Banquet With The King

Daily Devotional focusing on spiritual "food" at the King's Banquet Table. In 2024 this blog will explore verses to meditate on as we examine our "choices" daily, pursuing a deeper relationship with God as we grow in Christian maturity. This web page has had over 230,000 page views by people in over 135 different countries who are seeking God through His Word. God has promised if you seek Him, you will find Him. May you be blessed reading Banquet With The King.

Thursday, July 4, 2024

Are You Suffering in Your Freedom?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You were the one suffering for all of us…for the whole world…to have freedom from sin and corruption. Ever since the fall of Adam and Eve, people have had to suffer—but You have given us the opportunity to be free from our sinful nature. Thank you.

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) Romans 8:18-25 NLT

Meditate. Consider your freedom.

Set free. Free from death and decay. What a glorious freedom that will be. For now, today, we can focus on the freedom we have not only in Christ, spiritually, but also in our pursuit of life, liberty, and justice for all in the United States. This is the day we celebrate our “independence” from the tyranny of the oppression we experienced in 1776. Now, what compulsions, detrimental domination, coercion injustice draws us to seek freedom? Our country is struggling with inflation that will likely only get higher; a sense of insecurity as so many illegals flood across our borders; and unrest as people demonstrate their right to choose and respond to crises plaguing our nation and world.

People, like my cousin Bob Jeske, gave their lives in Viet Nam and other conflicts so that we could experience continued freedom here at home. His family suffered that loss. According to a PBS website, more than 1.1 million United State military personnel have died fighting in US wars. That is a lot of men and women who gave up their lives for our freedom.

Only one person, Jesus, gave up His life to rescue our spiritual life. He died on a cross taking on our sins so that we didn’t have to suffer a permanent death. He gave us spiritual freedom. That freedom is our when we choose to accept Jesus as our savior. The Truth will set us free. Jesus is the Truth, the Way, and the Life. Have you made the choice to allow Jesus to be your own savior…or are you suffering for the freedom that could be yours?

Verse of Salvation ~ So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples. And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin]." John 8:31-32 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

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Chosen with Virtues

Prayer – Lord God, hear my prayer and fill me with Your joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and particularly, love. The greatest thing in the world is love—to love You and to love others is what I strive for most in my life. You created these values and I’m sorry for times that I didn’t focus on these virtues and make them a part of my life yesterday…and today. You are an awesome God and I am thrilled to be part of Your family. Thank you.

Are you a Prickly Cactus...
or can you live as God's chosen one?

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

God chose you…God chose me. Sounds like it should be in the lyrics to a song—praising my Savior!

Since we are chosen, He expects a lot of us. What do you expect of your children? God wants the best for us. He wants these virtues to be part of us and to be used to draw others to Him. (Underlined for emphasis.)

Tenderhearted mercy - Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 1 Peter 3:8 NLT

Kindness (part of the Fruit of the Spirit) - And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God's people. Philemon 1:6-7 NLT

Humility – modesty or lowness of mind - In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for "God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 NLT

Gentleness (part of the Fruit of the Spirit) – fairness, meekness, or sweet reasonableness—the gentleness of Christ. Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. 2 Corinthians 10:1 NLT

Patience (part of the Fruit of the Spirit) – endurance, constancy, steadfastness, or perseverance especially as related to troubles and tribulations. Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:4 NLT

God expects us to forgive others. He has forgiven us big time. If you have repented, He has forgiven your lifetime of sins—as you’ve confessed them.

But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15 NLT

Love and peace. Very important virtues to observe and cling to. “Peace” is a common Christian greeting year around, but especially at Christmas when we seek tranquility, harmony, and the way that leads to salvation. Of all virtues, love is the greatest—as spoken of by Paul in the chapter of love, 1 Corinthians 13 which sums up the importance of love to everyone. We cannot live without love. Be thankful that God bestows His great love on us—He loved us first.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. ...Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13 NLT

Being part of God’s family is a privilege and an honor, but it holds a responsibility to live in a way that honors God…beginning with His command to love one another. Have you made a choice to do that today?

Verse of Salvation ~ Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. Psalm 85:7 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

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Did God Choose You Before You Were Born?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I feel chosen. I’m not sure when it happened—before I was born…when I had an insightful spiritual teacher in the sixth grade Sunday School teacher…when I accepted Christ as my personal Savior when I was in college…or when I rededicated by life to Christ several years later. At some point in time, You chose me…and I am eternally grateful. I am willing to serve You forever. Show me how I can serve You today.

A new day...a new life.
You must be born again.

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. Galatians 1:15-16a NLT

Meditate. Consider what it means to be chosen.

God chose Paul for His team. As Paul described to the Galatians, God chose him even before he was born. The same goes for us—those who have heard God calling us and have responded. Jesus told Nicodemus that God loves everyone—

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

Do you believe that because God so loved the world that He chooses everyone to be part of His family? Those who experienced a spiritual birth have been born again. As you may recall from Jesus’ further discussion with the Pharisee Nicodemus…You must be born again. God is a spiritual being so by a person having a spiritual birth…or rebirth, they become part of God’s family. Just what does it mean to be part of God’s family?

Dear children, don't let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God's family do not make a practice of sinning, because God's life is in them. So they can't keep on sinning, because they are children of God. 1 John 3:7-9

Are God’s children really sin-free or sinless? John tells us that those in God’s family do not make a practice of sinning. God makes a way of escape. I am grateful for that teaching and reminder (Thank you, Holy Spirit.)

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

God loves His children so much and provides not only Salvation—but encouragement to them. Do you believe that God has chosen you to be part of His family?

Verse of Salvation ~ Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don't believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance. Hebrews 6:9-12

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, July 1, 2024

Purchased—Not as Slaves—but As Family

Prayer – Lord, it feels wonderful to be chosen. Like in grade school—we’ve been chosen for a special team—God’s team. His family. We haven’t been rejected…or chosen last. He chose us before the world even began! Additionally, we were bought with a price--but not as slaves. Thank You.

Traditional place of Golgotha
Site of Christ's crucifixion.
Jerusalem. Israel

Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. God's purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. Ephesians 1:11-14 NLT

Meditate. Consider your inheritance from God.

Usually only family members…close family members…receive an inheritance. Here Paul is telling the Ephesians, and us, that we are chosen to be part of God’s family. Because we believed in Jesus as our Messiah, He gave us the Holy Spirit as part of this promise. God keeps His promises. He didn’t keep the whole salvation plan just for His chosen people, the Jews, but He offered it to the Gentiles as well. Hooray! I’m so glad to be a part of the family of God. That inheritance that we are promised is eternal life with God…the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…in Heaven. It cost God a lot for us to be His family. His only Son, Jesus, had to die on the cross to take away our sin. We couldn’t ever become pure without the blood of Jesus. Purity is what God required if we are to stand before Him someday in Heaven.

God chose us…but we still have to make a choice, too. If we want to have this eternal life that He promises, then we have to be united with Christ. We have to accept Him as our Savior, give up our sins (repent), and choose to obediently follow Him. Is that a choice you have made…why not today?

Verse of Salvation ~ But the Scripture has imprisoned everyone [everything—the entire world] under sin, so that [the inheritance, the blessing of salvation] which was promised through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe [in Him and acknowledge Him as God's precious Son]. Galatians 3:22 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