How’s Your Heart?

Beware that the heart of no man, woman, clan, or tribe among you turns away from the LORD our God today to pursue and serve the gods of those nations; beware that there is among you no root producing poisonous and bitter fruit. When such a person hears the words of this oath he secretly blesses himself and says, "I will have peace though I continue to walk with a stubborn spirit." This will destroy the watered ground with the parched. Deuteronomy 29:18-19 NET

You may note that this passage doesn’t mention the Holy Spirit—but how can anyone think that they could have the Holy Spirit in them if they willing harbor a stubborn spirit? A selfish attitude. Can this be a lesson to us? How can anyone have peace if they walk with a stubborn spirit? Do they have no regard for God, His holiness, and His will for our lives?  The Hebrew people went through that stubbornness at times, as noted by David in this Psalm. Then they would not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not loyal and whose spirit was not faithful to God.  Psalm 78:8 HCSB. A person whose spirit is not faithful to God. Look deep in your heart, mind and soul. Do you see any evidence of this in your life? If so—deal with it. If not—good job! Encourage others in their walk with the Lord.

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, cleanse my heart, once again that I would be holy before You. I pray that my family, friends, and neighbors would also seek to be pure before You and know You more completely. I praise You for Your unconditional and continued love for us. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit…as we walk with You.

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

Dieting? I’ve lost about 100 pounds—trouble is I’ve gained 102 pounds in the last ten years. So it is back to the changing my eating habits. AARP Magazine had a good article back in January/February 2011 that reported on Losing Weight Without Really Trying. One of their ideas was to have a Power of Three Checklist where each month you would modify your goals, choosing a different eating tip.

Power of Three Checklist

Try these simple tips:

1. Include a fruit and a vegetable with your lunch and dinner.

2. Don't eat white foods at dinner.

3. Use the half-plate rule (fill half your plate with veggies.)
4. Have a sweet or salty afternoon snack only if you first eat a piece of fresh fruit.
5. Drink one glass of water before every meal or snack.
6. Use the Restaurant Rule of Two: Limit yourself to two items other than your entrée.
7. Never eat in front of the TV.
8. Eat a piece of fruit on the way to work every day.
9. Save desserts for weekends.
10. Freeze half of what you make, and serve the other half.

So choose three and try to follow those for the month. It takes a month to change our habits…so press on. My choices for the rest of April are:

April	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	Total
Use ½ plate rule (fruit/veggies)
Never eat in front of TV
Don’t eat white foods at dinner

 How are you doing with weight maintenance? Remember that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit—so we need to take care of them.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Is Your Spirit Despondent?

But if you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commands and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come and overtake you:  ... Then the LORD will scatter you among all peoples from one end of the earth to the other, and there you will worship other gods, of wood and stone, which neither you nor your fathers have known. You will find no peace among those nations, and there will be no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and a despondent spirit. Deuteronomy 28:15, 64-65 HCSB 

Moses gave the Hebrew people final warnings just before they went into the Promised Land, after their time of Exodus and wandering in the desert. There were promises if they obeyed the God’s Commandments and promises if they disobeyed. This curse from disobedience involved the person receiving a despondent spirit. This didn’t indicate that they were filled with the Holy Spirit and lost that, it was just a hopelessness that became theirs in relation to the curse. The Hebrew people were given the original Ten Commandments…and then more details on exactly how they should live and treat each other on many occasions. God was pretty specific on how He wanted these chosen people of His to relate to others—and to Him. Obedience was a choice…and they didn’t always choose that. Do we? We have the same choices today. God wants us to be obedient, and we have the same free will that the Hebrew people had, but the difference is we have God’s grace and mercy through His Son, our Lord and risen Savior, Jesus Christ. How well do you know Jesus? Is He your Savior? Does knowing Jesus make a difference in your life? 

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, forgive us when we act like the Hebrew people who had to wander around in the desert another forty years. May we listen closely to Your voice speaking to us from Your Word…and may our hearts be touched that we would be obedient. We don’t want to have a hopeless spirit within us…but we want to be filled with Your Spirit—the Holy Spirit—in a fresh new anointing today…and every day. We praise You for Your plan of Salvation and for Jesus’ obedience to go to the cross. We are grateful that He isn’t still on the cross—but that He is resurrected and is seated at Your right hand in Heaven.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

No Tax on the Priests or Servants of God’s House

Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done with zeal for the house of the God of heaven, so that there will not be wrath against the kingdom of the king and his sons. We also inform you that it is not allowed to impose tax, tribute or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, Nethinim or servants of this house of God. Ezra 7:23-24

So sometime around 456-444 BC the book of Ezra was written about the Jews returning to Israel…after the period of Babylonian captivity. Ezra was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which Yahweh, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he requested because the hand of Yahweh his God was on him. Some of the Israelites, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants accompanied him to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.  Ezra 7:6-7 HCSB. The hand of Yahweh—Holy Spirit—guided Ezra to write about God commandments and about taxes. Taxes weren’t a new thing—and laws governing taxes had been around even in other cultures for hundreds of years…if not longer. Here Ezra is given very specific instruction by King Artaxerxes that taxes were not to be imposed on the priests and other temple authorities. 

It appears that Ezra is a man after God’s own heart. Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the LORD, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.  Ezra 7:10 HCSB. What could be more pleasing to God than a person who studies, obeys and teaches His commandments? Where do you stand in regards to God’s word? Taxes today are imposed on pastors…but there are stipulations on them governed by complicated laws. No matter what your occupation, have you paid your taxes? Deadline day is upon us. 

Prayer ~ Lord God, fill me anew today with Your Holy Spirit that as I study Your Word I would obey it and do whatever You need me to do for You today.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Your Good Spirit

You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them manna from heaven or water for their thirst. ... But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are! And now, our God, the great and mighty and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of unfailing love, do not let all the hardships we have suffered seem insignificant to you. Great trouble has come upon us and upon our kings and leaders and priests and prophets and ancestors--all of your people--from the days when the kings of Assyria first triumphed over us until now. Every time you punished us you were being just. We have sinned greatly, and you gave us only what we deserved. Nehemiah 9:20, 31-33 NLT 

God was so gracious and merciful to the Hebrew people as they made their great exodus from Egypt and throughout their history. Sure He punished them, as Nehemiah observed, when they deserved it. But God is not a mean God. He didn’t destroy or abandon them. He has promised again and again that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5). He sent the good Spirit to teach, train and educate those precious people that God called His own. That is very parental of Him. He knew that they needed some guidance. We do, too. But even though the Spirit instructed them, they still didn’t follow God’s plan—His guidance, better known as commandments, so He punished them. That is the result of sin. God in His mercy had a plan.  

For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. Romans 5:17-19 NLT.

Jesus Christ is that obedient one. Will you be among the righteous—the forgiven—in the end? 

Prayer ~ Dear God, thank you for Your plan for mankind—for the knowledge that the Holy Spirit has taught us—and the obedient example in Jesus Christ. Create in me a clean heart and a right spirit—that I would continually follow You and be found pleasing in your sight.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

 

Hope in the Lord

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name. Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us, according as we have hoped in You. Psalm 33:18-22   

God’s heart is touched by those who follow Him. There is hope for those who respect the Lord—and who wait on Him. He sees them—His eye is upon them. His vision is perfect. He doesn’t look back on the past and wonder “what if…” or “I should have…or I could have….” We need to trust that God has a plan for us, just as He said in Jeremiah. 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.' Jeremiah 29:11. We can put our hope and trust in the Lord—He cares for us. Do you trust Him with your past, your future…with your life today? 

Prayer ~ Oh Lord, I put my trust in You for I know that You love me. I look forward to discovering Your plans for me…moment by moment. I give You my life, my all. I am Yours. Use me as You will.

 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Israel—Hope in the Lord

O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is lovingkindness, and with Him is abundant redemption. Psalm 130:7  

Hope. There is a song that we used to sing frequently on Sunday morning that is about HOPE.

            My life is in You, Lord.

            My strength is in You, Lord.

            My hope is in You, Lord.

            In You, it’s in You.

We can have hope in the Lord. He gives us comfort, strength, protection, all that we need…or even ask for—with an outpouring of His gracious love. Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness—from another song.  

I’m attending a Women’s Retreat at our church with a theme of A Gathering of Hope. One of the speakers emphasized that hope is waiting for what we know will happen. We know that Christ will return for His followers…and that we will be with Him eternally in Heaven. That is hope. But we can have hope today…as well as tomorrow and a thousand years from now. Likewise, Israel can have hope now, as well as in the future, for the Lord is with them…and He can save them—redeem them from sin and from their enemies. The psalmist here—maybe it was David, but that is not specified—encourages Israel to trust God and to have hope. Like Israel, do you have hope—hope in the Lord? 

Prayer ~ God—my hope is in You. Help me to share this hope that You have given me. Bless Israel with an abundance of Your hope…for each individual and for the nation.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Spirit of Grace

I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn. Zechariah 12:10  

A sweet spirit of grace. Unmerited favor with God. What more could anyone ask for…for we are undeserving and should expect nothing…but God showers us with His grace. Here in this passage the Holy Spirit…as the Spirit of Grace and Supplication will be poured out on Jerusalem. It seems that this will be when Christ returns. That will be a great day for Christians and Jews alike—for redemption and for salvation. The Jews will be mourning. Will it be because they didn’t recognize Christ as their Messiah the first time He came? Now the Spirit will be poured out on them and they will recognize Christ as their Messiah—which I can only image will turn their mourning into joy! But read on in the book of Zechariah…there is not much joy and happiness. The Lord does go to battle for them. The Jews are His chosen people. No wonder God pours out His Spirit of Grace on Jerusalem. Blessing on them. Remember that the Lord will bless those who bless the Jews and curse those who curse the Jews. Where does your heart lead you as you consider the Jewish nation? 

Prayer ~ Lord God, I lift up to You the Jewish people and ask that You would bless them…draw them to You and provide safety, security and sustenance today and in the days ahead. Guard their comings and goings that they would see You at work in each of their lives…as well as in their nation.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

The Spirit of the Lord on Me

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of our God's vengeance; to comfort all who mourn…. Isaiah 61:1-2 HCSB

The Spirit of the Lord was on the Lord Jesus Christ! At the synagogue in Nazareth, He read this text from Isaiah 61, as recorded in Luke 4, shortly after He began His ministry. He stopped reading after… to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, since that was what He came to do…the vengeance part comes later with His second coming.  Jesus was so focused and obedient. He did just what the Father told Him to do.... So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are peasing to Him."  John 8:28-29. Jesus spoke whatever the Father told Him to do…and did what was pleasing to His Father. Do we do that?   

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, anoint us with Your Holy Spirit as Jesus was anointed. May all that we think, say and do be pleasing to You and proclaim Your gospel to everyone around us.

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

It is asparagus time of the year again. The price of asparagus is reasonable—you may even find a great sale for a case of it. It freezes very well—and is tasty roasted, baked, steamed, pickled or in soup. Try some soon. 

Asparagus Soup                                               Serves: 8 to 12 servings

3 pounds fresh asparagus, rinsed

8 cups chicken stock

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup minced shallots

1 cup minced leeks, whites only, well rinsed

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan, garnish 

Trim the attractive top tips from the asparagus, about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in length. Cut the woody stem ends from each spear and reserve. Cut the remaining tender stalks into 1/2-inch pieces. 

In a medium pot, bring the stock to a boil. Add the tough woody stems, lower the heat and simmer to infuse with asparagus flavor, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and discard, reserving the stock. Add the decorative tips to the stock and blanch until tender, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Remove with a strainer and refresh in an ice water bath. Drain on paper towels and reserve for the garnish. Set the stock aside. 

In a medium stockpot, melt the butter over medium-high heat, then add the shallots and leeks and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chopped asparagus stalks, salt, and pepper, and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the stock and simmer until the asparagus are very tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat.  

With a hand-immersion blender or in batches in a food processor, puree the soup until smooth. Adjust the seasoning, to taste. If serving right away, return to medium heat and add the cream and reserved asparagus tips. Cook, stirring, until the soup is warmed through, about 3 minutes. Alternatively, if serving the soup later, do not add the cream and let cool at room temperature (or in an ice water bath). Cover and refrigerate. Before serving, add the cream and asparagus tips, and warm the soup gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally. 

To serve, place the soup in a soup tureen and sprinkle with cheese. Ladle into bowls or cups and serve.

Recipe adapted from Emeril Lagasse, 2003

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Justice in Judgment

In that day the LORD of hosts will become a beautiful crown and a glorious diadem to the remnant of His people; a spirit of justice for him who sits in judgment, a strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate. Isaiah 28:5-6 

In that day—the day of Messiah—in the fullness of the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of Justice will be in judgment of all God’s creation—everyone. From other scripture passages in Isaiah I think that this fullness of the Holy Spirit hasn’t happened yet. The Judgment will be with absolute integrity—a judging with righteousness. The final verdict is to be proclaimed by Jesus, who was given authority by God the Father, with and through the Holy Spirit. All in one…and one for all. That Spirit of Justice will be with an eternal righteousness for the God-fearing believers and resulting in doom for the evil doers. Where will you stand? 

Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. ... I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say, "The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness. And this is my covenant with them, that I will take away their sins." Romans 11:22, 25-27 NLT. God loves His chosen people…Jews and Gentiles those who love Him.  Again, where do you stand with the Lord? 

Prayer ~ Righteous and Holy God, give us eyes to see people as You see them. Give us open ears to hear…as You hear. Give us willing hands and feet to go and serve You…and may our thoughts, words and actions bring You glory, now and in the final judgment.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Spirit of Judgment Cleans Up Jerusalem

On that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of Israel's survivors. Whoever remains in Zion and whoever is left in Jerusalem will be called holy—all in Jerusalem who are destined to live—when the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodguilt from the heart of Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of burning. Isaiah 4:2-4 HCSB

On that day! The time that the Messiah will reign—that righteous branch. What a day it will be in the millennial kingdom! The Holy Spirit as the spirit of judgment and burning will cleanse the land and particularly the city of Jerusalem of the wickedness.  It will truly be a holy city. One set apart—purified by God Himself. Holy—and likely glistening in the sunlight. Oh, that will be a sight to see. And the people there will be holy—that would mean they will be tender hearted, pure, overflowing with love and kindness. That will also be a sight to see—and experience. Like Heaven on earth. Where will you be when Jesus comes into His glory in the millennial kingdom? Heaven or earth? The choice is yours. To believe in Jesus as Savior, Lord, and the Son of God…God Himself, means that you’ll be in Heaven. Have you made a choice? 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit—Oh Spirit of Judgment and Burning—reveal Yourself to those in Israel who are seeking to know You. Help them to find their own personal savior—as well as the savior of their nation for whom they have been searching for more than two thousand years. May they see Jesus for who He is…Son of God, Lord God, and Savior who came to the Jews first…and then for all mankind. He is the Branch of the Lord who is beautiful and glorious before us all.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Remnant of the Spirit Helps Faithful Spouses

Are we not all children of the same Father? Are we not all created by the same God? Then why do we betray each other, violating the covenant of our ancestors? Judah has been unfaithful, and a detestable thing has been done in Israel and in Jerusalem. The men of Judah have defiled the LORD's beloved sanctuary by marrying women who worship idols. May the LORD cut off from the nation of Israel every last man who has done this and yet brings an offering to the LORD of Heaven's Armies. Here is another thing you do. You cover the LORD's altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings and doesn't accept them with pleasure. You cry out, "Why doesn't the LORD accept my worship?" I'll tell you why! Because the LORD witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows. Didn't the LORD make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. Malachi 2:10-15 NLT

Lots of questions. Malachi asked numerous questions as he rebuked the people for neglecting their true worship of the Lord. In this series of questions and answers Malachi deals with the spiritually mixed marriages. Some of the people had a remnant of the Holy Spirit.  But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. Malachi 2:15 NASB. Does that mean that there was a little leftover bit of the Holy Spirit in them…or just a trace? Apparently those who had the Spirit were kinder to their wives since not one of them that had the Spirit dealt treacherously or were unfaithful to their wives. That says a lot for the positive influence Holy Spirit in a society where people married idol worshippers which offended God, who had commanded His people not to worship idols. So those who were loyal to their wives were loyal to God. Do you guard your heart, thoughts and mind and treat your spouse with respect and honor?    

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, remain in our hearts. May we honor you by guarding our thoughts and actions we as treat our spouses with honor and respect.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Who has Believed?

Who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm? My servant grew up in the LORD's presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave. But it was the LORD's good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD's good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. Isaiah 53:1-12 NLT 

Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit from the time that He was baptized—maybe earlier—maybe all His life. Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased." Luke 3:21-22. The Holy Spirit led Him into the desert and then beyond…And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. Luke 4:14. Jesus gave it His all…all through His ministry. He was obedient—while we were sinful. He was despised by most of the Jewish leaders—while we generally follow our own path and do everything we can to be accepted by everyone around us. Some people today even reject Jesus—just like the Pharisees. Do they realize that Jesus died for their sin? He died for everyone’s sin—the near perfect and the disobedient rebels. Where do you stand with Jesus? Do you believe the message?                                                                

Prayer ~ Jesus and Holy Spirit…open my eyes to see You both as You are…and my You count me among Your righteous followers—not a rebel. Thank you for taking my sin to the cross and for interceding for me with the Heavenly Father.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

 

God’s Plan for Mankind

After Adam and Eve ate of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, the woman blamed the serpent for enticing her to eat the fruit. Then the LORD God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, you are cursed more than any livestock and more than any wild animal. You will move on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life.  I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.  Genesis 3:14-15 HCSB 

He is risen—He is risen indeed! Crucified, died, buried and risen.

When Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God—mankind was doomed. God initially sacrificed an animal to make coverings for Adam and Eve’s nakedness—one of the results of their disobedience. Sin and the holiness of God cannot coexist. So God had a plan that involved the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. The devil, in the form of the serpent, would strike Jesus’ heel. That happened when Jesus was nailed to the cross. Nails went through His feet. Imagine the pain and agony of not only those nails—but the nails through His wrists or hands. Then there was the crown of thorns thrust onto His head…and the beatings He endured. Crucifixion is a painful, agonizing death. He suffered that for us…for our sins. He was sinless, yet He took on our sins so that we wouldn’t have to suffer. If we sincerely repent, ask for forgiveness for our sins—and accept that Jesus Christ is God—our Savior, then our sins are forgiven. With sins forgiven, we become children of the Living God—and will be ensured a place in Heaven. Seems pretty simple, yet not everyone feels compelled to repent—so we won’t be seeing them in Heaven. Will you be there? Christ is risen from the dead. He is seated at the right hand of God the Father in Heaven—where He will judge everyone one day. Where will you be? 

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, thank you for Your plan to give mankind a second chance to be obedient to You. Please guide my thoughts, words and actions that You would find me obedient and see me as sinless—since Christ took my sins to the cross. I praise You for giving up Your Son for the salvation of everyone who asks for forgiveness of their sin.

 

Joyous Resurrection Sunday to each of you.

Blessings. 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread

For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were pure. Then they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles, both for their brothers the priests and for themselves. The sons of Israel who returned from exile and all those who had separated themselves from the impurity of the nations of the land to join them, to seek the LORD God of Israel, ate the Passover. And they observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the LORD had caused them to rejoice, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel. Ezra 6:20-22  

The Feast of Unleavened Bread was observed by the Jews at the time of Ezra just like their ancestors—with joy. At this time, about a thousand years after the first Passover, the Jews celebrated the Holy Day of Passover with a meaning that was renewed with their return from captivity. Now the Jews were back in Jerusalem—the Holy City to rebuild their house of God. A God they only acknowledged as Yahweh although they couldn’t even pronounce His name out of respect. How do you show respect for God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Are you celebrating the Passover? Resurrection Sunday? Since we’re not living on a farm we don’t kill the perfect lamb or fattened calf—but Jews and some Christians still celebrate Passover. Easter—Resurrection Sunday also falls in this week of holy days of Passover. No bunnies here…just a joyous celebration and time of worship. The resurrection of Jesus is the most important day of the year. The Christian religion would mean nothing without the rising of our Savior from the grave. Other religious leaders have been good men—with respectable values. But only one man—Jesus Christ—ever came back to life—was resurrected from the dead. He is God. The True God. The Son of the living Father God. Celebrate His Life today…tomorrow…every day. Seek Him with all your heart and soul. 

Prayer ~ Jesus, I acknowledge that You are the Passover Lamb, the True Savior—the Risen Christ. Bless and guide me, my family, friends and neighbors that we would seek You with all of our hearts, souls, mind and strength.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

The Lamb Sacrificed

For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously…. 1 Peter 2:19-23 

Just before the Jewish people made their Exodus from Egypt, the Passover was established. A sacrificial lamb was selected—pure and unblemished. The lamb was killed and the blood spread on the doorposts of their home—to prevent the angel of death, the last plague, from visiting that home. Later the Jews had a system of sacrifices that God introduced to them in which a pure animal like a lamb or bird, one with no defects, was killed and the blood poured onto the alter of the temple in order for them to be released from the sins that they committed. 

Jesus was tempted for 40 days by the devil at the beginning of His ministry—but He did not give into temptation—He didn’t sin. He committed no sin. Yet we sin…so our sin was piled on Him—and He became the sacrificial lamb. Our sacrificial lamb. He died on the cross at the same hour that the sacrificial lamb was slain in the Temple. He suffered, bled and died on the cross for us. 

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus—on this day, remembering the day that You gave up Your life, I humbly bow my head and my heart in recognition of Your sacrifice. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. 

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

This scripture passage makes me want to fast, not feast. Jesus suffered so much for us. This Good Friday commemorates the day of His death. Take time out from feasting today and consider fasting. As you forsake a meal, consider what Jesus did for you—feast once again on His Word—His life giving words of hope and reconciliation with God the Father.  

Beginning today, April 3^rd at sunset is the Jewish Holy Day of Passover. It lasts until April 11^th at sunset.

There will also be a lunar eclipse on April 4^th at Passover. Will you be watching for it?

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Exult With Joy

The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. Zephaniah 3:17  

This prophesy is a future blessing for the Jews. How wonderful for them that the Lord is not only “in their midst” but that He is rejoicing over them! Rejoicing! I see that as kind of like the Prodigal Son. (See Luke 15:10-32.)  In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10. The son who spent his inheritance realized what a good life His Father offered him…and he returned home, repentant. That’s how it will be for the Jews who turn to God at the end of time. He will rejoice over them and restore them to their position as His chosen people. The Holy Spirit will be in that rejoicing, too. With all the tribulations that the Jews have had throughout history it is so wonderful to see that things will turn out good for them in the end.    

Prayer ~ Dear Lord, I rejoice with You over Your promise to the Jews—what a blessing You are to them…and they are to You.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

 

Will You be Hidden?

The word of the LORD which came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah….Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the LORD'S anger. Zephaniah 1:1, 2:3 

Zephaniah was yet another minor prophet who was filled with the Holy Spirit as the Lord delivered a prophesy through him. God gave a message of judgment to the Israelites by this prophet. Judgement for that era and for them in the future. He also provided advice…Seek the Lord, seek to live right before the Lord and try to be humble. Good advice. Especially in the coming “Day of the Lord.” There are about 21 exact phrases of “Day of the Lord” in the Bible. Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near, for the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests. Zephaniah 1:7. The Day of the Lord, according the introduction notes in my Ryrie Study Bible, includes the time of Great Tribulation, the second coming of Christ, and the Millennium. Do you think that the Israelites—specifically those in Jerusalem—back in Zephaniah’s time got the message? I don’t think so…they ended up in captivity in Babylon. Will future Israelites get the message? Will they have a change of heart before the great Day of the Lord? Will that allow them to be “hidden” on that day? Where do you stand with the Lord? Are you seeking the Lord? Have you heard the message…and responded?  

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, please give me wisdom and understanding so that I can be ready in the Day of the Lord. Help me to share knowledge of You with others that they would know and love You as their savior, too.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.