Banquet With The King: October 2025

Friday, October 31, 2025

Be Reverent and Respectful

Did God sacrifice a lamb...
for coverings for Adam and Eve?
Sheep grazing in Israel.

Do not eat meat that has not been drained of its blood. Do not practice fortune-telling or witchcraft. ... Keep my Sabbath days of rest, and show reverence toward my sanctuary. I am the LORD. Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the LORD your God. Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the LORD. Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 19:26, 30-34

Meditate. Are you planning to rest on your Sabbath?

No witchcraft. No blood. Blood is life. Blood is death. I recently watched a YouTube presentation on the covering that God provided for Adam and Eve after their disobedient faux pas in the Garden of Eden. This new to me view was that the “covering” that God provided was actually “skin” and it was not animal skin, but their covering. Previously, they were energy beings (interesting thought) and the “skin” would hold in the energy. What a bizarre idea. The Biblical account of this says that God covered them with the skin, as noted in the different translations below.

Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. Genesis 3:21 KJV

And the LORD God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife. Genesis 3:21 NLT

The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. Genesis 3:21 NIV

And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. Genesis 3:21 ESV

The LORD God made tunics of [animal] skins for Adam and his wife and clothed them. Genesis 3:21 AMP

God covered their nakedness with skin, whether it is from animals or His unique creation is a detail that we don’t need to know right now. He might choose to tell us…someday. In the meantime, there are more of God’s directives that need to be studied and obeyed, like honoring the Sabbath, esteeming the elderly and the foreigners, and respecting God. There is work to be done….

Prayer – Lord, I want to be obedient to Your word and Your will, so reveal to me Your plan and help me to understand the details of Your word…even like the skin You put on Adam and Eve.

Verse of Salvation ~ Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen. Romans 16:25-27 NLT

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

This is a freaky Friday! People are celebrating the hallowed eve of All Saints Day, but do they realize just what they are acclaiming? Is Halloween for you based on worldly fables or spiritual warfare? Do you take part in the Halloween celebration and party with your friends? Do you allow evil fables and evil forces to invade your home and your life…if even for just the day?

It is definitely soup time! As the temperature drops, I just feel the need for a nice bowl of soup… just about every day! This recipe, sent by a friend, is a great do-ahead meal—perfect for a cold, cozy stay at home and read day! Enjoy!

Magic Beef Stew

2½ to 3 pounds of lean stew beef

6 large carrots, peeled and cut into 2” pieces

3 large Yukon potatoes, quartered

3 large onions, sliced

3 stalks of celery, cut into 2” pieces

1 Tbsp salt

1 tsp pepper

¼ cup tapioca

2 Tbsp cane sugar

1½ cups tomato juice or diluted tomato sauce

1 cup water

Layer first 5 ingredients in a casserole, preferably a cast iron Dutch oven. Sprinkle with mixture of salt, pepper, tapioca and sugar. Pour mixture of tomato juice and water over all. Seal with foil and lid. Bake at 275 degrees for 4 hours or until the beef is tender. Serve with salad and corn bread. Yields 5-6 servings.

Adapted from cookbook “Capital Eating in Kentucky”

Good-Bye October! Are you ready for the days ahead? Are you loving God and others?

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, October 30, 2025

Don’t Insult Others. It Insults God.

Do not insult the deaf or cause the blind to stumble. You must fear your God; I am the LORD. Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly. Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. Do not stand idly by when your neighbor's life is threatened. I am the LORD. Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:14-18

Meditate. Consider how you are loving God and loving others.

The book of Leviticus was dictated by God to Moses, giving the Israelites specific detailed instructions on how to live. He wanted them to follow the Ten Commandments and these directives let them know just what He expected. I like the way God keeps reminding them who He is: I am the LORD. Don’t they get it? God is speaking to them! Each of these statements directly reflects one of the Ten Commandments.

Exodus 20:2-6: You must not have any other god but me. Fear or respect only the true God.

You must fear your God –

Exodus 20:13 – Do not murder. This includes the destruction of their body or their character. All of the following deal with that concept. Respecting others shows respect to God, since He created them. Likewise, disrespecting others shows a disrespect for the very God who created those individuals…or mankind in general.

Do not insult the deaf or cause the blind to stumble.

Do not twist justice in legal matters.

Always judge people fairly.

Do not spread slanderous gossip.

Do not stand idly by when your neighbor's life is threatened.

Do not nurse hatred in your heart.

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge.

Once again, the Ten Commandments boils down to two commandments…or even just one, as Jesus taught. Love God. Love your neighbor.

Prayer – Lord God, thank you for the Ten Commandments and all the laws in Leviticus, although on this side of the cross we are set free from those. “So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!” Romans 6:11-15.

Verse of Salvation ~ One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: "Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" The man answered, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "Right!" Jesus told him. "Do this and you will live!" Luke 10:25-28

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, October 29, 2025

Honor God by the Way You Treat Others

When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. It is the same with your grape crop—do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the LORD your God. Do not steal. Do not deceive or cheat one another. Do not bring shame on the name of your God by using it to swear falsely. I am the LORD. Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not make your hired workers wait until the next day to receive their pay. Leviticus 19:9-13

Meditate. Consider God’s specific guidance in scripture as you read God’s word and hear what He is saying.

Look at the elements of this passage. It is important to take care of others by providing an opportunity for them to glean after the initial harvest. God declares that He is the LORD, reminding them to not steal, cheat, defraud, or deceive others. God doesn’t want His name used in vain—He doesn’t want anyone to swear. Would you want someone to use your name disrespectfully? Can you imagine using your own name as a swear word? What a ridiculous idea!?! So then, why defame God’s name by using it inappropriately? Vocabulary to express one’s frustrations is ultimately a choice that everyone makes. Using rude and crude language has become acceptable in many places in our society—around the world. I’ve even watched a Korean TV series that is in English, but that uses the name of Jesus offensively. Why do they do that?! If they knew Jesus as their Savior, then possibly they would not be swearing using the name of God or Jesus. Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Do you have any friends who do not know Jesus? Is it time to introduce them to Him? Love God. Love others.

Prayer – Lord God, may I honor You in all that I think and say—whether it is to You, about You, or following Your directives in the way to treat others. Glory. Glory. Glory.

Verse of Salvation ~ Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name. Psalm 79:9

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, October 28, 2025

Who is Holy?

But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16

Meditate. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

Holy, Holy, Holy

You must be holy because I am holy.

This verse is in Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7.

For I am the LORD your God. You must consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. So do not defile yourselves with any of these small animals that scurry along the ground. For I, the LORD, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God. Therefore, you must be holy because I am holy. Leviticus 11:44-45

Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy. Leviticus 19:2

So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the LORD your God. Keep all my decrees by putting them into practice, for I am the LORD who makes you holy. Leviticus 20:7-8

Be holy. That is a big expectation. Can we do it on our own? No way. Only with the Lord’s help. We can.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Choose holiness.

And what union can there be between God's temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: "I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:16-18

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 (work toward…accomplish)

We can work towards holiness…complete holiness…but we can only accomplish with God’s help. Holiness unto the Lord.

Prayer ~ Lord God, I praise You for it is from You that all blessings flow…to all creatures here below. I praise You above all heavenly hosts…Praise Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Verse of Salvation ~ Cry out, "Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you." 1 Chronicles 16:35

Revised from July 18, 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

Monday, October 27, 2025

BIBLE Basics

Then God gave the people all these instructions: "I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you. You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. You must not covet your neighbor's house. You must not covet your neighbor's wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor." Exodus 20:1-17

Meditate. Consider God’s commands.

I recently heard that the Ten Commandments are the basis for Christianity and that the rest of the Bible is just commentary. When asked which is the most important command, Jesus specified that the greatest two commands are “Love God” and “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.” That statement was challenged by a Bible scholar who thought that the most important one is the first one…Have no other gods before me. All the rest of the commandments fall under that. To respect God by following each of the commandments results in honoring the first commandment. Such is life.

It doesn’t matter if a person is a Christian or not, the Ten Commandments still regulate most societies. Even atheists acknowledge that there is a god, by stating that they don’t believe in Him. Third World countries even have laws that mandate no killing, stealing, or lying—at least to officials. By obediently observing any of the commandments, we are honoring, loving God. Likewise, by disobeying those very statues we are showing disrespect to God, not love. How are you loving God and loving others in your heart today?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I love God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help me to love others…and even to love myself. If You could love everyone, then I should, too. I praise You and thank you for all You have done for mankind…and all that You will do in the future.

Verse of Salvation ~ If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. ... For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? Romans 10:9-10, 13-14

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, October 26, 2025

How Are You Different From Anyone Else?

Rain clouds just before a gigantic storm.
It rained on everyone.

You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48

Meditate. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

How are different from anyone else? Are you kind to everyone you meet? Do you love only those who love you? Jesus taught that we are to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Are you fulfilling those commands if you aren’t loving your enemy?

God gives sunshine and rain to everyone. He doesn’t show partiality. We can be scorched by the intense sun or we can be chilled by the monsoon-type rain shower—both can happen in a single day. Are your words and encouragement to others like sunshine or pelting rain? We have a choice moment by moment throughout the days, weeks, and months of life—to address and treat others rudely or kindly—to treat them like Jesus would if he were still here. Better yet, treat each person as if they were Jesus. I discovered that attitude approach to life when I was a young bride ironing my husband’s work shirts that had to be starched and pressed each day. I found myself resenting having to iron his shirts, until I realized that ironing those for my hubby was the same as doing it for Jesus. That made it a task worthy of my attention. In the last few days or weeks, what actions, thoughts, or spoken words towards others were worthy of being done for Jesus? Are you striving for perfection, holiness, like Jesus? How are you any different from anyone else?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, make me aware of how I am treating others. It’s a wicked world out there…but we can choose…how we treat…and how we react to others. You said that we are to love God and love others as ourselves. That basically boils down all the Ten Commandments to two commands. Thank you for Your guidance and wisdom in dealing with instructions for our lives.

Verse of Salvation ~ God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation. Hebrews 2:10

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