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.
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| A New Life...like a new Butterfly demands a change in the lifestyle. Repent - Change - Love God |
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!
© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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
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