Banquet With The King

Daily Devotional focusing on spiritual "food" at the King's Banquet Table. In 2025 this blog will explore verses to meditate on as we search for Jesus in the Old and New Testaments, pursuing a deeper relationship with God as we grow in Christian maturity. This web page has had over 302,975 page views by people in over 140 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.

Monday, March 31, 2025

Where Do You Find Joy?

Where do you find joy? Are you looking for joy…for happiness in your life?

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4

…be full of joy in the Lord.

JOY! Joy is happiness, delight, pleasure, elation, thrill, gladness, delight, and wonder. There it is. Jesus felt JOY! He says my joy. He wants us to be full of joy!

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:11

He wanted the disciples and us to have His joy. Not only just basically full of joy…but joy overflowing! That is a human emotion that everyone feels at some time in their lives. Jesus did, too.

Look at this passage a little more in the context of where, when, and to whom He was speaking. He and His disciples were in the Upper Room and they had just finished the Passover Meal. Jesus was giving those disciples His last pep talk…His last lecture…His last teachings. What He said during the first three years of His ministry was so important…and He was reminding them of His love for them and the importance of obedience. Be loving, obedient and overflowing with joy.

Be filled to overflowing with Joy...
as you bear much fruit.

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. John 15:5-12 (Underlined for emphasis.)

In Isaiah 5 there is a parable of a vineyard where Israel is depicted as the vineyard and it produces evil fruit. Here Jesus is telling the disciples that those who live the way He has taught them will produce fruit…good fruit. Consider the Fruits of the Spirit…

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23.

Those were the “fruits” for which Jesus was looking. He was trying to encourage those in His disciples and in us. Note that “joy” is in that list. He wants all His followers to have that overflowing joy. Paul encourages the Romans with this same joy…as well as hope and peace.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13.

In the Old Testament, David wrote about joy that comes from obedience to the Lord, to Jesus. That is the joy that Jesus wants us to have. Because of obedient, loving actions as the result of pure, undefiled hearts seeking holiness, we will be filled with His joy.

- The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living. Psalm 19:8

- So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! Psalm 32:11

How is your heart today? Filled with joy? Overflowing? Have you found joy in your life? Has your life brought joy to others? What could be keeping you from this joy? Give it to the Lord.

The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair. Psalm 19:7-9 (Underlined for emphasis,)

Prayer – Lord, May the desires of our hearts bring You delight. Fill us with Your joy…overflowing to those around us.

Meditate. Consider the joy in your life.

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, "The LORD is great!" Psalm 40:16

Revised August 15, 2019, 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

Sunday, March 30, 2025

What Does a Shepherd Do?

Peaceful water on a calm day.
The Sea of Galilee - Israel

Jesus is our shepherd in the Old and New Testaments. The classic Psalm 23 depicts Jesus—our LORD—as the ultimate shepherd taking care of all our needs, guiding and protecting us—even when we go through some really tough times…like the death of a precious loved one. That’s just what a shepherd does. He keeps his sheep close by, feeds, guides, protects, encourages, strengthens, cares for them by anointing them with oil (keeps the bugs away!) and provides a forever home. That’s the kind of shepherd I’m glad I have. The author of Hebrews also acknowledged Jesus as the great Shepherd. He has certainly been the one to care for mankind through all the ages…and He continues to guide, direct, and care for those who follow Him—those who believe in Him as their LORD and Savior.

Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 (Underlined for emphasis.)

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:1-6

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I put my trust in You, knowing that as my Shepherd You will take care of me as I honor You. You provide everything I need, keeping me secure and safe, guiding me safely along the right paths, even if that path is what might be considered the Valley of the Shadow of Death—a very sad time. You are with me—protecting and comforting me…and those after me. A feast?! Ah, yes. Even if my enemies—pain, rejection, and persecution—are there, You provide a banquet fit for a king and bless me, continually, with Your unfailing love. I don’t deserve it—but You willingly give it—along with a home with You forever. Thank you!

Meditate. Focus on the peaceful streams.

Verses indicating Salvation ~ The LORD will appear above his people; his arrows will fly like lightning! The Sovereign LORD will sound the ram's horn and attack like a whirlwind from the southern desert. The LORD of Heaven's Armies will protect his people, and they will defeat their enemies by hurling great stones. They will shout in battle as though drunk with wine. They will be filled with blood like a bowl, drenched with blood like the corners of the altar. On that day the LORD their God will rescue his people, just as a shepherd rescues his sheep. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. How wonderful and beautiful they will be! The young men will thrive on abundant grain, and the young women will flourish on new wine. Zechariah 9:14-17

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

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Are You Looking for Hope?

Years ago, in 1984 there was a song written by Johhny Lee about looking for love in all the wrong places. Life is basically lonely without love…love of God and friends. Are you looking for love—do you need to find the creator of love…Jesus? Well, Jesus has plenty of love for you so that you can spiritually love God and love others.

Put on your glasses and look for Hope!

Similarly, are you looking for Hope? Hope is the things we long for or an expectancy. Job had terrible trials in his life…but he didn’t give up on God. His friend, Eliphaz, tried to encourage him about God and his own integrity in this passage below from Job 4. God provides as much hope as we desire—but that desire has to come from us. How much hope do you have? We can see that Job was pretty discouraged as recorded in Job 17, but read the whole book of Job and discover he never totally gave up and God blessed him doubly. We can have hope because we know God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Hope for our days—even when we are facing trials and tribulations that may include walking through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. We don’t need to fear—God is with us. He will provide the hope we need. Trust Him. He will give us the desires of our hearts.

Doesn't your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn't your life of integrity give you hope? Job 4:6

Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance—all who seek the LORD! Consider the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were mined. Isaiah 51:1

Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:3-5

Can you give others an explanation of the hope you have found in your life…in God?

Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 1 Peter 3:13-16 (Underlined for emphasis.)

"My spirit is crushed, and my life is nearly snuffed out. The grave is ready to receive me. I am surrounded by mockers. I watch how bitterly they taunt me. "You must defend my innocence, O God, since no one else will stand up for me. ... My days are over. My hopes have disappeared. My heart's desires are broken. These men say that night is day; they claim that the darkness is light. What if I go to the grave and make my bed in darkness? ... Where then is my hope? Can anyone find it? No, my hope will go down with me to the grave. We will rest together in the dust!" Job 17:1-3, 11-13, 15-16

Prayer – LORD, You are my hope. Show Yourself through me to others by the things I say and do. May my life bring joy to You…and peace and hope to those around me.

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

Verses of Salvation ~ Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:5-8

It's been a year--farewell to Auntie Merc!

There's still so much to chat about...someday.

Love you much.

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, March 28, 2025

Can You Be Renewed Like a Butterfly?

Understanding repentance? Repentance is not just a New Testament thing. That was part of God’s plan from the time sin entered the world when Adam and Eve ate that forbidden fruit. Sin demands repentance. We cannot ever even hope to see God one day without repenting from our sins…and having the blood of Jesus purify us—washing us as white as snow. As Paul wrote, we need to make things right. Right with God and right with others.

A New Life...like a new Butterfly
demands a change in the lifestyle.
Repent - Change - Love God

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. Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 2 Corinthians 7:10-11

Repentance is an important part of the whole Bible story. God’s desire is for us to have pure hearts and the only way to achieve that is to turn from our bad thoughts, words, and actions. We can be like the butterfly--reborn with a new life and new intentions. Seeking God. Josiah was just a little guy when he became king—but he was seeking God and living to please Him. He was a good example for us.

Do you seek and love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? That is just what Jesus was teaching as was originally written in Deuteronomy. Choosing to love God is just that…our choice.

That is my goal, daily…moment by moment—but I’m not perfect—God is still working with me.

Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: 'Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these." Mark 12:29-31

Love God. Love others. When we do just that there will be no Godly sorrow.

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah from Bozkath. He did what was pleasing in the LORD's sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right. In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent Shaphan son of Azaliah and grandson of Meshullam, the court secretary, to the Temple of the LORD. ... Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the court secretary, "I have found the Book of the Law in the LORD's Temple!" Then Hilkiah gave the scroll to Shaphan, and he read it. ... Shaphan also told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll." So Shaphan read it to the king. When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair. ... (The prophetess Huldah said…) But go to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the LORD and tell him: 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the message you have just heard: You were sorry and humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I said against this city and its people—that this land would be cursed and become desolate. You tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the LORD.' 2 Kings 22:1-3, 8, 10-11, 18-19 (Read the whole chapter of 2 Kings 22 and more for a bigger picture understanding.)

Prayer – LORD, hear our prayers…as we, too, repent. There is no greater joy in this world than to please You.

Meditate. Consider God’s joy in scripture.

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

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Planning your garden? Now is the time to consider just what and WHERE you are going to plant particular plants in your garden. Have you heard of “companion” planting? It is deliberately choosing to plant particular plants side by side because research and time old gardening methods have shown that certain plants do better when planted beside each other. Google “planting companion” for lots more specific information on this process.

Classic companion plants are:

Tomatoes, peppers, basil, onions, marigolds, carrots, lettuce

Cucumber, beans, dill, lettuce, peas, radishes, spinach, sunflowers

Squash (including zucchini), beans, corn, cucumbers, dill, nasturtiums, peas, marigolds

There are also ones to avoid planting together:

Potatoes with tomatoes, carrots, squash, zucchini

Cucumbers with aromatic herbs

Tomatoes with cabbage, corn, beets, dill, peas, potatoes, rosemary

Zucchini with potatoes

With our days being so much warmer—and with the wonderful spring rains—it is almost time to start planting. For now—hopefully today, I’m just getting the soil tilled up and ready. Ready for seeds and great garden beginnings! Blessed gardening for us all!

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, March 27, 2025

Heavy Burdens?

Are you tired and carrying a lot of anxiety and heavy burden stuff? Jesus wants to come along side of us and help us. How? By teaching us to be like Him…humble, with a gentle heart that He will comfort, strengthen, and provide much needed rest. Rest for the weary. How often have you wished for that?

Take this yoke that Jesus offers.
He will take your cares and sorrows...
your burdens.
Find rest for your soul.

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

We are helpless…but not hopeless. Even in the Old Testament, Jesus offered compassion and the assurance that He would not abandon those who searched for Him. Likewise, Jesus helps us, if we ask for His help, compassion, comfort, strength, peace, protection, rest…whatever. The list is endless. He has the power to provide…and His love never gives up on us, never ends. Can you stress less and trust Him more today than yesterday?

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. And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline: Let them sit alone in silence beneath the LORD's demands. ... For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:22-28, 31-32

Prayer – LORD, Your mercies are new every morning. Please continue to give hope, help, comfort, and strength to those seeking that from You. In Your mercy grant Your peace to friends and family who have trusted You for so many years…and now are facing that Valley of the Shadow of Death. They have put their trust in You, so please take away the chaos and confusion in their lives now. May they feel Your very presence as You comfort and strengthen them, as only You can.

Meditate. Remember that God has promised to not leave or abandon you.

Verses leading to Salvation ~ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Romans 5:3-6

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, March 26, 2025

Baby Lamb Born

Most lambs are born in the spring…actually most farm animals are born in the spring. That’s just a good time of the year when the weather is warmer and there is fresh green grass sprouting up feeding all the sheep. This is just a good time for birth. Was Jesus born in the spring? Are we missing the real date when we celebrate His birth at Christmas? Your guess is as good as anyone else’s.

We do know that Jesus was crucified on Passover—at the time of the lamb sacrifice.

When Jesus had tasted it, he said, "It is finished!" Then he bowed his head and released his spirit. It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn't want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was the Passover). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. John 19:30-31

The Jews were following the law that God had set into motion just before the Hebrew people left Egypt. The angel of death passed over the home of the Jews who had marked their door posts. The blood of Jesus marks the doorposts of our hearts so that eternal death passes over us—the second death or final death does not happen to us, but we will see Jesus, the Lamb of God. As the Light of the World, He will be shining on us.

Is this like the Tree of Life?
on the banks of the Yakima River
near West Richland, WA

Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5

Jesus is the Lamb of God as testified by John the Baptist.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one I was talking about when I said, 'A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.' I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel." Then John testified, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn't know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God." John 1:29-34

The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! That Lamb is Jesus—born in a stable and wrapped in swathing clothes and laid in a manger. Sacrificed for the sin of mankind. He has died for you and for me. That is Jesus, our Passover lamb. Will you let Him take your sin upon Himself?

While the Israelites were still in the land of Egypt, the LORD gave the following instructions to Moses and Aaron: "From now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you. Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household. ... Take special care of this chosen animal until the evening of the fourteenth day of this first month. Then the whole assembly of the community of Israel must slaughter their lamb or young goat at twilight. They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and top of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the animal. ... These are your instructions for eating this meal: Be fully dressed, wear your sandals, and carry your walking stick in your hand. Eat the meal with urgency, for this is the LORD's Passover. On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the LORD! But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt." Exodus 12:1-3, 6-7, 11-13

Prayer – LORD Jesus, shine on us! May Your glory be forever and ever.

Meditate. Consider Passover.

Verses of Salvation ~ And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as "foreigners in the land." For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 1 Peter 1:17-19

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