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, September 20, 2024

Be Ready

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You told us to be ready. Give us wisdom, understanding, and courage as we look to the future of possible events that could impact our daily lives. We don’t know when things will occur…just that we should be ready. Thank you that You have promised to always be with us. No fear when You are near.

What day is this...what time is it?
No one knows the hour or the day.
Be ready!

However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. So you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Matthew 24:36-44 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Are you ready for anything?

What is your greatest fear? Ready or not…here it comes!

Are you afraid that Mt. Rainier will blow up or the Cascadia Fault will shift causing a gigantic earthquake? How about a hurricane with an enormous force in the South wiping out electricity and flooding the countryside? Sometimes we just need to be ready for little things like power outages from high winds or summer lightning storms.

Another fear that seems to becoming more realistic is a war that could involve people around the world. Jesus told us that there will be wars and rumors of wars in the last days. Are we seeing that beginning with the conflicts in the Middle East, particularly involving Israel right now? So many countries currently have atomic, neutron and hydrogen bombs with long-range destructive capabilities and they may be tempted to use them to gain more power. War is inevitable. Will it be in our lifetime? Are you ready?

Jesus Himself told His disciples in this passage from the book of Matthew that the Son of Man would come when least expected. Jesus is the Son of Man. He was talking about own His return. If you are expecting Him to return, when would that be? Christmas, Easter, the Feast of Tabernacles, the Feast of Trumpets, Passover, the Fourth of July? When? You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Will it be in our lifetime? Be ready.

Verses 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

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Are you prepared for a disaster? Be Prepared. Are you like a Boy Scout, always prepared and ready for anything?

Have you seen anyone building some kind of ark like Noah…or preparing for End Times? There are lots of “preppers” out there stocking up food, weapons, and a place in which to bug out. With the threat of earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest, hurricanes in the Southeast, as well as doomsday predictions of atomic wars, it is a good idea to have a couple of weeks’ worth of food and water on hand.

You can check out lists online that are prepared by the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), or just helpful preppers. For convenience, there are also options of prepackaged containers that provide meals for two weeks for two people that have a shelf life of twenty-five years. That’s a long time to keep food around. My thought is to store what you eat and eat what you store. Rotate it so that it doesn’t get outdated. Water is most important thing to have on hand since we can go without food, but we cannot live without water—and it needs to be good drinking water to keep everyone healthy.

Check out FEMA’s list of things to have on hand in an emergency. It is a helpful place to start. Ready Emergency Supply List

Next Friday I’ll post a list of suggest food items. Just keep in mind that whatever you set aside, it needs to be food that you and your family will eat. Until then…keep watch. Be ready.

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, September 19, 2024

Eternal Glory

Prayer – Lord – please give us grace to follow You obediently and wait patiently as we anticipate our eventual transformation into an eternal body—glorified like Yours, Jesus.

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen. 1 Peter 5:10-11

Meditate. Read God’s word and be encouraged by what He is saying.

What do you think a “glorified” body will look like?

Did you note that God is promising for His followers to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. Awesome! We will be glorified one day—just as Jesus was after His resurrection. We will be changed. Transformed. Instantly. In the blink of an eye.

Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man. What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:48-53 (Underlined for emphasis.)

It is evident that God in His grace shows kindness, goodness, and mercy to those He has chosen—and those who have chosen to follow Him. There’s that choice that He gives us…we are given free will—we are not puppets, but we must be obedient. What does that mean? Obey. Just like we have been told since we were babies…physically and spiritually. Do what we are told to do…first by our parents and always by God. If you are struggling with obedience, it is time to take a serious look at your relationship with God. What is your spiritual choice today?

Happy Birthday Naomi!

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, September 18, 2024

Hope—Without Worry

Prayer – Lord, no worries. I love that You encourage us not to worry—but to trust You. You made everything and it was good. We’ve kind of gone downhill—not everything is good now. Some water is polluted and food poisoned by chemicals—but as we pray before we eat, You purify it. Thank you that we can trust and rely on You to provide for us and to protect us.

Balsam Wildflowers
So beautiful in the spring.
No Worries.

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:27-34

Meditate. Why worry?

Is worry a habit for you?

Look up the word “worry” in the Blue Letter Bible search online. In the New Living Translation there are 36 entries. That’s not much worrying considering it is in the Old and New Testaments, but people throughout time have “worried” about something and like them, we worry. Food, water, clothes, our house, car, employment, school, neighborhood, friends, money. The list goes on and on—and is mostly dependent on that last thing…money. Without it we can hardly exist. Times are tight right now. Have you seen the recent polls? Groceries alone have gone up almost 50% in the last couple years. How can people living paycheck to paycheck make ends meet and put food on the table for their children? Maybe they don’t even have a job and the boxes of free food aren’t as full as they were this time last year. What can we do? Pray. And then dig deeper into our own pockets to provide for those with more needs than us. There is always a place to give and be an encouragement to others. Remember how you feel when someone even just smiles at you—and gives you hope. Do the same for others. Don’t worry.

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. Proverbs 12:25

Additionally, Jesus indicated that He wants to carry our burdens—that would be our troubles, worries, concerns—with us. What reassuring and promising words. Rest! Hope!

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30

What is your choice today? Trusting the Lord to provide for you, your family and friends? Giving to others? No worries?

Verses of Salvation ~ Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God's marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude 1:3-4

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, September 17, 2024

Dry Bones…All Hope Is Gone

Sign posted on a path in Jerusalem.

Prayer – Lord, is Israel’s hope secure? Dry bones raising up. The bones on non-believers are dry and lifeless, whereas the bones of those who believe in You, Jesus, have strength and hope. Can the dry bones ever be filled with life? You haven’t forgotten that the Jews are Your chosen people—so there is hope for them. Please continue to fill their hearts with hope—even as they face battles with their enemies surrounding them today.

The LORD took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the LORD to a valley filled with bones. He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. Then he asked me, "Son of man, can these bones become living people again?" "O Sovereign LORD," I replied, "you alone know the answer to that." Then he said to me, "Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, 'Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'" So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them. Then he said to me, "Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.'" So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army. Then he said to me, "Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, 'We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.' Therefore, prophesy to them and say, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the LORD. I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the LORD has spoken!'" Ezekiel 37:1-14

Meditate. Consider God’s promises.

Do you have hope in God? Are you Jewish?

The predictions of the Jewish Homeland are falling into place—and started over 70 years ago when Israel became a nation, and the Jews started gathering there from all over the world. Whether they are only of Jewish heritage or are practicing their Jewish faith, it doesn’t matter. They are home—in the land of milk and honey—in the land that God had promised to their Father Abraham. Home.

Everyone needs a place they call home. The Jews have Israel…and they have fought since May 14, 1948, for that land to be theirs. It still isn’t the total area that God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That nation is not finished—they won’t give up easily. Yet, will it ever be without turmoil? Will dry bones raise up to defend their country?

There are exciting days ahead for the whole world. God has promises and predictions that He has given that haven’t been fulfilled. Keep your eyes and ears open. Choose today whom you will serve—just like Joshua challenged the Israelites before they crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land.

Verse of Salvation ~ Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! Habakkuk 3:17-18

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, September 16, 2024

Hope Lasts Forever

Prayer – Lord, I can hardly wrap my head around the idea of forever…eternity…endless time. But Your promise that hope lasts forever is encouraging. Thank you that we can rely on You and Your promises.

For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. As the Scriptures say, "People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever." And that word is the Good News that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:23-25

Meditate. Consider hope in the Good News…Salvation.

The Cross
The symbol of Eternal Life

Do you have the hope of eternal salvation? Eternal, new life is from the living word of God who is Jesus Christ.

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. John 1:1-2

Hope, according to the Biblical Usage in the Blue Letter Bible app, is joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation. Eternal—forever.

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV (Underlined for emphasis.)

Abide is the word used in some translations for live or last, meaning to last, dwell, remain, or endure. Salvation is Good News as noted by Paul in his letter to the church at Thessalonica.

He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say. 2 Thessalonians 2:14-17 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Our hope lasts forever. For me, it is in nothing short of an eternal salvation. Do you choose to have hope?

Verse of Salvation ~ But the LORD will save the people of Israel with eternal salvation. Throughout everlasting ages, they will never again be humiliated and disgraced. Isaiah 45:17

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, September 15, 2024

Who or What Gives You Hope?

Prayer – Lord, my hope is in You Lord. Creator of Heaven and earth—and all that is within it. Hope of salvation is for everyone.

As we hope in a new morning--
--we hope in the Lord.

But the LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone. Psalm 33:18-22

Meditate. Consider hope.

What or who gives you hope? God has promised lots of things including hope.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23

God keeps His promises. Promises that began for His chosen people with Abraham when He promised numeral offspring and the Promised Land. This can be read and studied beginning in Genesis 11, continuing through the book of Genesis, particularly when God made His promise to Abram, later renamed Abraham.

The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:1-3

God’s promises continued over the centuries and didn’t stop after the time of Jesus. He extended His promises to the Gentiles…and all who believe in Him.

Peter replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God." Acts 2:38-39

We can rely on God; trust Him; and wait on Him for a future that He has guaranteed—a home in Heaven and a place—or position—in which we can serve Him forever.

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. Hebrews 6:18

Our relationship with God is so important. Nothing is impossible with God. We can place our hope in Him.

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:6-11

Where are you in your relationship with the Lord? We have choices to make every day…how we spend our time.

Verse of Salvation ~ For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. Titus 2:11

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, September 14, 2024

The Right Time

Prayer – Lord, Your timing is always impeccable. When we see things falling into place and answered prayers, we are in awe. God sent You, Jesus, at just the right time. Thank you!

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:6-11

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

Sculpture of Jesus on the Cross.
A brutal death to redeem us from sin.
Holy Family Shrine - Nebraska

Have you ever seen a dead person? Sure, on TV videos and drama programs we see death and dying situations. By the time we’re sixty, we’ve probably lost a parent, grandparent, or some other family member or friend. Paul told us in this letter to the Romans that Christ died for us—for all sinners, which is literally everyone who has lived since Adam and Eve. Everyone. As Paul wrote earlier in Romans 3:23, All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Christ was pure and sinless, yet His death was brutal. Beaten and then nailed through His wrists and feet to a cross. His very blood was shed for us—for sinners—allowing us to be cleansed.

God has the highest, holy standards. Anyone who comes before Him must be pure—without sin. So, if we accept Christ dying for us—acknowledge Him as our Savior—then our relationship to God is restored. It is like we are in a pre-fallen state—like Adam and Eve before they ate the forbidden fruit. We become friends of God and we will spend eternity in His presence. Think how much you enjoy spending time with friends—good times. That is how it will be with God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Time without end honoring the greatest friend ever. God.

Have you made the choice to express your respect to God by thanking and praising Him because He showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners?

Verse of Salvation ~ As for us, we can't help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13

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