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.

Saturday, November 30, 2024

The Price is Right – Choose Gate or Door Number One

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I choose You. You are the way, the truth, and the life—the very gate to life forever with You. You paid the price with Your death on the cross. I’ll follow You down the narrow path—even if the way is steep and difficult. Help me to be obedient—to see Your path clearly.

You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:13-14

Meditate. Consider the path you’re walking down.

What path are you following—a narrow or wide one?

Blue door seen in Jerusalem.
Blue is thought to ward off evil.
Silly superstition.

Jesus points out that the way to Him—to life—is going through a narrow gate. This same story is told in the book of Luke, using the description as a door, rather than a gate. Door number one…a narrow door. Will you choose that?

Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" He replied, "Work hard to enter the narrow door to God's Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Lord, open the door for us!' But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' Then you will say, 'But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' And he will reply, 'I tell you, I don't know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.' Luke 13:22-27

Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom. No one can “work” to receive their salvation—it is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8) As Paul wrote to the Christian in Corinth and in Philippi, we need to “work out” our holy salvation with fear and trembling.

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

We need to be obedient to God’s will and give Him our total honor and respect—fear and reverence. God wants us to be holy because He is holy. One day we will be pure—radiantly filled with holiness as we stand before our God. Jesus will open the door, if He knows you. Will you choose to listen to Him, to know Him as Savior, and to obey His every calling as You journey through the narrow gate and down the narrow path to door Number One?

Verse of Salvation ~ Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:12-13 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Are there cupcakes in heaven?

Happy Heavenly Birthday Vicki Marie

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

Friday, November 29, 2024

Keep on Praising and Thanking

Prayer – Lord, I love You and I praise You. You are my God…and I will never leave You or forsake You—I’ve promised You that…just like You promised me. That’s love.

You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 118:28-29

Meditate. Consider praise.

How do you praise the Lord?

The best way to pray is to repeat or rephrase scripture back to God—talking to Him. He likes that. Psalm 118 is a song of thanksgiving—beginning and ending with thanks. I read Psalm 118 recently and it refers to David’s thankfulness from being rescued from his enemies and Saul as recorded in 2 Samuel 22. Psalm 118 also contains a classic verse that I recalled hearing as a child…if God is for me who can be against me? The actual verse I think is this…

The LORD is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me? Psalms 118:6.

Another reason to be thankful. With God standing up for him, even though Satan was attacking him, Job didn’t die and didn’t give up hope. He had some moments of discouragement and anguish—who wouldn’t after losing all his children and wealth? At the end of the story Job repented of his pride and rebellion towards the Lord. He trusted God and was content in knowing real fellowship with God. God blessed him, restoring his wealth twofold. I imagine that although it is not recorded in the book of Job as such, that Job offered thanks to God for restoring his health, family and fortune. He was blessed. We don’t have to have the trials of Job to offer our gratefulness to God. On this day after Thanksgiving—once again look at all the Lord has for you—and be thankful.

Like so many things in life…this is a choice. Are you thankful?

Verses of Salvation ~ Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory. Psalm 85:7-9

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

How do you like your leftover turkey?

Cold turkey sandwich, hot turkey sandwich, turkey with cranberry sauce, turkey soup, turkey gumbo, turkey ala king, or turkey coquette? Whatever is your favorite, do you follow that with a piece of pumpkin or pecan pie?

Leftovers are the best—or at least a good part of the whole Thanksgiving. Enjoy yours in the way that suites you best.

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, November 28, 2024

Happy Thanksgiving

Prayer – Lord God, I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help. Psalm 56:12

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Meditate on Thankfulness.

In what circumstances are you thankful…and what situations challenge that response?

Several times over the past ten or twenty years I’ve had discussions with other Christians about God’s will. Knowing God’s will for your life is essential.

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

God's will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 1 Thessalonians 4:3

For God's will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. Hebrews 10:10

Cross from Medjugorje.
Showing Jesus' obedience.

Jesus was even concerned about His Father’s will…wanting to please the Father and knowing that He was doing just what was expected of Him. He was obedient.

For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day. John 6:40

I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will. John 5:30

"Abba, Father," he cried out, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." Mark 14:36

Paul advised the church at Thessalonica that they should be thankful in all circumstances. We should have that same attitude. Be thankful in all circumstances. Does that include the circumstances in which we find ourselves today? Still watchfully masking and distancing when necessary to prevent COVID-19 again. Can we give thanks for that? Can we give thanks for the wind, dust, and eventual snow flurries? The key here is IN ALL circumstances. Are you thankful IN or FOR all circumstances? The choice is yours.

Verse of Salvation ~ But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23

Revised and recycled from November 9, 2020, Banquet With The King blog.

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, November 27, 2024

Thankfulness Overflows

The Niagara River overflows at
Niagara Falls.
Does your thankfulness overflow like this?

Prayer – Holy Spirit—I trust You with all my heart and am overwhelmed with gratitude for the understanding that You give me. Continue to make the path of my life straight—straight into God’s will and His ways.

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Colossians 2:6-10 NLT (Underlined for emphasis.)

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over every ruler and authority…. Colossians 2:6-10 NASB

Meditate. Consider these versions of scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

Have you gone for a walk with the Lord lately? Just you and the Lord…talking and walking together? It’s a great way to get in your steps for the day. Focusing on Him gives you an opportunity to express thanks.

Walking in the Spirit—walking in Christ Jesus the Lord. To live a spiritual life believers must walk in the Spirit. Live by faith. Faith that Jesus is with us…the Holy Spirit is with us always. He will never leave us or forsake us—Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5. Be firmly established, like a tree with deep roots. Your faith isn’t going to happen just drifting through life. You have to build the foundation…brick by brick. Truth by truth. Knowing God’s principles…and putting them into practice. Trusting in the Lord to be there—to help you. Allowing you to serve Him by helping others. There are plenty of opportunities out in each of our communities this time of year….and all year…for us to minister to or serve others. That provides building blocks for the foundation of your faith.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.

Trust. Walk on a straight path… in Trust. Live by faith in the Lord…in the Holy Spirit. Grow.

Then be thankful—letting it overflow from your heart and life. Show your gratitude to the Lord–sing praises and worship Him. Paul reminded the church at Colossi not to be deceived—Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world. This world is full of empty philosophies and nonsense. Be careful what you watch on most news stations, YouTube, Netflix…and other programs out there to entertain and deceive you with worldly knowledge, that may have a hidden evil agenda. You’ve been made complete in Jesus Christ—so live to that level of holiness that God expects. When your faith grows strong in truth, you will overflow with thankfulness. Trust God and show your thankfulness—that is a choice for each person to make.

Verse of Salvation ~ But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23

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

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, November 26, 2024

Gratitude or Thankful?

Prayer – Lord God, we are at that thankful time of the year with our Thanksgiving holiday this Thursday. Thank You for being our God—and for providing all that we need…especially our salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:1-5 NASB (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate on gratitude.

Gratitude—grateful, appreciative, acknowledgement, recognition, thankfulness. Appreciate of benefits received.

Thankful—grateful, appreciative, indebted, delighted, pleased, gratified. To be conscious of a benefit.

Yes. These two words are very similar with comparable synonyms. Are they the same to you? Do you show your gratitude to God and to those around you in appreciation for what they have done for you?

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

It is important to give thanks before the meal. Remember how Jesus gave thanks at the Passover meal…known as the Last Supper? We should offer a blessing at any meal. Do you pray before you eat to “consecrate” your meal? Did you know that it is a Jewish custom to pray after the meal to give thanks?

It is a Jewish custom to give thanks, offering a blessing after the meal, particularly one including bread. That is known as the Birkat Hamazon. Grace after Meals. It isn’t so much as to express thankfulness as it is to be humble—recognizing God’s dominion.

Here is a short example:

Blessed is The Lord our God, Sovereign of the universe, who sustains the entire world with goodness, kindness and mercy. God give good to all creatures, for God’s mercy is everlasting. Through God’s abundant goodness we have not lacked sustenance, and may we not lack sustenance forever, for the sake of God’s great name. God sustains all, does good to all, and provides food for all the creature whom God has created. Blessed is The Lord our God, who provides food for all.

Sign seen along a path in Jerusalem.

Within a group of three or more Jewish men, Jewish women or Jewish children the Birkat Hamazon is recited or even sung and actually has four parts.

- Blessing the food just eaten, not just by us, but food for the whole world.
- Blessing the land…and the Torah as it recounts the Exodus story. Includes physical and spiritual blessing.
- Blessing Jerusalem.
- Blessing for God’s Kindness and Goodness.

Additional blessings can be expressed for the hosts, family and the coming of the Mashiach (the Messiah).

If it is not your habit, consider giving thanks, before and after your meals…especially the Thanksgiving meal coming up soon. It has been a custom at my family Thanksgiving meal to have everyone share what they are thankful for either before or during the meal. Even little ones can be thankful. What does your family do as a tradition at your Thanksgiving meal? Giving thanks, showing appreciation to God and your hostess is a choice—but one that is a wise choice.

Verses of Salvation ~ But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:1

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

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, November 25, 2024

For What Are You Thankful?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I’m pretty thankful…eternally thankful for You and the sacrifice You made so that I can live forever with You. I’m looking forward to that “forever” part…but I know that it started the moment that I repented of my sins and accepted You as my Savior. I’m thankful everyday…not just during this “thankful” holiday tradition. Eternally grateful. I bow in my heart, mind, and soul to You, Lord.

God speaks from Heaven.
There will be shaking--on earth and in heaven.
Be thankful...His Kingdom is unshakable.
Folly Beach, South Carolina

Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: "Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also." This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire. Hebrews 12:25-29 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate on Thankfulness.

Are you listening to God? Are you thankful for what you hear?

God is speaking…all the time…anytime you read your Bible, remember a verse you’ve read, discuss some God things with someone else, read a religious focused book, hear a sermon, or listen to Christian music. God is speaking. Are you listening? As the author of Hebrews tells us… Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One (God) who is speaking. He is indicating that there is going to be some earth shaking—but we don’t have to be afraid. God has a plan. A very important part of that plan, as we are told here, is that the Kingdom is unshakable. Now that is something for which to be thankful. It’s a promise from God that His Kingdom—which we know is not of this world—is a stable, reliable, and secure place. For that…let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. This is that time of the year where we focus on giving thanks…and God is certainly worthy of our thanks, as well as our worship of Him in holy fear and awe.

Are you in awe of God? For what are you thankful today…this year?

Verse of Salvation ~ But God says to the wicked: "Why bother reciting my decrees and pretending to obey my covenant? ... Repent, all of you who forget me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you. But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God." Psalm 50:16, 22-23

Be Thankful with Self-Control in Your Heart

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