fruit for us to eat. Yes, we will be eating in Heaven in our immortal transformed bodies. There will be a time of a banquet feast with our Heavenly Father.

The LORD God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:9 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. Revelation 22:1-2 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear." For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God's holy people. And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb." And he added, "These are true words that come from God." Revelation 19:7-9

Our transformation to an immortal spiritual body will be the final step for us in God’s eternal plan for mankind. He will ultimately reveal to us this mystery—and we will live through our transformation to immortality. Is there a family member or friend that you still need to tell about Jesus? Will you be ready if our transformation happens tomorrow, the next day, or next year?

Verses of Salvation ~ I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:9-11

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, November 25, 2023

How To…Seek the LORD

Prayer – Lord, reveal yourself to me today in Your word and even through comments and ideas from other Christian family and friends. They say it takes a village to raise a child…well I think it takes a community or a caring group to help Christians reach a level of maturity. We all need You. Thanks for always being with us.

Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:6-9

Meditate. Can we even imagine God’s thoughts?

Isaiah’s statement to…seek the LORD while you can find Him…was good advice then and is still good advice now. Turn to the Lord, repent, and God will forgive us. That is more than we can expect. God is so very generous.

I am grateful for God’s love and protection. Just knowing that He cares so much for me—as well as my family, friends, neighbors, and actually anyone who even shows any interest in Him is mindboggling. He cares enough about us—and wants purity in our loves so much—that He allowed His Son, Jesus, to be sacrificed on a cross for us. Even my grandchildren have memorized the classic verse revealing God’s love.

God so loved the world...
Jesus is the light of the world.
Is He part of your world?

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. John 3:16-17

We don’t have to be a Jew—one of His “chosen” people—in order to receive His love and forgiveness. When we acknowledge Him, He makes us part of His family. I especially like that part—that I will live with my Abba Father forever—all because I repented of my sin, asked for forgiveness—and continue to seek Him daily. How do I “seek” the Lord? Every day I read at least a few verses of the Bible—His message to mankind. Some days are more inspiring than others—but God always has a significant idea or lesson that I can at least try to apply to my life. These days you don’t even have to have a Bible to read God’s word. There are plenty of on-line programs like Blue Letter Bible or Gateway that provide the scripture—and will even read it out loud to you. Praying is an important part of the “seeking” since it allows me to communicate with my Heavenly Father. Having that relationship with God is better than with any other person. Sorry about that friends and family! God does come first in my life. Where do you stand with God? Are you seeking Him?

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. Romans 13:11-12

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

Blessings on you and memorize verses about Jesus.

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