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.

Thursday, February 29, 2024

How to be Punctual

Prayer – Jesus, You taught in Mark 13:33, “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.” May we be respectful to You and obedient to our Heavenly Father by always being ready for Your return. Please continue to guide, heal and protect us as we seek to serve You. Please touch the hearts and lives of those in Portugal…and here in the Tri-Cities…with Your love, wisdom and understanding. Help us to do exactly as the Father has commanded.

And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here. John 14:29-31

Meditate. Consider your punctuality.

Jesus was obedient. He did exactly as His Father told Him. He knew that Satan, ruler of the world, was on his way to condemn Him to death on a cross. So, Jesus told His disciples to get up and get going.

February 29 - We get an extra day!
Can you be on time...punctual today?

Let’s get on with it…no point in dragging your feet or complaining. It’s going to happen, so let’s go. He did what the Father expected Him to do. No more talking—no more teaching. Just go. When you know you have something unpleasant ahead of you do you just get going…or do you drag your feet, find excuses to do something else, or are you late to arrive where you should be? Being on time is respectful. I’ve really been convicted of that the last couple of years. I wouldn’t think of being late to a doctor’s appointment or to a scheduled airline flight…but other meetings or events, what difference does a few minutes late matter? Actually, it matters a lot. You miss an exchange of information if you aren’t there at the beginning of a gathering. You can’t just catch up. It is disrespectful to everyone there. Is my time more valuable than theirs? Think about it. Jesus wasn’t late to His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane or to His appointment at the cross.

Punctuality is different to different people, even within different cultures. When we were in Portugal a few years ago, I found that some people there were a little lax at punctuality, but still within that same culture my husband’s physical therapist, after his hip replacement, was very punctual. She took pride in being precisely on time. She was also athletic, playing volleyball, and coaching soccer for teenagers. I think that she expected punctuality for other players, too. That is a good thing—showing respect for others…and for herself. Do you show respect to God and others by being punctual? Jesus is challenging us today to look at how we respect ourselves, others, and Him by being punctual. How will you respond to Him today? Being punctual is a matter of choice…just like so many other things in life—we choose. Choose to be punctual—to respect yourself and others by being early. I’ve heard it said that to be on time is to be late—so always be early to appointments, meetings, and even to work. Set a goal for yourself to be early…not just on time.

Verse of Salvation ~ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5 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

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Listen for Laughter and Singing

Prayer – Lord, thank you for laughter and singing, but most of all for doing great things in our lives. You didn’t just do things for the Israelites in the Old Testament or for those living during the New Testament times—but You are at work in believers today. Actually, I think, You are at work in all those You love around the world—just as written… "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 NKJV

When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad. Bring back our captivity, O LORD, As the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:1-6 NKJV

Meditate. Consider God’s harvest.

Modern combine in Israel.
The grain is ripe...bring in the harvest.

Bringing in the sheaves/bringing in the sheaves/we shall come rejoicing/bringing in the sheaves.

Did you ever sing that hymn in church? Since the invention of the combine in 1835, we haven’t had “sheaves” in our fields. You see them in old paintings and read about them in places like the Book of Ruth when they were harvesting barley and other grains. I sort of see God’s harvest as happening all along history—when He calls someone home and their mortal bodies die—it is harvesting time. One day there will be a great harvest—all the believers will be called home…like when God called the Jews back to Jerusalem and the Promised Land from their captivity in Babylon. Jesus spoke to His disciples about a harvest….

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! "And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.” John 4:34-36 NKJV

So, rejoice—with others with whom you are working alongside to spread the message of the Gospel. Like David wrote about the Israelites returning from Babylon, we can certainly say…The LORD has done great things for them, and for us. With answered prayers, I’m winning my battle with kidney stones, so I can say—The Lord has done great things for me. I can also say that as I pray scripture, He is helping me with my attitude and anxiety! That is a big one for a lot of people these days. How are you doing? How do you see God working in your life? Listen for laughter and singing among those who love the Lord.

Verse of Salvation ~ Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Psalm 96:2 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

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Growth in Your Garden?

Prayer – Lord, plants grow…and so do people. As we “mature” physically and spiritual, please give us wisdom to understand the new realm that we will one day be a part of—Your heavenly spiritual world.

Scripture. 1 Corinthians 15:42-49

Meditate. Time to start considering planting seeds.

Are you just an earthly body? Can you envision your spiritual body?

I grew up watching plants grow in the fields on our farm…and those near my home. I just took it for granted that plants grow. The fields are plowed, seeds planted and watered…and they grow and are harvested. Just part of life. People are pretty much the same. Babies, like little plants, get bigger. Before we know it…toddlers turn into big kids running, riding bikes, and then driving cars. That’s physical growth…how about spiritual growth? Spiritual growth has to be much more intentional. It begins with a choice to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, the spiritual creator and leader of all mankind.

Jesus began His earthly life with a natural body…as a baby born in Bethlehem. When He was baptized His spiritual life on earth seemed to begin…and God the Father was well pleased with Him (Matthew 3:17). Do you see any difference in Christ, before His death and after His resurrection? Even prophesy describes the way He would look after His crucifixion. Study those portions of scripture for yourself and discover a truth that you hadn’t noticed before (Example Psalm 22.)

And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Luke 9:29 (At His Transformation)

But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. Isaiah 52:14 (Before His Crucifixion.)

She (Mary Magdalene) turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn't recognize him. John 20:14 (After His resurrection.)

What did Jesus look like?
No one knows for sure.
This was my rendition years ago.
Lenten worship art.

He might have just been an ordinary looking guy—nothing noteworthy in His appearance until He went through the transfiguration. After the beatings right before His crucifixion, His face was not recognizable. Then immediately after His resurrection, again He was not recognized. When He appeared to the Disciples in the Upper Room that evening, His disciples knew Him—so we can assume that His face looked like His pre-cross face. Good looks are valued in our society today—but there are few really perfect faces. Why would Jesus have one? People are drawn to charismatic, charming and good-looking people. People were drawn to Jesus because He was a teacher, healer, and provided food for the masses. After He was resurrected, He appeared to more than 500 people at one time—but He drew much larger crowds when He miraculously fed the 5,000 men and their families, with just a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish. No matter how He looks, physically, His spiritual being is life-giving and that spiritual dimension is the feature that His faithful followers will one day also embody. Raised from mortal to immortal spiritual being. Buried in a weak form…and raised in an everlasting form of glorious strength.

He was not weak…but we are weak in these earthly bodies. When we will be raised, we will be strong in celestial bodies—not these broken earthly bodies—with strength from the Lord God.

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. Psalm 73:25-28

There’s the quintessential component of our relationship with Jesus. He told His disciples and us that we are to go and make disciples. Telling others. That is God’s purpose for us. Planting seeds in others as we share the love and truth of the Lord.

So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 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. 2 Timothy 1:8-9

Are you growing spiritually? Are you planting seeds spiritually in others?

Verse of Salvation ~ For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

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, February 26, 2024

God has a Sense of Humor—Laugh!

Prayer – Lord, I know that I take life seriously—probably too seriously. Shine some of Your joy, hope, and laughter into me today—through Your word and let me hear You laugh with me. Laughter warms my heart and its good for me as well as those around me. Shine on me. Give me courage as I put my hope in You. As I read in Psalms… Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24 NKJV. A strong heart is a healthy heart—one that can laugh anytime…anywhere.

A glorious sunrise - God shining down on us!

When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:20-26 NLT

Meditate. Can you hear God laughing?

Can you hear God laughing? God will laugh at some people—those who are wicked and have silly ideas. They may seem prosperous—but they are not to be envied. One of the Ten Commandments tells us not to covet or want what belongs to others—that is envy.

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's." Exodus 20:17 NKJV

A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones. Proverbs 14:30 NKJV

No one wants to be laughed at. It is much better to laugh with someone…even if you are laughing at yourself. It makes sense that if a person isn’t foolish, ignorant, or envious—but if they are pleasing to the Lord, then if any laughter is involved, it with be “with” the Lord. As the Psalmist, Asaph—a musician in King David’s court—wrote, God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. There can be a lot of strength in laughter—in the ability to laugh at yourself and with others. It gives strength to a relationship…and to a healthy heart. As the saying goes…laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone. Find some humor in your everyday activities. I’m a bit of a serious person—so I have to surround myself with those filled with joy. Like Sarah, Abraham’s wife, I think it is God who makes me, my family and friends laugh. God has a sense of humor—look for it each day.

And Sarah said, "God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me." Genesis 21:6

Keep smiling and laughing!

Verse of Salvation ~ But insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice with great joy. If you are insulted and reviled for [bearing] the name of Christ, you are blessed [happy, with life-joy and comfort in God's salvation regardless of your circumstances], because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you [and indwelling you—He whom they curse, you glorify]. 1 Peter 4:13-14 AMP

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

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Joy Restored

Prayer ~ Jesus, You are my Savior…and my Lord. Thank You for loving me…as well as my family, friends and neighbors. For my heart rejoices in You, because I trust in Your holy name. Psalm 33:21 NASB

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12 NLT

Meditate. Consider joy in your life.

Restore my joy...just as this Morning Glory
is new every morning.
Photographed in Jerusalem, Israel.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation.

Restore – bring back. Reinstate. Restore to me…not to someone else…but to me. Restore…joy. Joy—to rejoice or be glad. It is something that you think of at Christmas time. Joy to the World and all…. There needs to be joy all year around, joy doesn’t depend on happiness. There can be joy…even in sorrow.

The young women will dance for joy, and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing. Jeremiah 31:13 NLT

So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. John 16:22 NLT

No one can rob of that joy…of your joy. As David wrote about joy with a sparkle in his eyes.…

O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O LORD my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Don't let my enemies gloat, saying, "We have defeated him!" Don't let them rejoice at my downfall. But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the LORD because he is good to me. Psalm 13:1-6 NLT

Salvation. Redemption. Deliverance. My salvation. It is from the Lord. Jesus paid the price of my salvation with His death on the cross. The knowledge of that salvation gives me joy.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Is there joy in your salvation?

Verse of Salvation ~ But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. - Psalm 13:5 NKJV

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®,

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Revised and refreshed From July 25, 2019

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, February 24, 2024

Shout for Joy!

Prayer – Lord, please accept the joyful noise that I make as an offering of worship to You. I am shouting for joy to honor You.

Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart! Psalm 32:11

Meditate. Consider God’s joy.

Joy is a reoccurring theme in scripture. Joy can be felt at times of happiness or even during mourning or sorrow. It has been described as inexplicable. Here are a few verses that deal with joy.

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. Psalm 5:11 NKJV

Can you play the accordian?
This was at the Czech museum in Omaha.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord!

Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. Psalm 33:3 NKJV

Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. Psalm 35:27 NKJV

The pastures are clothed with flocks; The valleys also are covered with grain; They shout for joy, they also sing. Psalm 65:13 NKJV

Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, And let Your saints shout for joy. Psalm 132:9

Music, singing and playing stringed instruments are often related to joy.

Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. ... Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. For the word of the LORD is right, And all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. Psalm 33:1, 3-5 NKJV

God made us and blessed us with the desire and ability…or at least some of us…to sing and make music to honor Him. If you cannot carry a tune in a bucket—like me, pretty much—then at least you can enjoy the joyful noise that others make. And we can all seek to please the Lord by enjoying the joyful noise of others and waiting on the Lord. He gives us hope.

Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:20-22 NKJV

We are blessed to know God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—and to have an opportunity to express our love for Him—and others. Sing! Be glad in the LORD and rejoice. Shout for joy.

Verse of Salvation ~ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvations. Romans 10:10 NKJV

Joyous Happy Birthday, Debbie J.

May God continue to bless you

with your creative talents!

See Debbie's latest accomplishment https://www.instagram.com/aquilterstable/reel/C3jJgncvOHe/

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, February 23, 2024

Does Jesus Bring Joy to Your Heart?

Prayer – Lord, You bring joy to my very heart, life, and soul whenever I reflect on Your love…and the peace that You bring to us. What would life be like without You? Even when life dishes out unbelievable stress—You are the one who calms the storm. Thank you. Please continue to bring joy to our hearts with good news.

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. Proverbs 15:30 NLT

Meditate. Is your heart “healthy?”

Good news makes for good health…a cheerful look brings joy to the heart. Both are good phrases. Take a deep breath in…a cheerful look brings joy to the heart. Exhale slowly…good news makes for good health. I’ve been reading a wonderful book, “Breath as Prayer” by Jennifer Tucker that encourages praying scripture in a different way—breathing the words of God as you inhale and exhale. Deep breathing is known to calm anxiety and that is good for heart health…for the health of the whole body, soul, and mind.

Generally, Christians think of Good News in relation to the Gospel of Jesus Christ—that He was born, taught twelve disciples and thousands of followers how to live according to God’s way while Himself living a sinless life, He was crucified, died, buried, and rose from the grave. Then fifty days later He ascended into heaven where He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. He will one day judge the living and the dead, rule peacefully for a thousand years on earth, and then ultimately reign for eternity in Heaven. That is who Jesus is—our Lord and Savior. King of kings, Lord of lords.

Any good news makes you feel good. Think about the last time you had good news. A new baby in the family…a good report card…an answered prayer for healing, an effectively written story…a walk on sunny day…or a call from a long-lost friend or relative. You don’t have to win the lottery for it to be good news and a good day. Any really good news elevates your immune system and gives you good health.

Joy to the world in the form of a cheerful look. Even a smile from someone you know and love, or from a complete stranger can give you joy…anytime of the year, not just at Christmas time. When was the last time you intentionally smiled at a stranger and encouraged them? If they return your smile, you know you’ve brought them joy. Jesus' love has flowed through you to them. Jesus has brought them joy—has He brought joy to your heart?

Verse of Salvation ~ But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. - Psalm 13:5 NKJV

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

One of the best diets recommended for a healthy heart is the DASH diet which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. This diet is a healthy-eating plan designed to help prevent or treat high blood pressure, known clinically as hypertension. It also may help lower cholesterol linked to heart disease, called low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. High blood pressure and high LDL are known causes of heart disease and strokes.

The DASH diet is low in salt and high in vegetables and fruits, as well as including daily servings of whole grains, lean meats, oils, and nuts. No doubt about it…it’s a healthy diet. You can get specifics just by Googling DASH. I found that the Mayo Clinic site is a good reliable site that gives details on following the DASH diet, maximizing important nutrients, and specifics about limiting sodium. Good health begins with a good diet. The choice is yours.

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