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.

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

Prayer – Lord, perfect love. How can it be? That is the love that You have showed to mankind—creating us in Your image and then being willing to die for us. Perfect love.

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:17-19 NKJV (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Consider perfection.

Can you imagine perfection? What does that mean to you?

Korean brass cross
Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

Perfect love casts out fear. Perfect. According to Strong’s Lexicon, perfect mean nothing needed to complete it; brought to an end, finished. Remember Jesus’ last words on the cross.

He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30b NKJV

It is finished. His work on earth was done—completed in accordance with the expectations of God the Father. It was perfect. There was no more to be done. Perfect love had been accomplished by Jesus’ death on the cross. His perfect love for all of mankind. For you and for me. That perfect love eliminated any fear. Fear comes from Satan—not from God. Jesus eliminated that fear in us by shedding His blood—sacrificing His very life to redeem us from sin and the power of death. There is no fear in love.

Do you feel fear when you think of Jesus? He expects us to repent of our sin…and that repentance, done in love towards Him, casts out fear. There you go. No fear. No need to be afraid. Jesus is our protector…our shepherd…our Savior. Perfect love casts out fear.

Verse of Salvation ~ Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified!" Psalm 70:4 NKJV

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) 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, January 30, 2024

Fear Not...Again

Prayer – Lord, You have so blessed Israel over the thousands of years since You chose Abraham to be the father of nations. Now, You have gathered the Israelites back into the Promised Land. Your promised people…into Your Promised Land. You have redeemed them—from countries around the world. Through Isaiah, You told them…Fear not, for I have redeemed you. Now what? We are eagerly waiting for the next step in this redemption process. Exciting days ahead. Help us all to “fear not.”

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, them back!' Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth—Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him." Isaiah 43:1-7 NKJV (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Consider how Israel has returned to the Promised Land.

The descendants of Abraham—the Hebrew people…the Jews—are back in the Promised Land and have been the sovereign nation of Israel since May 14, 1948. They are a blessed people. Do they know that? Obviously, some do…and some do not. Jesus is their Messiah—but they do not all recognize Him as such. Jesus is the Messiah—but not just for the Jews. He is the Savior of all mankind. Do you recognize Him as your Savior?

Jesus spoke through Isaiah saying, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you….” And “Fear not, for I am with you….” He spoke this phrase, fear not, several times in earlier chapters of Isaiah. Read it for yourself. Great promises to the nation of Israel and even to Christians today. We don’t need to fear because God is with us. He will never leave us or forsake us. As believers, we are also chosen people. Chosen because we chose Him. But remember that Jesus said…

Bear much fruit.
It doesn't matter if it is grapes,
lemons,
bananas,
oranges,
apples,
watermelon...
or whatever.
Serve the Lord with
what you've produced.

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. John 15:15-16 NKJV

He chose us—He didn’t enslave us, but chose as His friends and followers. Faithful fruit bearing friends. That is how Jesus created and wants us to be. One day, He will call us to redeem us and give us a home in Heaven with Him. No fear in that!

Verse of Salvation ~ I, even I, am the LORD, and besides Me there is no savior. Isaiah 43:11 NKJV

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) 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, January 29, 2024

98th Birthday Blessings

Prayer – Lord Jesus...We come before You with quiet hearts and minds...ready to receive Your words—your teaching and Your guidance. Thank You for Auntie Merc—for her long life, her happy smile and joyful attitude. Please continue to bless her.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10 NKJV

Meditate. Be still.

Lets walk this path--together with the Lord.
Be still and Know God.
Camping near Goose Prairie, WA

This verse is my Aunt Mercedes favorite scripture passage and today we celebrate her 98th Birthday! Happy Birthday, Dear Auntie Merc! May God continue to bless and guide you—giving you His Peace, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control and Love—as you continue to follow His road—His path. It has been a great walk with you...and the Lord.

Everyone has a story. Aunt Merc was an only child...who took herself to church. Her parents didn't go. Amazing. That takes gumption and dedication. She loves life, her family, her friends and Jesus of whom she has been a devoted follower for more than 90 years! Knowing God is an important part of her life...her story.

Did Jesus ever use this "Be Still" scripture in any of His teachings? It is not evident that He ever did use that scripture to teach His followers to slow down...to be still...to just be quiet, listen to and listen for the Lord. He did model that behavior as He spent quiet time with His Heavenly Father, praying and receiving guidance. He was a good listener. Jesus did declare to the woman at the well that He was the Messiah—therefore declaring Himself to be God.

The woman said, "I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." Then Jesus told her, "I AM the Messiah!" John 4:25-26

There are several scripture passages that deal with being silent or knowing God.

But the LORD is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him. Habakkuk 2:20

Be silent before the LORD, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling. Zechariah 2:13

Then they will learn (know) that you alone are called the LORD, that you alone are the Most High, supreme over all the earth. Psalm 83:18

Acknowledge (know) that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3

Be quiet—have self-control—to let God speak to you. Know God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I was a noisy kid and my mind is still always thinking…so it takes effort for me to be quiet enough to hear the Lord. I must listen closely.

How do we "know" God? Get into His word...read—study—pray. That is just what Auntie Merc has been doing for most of her life. Thank you, Auntie Merc, for being such a good example for us, for sharing your story and your life with us. We love you!

Verse of Salvation ~ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation. Psalm 91:15-16 NKJV

Happy 98^th Birthday Auntie Mercedes

Love You Much

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) 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, January 28, 2024

How to Not Be Afraid

Prayer – Lord, Thank you for insight into Your Word today…and always. I’m trusting You to reveal Your promises and make them real in my life. I give You my fears…my anxieties…my doubts. I trust You to guide me, protect me, and to provide a way of escape from temptations, trials and fears.

Then Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. And he said to them: "I am one hundred and twenty years old today. I can no longer go out and come in. Also the LORD has said to me, 'You shall not cross over this Jordan.' The LORD your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua himself crosses over before you, just as the LORD has said. And the LORD will do to them as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites and their land, when He destroyed them. The LORD will give them over to you, that you may do to them according to every commandment which I have commanded you. Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:1-6 NKJV (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Consider God’s promise.

How do we “not be afraid?” The author, assumed to be Moses, wrote about trusting God when he was afraid in this passage below from Psalms.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation." Psalm 91:1-16 NKJV

Just like this goose is protecting its hatching eggs...
God is watching out for us.
Protecting us.
Trust Him.

The key is trusting and loving the Lord. To live in His shadow, you have to pretty close to the Lord. I love this image of hiding under His feathers and God covering us with His wings—protecting us like a bird protects its young. We don’t have to be afraid when we TRUST the Lord. He is the Almighty God—all powerful. No one—nothing—can keep us from the Lord’s protection.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35, 38-39 NKJV

Can you do life alone? Do you want to handle all your fears—tribulations, trials, persecution, famine, wars—by yourself? Can you look fear in the face…and trust Him to take care of you? Do you have the courage and strength to let God, who is always with you, to do as He has promised? It is our choice. Trust or not trust.

Verse of Salvation ~ Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.' Isaiah 12:2 NKJV

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) 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, January 27, 2024

Fear—Whatsit to You?

Prayer – Lord, You said…Fear not, for I am with you always. I know I shouldn’t be afraid—but there are some things I just fear. The dark; people slinking around in the dark plotting to do evil and harm to me, my family, friends, or our country; spiders, rats, being surprised by wild beasts. I praise You and give You glory. I am honored that You find value in me—in all of us that we are worth more to You than many sparrows.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:28-31 NKJV

Meditate. No fear.

What are you afraid of?

Sparrows along a path.
Are they of value to you?
You are more valuable to God!

No fear. Jesus warns us not to fear other people—but to fear Satan who can destroy a person’s body and soul in hell. He reminds us of how important we are to our Heavenly Father—we are worth more than lots of sparrows. Sparrows weren’t worth much during Jesus’ time…and they are not worth much now. Why would they be of much value? They are just plain little brown birds, but they do eat weed seeds and bugs—so they have more value that most people would give them. What value do we have? We don’t eat weed seeds or bugs—yet God values us. Give Him the glory and honor.

OK. No fear. No fear of the dark or things that go bump in the night. I’m always claiming that God is with me…and has promised to never forsake me. I’m once again claiming that promise—and feeling His presence with me, protecting me from my own scary thoughts and from Satan—the one who would like to put us all in hell with him. No, I belong to the Lord—now and forever more. It is my choice—to choose God and His protection.

Verse of Salvation ~ The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 NKJV

Memory verse of the week: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) 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, January 26, 2024

Will You Choose to Be Transformed?

Prayer – Lord, Moses wore a veil after meeting with You. I thought that it was that his face glowed and he didn’t want to scare the others…but Paul wrote that Moses wore the veil so that the children of Israel didn’t see that Your glory was fading from his face. May Your glory shine forth from the face and heart of all those who seek and know You as their Lord and Savior. Thank you for insight into Your word. Fill me with Your wisdom and transform my heart, soul, and mind.

Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech—unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 NKJV

Meditate. Consider your transformation by the Spirit of the Lord.

Veils aren’t generally part of the Christian culture—except for some brides during their wedding ceremony. If you’ve ever been married, did you wear a veil during your ceremony? I didn’t. I wore flowers in my hair—it was sort of a non-traditional thing I chose to do.

Choices. We all make choices—whether it is to wear a veil or allow our minds to be blinded. Are we like the Israelites and just choose not to see the Lord? Personally, I have chosen to “turn to the Lord” so the veil has been removed from my heart. I can see clearly now—and have freedom with the Spirit of the Lord. I’ve been transformed…or am actually still being transformed by the Spirit. I don’t think that transformation will ever be complete until I go home to Heaven. In the meantime, glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. May His glory be reflected in my face as the glory of the Lord shone through Moses’ face after he met with the Lord. It is not that I have attained something that others don’t have, but I am humbly falling on my face before the Lord worshipping Him. Have you met my Lord? He offers hope to everyone who turns to Him. Will you choose to be transformed?

Verse of Salvation ~ Help us, O God of our salvation, For the glory of Your name; And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, For Your name's sake! Psalm 79:9 NKJV

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Next Monday, January 29, 2024, my Auntie Mercedes will be 98 years old! Amazing! She’s a special lady—who loves the Lord. When I was in High School I spent a couple of weeks with my Auntie Merc—who was actually my Dad’s cousin’s wife at that time. While her husband was off hunting elk, we had a great time cooking, laughing and just talking. She was amazed that I was studying WWII when she had lived through it. One evening as we chatted, she fixed the most wonderful cabbage rolls. Years later, as a widow, she married my Uncle Len. This is her recipe, which was actually my grandmother’s, too.

Waiting patiently for those cabbage rolls.
Be Still and Know.

Cabbage Rolls
Head of Cabbage – Use 8-10 outer leaves whole, then finely chop about 2 cups cabbage.
1 pound ground beef, browned
1 cup cooked white rice, or brown rice (start with about ¼ cup uncooked)
1 small onion, chopped fine
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp dry parsley or thyme
Salt and pepper, as desired (about ¾ tsp salt and a dash of pepper)

Be sure to steam the outer cabbage leaves, or at least pour boiling water over the leaves to wilt them—or microwave for a minute. Mix beef, rice, onion, garlic and seasonings. Then wrap the mixture into the wilted outer cabbage leaves, place on the chopped cabbage in a pan, add about 1 cup of water, cover and cook on low heat for about 1½ hours.

Memory verse of the week: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) 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, January 25, 2024

Transformation to the Rescue

Prayer – Lord, I don’t like war and fighting. It frightens me…but I know that You can take away all fear—so I give it to You. Please continue to transform my life—that I would know You more and trust You more with my life. I can imagine a future with You…forever. Thank You for Your obedience to God the Father—He had a plan and You headed to the cross for Him…and for me.

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died. It doesn't matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God's peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God. Galatians 6:14-16 NLT (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Consider transformation.

Remember the old toy transformers that changed from a car to a robot guy…and then those were transformed into cartoon characters to save the world? Rescue Bots! Of course, there were bad bots—bad robots, too. That’s life. Good guys. Bad guys.

Are you transformed?
Jesus on the Cross
Shed His Blood for You and for Me
Holy Family Shrine - Nebraska

If you are transformed into a new creation with God, you are certainly one of the “good” guys! God is all about warfare. Oh sure, He is about love, but have you noticed how much war (228 verses in NKJV) and fighting there is in the Bible? I’m a peaceful person—I don’t like conflict, so all this war and scary stuff isn’t something I want to jump right into. I want to stand back and let God’s angels fight—like we read about Michael in Daniel chapters 10-12 and Revelation 12:7-8—and about Christ Himself in battle in Revelation 19. We are physical and spiritual beings. Right now, the world is fighting horrific wars in Israel and the Ukraine. With God—war is spiritual. There is a battle for each person’s soul—but everyone has to make their own choice. We can choose to have the blood of Jesus wash away our sin—for He was crucified on the cross for us. Just as Paul said… What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. This new creation is the spiritual being, made alive in Christ. May each of us find the peace of Jesus in the mercy with which He covers us. Mercy is a wonderful thing. We don’t deserve it, but we don’t have to fight the battles ourselves. Jesus and His angels do that for us. Transformation is a really good thing!

Have you been transformed…or are you still trying to fight your own battles?

Verses of Salvation ~ 'You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you." And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. - 2 Chronicles 20:17-18 NKJV

Memory verse of the week: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) 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