September 24 – Be Cleansed—But Don’t Tell

And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, and He said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere. - Mark 1:40-45 NASB

Be cleansed—but don’t tell anyone. Don’t tell! How could this leper keep this healing to himself?  He had spent years staying away from the public—living an “unclean” existence that some equated with sin. Now he was a free man. Free from disease—free from sin. And Jesus was the reason—the great physician. Give Him the glory and praise. How could he not tell everyone he met? Everyone had known that he had been a leper. Leprosy wasn’t something from which people were normally healed. People had to know—they had to be told. That very action drove Jesus to staying away from populated areas, and yet people kept on coming to Him. He was a healing magnet. People were seeking physical healing—heal me—that will make everything better.

Is that what we want when we go to Jesus in prayer now? Heal me—that will make everything better. Heal my mother, my sister, my daughter, my friend—heal me. Give health, healing, a job, a home, a baby, a safe trip. Like those people in Bible times we are self-centered. Give me....We want our needs fulfilled. We may think that when we ask for prayers for others that we are being compassionate—but is that really what Jesus wants? Think about it. He wants us to share Him with others, so He answers our prayers, just like the leper. Then, unlike the leper, He wants us to tell others what He has done for us.

·         What has God been doing in your life this week? 
·         How do you see Him working?
Share those answers with someone…with anyone.
By telling others what God is doing in YOUR life, you are sharing good news!

Dear Jesus, Thank you for healing that leper—and for working in our lives.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 23 – I Came to Preach

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." He said to them, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for." And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons. Mark 1:35-39 NASB

That’s what I came to do…to preach. So let’s go. Let’s get on with it. That is what Jesus was saying. He wasn’t sticking around Capernaum, although it was a nice little town and He and the disciples were comfortable there in Peter’s home. It was time to move on. So He and the disciples went all over Galilee where Jesus preached and cast out demons. Powerful stuff. Jesus spent some time praying, alone, before He headed out to into the countryside to do His work.

That is a good example to us—before we face a difficult task, pray. Get up early. Jesus didn’t wait until the middle of the day to pray—He got up early while it was still dark. When was the last time you got up early to pray? It’s been a while for me. I get up at what I consider early—6:30 AM on most days—and now that the days are getting shorter this fall, it is not so light at 6:30 or 7 in the morning. He withdrew away from Peter’s house to a secluded place to pray. He could really focus on His time with His Heavenly Father without distractions of Peter’s household and the disciples. What do you suppose He prayed? Maybe He asked for strength, for power over the demons? He himself was all powerful and He is our source of strength, so did He need to ask for more? Whatever He needed, the Heavenly Father provided. Jesus likely glorified God the Father in His prayer, too. So Jesus went to the towns of Galilee—like Gennesaret, Magdala, Tiberias, Hammath, Cana, Jotapata, Hannathon, Nazareth—and many others, preaching and casting out demons. Jesus was a compassionate person. It tells us in Matthew 4:23 that on this preaching trip around Galilee that Jesus healed every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. News spread about Jesus miraculous powers to heal and a great multitude of people followed Him from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan River. 

We don’t have the red letters telling us just what Jesus said when prayed, preached, or when He healed people. We just know that He didn’t just talk at people—preaching at them. He did the right thing—the compassionate thing—He healed people of all kinds of sickness.

Are you looking for Jesus’ red letters—just to see what He spoke to others? People now as in His time hang onto His every word. He is worthy of our time, focus, and our compassion on others, just like Him.

Jesus, we worship You and seek You—that we would know what Your Father’s will is for our lives. Open our eyes and hearts to know You.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 22 – Follow Me

As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. - Mark 1:16-18 (also Matthew 4:18-20) NASB

One of the earliest songs I remember—and it is still being taught to kids today—“I will make you fishers of men, if you follow me.” The kids pantomime casting fishing line and cranking it in. Kids love action songs. They really get into the fishing!

Fishing at the Sea of Galilee

Simon, who was also known as Peter, and his brother, Andrew, used fishing nets that were huge circular nets with weights at intervals. They would cast them out into the water and trap the fish inside the net, then pull it into the boat. They responded immediately by leaving their smelly old fishing nets and following Jesus. Immediately, not a few hours later or the next day. They heard Jesus call and they responded.

Jesus was commanding Simon Peter and Andrew to come with Him—to leave their fishing nets—their way of live and come alongside of Him—to literally FOLLOW Him. He was calling them to serve.

Listen. Have you heard Jesus call you? Follow Me. Serve others by doing what I ask of you. How are you responding to His call?

Jesus, we hear you calling—and we leave our nets and fishing poles to follow you.

Today is the First Day of Fall – Welcome Fall!

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 21 – Feasting on the Red Letters

… Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:14-15 NASB

In many Bibles the words of Jesus are written in red. So if we are to feast on a banquet of Jesus’ teachings, we’ll be studying those red letter words. What do you think He meant when He said “the time is fulfilled?” God the Father had a plan—that His Son would be born of a woman and live a human life. Jesus was that only begotten Son and so that special time that God had planned was happening—fulfilled. He was the “kingdom”—as promised in the Old Testament. He was the Messiah who was sent by God. Jesus was calling people to repent and believe that He was the Messiah.

Imagine the Sea of Galilee, the water glistening in the sunlight. Jesus is walking along the shore—just enjoying the sunshine, fresh air and watching the people there along the water. Others may have been just out enjoying the seaside—and they heard Jesus preaching, so they gathered around Him—feasting on those red letter words. KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND. REPENT. BELIEVE. Is this the man who had been baptized by that fellow John a few weeks ago in the Jordan River? Now He is living in Capernaum. Where is He from? From Nazareth, you say. What does He do? He’s a carpenter. He doesn’t sound like any carpenter that I’ve ever known. Repent? Believe? What Kingdom—the Romans rule here. Now if we could have a new ruler that would be good—let’s listen to what He’s saying.

The red letters words help us to focus on just what was spoken by Jesus. Those could likely be the most important words that we’ll ever read in our lifetime. Repent means to change one’s mind, to turn back. According to the Blue Letter Bible, repentance (metanoia, 'change of mind') involves a turning with contrition from sin to God. Believe means to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in. To “believe” in Jesus means to assuredly know that He is the Son of God. Did the people at the Sea of Galilee repent and believe? We don’t know, but we do know that He met some fishermen and changed their lives. We’ll look at those red letter words tomorrow. For now, search your own hearts and see how Jesus’ words “repent” and “believe” challenge you.

Dear Jesus—let me hear your words deep in my soul, not just in my ears—and help me respond to them and share them with others. You are my Messiah. 

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for metanoeō (Strong's 3340)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 21 Sep 2012. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm? strongs=G3340 >

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for pisteuō (Strong's 4100)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 21 Sep 2012. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm? Strongs=G4100&t=KJV

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 20 - Gather in Summer Fruit

Then all the Jews returned from all the places to which they had been driven away and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, and gathered in wine and summer fruit in great abundance. - Jeremiah 40:12 NASB

Coming home! What a joy it must have been for the Jews to return to their homeland—and at a time when there was an abundance of fruit. God was providing and sustaining them. God has a way of caring for His chosen people. He just loves those who love Him—and even those who don’t. God is love. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 1 John 4:16 NASB. Do you know God and His love? Seek Him, like you would a prize or treasure—and when you find Him, you will be so happy. But there is more to finding God than happiness, for much happiness is fleeting. Knowing God brings a peace deep within your soul that can’t be taken away even in the difficult times. I know—I seek and find Him every day. Let me know if you find Him, too.  

This is the best time of the year—with all the fresh fruits and vegetables available. There is nothing like a freshly sliced peach—unless it is Peach French Toast, fresh out of the oven with a little powdered sugar sprinkled on top. Eat it outside on your deck or patio in the fresh cool morning air and enjoy this last little bit of summer.

Overnight Peaches and Cream French Toast
Do all the prep work before hand, then just pop it in the oven when you are ready to eat! So easy!
Makes about 12 servings.
Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar packed
1/2 cup butter cubed
4 fresh sliced peaches, or a quart of canned peaches, drained
1 loaf Texas Toast cubed, I used all but about 4 slices
8 oz. cream cheese or goat cheese, cubed into small squares
12 eggs
1 1/2 cups half and half or coconut milk creamer
1 tsp. vanilla

Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar and butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved; pour into a greased 9x13 baking dish.

Arrange peaches in dish. Place half of the bread cubes over peaches. Layer with cream cheese and remaining bread. Place the eggs, cream and vanilla in a blender; cover and process until smooth. Pour over top. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Enjoy with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 19 – Continue Repentance

"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct," declares the Lord GOD. "Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you.” - Ezekiel 18:30 NASB

I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. - Luke 13:3 NASB

For ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur the focus of spiritual life is on repentance. The word “repent” appears 38 times in the NASB translation of the Bible. It has several different meanings and these are not the same in the Old Testament and the New Testament. The “repent” as we read it in Ezekiel is actually found 1299 times in the Hebrew Bible, according to the Strong’s Lexicon, meaning to turn back or to return. In the Luke verse and 34 other times in the Greek, “repent” means to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins. That is what I imagine that the Jews were aiming for in their repentance, not just turning back, but to change their minds that they wouldn’t make the same mistake in the coming year.

How about you? Do you find that you make the same mistakes over and over—and have to seek repentance. Consider this verse…that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Ephesians 4:22-24 NASB. So be renewed in the spirit of your mind. I like that. A new year and a renewing of my mind. Likewise another verse gives us hope in Christ. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB Are you feeling “renewed”?

Thank you, Jesus, for this reminder that I can have my mind “renewed” and be refreshed. Please give me Your peace and strength as You renew my mind with Your loving words.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 18 – Again a Happy New Year

Leviticus 23:24 Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, in the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. (NASB)

Blow those trumpets! The festival was set to run for two days because of the uncertainty of the moon—imagine trying to predict just when the new moon would appear—so the day of the festival was given two days. Surely one of them would have the new moon—so that they could celebrate the New Year. This also strengthened the observance of each day—making it one long day so that the holiness of both days was fixed. On the second night people ate new fruit and wore new clothes.

Happy New Year—a good year. May you be inscribed for a good year in the Book of Life. Typical prayer during Rosh Hashanah "Who is like unto you, O God...And You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." Biblical passages including readings about the birth of Isaac (birth after barrenness), the binding of Isaac to be sacrificed (rescue from sacrifice), the birth of Samuel (birth of children to remind us of the birthday of the world), and a reading from Jeremiah that includes the deliverance of the people of Israel from exile (demonstrating God’s love for his people).

The shofar horn is sounded several times during the convocation and as part of the benediction or berakhot. The principles of Judaism are reflected in that closing: the acceptance of God as King of the universe; an acknowledgment that God intervenes to reward the good and punish the wicked; and the recognition that God revealed Himself  to the Israelites at Sinai and will reveal Himself again when He brings about the end of days. The reward of the judgment was that the names of the righteous that past year would be written in the Book of Life. The names of the wicked would be written in the Book of Death. If a person was not totally righteous or totally wicked they had ten days until Yom Kippur to repent and be sealed in the Book of Life for that year.   

Heavenly Father – hear the sound of the trumpet—the shofar—praising you and acknowledging You as God and King. May our names be inscribed in Your Book of Life because we believe in Jesus as Your Son and our Savior.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 17 – Feast of Trumpets - Happy New Year – Rosh Hashanah

Numbers 29:1 Now in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall also have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work. It will be to you a day for blowing trumpets. (NASB)

Blow those trumpets. The seventh month in the Hebrew calendar is Tishri. The Days of Awe or the High Holy Days, includes Feast of Trumpets; the month of Elul (prior to Tishri); and Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, ten days after the Feast of Trumpets. The month of Elul is a time of preparation for atonement, a time of introspection and inspection. This year the Hebrew New Year, also called Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah, which is also considered a judgment day, is on September 17-18, 2012. It actually began at sunset on September 16^th.

Blow those trumpets. God commanded the Israelites to blow their trumpets. Typically the shofar horn or trumpet is blown every morning during the month of Elul, except on Shabbat. This is to wake people up to the coming judgment. Numbers 10:10 states: Also in the day of your gladness and in your appointed feasts, and on the first days of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be as a reminder of you before your God. I am the Lord your God. (NASB) God is Lord and King—He is the center of this feast—the center of life and judgment. As King he would be coroneted, as other kings and this often occurred in the fall.    

Blow those trumpets. Have a holy convocation or sacred assembly. This would occur in the synagogue rather than in homes. The celebration would focus on the God and King who is creator and would continue to renew his creation. This commemoration of the birthday of the world is intertwined with God judging all living beings creating a period of repentance. That is what is occurring in this Days of Awe—personally looking into our hearts to see what we’ve done in our lives in this past year—and what we need to change to improve our lives in the coming year. Although this is a public convocation, it has personal time, too. So during Elul the Israelites took time for inspecting their lives. Now celebrate the New Year with foods like apples dipped in honey to remind us of the sweet life we desire for the coming year. Feast on festive foods and on the Word of God, our creator and judge.

God of Heaven and Earth—be merciful to us in your judgment.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 16 – Dates

Exodus 3:8 - "So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. NASB

Ezekiel 20:6 - On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands. NIV

A land flowing with milk and honey. This keeps being repeated about the land of Palestine, the new home of the Hebrew people. A land where date trees grow and produce date honey. The date tree was useful to the Israelites back in Moses time and even now since it has many uses—from the palm fronds for roofing material, the leaves for baskets, boards for homes and fibrous material for ropes and mattresses, as well as the dates for food. God provided just the right foods for the Israelites as they came into the Promised Land—flowing with milk and honey. There are over 200,000 date palms now in Israel producing about 12,000 tons of dates a year.

As with the other six healing fruits of Israel there are medicinal value to dates for strengthening and energizing the whole system. They are rich in vitamins and minerals including iron. Dates are known to help with allergies, hepatitis, tuberculosis, anemia, and to alleviate depression and anxiety. Another miracle food!

My favorite way to eat dates, other than just fresh, or in date nut bread, is in an appetizer that is simply a pitted date, filled with cream cheese and wrapped with bacon, then broiled until the bacon is done. Yum! The sweet and salty combination is so satisfying! Savor dates today--as well as God's words.  

Do you like dates? How about the other healing fruits of Israel, the wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, as well as the dates? God so blessed the Israelites with a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey, as described in Deuteronomy 8:6-8.  In verse 10 it says: When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. (NASB) Have you “blessed” the Lord for the food that He has provided for you? What does it mean to “bless the Lord”?  The Bible tells us in 61 verses (NASB) to “Bless the Lord”.  Bless means to make somebody or something holy: to bestow holiness on somebody or something. Here are some examples:

Psalm 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Psalm 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits;
Psalm 115:18 But as for us, we will bless the LORD From this time forth and forever. Praise the LORD!
Psalm 135:20 O house of Levi, bless the LORD; You who revere the LORD, bless the LORD. NASB

So to “bless” the Lord, we need to recognize His purity and holiness, to have a great respect for Him, to glorify and praise Him—to praise His very name. I remember singing Psalm 103 in choir in High School, back when religious songs could be sung in public schools. It was awesome to sing— Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name…. All that is within me bless His Holy Name. Do we do that? Are you willing to dig deep within you and praise God?

Be prepared--You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect. Luke 12:40 NASB. The Feast of Tabernacles is coming—as you wait for the Bridegroom, are your lamps full of oil? Remember the story of the ten virgins and only five of them had extra oil for their lamps and went to the wedding when the Bridegroom arrived. See Matthew 25. Be prepared.
Lord Jesus, I praise you. I praise your Holy Name—with all of my heart, and all of my soul and all of my might. Blessings upon You.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 15 – Olives for Oil

Jacob set up a stone pillar on the spot where God had spoken with him. He poured a drink offering on it and anointed it with oil. Jacob dedicated the place where God had spoken with him, Bethel (God’s-House). Genesis 35:14-15 (The Message)

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:13-16 (NIV)

Can you imagine picking olives from trees that are 2000 years old? Well—it happens every year on olive trees in many Mediterranean countries, including Israel. It is amazing that the trees have produced fruit for all those years. They are knurled and twisted—and oh the stories those trees could tell, if only they could talk.

Oil from the olives is like a like a miracle medicine being useful externally, as well as an important ingredient in cooking. It is suppose to be good for arthritis, joint pain or backaches when massaged in addition to a few drops of cayenne powder, lavender or chamomile oil. Home remedies for colds, coughs and sore throats include rubbing the chest with olive oil or crushing black olives in olive oil, warming slightly and applying to neck. Cover with a soft cloth and then a warm water bottle.

Olive oil in food adds vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A and E, calcium and magnesium, as well as amino acids, omega 3 and other antioxidants. It can be used in many cooked or sautéed dishes as well as in salad dressings. The oil that is pressed from the olives first is the best and will be labeled as First Press. Since the oil from ripe black olives is more alkaline and thus better for our bodies, it is best to purchase that, not oil extracted from green unripe fruit.

One of the uses of oil, as eluted to in the scripture above, is for anointing. Jacob and others used oil, probably olive oil, for anointing places and things, as well as people. Jesus was anointed with expensive oil in an alabaster jar shortly before his crucifixion, as told in the books of Mark (14) and John (11). The book of James tells us to anoint others when praying for them—a custom that has continued today. Are you needing prayer? It doesn’t matter if it is a physical, emotional or spiritual need, prayer can make a difference. Ask a friend or pastor to pray for you and to anoint you with oil. It likely will be olive oil. Believe, ask, pray and you will be blessed.

Dear Jesus, please give us your peace, strength, health in our bodies and minds, and hope with your healing touch. We praise you for you are still the great physician, as well as our counselor, friend, savior…and God.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 14 - Pomegranates

Numbers 20:2-12  There was no water for the congregation, and they assembled themselves against Moses and Aaron. The people thus contended with Moses and spoke, saying, "If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD!”Why then have you brought the LORD'S assembly into this wilderness, for us and our beasts to die here? "Why have you made us come up from Egypt, to bring us in to this wretched place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, nor is there water to drink." Then Moses and Aaron came in from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to them; and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink." So Moses took the rod from before the LORD, just as He had commanded him; and Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock. And he said to them, "Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?" Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation and their beasts drank. But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." - NASB

The Israelites had been through the desert from Egypt to the Promised Land, but they were afraid of the giants in the land and didn’t trust God to help them. Now they wanted water, grain, figs and pomegranates…but there was only their rebellious spirit to feed their hunger. God tells Moses to “speak” to the rock to get water, but Moses strikes it instead. They get water…but because of Moses anger and the rebellious spirit of the people, except for Calab and Joshua, no one ever get to go into the Promised Land. That should makes us want to stop and look at our own spirit. Are we treating God as holy?  Are we being rebellious or defiant towards God? That kept all those Israelites out of their Promised Land. Does my defiance keep me from having a good relationship with God or with others? Does your attitude towards God create a barrier between you and Him…or between you and others?

The pomegranate is used as a decorative ornament in many places in the Bible, and still in Israel today. For examples see Exodus 28:33, 1 Kings 7:18, 2 Kings 25:17. The pomegranate is said to have 613 seeds, the same number as the commands or promises of God in Torah. In Christian art the pomegranate fruit, broken or bursting open, is a symbol of the fullness of Jesus' suffering and resurrection.

As a powerful anti-oxidant pomegranate juice was tested and has become a useful product for treating coronary disease. Additionally, since pomegranate seed oil was found to cause breast cancer cells to self-destruct it has been studied for prevention and treatment of breast cancer. That is an amazing study. See more on pomegranates at http://www.greenearthgrocer.com/common/news/store_news.asp?task=store_news&sid_store_news=20&storeID=5P9LR2WTRES92J2200AKHMCCQA2L5D23

When you cut into a pomegranate, cut off the top and bottom ends, then lightly score the skin or rind in several sections. Put the fruit in a bowl of cold water for several minutes, then holding it under the water, break the sections apart. The seeds will sink while the membranes and rind will float. Discard the membranes and rind, then pour the seeds out into a colander, rinse, drain and dry. The seeds are great in spinach or green leaf lettuce salads. Top with some roasted pecans, blue cheese or goat cheese, and bottled raspberry vinaigrette dressing. Tasty!

Are we merely decorative as the pomegranate, or are we filled with God’s promises? Check out your own life. Do you know that the Feast of Trumpets is coming soon? This is the next feast that is prophetically to be fulfilled. The Passover was fulfilled when Jesus died for our sins at just the exact time as the Passover lamb was sacrificed in the Temple. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was fulfilled at Jesus burial. The First Fruits was fulfilled at Jesus resurrection. Pentecost was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit was given to Jesus’ followers. The next feast in the Jewish year is Rosh Hashanah, the New Year or Feast of Trumpets celebrating God as King, possibly the birthday of the world, intertwined with beginning a time of repentance as God is in the process of judging all things. So to all of you—I wish you a Happy New Year—a good year. May you be inscribed for a good year in the Book of Life.

Our friend, Mark, who has leukemia, is going to begin undergoing radiation treatments this weekend. His father has asked that we pray that the rapture will happen right at the time or just after his son’s treatment—what a witness to those in the hospital. “Where has Mark gone?” He’s been raptured! Only our Heavenly Father knows the hour or the day—Jesus tells us that in Matthew 24:36, But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. NASB. Jesus also tells us to “be ready”, so whether it is this year or ten years from now…we need to be prepared. Tell others about Jesus’ sacrifice for them and give an account for the hope that you have. Are you ready? Is your name in the Book of Life?

Heavenly Father—we wait with hopeful anticipation for the day that You send Jesus to rapture His church. When that time comes Lord we want to be ready, and to be doing your will and your work.   

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 13 - Figs

Numbers 13:23-27 Then they came to the valley of Eshcol and from there cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes; and they carried it on a pole between two men, with some of the pomegranates and the figs. That place was called the valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the sons of Israel cut down from there. When they returned from spying out the land, at the end of forty days, they proceeded to come to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; and they brought back word to them and to all the congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. Thus they told him, and said, "We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. - NASB

The land flowing with milk and honey…figs, grapes, and pomegranates. An easy place to have a feast! Let’s sit at the King’s feet today and feast. This is fall and there is an abundance of food just waiting for us to harvest and enjoy! Figs are ripe twice a year—early summer and late summer. The late summer ones are the best since that is a fresh sweet crop that has grown over the summer. The fig fruit is actually the flower grown inward, so all the inner crunchiness is part of that flower, along with the soft sweetness of the outer fruit. What a delectable creation. God is so creative in the variety of foods He made for us!

Figs have so many nutrients that they have been used medicinally as well as just for food. Even in Isaiah’s time figs were used for healing. In those days King Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, "Thus says the Lord, 'Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.'" Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, and said, "Remember now, O Lord, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, saying, Go and say to Hezekiah, 'Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David, "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. ...Writing of Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness and recovery: ... O Lord, by these things men live, And in all these is the life of my spirit; O restore me to health and let me live! "Lo, for my own welfare I had great bitterness; It is You who has kept my soul from the pit of nothingness, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back. ... "It is the living who give thanks to You, as I do today; A father tells his sons about Your faithfulness. The Lord will surely save me; So we will play my songs on stringed instruments All the days of our life at the house of the Lord." Now Isaiah had said, "Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil that he may recover." - Isaiah 38:1-5, 9, 16-17, 19-21 NASB I prefer to eat fresh figs rather than use them externally, but they obviously do have a value for healing. Those figs gave King Hezekiah an additional fifteen years of life.

Figs must be harvested when they are ripe. Sunlight and water are very important to their growth and ripening. If they don’t have enough water the figs will fall off the tree or become small, hard and inedible.  We’re like that, too. If we don’t get enough water, physically or spiritually, we dry up and get hard. Hard to live with. Grumpy. We need to have “living water” every day. Jesus is the source of that living water. Even in the Old Testament living water was mentioned in relation to the Lord. O Lord, the hope of Israel. All who forsake You will be put to shame. Those who turn away on earth will be written down, because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the Lord. Jeremiah 17:13 NASB.  Of course in the New Testament we think of Jesus interaction with the woman at the well and their discussion of living water. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'  John 7:38 NASB. I thirst regularly for that living water…and for figs. I certainly don’t want have my name recorded as one who has abandoned or forsaken the living Lord. Do you?

Lord, thank you for creating such wonderful, refreshing and nutritious foods as the fig and for proving Yourself as the living water.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 12 – Grapes

For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. - Luke 6:43-45 NASB

Grapes grow on grape vines—all over the world in many different varities.

I love the Aesop’s Fables stories about the antics of the fox. One of those is The Fox and the Grapes. The fox was walking along through an orchard one hot late summer day when he came upon a bunch of ripe grapes that grown up into a high branch. “Just the thing to quench my thirst,” he thought. So he took a run and jumped up towards the grapes, but he just missed. So he tried again and again to jump higher, but with no success. One more time he tried to reach those tempting grapes. At last he had to give up and walked away with his nose in the air, saying, “I’m sure those are sour.” The moral of the story: It is easy to despise what you cannot get. 

My son has grapes that have grown up high into an elm tree that is near his grape arbor. The grapes way up in that tree seem to look the sweetest and ripest—yet they were beyond reach. We just had to imagine those were sour and we didn’t want them. This past year, Mike, has wisely kept the vines trimmed so that they haven’t grown up into the elm tree—and all the grapes are within reach to harvest. Are they ever tasty!

Just like Jesus words in Luke, grapes don’t grow on briar bushes; we don’t produce fruit that is unlike us. If we are thorny, like the briar bush, we won’t be giving any encouragement or sweet words to those around us. May our words, likewise the mediations of our hearts be like those grapes that Mike has grown, tasty, sweet and juicy.

Dear Lord, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 NASB)

Chicken Salad with Grapes (favorite variation for September)

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cooked; leftover, poached or roasted; cooled and diced
½ cup walnuts, toasted for ~10 minutes at 350 degrees F., coarsely chopped (takes out bitterness)
½ cup diced sweet onion
1 rib celery, diced small
½ pound fresh grapes- use your favorite variety, cut them up if they are larger than bite size
1 small apple, diced small
¾ cup mayonnaise, preferably olive oil mayo
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp curry powder, optional
1 tsp each fresh basil and thyme, chopped fine
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In a medium mixing bowl place the chicken, onion, celery, grapes, apple and walnuts. Mix mayonnaise, vinegar and seasonings. Gently together stir so that all contents are lightly covered. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Can be served on a bed of lettuce, in a lettuce wrap or on bread. Serves 4-6.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 11 - Wheat and Barley

Pause today and remember the event of 9/11. Pray that God will forgive our nation for turning our back on Him. May He heal our land as we humble ourselves as in 2 Chronicles 7:14: ...and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. - NASB

Ruth 2:23 - So she stayed close by the maids of Boaz in order to glean until the end of the barley harvest and the wheat harvest. And she lived with her mother-in-law. NASB

Wheat and barley. Grains grown for breads—although you’ll find wheat flour in lots of other foods. Barley isn’t as commonly used as wheat, but it has a great nutritional value. Both grains are good sprouted and the barley or wheat water are also high in vitamins and proteins. Both wheat grass and barley grass, from the sprouted seeds, are high in B vitamins, even the anti-cancer B17 vitamin. Wheat and barley are good for improving the immune system, stimulating the production of new red blood cells, helps with digestive disorders, strengthens the brain and heart, and overall boosting the energy of the body. Sounds like miracle foods. God made these grains special—and they can be used in such a wide variety of ways. Whole grains retain the most nutrients for the body, so the less processing the better.

Try sprouting some grain—but it must be purchased specifically for sprouting. Grains that have been irradiated are good for grinding, but will not sprout. They soften up when soaked, but don’t sprout. Are we like that? Do we soften up a bit when soaked in water or kind words, but we don’t “sprout” and give others good encouragement? Think about when you’ve been soaked in kindness from others—do you then share more kindness with those around you? Are you gleaning wisdom from others, sort of like Ruth gleaned the barley and wheat from Boaz’ fields, and then are you sharing that wisdom—or just hiding it away waiting for a rainy day? Do you forget it as soon as you turn away? Let your light shine. That is what Jesus taught on the hillside near the Sea of Galilee—in what we know as the Sermon on the Mount. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 NASB

Lord, we want to let our light shine for You. Help us to sprout with enthusiasm and give us words of encouragement to share with others.

Sprouting Grain

Inspect and sort about 1/3 to 2/3 cups of grain to be sure that it is free of rocks or field debris.  Rinse the grain several times until the water is clear. Then cover the grain with cool water. Let sit for about an hour, drain. Then cover with a couple of cups of cool water and let soak for 24 hours, away from direct sunlight. Strain this water off the grain and save for drinking. It is full of vitamins and minerals so serve one glass for an adult and a half glass for children over five a couple of times a week. Younger children can have a smaller portion of grain water mixed with juice. It can also be used to water your plants.

Place the rinsed soaked grain in a sprouting tray or in a wide mouth glass jar. Lay the jar on its side at an angle, and cover the mouth of the jar with an open weave cloth to allow for plenty of air flow. Let the seeds sit for 24 hours, use if sprouted, or rinse and allow another 24 hour period. Continue rinsing at least once or twice a day until the sprouts are the desired length. The moisture and warmth of the kitchen will encourage mold growth, so grow only the amount of sprouts that can be used within a couple of days. Refrigerate any unused sprouts. They are tasty in salads or breads.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 10 - Feasting in the Land of Promise

Deuteronomy 8:6-8, 10 Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey….When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. NASB

When I was in Israel I got a book The Seven Healing Fruits of Israel by Shoshanna Harrari that uses the fruits of this scripture passage as the basis for healing. There are many other foods that are grown in Israel and everywhere around the world that are healthy and healing to eat, but God specifically directed Moses to mention these foods to the Hebrew people as they were getting ready to go into the promised land.

These seven fruits as mentioned in the scripture are: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates (date honey). All of them have seeds—which have a nutritional value in themselves and affect the pH of the food. It has been suggested that there is a link between the pH or acid-alkaline balance in our bodies and illness. Some foods may appear to be acidic, like lemons, but when they are digested they are actually alkaline. Similarly meats may test as alkaline before digestion, whereas they are actually acidic when assimilated into our bodies. Most vegetables and fruits are more alkaline. This is a good argument for eating less meat and eating more fresh fruits and veggies.  

Lord God—Thank you for creating such a wonderful variety of foods, especially those that are healing to our bodies. Help us to use these foods to bring glory to You.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 9 – Believe and Be Healed

Matthew 10:1, 7-8 - Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. - And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

Luke 10:8-9 Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' NASB

The word “Heal” appears 38 times in the NASB. Jesus is the great physician—a healer both of the physical and spiritual realms. There have been many instances in my lifetime of people being miraculously healed—and then other times that thousands of prayers have been lifted up and the person was not healed. It is hard to understand why. We can only trust that God that He has a plan—and rely on Him to see us His will and His way.  In Luke 10, Jesus told seventy of his followers to go to every city and to heal the sick. He sent them to cities before He went there. There had to be a lot of faith in those followers and in the people that they visited. Jesus healed numerous people throughout the Gospels and those who believed were healed—or those who were healed became believers. Read through the Gospels for yourself and note all the times that Jesus healed people, physically and spiritually. There are at least fifteen occurrences of physical healing of blind, deaf, dumb, lame, crippled  with some noted in more than one Gospel, like the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law in Matthew 8, Mark 1, and Luke 4. Then there is also the miraculous raising of three people from the dead that I didn’t count as healings—although someone might.

One of the first miraculous healing that I observed was a friend of mine who had a blind spot in her eye and had been to a healing prayer service. Her vision was restored! The next experience of prayer and healing was with my own husband—just a small thing. He had food poisoning from left-over meat in a sandwich and had felt miserable at work for a couple of hours. When he got home I placed my hand on his stomach and prayed. He immediately threw up and was feeling better. Another time recently I prayed for a friend, a young believer, who was having a migraine headache while at the city park and didn’t have her medicine with her—her headache and nausea instantly went away! She was so thrilled! God is good.

Are you looking for healing? We can only ask and trust that Jesus hears our prayers. We can’t manipulate Him into doing our will. We can take care of ourselves by eating well and getting enough rest—but even then sometimes we catch colds or get something, like a migraine. Our bodies just wear out, too. For example, once the cartilage is gone between our joints—it is gone and only painful joints remain for which sometimes surgery is not an option. We can only trust, pray and know that the kingdom of heaven is at hand—in our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So believe…and be healed.

Lord, we know that You hear our prayers and whether we pray once or a thousand times, we trust that You are still the great physician and will heal as we’ve asked, either now or in eternity.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 8 – What Are You Reading?

Act 8:26-31, 37 - But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road.) So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot." Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, "Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him….And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may (be saved and baptized)." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." NASB
 
What are you reading? Do you understand what you are reading? A couple of very important questions. Studying God’s Word is such a privilege—and any book in the Bible is worthy of your time. Reading through the Bible is a noble endeavor. I will admit that I have not read every word of the Bible—though I have started many reading programs over the years, beginning with “Read it Through in 72”, meaning 1972! I have a One Year Bible, where the Bible is presented in reading sections for each day of the year—but I haven’t made it through the entire year yet.

Have you tried to read the entire Bible? I’ve done a lot of topical studies, so I have read from every book of the Bible, just not every word in every book. That is on my Bucket List! So if you want a recommendation on where to begin reading the Bible, I’d say with the book of John in the New Testament. Then read the other gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. In the Old Testament my favorite book is Ruth, so that is a great place to start. The Psalms are beautiful and Proverbs is full of wisdom.  Keep track of the books as you read them. Going through Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy are good background and historically very important, as is the book of Acts—so just enjoy each book as you read it. An important point to remember is to PRAY each time before you read and ask God to give you inspiration and understanding of His word. It is amazing how much that helps when you get to verses that are hard to understand. Just as the Ethiopian court official asked Philip to explain the scripture, it is good to find someone to help you understand scripture. Either study it with a friend, or seek out someone who knows scripture and then take it verse by verse to let God tell you what He is saying. Feast on His Word!

Lord Jesus—Give us inspiration and understanding, as well as wisdom, as we study Your Word. Help us to apply it to our lives and use it like Philip to lead others to know You as their savior.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 7 - What Are You Looking For?

Deuteronomy 4:27-31 NASB - (27) "The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the LORD drives you. (28) "There you will serve gods, the work of man's hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. (29) "But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. (30) "When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. (31) "For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.

Look—Search for God with all your heart and soul. Do you see Him all around you? In the mountains, the desert, the sea shore? In the stars at night? In the flowers that bloom—with a sweet fragrance? In the trees and animals that He created? Do you hear Him in the wind as it blows—or the quiet stillness when there is fresh snow covering the ground? Do you find Him in children’s smiles or tears—or in the wrinkled hands of your dear relative in the nursing home? Is He in your heart? Have you asked Him to live there with you? Have you read His Word in Psalm 111?

Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, in the company of the upright and in the assembly.

Great are the works of the LORD; they are studied by all who delight in them.

Splendid and majestic is His work, And His righteousness endures forever.

He has made His wonders to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and compassionate.

He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever.

He has made known to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.

The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure.

They are upheld forever and ever; they are performed in truth and uprightness.

He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.

He is worthy of our praise. The time we spend looking for Him is time well spent. Have you looked for Him today?

Lord – I’m searching—looking—for you with all my heart and soul. Please give me wisdom and understanding as I seek and serve You.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 6 - SQ3R is Not an Alien Robot

2Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. NASB

SQ3R – Do those letters and numbers mean anything to you? I realized as I was blogging about studying God’s word, Read— Record—Review—Recall—Remember that it was very much like the reading method we used in grade school when I was growing up. SQ3R. Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review. That is a good method to use when studying God’s word, too. Survey the chapter, look at any introduction or footnoted writings.  Question - ask yourself what you already know about this book of the Bible, this place or person. Turn any headings into questions. Read – carefully read each section and ask yourself questions, or try to answer question that you have already posed. Reread a section if it doesn’t make sense. Recite – orally summarize what you have just read and answer questions for yourself. Take notes from the text, but use your own words. Remember that we learn best using all of our senses: seeing, saying, hearing and writing. Review daily what you have read and the notes you’ve made. If you have chosen to memorize a verse from this passage, review that several time every day. Have you memorized 2 Timothy 2:15 yet?

Feast on God’s Word. Study it to put a smile on God’s face—to get His blessing. I just finished reading the book The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret of America’s Future by Jonathan Cahn. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend it! It is a historic fiction about our time and our nation—and the judgment that is upon our nation since we have turned our back to God based on scripture in Isaiah. You may think…I haven’t “turned my back” to God—but our nation has and so this book suggests that as a nation we are facing God’s judgment, unless we turn from our wicked ways, humble ourselves and return to God. Read it and see what you think. Cahn talks about when we please God that it puts a smile on His face. I like to think of God as smiling…not sad because we’ve defied Him

Lord, as we study Your Word we are faced with the question—what about judgment? Judgment for the United States…and for me? Thank you that You are my savior, for taking away my sin. Please reveal yourself to others that they would be free from their burden of sin—and would have the assurance that they, too, will be with you one day in Heaven. Eternity is just a breath away.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 5 - Remember

Genesis 9:16 "When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." NASB

The word “remember” is found 168 times in the New American Standard Bible translation. One of the first times is in reference to the rainbow that God put in the sky after Noah, his family and all the animals left the ark. No more floods covering the entire earth. What a promise! God wouldn’t wipe mankind off the face of the earth again with a flood. We’ve had plenty of floods around the world—but none totally encompassing the world at one time.

God wants us to REMEMBER. To remember Him, His Laws, and His promises. When we study His Word we need to remember what He has done. Is there any value in studying the Bible if we don’t remember what we have studied? If we can’t apply it to our lives?

One way to remember God’s Word is to memorize it. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 NASB What does it mean to “treasure” God’s Word in my heart? One thought is to keep it in your heart—to memorize it. That actually goes along with Matthew 6:21 …for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. NASB If you hold something dear, or treasure it, that is where your focus will be. Is your focus on a sports game, on a novel, on a TV show or old movie rerun, or on God’s Word? Consider where your time is spent.

You may think that memorizing is hard work—it is for me. As we get older it may seem harder to memorize, but how many phone numbers and addresses have you memorized? Just think of the “address” of a verse as the book and number reference. Memorize that as well as the verse. Take just a few words at a time…and add to those words every day until you have the entire verse memorized. I know people who memorize entire chapters. Psalms are particularly beautiful when they are memorized and recited. Very comforting and encouraging to those who hear them. Psalms are also the basis for many songs. Committing scripture to music is a great way to memorize it—sing it to the Lord, for He is worthy of your praise. I think I’ll try that myself. How about you?

Lord, help us to hide Your word in our hearts that we would remember it and use it to Your glory.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 4 - Recall

Psalm 77:11 But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. NLT

Have you ever read something and then asked yourself—what did I just read? As you study God’s Word, recall what you have just read. It may tell you about something that He has done for you—or for someone that you know. Historically there are lots of actions in the Bible that are just that—historical. Those may not seem to apply to our lives today—but it is still interesting to understand what has happened to God’s people and what He expected of them. Can you put the issue into the context of the history of God?

In the Old Testament the 17 books from Genesis through Esther are considered historical. The first five books, Matthew through Acts, in the New Testament are also historical. Although many scripture passages in the books written by Paul have historical significance since they include mention of particular rulers during that time, those are mainly teaching books. History always seemed like a dull subject to me until I it wasn’t something I HAD to learn—but something that was part of an intriguing puzzle that was waiting to be put together—to be understood. History has such a macabre element to it—who wants to know all about the death of so many people over the ages, but God has touched lives all around the world for good, too. Just like in the verse from Psalm 77—I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.  Those occurrences in history are worth recalling.

Lord, as we sudy your word help us to recall the good things that You have done—Your death and resurrection for our sins. May others come to know what You have done for them, too.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 3 – Review

Isaiah 43:26 (God speaking) Let us review the situation together, and you can present your case to prove your innocence. NLT

Not many occurrences of “review” in the Bible. Here God is speaking to the Israelites. Isaiah 43 has some wonderful promises for the people of Israel: Isa 43:2, 5-7, 14-19, 25-26 (New Living Translation)

[2] When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. ... [5] "Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you and your children from east and west. [6] I will say to the north and south, 'Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the distant corners of the earth. [7] Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.'" ... [14] This is what the LORD says--your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "For your sakes I will send an army against Babylon, forcing the Babylonians to flee in those ships they are so proud of. [15] I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel's Creator and King. [16] I am the LORD, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. [17] I called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all its chariots and horses. I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned, their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick. [18] "But forget all that-- it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. [19] For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. ... [25] "I--yes, I alone--will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again. [26] Let us review the situation together, and you can present your case to prove your innocence.

Review what you have studied—read and recorded. Is there any promise there that God is giving to you? Is there an instruction, or as I have found in Colossians 3, virtues to seek in my own life? As we study God’s Word sometimes things get repeated over and over until we get the message. By reviewing we can see that more clearly.

Lord, show us what it is that You are trying to teach us today as we feast on Your Word.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 2 – Record – Write it Down

Ezra 7:10, For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. (NASB)

Ezra was a good example for us in studying God’s Word. In order to teach God’s laws to others, he had to study and practice it, which probably included writing or recording some of his own thoughts. Practice what you want to teach! That is what Ezra did.

Read scripture every day—a verse, passage or chapter until God tells you something, gives you something to think about. Keep a journal or notebook and record what you’ve read and what God has told you or impressed upon you about that scripture passage. Record your prayers there too and you’ll be able to see how God has answered them. Just a simple thing like writing down a few words—Record. I am amazed to see how God is using scripture to reach and teach me about even simple things like compassion and quiet strength--see Colossians 3:12.

Dear Jesus—How we love to study Your Word—to feed upon it! Inspire us today. Help us to understand the passage that we’ve read and to apply it to our lives that we would be better equipped to tell others about You.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

September 1 - Study

A new month—almost into a new season. Fall is in the air and school will be starting soon—or has started already for some children. Back to school—sharpen those pencils and get ready to learn! Study.

 

2 Timothy 2:15 – in three different translations

·         Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. KJV

·         Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. NLT

·         Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. NASB

 

Looking at different translations of the Bible can be very enlightening and provide inspiration for more study and research. It is also important to study God’s word in context…looking at the verses around the one on which you are focused.

 

For example look at 2 Timothy 2:7-19.

 (7) Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. (8) Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, (9) for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. (10) For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. (11) It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; (12) If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; (13) If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. (14) Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. (15) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (16) But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, (17) and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, (18) men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. (19) Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." NASB

 

There is a lot more said here than just study to show yourself approved to God! Christ is risen from the dead—I endure all things so that those who are chosen may be saved in Christ. Endure—we will reign with Him. Now study to get God’s approval and avoid meaningless conversations that will get you into trouble like some people in Paul’s time did. God knows who belongs to Him—so stay away from doing bad things.

 

The key word is still study. In order to know what God wants of us we need to STUDY His word. Have you read your Bible today? Do you have a plan of what to read daily—and yet there is more to studying than just reading. Read— Record—Review—Recall—Remember.

 

Dear Jesus—Thank you for the changing seasons—and for this time to reflect on studying. Give us wisdom as we study your word and apply it to our lives.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.