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.

Sunday, December 31, 2023

In the Beginning…Is This the End?

Prayer – Lord, You are the Alpha and the Omega…the beginning and the end. Please give me understanding of Your word…that I would see Your plan…from the beginning to the end.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters….Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day. Genesis 1:1-2, 31

So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. Genesis 2:1-3

Meditate. Do you know God’s plan for mankind—the beginning and the end?

Do you see all six geese?

The Sixth Day of Christmas

Six Geese A-Laying represent the creation story that is told in Genesis in which God creates the world in six days. Singing about these geese allowed people to secretly tell others about God and His power of creation.

God gave instructions in the Ten Commandments to Moses for the Hebrew people during their exodus from Egypt. One of those directives was about the seventh day of rest…the Sabbath.

Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. Exodus 20:8-11

Do you observe a Sabbath day? Is it Sunday? I know people who have their sabbath day on an alternate day—and many pastors of churches use Friday or Monday as their sabbath since they “work” on Sunday that is recognized by most Christians as the Sabbath day, since that was the day of Jesus resurrection.

We are about to embark on a New Year. Have you set for yourself new goals, resolutions or even a “word of the year” to give you a purpose and guidance? Today is a good day to evaluate 2023 and look ahead to 2024. Your choices shape your life. How is it looking for you?

Verse of Salvation ~ For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time--to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. 2 Timothy 1:9-10

Good-bye 2023 – Hello 2024

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, December 30, 2023

Don’t Wait to Read God’s Word – Start Today

Prayer – Lord, I’ve read Your word—but I can never get enough of it. Inspire me as I read it again…starting today. I don’t want to wait until the Festival of Shelters in mid-October—to start reading it. I love Your word and You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.

Torah scroll
Synagogue at Safed, Israel

So Moses wrote this entire body of instruction in a book and gave it to the priests, who carried the Ark of the LORD's Covenant, and to the elders of Israel. Then Moses gave them this command: "At the end of every seventh year, the Year of Release, during the Festival of Shelters, you must read this Book of Instruction to all the people of Israel when they assemble before the LORD your God at the place he chooses. Call them all together—men, women, children, and the foreigners living in your towns—so they may hear this Book of Instruction and learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully obey all the terms of these instructions. Do this so that your children who have not known these instructions will hear them and will learn to fear the LORD your God. Do this as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy." Deuteronomy 31:9-13

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance throughout the scriptures.

The Fifth Day of Christmas

Five Golden Rings encourage literacy and stand for the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Pentateuch or Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These five books were written by Moses and tell of creation, and of the covenant and the rules that God made with and for man. This begins the story of God’s relationship with humans—from Adam to His chosen people—the family of Abraham. The account of God’s people continues with their bondage and salvation, although they continue in a cycle of disobedience, rebellion, and then submission to the Lord. History is documented in these initial books of the Bible. Literacy was an issue...as few people could read. The story of God was handed down verbally even before it was written down.

People desire to have a god…and our God is above all other gods. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Moses documented God’s creation, intervention, and association with mankind. Have you read these books that Moses recorded? Why not start today?

Verse of Salvation ~ Finally, believers, we ask and admonish you in the Lord Jesus, that you follow the instruction that you received from us about how you ought to walk and please God (just as you are actually doing) and that you excel even more and more [pursuing a life of purpose and living in a way that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation]. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 AMP

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

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP),

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, December 29, 2023

Boldly Proclaim

Prayer – Lord, help me to boldly proclaim not only your birth, but also Your teachings, miracles, Your death and resurrection. You are worthy of praise, adoration, and life—forever.

I (Paul) am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, "THE JUST and UPRIGHT SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." Romans 1:16-17 AMP

Meditate. Read God’s word and hear what He is speaking.

The Fourth Day of Christmas.

Four Calling Birds are symbolic of the four Gospels and their writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Imagine people sharing the Gospel mysteriously about four birds calling out the secret message from each of the first four books of the New Testament. They were sharing the very message of God—and introducing the Savior and the principle that God is love. All the miracles of Jesus were described in those four books of the Bible; recorded for all the world to learn of the power and glory of God and His Son, Jesus.

The question for Christians is, “How are you telling others about Jesus?” Paul stated that he was not ashamed of the gospel. Are you ashamed of Jesus? What are you telling those around you concerning the Messiah, Jesus Christ? Jesus spoke about shame involved with those who follow Him.

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." Mark 8:34-38

I for one do not want Jesus to be ashamed of me! He is our advocate before the Heavenly Father—so shame has no place in our lives when it comes to presenting the Gospel to the unsaved. We should boldly proclaim—as Paul describes in his letter to the church in Thessalonica.

For you know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you has not been ineffective (fruitless, in vain), but after we had already suffered and been outrageously treated in Philippi, as you know, yet in [the strength of] our God we summoned the courage to proclaim boldly to you the good news of God [regarding salvation] amid great opposition. For our appeal does not come from delusion or impure motives, nor [is it motivated] by deceit [our message is complete, accurate, and based on the truth--it does not change]. But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel [that tells the good news of salvation through faith in Christ], so we speak, not as [if we were trying] to please people [to gain power and popularity], but to please God who examines our hearts [expecting our best]. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 AMP

God will give you the words…so go forth and speak with the power of the Holy Spirit directing you…boldly.

Verse of Salvation ~ (As written by Paul.) And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God's mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. Ephesians 6:19

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

This year of 2023 is almost over. What has been your favorite food this year?

Loaves and Fish Mosaic
at the Byzantine Church of Multiplication
Near the Sea of Galilee
Tiberias, Israel

Feast at the King’s Table—be seated with the Lord Himself and enjoy the food as His followers did in this example of the feeding of more than 5,000 people.

"There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?" "Tell everyone to sit down," Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, "Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted." So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves. John 6:9-13

Jesus is generous. There was more than enough food for everyone with leftovers. Leftovers are always good! Jesus fed these folks spiritually, and then physically. Jesus gave thanks for the bread and fish. Give thanks—for everything that the Lord provides. Blessings on all that the Lord allows you to serve at your table.

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

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP),

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, December 28, 2023

What Lasts Forever?

Prayer – Lord. what lasts forever—except for Your love?

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:12-13

Meditate. Consider love, hope and faith.

The Three French Hens, of the Third Day of Christmas, symbolize the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. Charity is also known as love. It is the greatest of God’s gifts to us. To be accepted by others, to love and be loved is the basic driving of the human psychic. Think about all kinds of people around the world. Mothers generally have a basic instinct to love their offspring. How about a motorcycle “biker” or a Wall Street investment broker? He or she wants to be accepted by others in their group. Kids in school just want to be part of a group—and if they are not, it is likely they will cause trouble to be recognized—to get attention. Their thought and motivation might be, “Won’t someone accept me…just like me for who I am?” God accepts and love all mankind throughout the world—throughout history, but people have to respond to His love. Love does indeed make the world go around.

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. John 3:16 (Read the book of John.)

Faith is that belief in what is not seen. We cannot see God—but people around the world believe in a god of some type. The God of the Christians and the Jews has taught His followers that there is to be no other god before Him. Jesus is the only god who has died and been resurrected. That is a miracle. For me, it provides proof that He is God. The life of Jesus began with a miracle…and He Himself performed miracles from healing lepers, making the blind see, the lame walk, healing sick and raising people from death. No other gods have done what He has done. Although I cannot see God, I have faith and believe in Him. That gives me hope. Hope for an eternal future with Him, just as He promised. Jesus told His disciples and us that there will be room for us in His Father’s home in Heaven. Again, although I cannot see into the future, I trust what He promised to be true.

Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. John 14:1-3

This promise of faith, hope and love lasts forever.

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

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, December 27, 2023

Are You Redeemed?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I know that You are my Redeemer…and I will live forever with You. Help me to share this message with others—that they would understand the freedom You have given us…and the hope of an eternal life. Thank you for being that Partridge in the Pear Tree—our Lord and Savior. Our Redeemer.

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Luke 1:68-70

Meditate. Read God’s word and listen—take to heart—what He is saying.

Are you redeemed? Redeemed—saved from what you might ask? Everyone sins—even if they don’t want to admit it.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:23-24

We are NOT perfect—but by the blood of Jesus we have been rescued, ransomed, redeemed.

Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God's people. And they sang a new song with these words: "You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth." Revelation 5:6-10

Life, Death, and Resurrection.
Jesus Christ
Depicted on a cross from Medjugorje.

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb—that is Jesus Christ, who although He was sinless, He took on the punishment of death for our sins. Amazing love. Who gives up His life for others so that they might live forever? Jesus. And His resurrection from the dead was part of the Heavenly Father’s plan for mankind. We—all believers—will all be resurrected one day, like Jesus.

Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?" "Yes, Lord," she told him. "I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God." John 11:25-27

Jesus is the Messiah—the risen Lord.

For the next few days, we’ll continue to reflect on the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” For the second day of Christmas the Two Turtle Doves represent the Old and New Testaments, the two books that comprise the Holy Bible. Only the Old Testament obviously existed at the time of Jesus. The New Testament is all about Jesus—His birth, teachings, life, death, resurrection, and His return. There are sixty-six books in the total Bible written by at least forty different authors over two-thousand years. The theme of the Bible is really God’s love for mankind and His efforts to redeem them. Are you among the redeemed?

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

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, December 26, 2023

Keep Celebrating!

Prayer – Lord, I just want to keep celebrating You!

Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; celebrate his lovely name with music. - Psalm 135:3

Meditate. Consider how you celebrate the birthday of family and friends.

How do you celebrate the birthday of family and friends? A big dinner with music and singing? Just cake and ice cream…or a scrumptious fruit pie or cobbler with a candle? How have you celebrated the birthday of our Lord and Savior? My family tends to celebrate a birthday for more than just one day…sometimes a week—or for special milestones—a whole month! A sister-in-law once introduced that “celebrate for a month” idea—and I think it is terrific! One day is never enough! So, celebrate the birth of Jesus for at least a few more days…and on to Epiphany which is on Saturday January 6, 2024. That is the day, Three Kings Day, recognizing the Wise Men arrival in Bethlehem after Jesus was born. Some people give gifts to their children on that day. When we lived in South Carolina, we had friends who were Porto Rican who gave their "Christmas" presents on Three Kings Day. It was a great celebration time for their family!

Note that Epiphany falls twelve days after Christmas. Some say that is what the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is all about. Google the “Twelve Days of Christmas” meaning. You’ll find several sites online that note the religious significance when the song was written in 1780 and how the Catholic church was experiencing persecution. Can you imagine that people were imprisoned or killed for expressing their belief in Jesus as the Messiah? They were, so, they hid the meaning of Christmas in this song.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

The First Day of Christmas
A Partridge in a Pear Tree represents Jesus Christ, the son of God and Savior of the Christian world.

The Second Day of Christmas
Two Turtle Doves represent the Old and New Testaments, the two books that comprise the Holy Bible.

The Third Day of Christmas
Three French Hens symbolized the theological Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity.

The Fourth Day of Christmas
Four Calling Birds are symbolic of the four Gospels and their writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The Fifth Day of Christmas
Five Golden Rings encourage literacy and stand for the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

The Sixth Day of Christmas
Six Geese A-Laying represent the creation story as told in Genesis in which God creates the world in six days.

The Seventh Day of Christmas
Seven Swans A-Swimming concerns the seven sacraments of the Catholic faith: baptism, communion, reconciliation (the idea that sins are forgiven once you confess and repent), confirmation, marriage, ordination, and the ritual of last rights.

The Eighth Day of Christmas
Eight Maids A-Milking represent the eight Beatitudes, which can be found in Matthew 5:3-12 as part of the Sermon on the Mount. In short these are: God blesses the poor in spirit, blesses the meek, blesses they who mourn, blesses those who hunger and thirst after justice, blesses the merciful, blesses those with pure hearts, blesses the peacemakers, and blesses those that suffer persecution for justice's sake.

The Ninth Day of Christmas
Nine Ladies Dancing symbolize the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The Tenth Day of Christmas
Ten Lords A-Leaping implies the Ten Commandments, brought down by Moses and passed down as Catholic law.

The Eleventh Day of Christmas
Eleven Pipers Piping depict the eleven faithful apostles: Peter, James, John, Andrew, Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Jude, and Simon (though there were twelve, Judas is excluded due to his betrayal of Christ)

The Twelfth Day of Christmas
Twelve Drummers Drumming refers to the doctrine of the Apostle's Creed and the twelve points included therein (belief in God the Father almighty, belief in Jesus Christ his only Son - our Lord, that Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, that He suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was crucified, died and was buried, then he descended into hell, that he rose again the third day, that he ascended into heaven, that he is seated at the right hand of the Father, that he is to come to judge the living and the dead, belief in the Holy Ghost, belief in the holy catholic Church and the communion of saints, belief in the remission of sins, and belief in the resurrection of the flesh and life eternal.)

Knowing these points makes this Christmas carol much more relevant to season and to Christians. Keep celebrating beyond Christmas day!

Verse of Salvation ~ Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1

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