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.

Friday, May 31, 2024

How to Choose Life….

Prayer – Lord, You have revealed to us that the key to life is loving You Lord God. I rejoice that I have made that choice to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I have chosen LIFE! Please guide my family and friends in their choices day by day that they, too will choose life!

But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:17-20

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

God through Moses tells us straight out that we have a choice and the key to life is: You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. What is not to do?

✔️Love God.

✔️ Obey Him.

✔️ Commit your life to Him.

All the boxes are checked. Are you making those choices? God indicated to Moses that He was giving the choice between life and death—and that all heaven and earth will see the choice made. What is your choice today? Life or death? Those are the options for eternity. Choose intentionally and wisely. It is the most important choice of your life.

Verse of Salvation ~ My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way. My strong arm will bring justice to the nations. All distant lands will look to me and wait in hope for my powerful arm. Look up to the skies above, and gaze down on the earth below.

For the skies will disappear like smoke,

and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing.

The people of the earth will die like flies,

but my salvation lasts forever. My righteous rule will never end!

Listen to me, you who know right from wrong,

you who cherish my law in your hearts. Do not be afraid of people’s scorn, nor fear their insults.

For the moth will devour them as it devours clothing. The worm will eat at them as it eats wool. But my righteousness will last forever. My salvation will continue from generation to generation. Isaiah 51:5-8

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Feast on God’s words …and then on the fruit of the summer.

Watermelons are in the stores already—must be from Florida or maybe California— but they are tasty and healthy for you. Fire up your grill and experience grilled watermelon soon. It only takes a couple minutes on each side. Tasty with some grilled pizza, salmon, or just traditional beef or veggie burgers. Make a choice to enjoy God’s bountiful fruit.

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Thursday, May 30, 2024

Is There a Light Shining in Your Heart?

Prayer – Lord, You are the light of the world. Inspire and illuminate my life that others would see You in things I say and do.

Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:4-7

Meditate. Consider God’s light.

Jesus taught His followers in His Sermon on the Mount about their value—they are light not darkness.

You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16

Jesus was telling His followers that they are the light of the world…just like Him, as He later declares that He is the light of the world.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 (Underlined for emphasis)

This little light of mine/I’m gonna let it shine/This little light of mine/ I’m gonna let it shine/ Let it shine/Let it shine/Let it shine/ Hide it under a basket / No! These are the lyrics to a favorite Christian kids song. Can’t you just see kids singing that and holding up a finger to the sky like a light and covering it like a basket? Kids just do let their light—their love for the Lord—shine. They reflect the joy, love and acceptance that the Lord has for everyone.

Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Luke 18:16-17

Do you choose to seek Jesus everyday like a child…believing that all things are possible with God and that Jesus dearly loves you? Let the light of Jesus shine in and through your heart.

Verse of Salvation ~ The LORD is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? Psalm 27:1

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

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

We Don't Choose Our Ancestors

Prayer – Lord, does it matter who our ancestors were…or where they came from? Now that I’m a part of the family of God that is all that matters to me.

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Ephesians 2:19

Meditate. Consider God’s creation of families.

Is this…
Aunt Norma and Shirley?

We have boxes of old black and white photos mostly from my husband's family that are not labeled as to who they are or when the pictures were taken. Do we need to keep them? I say “No!” No one in the family wants or needs them. Landfills will be full of old photos one day—everything is going digital. What will happen when those digital photos are outdated?

God chose Abraham to be the father of actually many nations—but specifically the nation of Israel—God’s chosen people. Over years—centuries—the Israelites continually rejected God and then returned to

Him. The Gentiles—non-Jews—were given the opportunity to become part of God’s family when they choose to believe in Jesus Christ as their personal savior.

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Roman’s 8:12-17

That’s the kind of family I’m glad to be part of…along with so many of my own family. Heaven will be a wonderful place…with so many family and friends there. My hope for each one reading this is that you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior, too—and we’ll see each other in Heaven one day. Choose for yourself—be part of God’s family.

Verse of Salvation ~ Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16

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, May 28, 2024

Greedy? Coverteous?

Prayer – Lord, I confess to You that I coveted something for that I knew my husband would like to have—who wouldn’t want to win a free motorhome? Greedily I signed up to win the RV—it was a scam! I was the greedy one! Ugh. Please forgive me, Lord. Revive me and restore my confidence and hope!

You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor. Exodus 20:17

Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Luke 12:15

Meditate. Consider God’s expectations.

Covet: wanting something, wishing or desiring something that belongs to someone else.

Greed: a selfish desire for wealth, power, or material things.

Does greed come from coveting? We are directed not to covet by God Himself through the Ten Commandments that He gave Moses for all mankind. That is simply: Don’t want what belongs to anyone else. If a person wants and wants and wants—that is major coveting and it is pretty greedy. Is it greedy for a person to want something for free? Most of the contests out there on television, social media, and the internet are enticing people to get something free—or how about gambling or buying lottery tickets? Are those appealing to people’s greed—their craving for obtaining something for nothing, riches, or authority? Gimmy-Gimmy-Gimmy. No honest work involved…just selfish desires for more money, riches or control.

As I understand it, if a person hoards what they have, then they are being greedy. Jesus gives us the example of what He expects of us. He not only served those around Him, He gave His life for all mankind.

So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45

Consider the stories of the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, or the Feeding of the Five Thousand, if we are greedy or covetous will we be willing or able to help those in need? Will we even see the needs of others?

Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal….
Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The LORD will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Isaiah 58:6-8, 10-11

When His people seek and serve Him, God gives wonderful promises like giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. Those promises certainly seem better than the emptiness of greed and covetousness. The choice to make in any situation is up to each one of us for ourselves. Next time I have the opportunity to”Click Here” to win some wonderful free prize…I’ll think twice. Greed and covetousness won’t get the best of me. I’m using my best thoughts, words, and actions for the Lord. What will you choose?

God’s mercies are new every morning.
Seek His love and grace.
Do not covet. Have no greed in your life.
Verse of Salvation ~ The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. Lamentations 3:22-26 (NLT)

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, May 27, 2024

How Will You Spend Your Time in Your Old Age?

Happy Memorial Day!

Prayer – Lord, where does time go? It seems to have slipped away from us. I still feel like I’m in my thirties…well maybe forties! But where has my strength gone? Who are these old people looking back from the mirror at us? Do we have the wisdom that is typically associated with being old?

The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old. Proverbs 20:29

Meditate. Consider age, wisdom, and service—remember.

Cousin Bob Jeske’s headstone
Warden Cemetery

Memorial Day. A day to recognize the commitment with their very lives that military members have made for our country—the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. Death. Memorials. Honor. Respect. I remember when my cousin who had died in Vietnam was shipped home and our church was overflowing for his funeral. He was honored for his service and sacrifice—but those who returned alive were often scorned and ignored for their service. Vietnam was an awkward war that few respected.

Today my hubby, an Air Force veteran, turns 81 years young and his blonde hair is beginning to show more white—with a little gray. He is devoted to the Lord, to our grandchildren, and to watching YouTube videos on archeology, survival, and travel.

Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. Psalm 71:18 (NLT)

As old folks our goal in life should be to tell the younger generations about the Lord. That seems like Jesus’ Great Commission. It is a goal for all Christians for all time

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

The choice is ours as to what we do with our time as we get older—and like it or not—we are all getting older. Choosing to serve the Lord is a good use of out time.

Verse of Salvation ~ But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “God is great!” Psalm 70:4 (NLT)

Happy Birthday to the Old Guy!

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, May 26, 2024

How to Be Christ-like

Prayer – Lord, we want to be like You. Help us to know You well enough to know just how You would respond to challenges and temptations. You were pure and sinless to the end. We’ve already sinned—so forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:3-119

Meditate. Consider choosing to be like Christ.

How to be Christ like:

Acknowledge God.

Respond to God’s promises.

Be faithful.

Be morally excellent.

Seek knowledge.

Be self-controlled.

Endure patiently.

Pursue godliness.

Love other Christians.

Love everyone.

Know Jesus Christ so that you can be productive and useful in your knowledge of Him.

This seems pretty simple—but can we ever be Christ-like this side of Heaven? We can strive to be like Christ—but without submitting to Him and giving up our own selfish desires we will never attain that. With each step in our day—we need to seek to do things the way Christ would. How would He respond to temptations—like just one more donut? How would He react to a verbal or even physical attack? We can see how He responded to spiritual attacks by Satan when He was confronted with spiritual temptations to be powerful, protected and fed. Jesus used scripture to respond to all of Satan’s temptations. Can we do the same? Do you know scripture well enough to use it as a defensive weapon?

Seek to know Christ…as Savior and mentor. Seek Him not just for the reward that God the Father has promised, but seek Him to know and worship Him as creator, savior, lord, servant, teacher, healer, and friend. We become like those we hang out with—there is no one better to become like than Jesus Christ.

Verse of Salvation ~ 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 1:11

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, May 25, 2024

Choose A Good Reputation

Don’t just be a shadow—
Seek God
…and a good reputation.

Prayer – Lord, You’ve stressed the importance of being holy—as You are holy. Purity should result in good relationships and thus a good reputation. Help me to put others first—and to treat others the way I want to be treated myself that should make for a better life for me and all those around me.

Choose a good reputation over great riches;
being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.
The rich and poor have this in common:
The LORD made them both.
A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life.
Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;
whoever values life will avoid it.
Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it. Proverbs 22:1-6

Meditate. Consider your choices.

I’ve been reading through the book of Proverbs—one chapter a day—and
am continually amazed with the tidbits of wisdom that Solomon wrote.
Of course he was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Take for example today scripture passage taken from Proverbs 22.
Choose for yourself.
We have to make so many choices each day and here Solomon is telling us
to wisely choose a good reputation. That takes more than just one choice
in a person’s lifetime. Little by little a person’s reputation is developed
by the things they say and do. Good things—treating others kindly and honestly—
are the basis for one’s good reputation—their high esteem.
God is the person that we most want to live to please—to honor with our loyalty.

My child, never forget the things I have taught you.

Store my commands in your heart.

If you do this, you will live many years,
and your life will be satisfying.
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation. Proverbs 3:1-4

Is a good reputation important to you? The choice is yours.

Verse of Salvation ~ So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. Lamentations 3:26

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