Wherever We Walk

After the death of Moses the LORD's servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, "Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—from  the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.' No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them." Joshua 1:1-6

Where are your steps leading you?

Think about where you put your foot. About where you step. Lately with all the icy sidewalks and streets it has been risky to even venture out of our nice, cozy, warm house. But as we did we were very cautious and chose the route to our car very carefully. Those Israelites were about to step into the Jordan River—flowing at flood stage. Would you be eager to step into a raging river? Didn’t they remember the parting of the Red Sea? Go back to the story… among all those who originally left Egypt only Joshua and Caleb were allowed to go into the Promised Land.

Then the LORD said, "I will pardon them as you have requested. But as surely as I live, and as surely as the earth is filled with the LORD's glory, not one of these people will ever enter that land. They have all seen my glorious presence and the miraculous signs I performed both in Egypt and in the wilderness, but again and again they have tested me by refusing to listen to my voice. They will never even see the land I swore to give their ancestors. None of those who have treated me with contempt will ever see it. But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land. Now turn around, and don't go on toward the land where the Amalekites and Canaanites live. Tomorrow you must set out for the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea." Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "How long must I put up with this wicked community and its complaints about me? Yes, I have heard the complaints the Israelites are making against me. Now tell them this: 'As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you the very things I heard you say. You will all drop dead in this wilderness! Because you complained against me, every one of you who is twenty years old or older and was included in the registration will die. You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you. The only exceptions will be Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun."  Numbers 14:20-30

Obedience and loyalty to the Lord God is essential to stepping foot into the Promised Land. Moses got to see the Promised Land—but never to enter it. Without Moses asking God to pardon the Israelites they all would have perished in the desert.   

"Please, Lord, prove that your power is as great as you have claimed. For you said, 'The LORD is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But He does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.' In keeping with your magnificent, unfailing love, please pardon the sins of this people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt." Numbers 14:17-19

Where are your steps leading you? Is your attitude like Caleb's towards the Lord?

Prayer ~ Lord God, we recognize that You have not changed—You are still powerful above all. You see our mistakes…our sins...and don’t excuse the guilty. So have mercy on each of us, on our family and friends, too, that we would not only recognize Your power, but willingly submit out lives to You and live to please you. Wherever we step may that be where You want us to walk—to honor and serve You. May we be strong and courageous.

Daily Bible Reading: February 15 – Leviticus 8-10

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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Heart and Soul

As the time of King David's death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon: "I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. Observe the requirements of the LORD your God, and follow all His ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go. If you do this, then the LORD will keep the promise He made to me. He told me, 'If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.'" 1 Kings 2:1-4

It’s Valentine’s Day. A day to consider Heart and Soul. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Now that King David was so old that he was near death, it was time to name a new king. The controversy was on which of his sons would be the next king. King David had promised Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, that her son would be king. So Nathan the prophet, reminded Solomon of his promise to Bathsheba. Although another son of David’s, Adonijah, declared himself king, Solomon, chosen and blessed by David, rode his father’s donkey to Gihon where he was anointed with oil by the priest and became the new king.

Descendants of King David were challenged to live righteous lives. This scripture in 1 Kings 2 David is warning his son Solomon to follow the laws from the Lord. That would be his key to success as a King over Israel and Judah.

If…that is a challenge from God that results in a promise from Him. We know He keeps His promises. IF involves obedience by His followers.

'If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.'

Model of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem

Solomon was blessed by God with great wisdom—but he didn’t consistently follow God’s rules and commands. He had many successful years, constructing great buildings including the Temple, and amassing abundant wealth. Yet it was his seven hundred wives and turning to their gods that showed his disobedience to the Lord. The kingdom became divided. (See 1 Kings 11:9-13.) God was angry with Solomon because he turned his heart away.

You may not have seven hundred wives or husband, but have you ever turned your heart away from God?

Prayer ~ Lord God, open my eyes to Your truth and Your ways that I would always live to please You—doing what Your heart desires.

Daily Bible Reading: February 14 – Leviticus 5-7

Happy Birthday, Kendall--May God continue to bless you and Lindsey.

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.  All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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Who Do You Say That I Am?

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" "Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." Then He asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven." Then He sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. Matthew 16:13-20
Jesus took the disciples to Caesarea Philippi and asked them, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”  They thought John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or another prophet. Then Jesus asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus said, “Blessed are you Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. …upon this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it….whatever you shall bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Jordan River - near the headwaters

Palace ruins

At the headwaters of the Jordan River, Philip, a tetrarch ruler of Judaea from 4 BC to 34 AD who inherited the northeastern part of his father’s kingdom, built a massive city called Caesarea Philippi. He wanted that city to rival that of Caesarea that his father, Herod the Great, had built along the Mediterranean coast.

 Philip’s palace which stands in ruins (see the photo to the left) was an architectural marvel. The temple he built nearby was dedicated to Pan, an evil Greek god related to rustic music, nature and fertility. Pan is associated with the root word in pandemonium or panic. These ruins of the city still exist and it is there that we saw a cave that is referred to as “the gates of hell”. The entrance to that cave was actually where the temple was built, so that there was no back wall inside, but the just the opening into a deep cavern. This was fitting for worship of Pan in a natural setting.

Gates of Hell

Jesus took His disciples away from the Jewish region of Galilee to this Gentile region of Caesarea Philippi, about a day and a half walk from the Sea of Galilee, to teach them without distractions. He wanted to see who could “Hear.” He even spoke to them in Greek (a Gentile tongue)—not in Hebrew or Aramaic. Peter was the only one to “hear” the truth. Jesus is the Son of God!  Jesus gave the keys of heaven to Peter, like gifting him “salvation.” The Gates of Hell will not prevail---evil will not stand in his way. Simon in Hebrew is Shimon, meaning One Who Hears. Simon Peter was the first missionary to the Gentiles and it was here in Caesarea Philippi that Jesus commissioned him.
Visiting Caesarea Philippi was an awesome epiphany moment for me when we went to Israel. I knew that Jesus was the Son of God—but to hear it again in the place it was declared touched my spirit deeply. This was where Jesus told his disciples to reach out to Gentiles. Being a “gentile,” that meant me. If it weren’t for this event, maybe I wouldn’t know Jesus like I do.

Who do you say that Jesus is? 

Που λέτε είναι ο Ιησούς;
Kdo říkal že je Ježíš?

Wer sagt man, dass Jesus ist?

누가 예수님은 말합니까?

人はイエスだ？

Кто вам сказал, является Иисус?

Vous dites, qui qu'est Jésus ?

Hvem sier du er Jesus?

Vem säger ni Jesus är?

你說耶穌是誰？

Care vă spun este Isus?

Siapa yang Anda katakan Yesus?

¿Que dices que Jesús es?

Kim İsa diyorlar?

Ai làm bạn nói Chúa Giêsu?

Który trzeba powiedzieć, że Jezus jest

Que dius que Jesús és?

מי אתה אומר שישוע הוא? 

The Gates of Hell will not prevail against us. We can claim that promise today. Evil will not stand in our way. The Kingdom of God is within you—within us. We should go to Godless places to change their hearts. Evil will not prevent us from doing that. Don’t panic or run—don’t fall victim to terror. God wants you to get revelation in dark places. Be like Shimon—hear the Word of God and respond. Are you listening?

Prayer ~Lord, I’m listening—help me to hear and understand You.
Daily Bible Reading: February 13 – Leviticus 1-4
(Adapted from March 28, 2012 Banquet With The King blog)

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.  All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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Raising Wise Children

The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. Proverbs 23:24

Can a two year old child be considered a godly child? If she goes around singing “Jesus Loves Me” all the time—she’s already a godly child! Proverbs has some great wisdom and promises about godly living…

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. Proverbs 20:7

That’s how we get godly children…from godly parents. Parenting is such a huge responsibility! Parents must be so careful in what they say and do…their children follow their example. Be wise, parents.  You’ve heard people say…do what I say, not what I do, but that is precisely what children do. They learn by watching. They’ll mimic their parents…and actually their older siblings, too. So if the first children are taught well, then the younger ones are more likely to be well behaved. Ah—the key. Teach your children well. Knowing about God is the beginning of a relationship with God. Teach your children about God’s commands—as He instructed Moses.

Do you have a mezuzah by your door?

So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors. Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the LORD your God by walking in His ways and holding tightly to Him. Deuteronomy 11:18-22

Being committed to following God’s promises that He gave to the children of Israel gives us an opportunity of obedience to God. His commands haven’t changed. His love hasn’t changed.

 Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, help parents today instill in their children’s hearts a love and respect for You by being good examples and living to please You. You are worthy of our praise and adoration.

Daily Bible Reading: February 12 – Exodus 39-40

 Happy 2^nd Birthday to Sweet Julia!

May God Bless You. We Love You so Much!

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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With A Strong Hand, The Lord Rescued You From Egypt

This annual festival will be a visible sign to you, like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. Let it remind you always to recite this teaching of the LORD: 'With a strong hand, the LORD rescued you from Egypt.' So observe the decree of this festival at the appointed time each year. "This is what you must do when the LORD fulfills the promise he swore to you and to your ancestors. When he gives you the land where the Canaanites now live, you must present all firstborn sons and firstborn male animals to the LORD, for they belong to him. A firstborn donkey may be bought back from the LORD by presenting a lamb or young goat in its place. But if you do not buy it back, you must break its neck. However, you must buy back every firstborn son. "And in the future, your children will ask you, 'What does all this mean?' Then you will tell them, 'With the power of his mighty hand, the LORD brought us out of Egypt, the place of our slavery. Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, so the LORD killed all the firstborn males throughout the land of Egypt, both people and animals. That is why I now sacrifice all the firstborn males to the LORD--except that the firstborn sons are always bought back.' This ceremony will be like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. It is a reminder that the power of the LORD's mighty hand brought us out of Egypt." When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, "If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle. Exodus 13:9-18

Passover…What does all this mean? It is a reminder that the power of the LORD's mighty hand brought us out of Egypt.

Wilderness Route - Like the Road from Jericho to Jerusalem

Let my people go! And Pharaoh finally did. Now God leads them out into the wilderness to avoid taking the Israelites into battle when they’ve just left a horrible situation of slavery. They were worn out and burned out…not ready for a battle. But it says… Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle. God had a plan and a promise. He was going to take His chosen people to the Promised Land.

Do you trust God that as a believer in His Son, you are a chosen one, and that He will take you to His Promised Land? The way I see it we are headed to Heaven one day…as part of God’s adopted family. God is not leading us directly to that heavenly Promised Land—we’re taking a roundabout way to gather up some more people. Who has God put in your pathway that needs to know about God and His plan?

Prayer ~ Lord God, continue to remind us that it is Your power that has brought us out of slavery—slavery to sin. Remind us that You have saved us for a purpose—not just for ourselves to be cared for and comfortable. Thank you for caring about us…and about caring for others around us who are part of Your eternal plan…and they just don’t know it yet.

Daily Bible Reading: February 11 – Exodus 36-38

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.  All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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Passover Meal

While the Israelites were still in the land of Egypt, the LORD gave the following instructions to Moses and Aaron: "From now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you. Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household. If a family is too small to eat a whole animal, let them share with another family in the neighborhood. Divide the animal according to the size of each family and how much they can eat. The animal you select must be a one-year-old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no defects. Take special care of this chosen animal until the evening of the fourteenth day of this first month. Then the whole assembly of the community of Israel must slaughter their lamb or young goat at twilight. They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and top of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the animal. That same night they must roast the meat over a fire and eat it along with bitter salad greens and bread made without yeast. Do not eat any of the meat raw or boiled in water. The whole animal--including the head, legs, and internal organs--must be roasted over a fire. Do not leave any of it until the next morning. Burn whatever is not eaten before morning. These are your instructions for eating this meal: Be fully dressed, wear your sandals, and carry your walking stick in your hand. Eat the meal with urgency, for this is the LORD's Passover." Exodus 12:1-11

Choose your perfect lamb.

Hurry up and eat! There are not too many times that you hear or say that—only if there is a slow eater dawdling at mealtime and the family has plans after supper. Most of the time you’ll hear health advocates telling you to “slow down” and chew your food well so that you get the most nutrients out of the food, eat less and lose weight. Good advice—but not what God had in mind when He instituted the Passover Meal. Roast that lamb and eat it quickly. Don’t eat it raw or boiled. Get ready to leave those Egyptians behind.

God was pretty specific about how they were to treat the lamb before they sacrificed it, how they were to cook it over a fire and eat it with bitter salad greens and unleavened bread. They were to dress in their traveling clothes and be ready to go.

Prayer ~ Lord God—You had a great plan to rescue the Hebrew people from their slavery in Egypt. Open our eyes to the things that we are enslaved to today and rescue us.

Daily Bible Reading: February 10 – Exodus 33-35

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

As usual every Friday is Feast Day—Feasting at the King’s Table. We can’t live on just spiritual food …nor can we live on bread alone. We’ve got to have some meat, veggies and fruit. It’s been interesting to look again at God’s promise for Moses to rescue the Hebrew people in Egypt on that night of the first Passover. Tuck away this menu for Passover which doesn’t begin until sunset on April 10, 2017 this year. As always…do this in remembrance.

The Passover Menu includes:

Roasted Lamb

Roasted egg – that represents the sacrifice. It is a sign of mourning and symbol of resurrection and hope.

Bitter herbs that represent the bitterness of slavery in Egypt.

Horseradish – another bitter herb.

Salt water – to represent the blood sprinkled on the doorposts that night of the first Passover.

Parsley – hyssop that was used to sprinkle the blood.

Charoset – a mixture of chopped apples, raisins, cinnamon, honey and nuts.

Unleaven bread - matzah

Salt

Wine – four cups of promise

Roasted Lamb

We don’t often roast food over an open fire…unless we are really roughing it when we are camping. Roasting is usually done in the oven or occasionally in a BBQ. If you use a BBQ use indirect heat and roast the lamb over a pan of hot water.

Basic instructions for Roasted Lamb.

Rinse and dry the roast. Season with:

2 teaspoons dill weed

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon rosemary leaves

¼ teaspoon pepper

Place roast, fat side up, in a shallow roasting pan—using a rack or thick sliced onion beneath the roast. Place in a 325 degree oven and roast about 30-35 minutes per pound, until the internal -temperature reaches 175-180 degrees. No basting is necessary. Remove from the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes before carving.

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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The Lord Kept His Promise

On this night the LORD kept His promise to bring His people out of the land of Egypt. So this night belongs to Him, and it must be commemorated every year by all the Israelites, from generation to generation. Exodus 12:42 

Honeysuckle Flowers at an Israeli Kubbitz

God kept His promise. That night after the angel of death took the firstborn of all of Egypt—except the Hebrew families—God led His chosen people out of Egypt. Out of slavery. Headed for the Promised Land. God wanted the Israelites to remember what He did for them…and He still wants them to remember. He continues to remind that that He kept His promise. The prophet Jeremiah wrote about one of these “reminders” in the book of Jeremiah almost a thousand years later.

The LORD gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, "Remind the people of Judah and Jerusalem about the terms of my covenant with them. Say to them, 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is anyone who does not obey the terms of my covenant! For I said to your ancestors when I brought them out of the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt, "If you obey me and do whatever I command you, then you will be my people, and I will be your God." I said this so I could keep my promise to your ancestors to give you a land flowing with milk and honey--the land you live in today.'" Then I replied, "Amen, LORD! May it be so." Jeremiah 11:1-5

God had not forgotten His chosen people. They still struggled with their relationship with Him. All God wanted was obedience. If you obey…. Do we have the same struggle today? Is it so hard to obey God’s commandments? Jesus was asked which was the greatest of the commandments and He summed it up as…

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

Living those commands is living for the Lord. Can we do that?

Prayer ~ Lord God, I hold tightly without wavering to the hope that You can be trusted to keep Your promise. Hebrews 10:23. Help me—give me courage to obey Your commands and to live to please You—with every breath I take.

Daily Bible Reading: February 9 – Exodus 30-32

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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Remember the Passover

"Remember, these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever. When you enter the land the LORD has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony. Then your children will ask, 'What does this ceremony mean?' And you will reply, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, for He passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.'" When Moses had finished speaking, all the people bowed down to the ground and worshiped. So the people of Israel did just as the LORD had commanded through Moses and Aaron. Exodus 12:24-28

What does this ceremony mean? Why do we do this?

God had a promise and a plan. LET MY PEOPLE GO. He wanted to take them to the Promised Land—but Pharaoh didn’t want to lose his slave labor force—his brick makers. Nothing short of death would convince him to let the Hebrew people go away from Egypt to worship their God. So death it was—death of every firstborn person and animal in that country. To save the Hebrew people God had a plan for them to sacrifice a lamb and sprinkle its blood on their doorposts. Wherever the angel of death saw the blood, it passed over that home—sparing the firstborn.

To this day the Jewish people celebrate the Passover in remembrance of God’s mercy on them, releasing them from captivity in Egypt. Part of the Passover Celebration recalls the ten plagues, naming them by name. The tenth plague was death to the first born. God spared those with blood sprinkled on their doorposts. God said…Remember, these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever. When you enter the land the LORD has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony. Wherever Jews are in the world, they remember and celebrate the Passover during the first month of their calendar year, Nisan. The fourteenth day of the month, the day that the lamb was sacrificed, begins the Passover with the ceremony of a Passover meal. The celebration lasts for seven days (or eight days, depending on the sect of Judaism) during which no leaven bread is eaten. The week concludes with another holy convocation. Remember God’s promise and His plan. Let my people go. They left Egypt—but not without the death of all the firstborn. The obedience of the Hebrew people—sprinkling the blood on their doorposts saved their firstborn and set them free from the Egyptians.

Prayer ~ Lord God—Your plan set the Hebrew people free. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened—but he didn’t know the sting of death until the angel of death visited his home. May more and more Jews see Your plan—and come to know Your Son as their Messiah. Let Your People Go—to the Savior. Soften their hearts to see the Truth. May the Truth set them free.

Daily Bible Reading: February 8 – Exodus 28-29

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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Pay Attention—Close Attention

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Pay close attention to this. I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh, and your brother, Aaron, will be your prophet. Tell Aaron everything I command you, and Aaron must command Pharaoh to let the people of Israel leave his country. But I will make Pharaoh's heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. Even then Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you. So I will bring down my fist on Egypt. Then I will rescue my forces—my people, the Israelites—from the land of Egypt with great acts of judgment. When I raise my powerful hand and bring out the Israelites, the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." So Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded them. Exodus 7:1-6

Pay close attention. God is promising…I will. He is giving Moses and Aaron power, hardening Pharaoh’s heart, and again promising to rescue the Hebrew people from the slavery they are under in Egypt. That God would deliberately “harden” a person’s heart is hard to understand—not once, but five times. That is heartless.

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and just as the LORD had predicted to Moses, Pharaoh refused to listen. Exodus 9:12

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart again, so he refused to let the people go. Exodus 10:20

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart once more, and he would not let them go. Exodus 10:27.

Moses and Aaron performed these miracles in Pharaoh's presence, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he wouldn't let the Israelites leave the country. Exodus 11:10

The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, so he chased after the people of Israel, who had left with fists raised in defiance. Exodus 14:8

The Gates of Hell - Caesarea Philippi, Israel

Is your heart hardened? Don't despair.

Believe in the Lord-- the Son of the living God and in His goodness and mercy.

Has your heart ever been hardened by God? Or were you just having a bad attitude? That could have been your choice, not God imposing His heart hardening power on you.

Here’s a promise to claim, if you feel your heart has been hardened…

The LORD your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love Him with all your heart and soul and so you may live! Deuteronomy 30:6.

This verse from Deuteronomy is a promise that was given to the Israelites that will be fulfilled at the second coming of Christ. Read that chapter of Deuteronomy which includes the regathering of Israel—which has begun to occur since before the end of World War II. It is an exciting time for the nation of Israel—the restoration and prosperity of the land, and a work of grace in the people’s hearts. Change my heart, Lord.

 Prayer ~ Lord, Allow my heart not to be hardened like Pharaoh’s, but may my heart be softened with Your grace and love flowing through me. As David wrote…Declare me innocent for I have acted with integrity; I have trusted in You without wavering. Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. Psalm 26:1-2.

Daily Bible Reading: February 7- Exodus 25-27

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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Too Discouraged to Listen

"Therefore, say to the people of Israel: 'I am the LORD. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the LORD!'" So Moses told the people of Israel what the LORD had said, but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery. Exodus 6:6-9

These Israelites didn’t know God the way that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, or even Joseph knew Him. Now Joseph and his generation had all died (Exodus 1:6) so this generation didn’t have any relationship with God. God was telling Moses to tell them that He would take care of them—that He would be their God. He was repeating the promise that gave to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but the Egyptians had become so oppressive as slave masters that the Israelites were so disheartened that they just didn’t even want to listen to Moses. They just felt like no one cared about them and they were just going to die there in Egypt making bricks for Pharaoh.

Old olive oil pot - castoff and discarded.

Do you feel like that?

Have you ever felt too discouraged to listen to some good news? Did you feel like no one cared about you and you were just overworked? Raising kids can make a parent…or at least a mother…feel that way since the work is endless, thank-less, challenging and sometimes absolutely grueling. There are moments of reward in parenting…but those Israelites didn’t feel any reward with Moses and his messages from God. Do you feel some reward, some inspiration or encouragement from God’s word that you can apply to your job, family or home situation? Are you reading God’s word daily—looking for application of His word to your life?

Prayer ~ Dear Lord God—You loved the world enough to send Your one and only Son to live here on earth and then to be a sacrifice for our sin. That is a lot of love. Help us not to be so discouraged with our lives that we don’t hear what You are trying to tell us. Your promises to us are as real and as important as the promises You gave through Moses to the Hebrew people even before they left Egypt. Help us to live lives listening to Your words and obeying You as we make choices moment by moment throughout our days.

Daily Bible Reading: February 6 – Exodus 22-24

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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Yahweh’s Promise

Dancing Praise to Yahweh in Jerusalem

Then the LORD told Moses, Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. When he feels the force of my strong hand, he will let the people go. In fact, he will force them to leave his land!" And God said to Moses, "I am Yahweh—'the LORD.' I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El-Shaddai—'God Almighty'—but I did not reveal my name, Yahweh, to them. And I reaffirmed my covenant with them. Under its terms, I promised to give them the land of Canaan, where they were living as foreigners. You can be sure that I have heard the groans of the people of Israel, who are now slaves to the Egyptians. And I am well aware of my covenant with them. Exodus 6:1-5

God confirmed His earlier promise to give the Hebrew people the land of Canaan and now to take care of Pharaoh to set them free from slavery in Egypt. Again God says…I will. He has great integrity—what He says He’ll do—He does. They can count on God—but they are still learning that. Are you still learning that you can count on God to fulfill His promises—or do you claim His promises every day?

Our God is a God of many names. Here He revealed to Moses that He is Yahweh. To Abraham, Isaac and Jacob He was El-Shaddai – God Almighty (see Genesis 17). Other names of God include:

            Elohim – strong one - Truth; Living God, and the King of eternity.

            El Elyon - The Most High God

            El Olam - The Everlasting God – unchanging

            Yahweh Jireh (Yireh) - The Lord will provide

            Yahweh Nissi - The Lord is my Banner –who fights battles and brings victory

            Yahweh Shalom - The Lord is Peace – bringing peace and rest

            Yahweh Sabbaoth - The Lord of Hosts – commander of the army of heaven

            Yahweh Maccaddeshcem - The Lord your Sanctifier – who set apart believers

            Yahweh Ro’I - The Lord my Shepherd – the one who cares for believers

            Adonai – Master

            Theos (Greek) – True God, Transcendent, Savior

            Kurios  (Greek) – Lord

            Despotes (Greek) – Master

            Father – our personal father providing love, care and discipline

Our God is awesome—by all of these names and traits…and more. His glory is unfathomable.

Prayer ~ El Olam—You are unchanging and everlasting. I love that You are always with me—giving me peace, joy, strength and continually loving me no matter what. Thank You for being who You are—for the Hebrew people long ago, for everyone today and for eternity. I praise You.

Daily Bible Reading: February 5 – Exodus 19-21

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.  All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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Who Made Your Mouth?

But Moses pleaded with the LORD, "O Lord, I'm not very good with words. I never have been, and I'm not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled." Then the LORD asked Moses, "Who makes a person's mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say." But Moses again pleaded, "Lord, please! Send anyone else." Then the LORD became angry with Moses. "All right," he said. "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you. Talk to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do. Aaron will be your spokesman to the people. He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say. And take your shepherd's staff with you, and use it to perform the miraculous signs I have shown you." Exodus 4:10-17 

Moses—what a wimp! I can’t do this for you, God. I can’t speak eloquently.  So different from later on when the prophet Isaiah had a similar conversation with the Lord. Then I (Isaiah) heard the Lord asking, "Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?" I said, "Here I am. Send me." Isaiah 6:8. Which would be your response if the Lord was asking you to go somewhere and speak to others for Him? I just can’t do that…or send me? If you go...will you speak with the boldness of Peter?

Statue at Capernaum - Peter's Home

Send me...give me bold words to speak.

God promised…I will…be with you and tell you what to say and do. That is a great promise. Sometimes it is difficult to find just the right words to say…and here God is giving Moses the assurance that he won’t have to worry about it. God will speak through him. He made Moses mouth—all of our mouths…so He could give Moses and Aaron the right words to say. He’ll do the same for us, if we ask Him. Will you have an opportunity soon to speak out for the Lord? Do you look for chances to tell others about God—about what He has done and is doing in your life? Do you claim the promises that He gave to Moses and Aaron…I will teach you what to say and do…I will be with you as you speak? 

Prayer ~ Lord God…You are the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and me. Open my eyes and heart today to show me how You can use me…and give me the right words to say to people around me wherever I am…at the grocery store, a doctor appointment, the library, or even at the Post Office. You are always with me. May Your words and actions become my words and actions.

Daily Bible Reading: February  4 – Exodus 16-18

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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Go…Time for The Exodus

"Now go and call together all the elders of Israel. Tell them, 'The LORD, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—has appeared to me. He told me, "I have been watching closely, and I see how the Egyptians are treating you. I have promised to rescue you from your oppression in Egypt. I will lead you to a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live."' "The elders of Israel will accept your message. Then you and the elders must go to the king of Egypt and tell him, 'The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD, our God.' "But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand forces him. So I will raise my hand and strike the Egyptians, performing all kinds of miracles among them. Then at last he will let you go. And I will cause the Egyptians to look favorably on you. They will give you gifts when you go so you will not leave empty-handed. Every Israelite woman will ask for articles of silver and gold and fine clothing from her Egyptian neighbors and from the foreign women in their houses. You will dress your sons and daughters with these, stripping the Egyptians of their wealth." Exodus 3:16-22

 God puts His promise into action. The exodus is beginning—the greatest rescue of all time…in history up to our time anyway. There were about two million Hebrew people in Egypt. Abraham’s family had become a great nation, just as God had promised. Now it was time for them to leave Egypt and go to the Promised Land. The beginning of the Exodus starts with the words…Go and Call. Moses’ obedience was to spread the word of God’s promise. To gather the Hebrew elders together so they could be part of God’s plan.

Someday another great rescue…a great escape will happen that God has also promised. Some people don’t believe in the “Rapture” since that word itself doesn’t appear in the Bible. Jesus told His disciples about His return….

And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather His chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. Matthew 24:30-31

Picture that—Jesus coming in the clouds. Are there any clouds in the sky today? Listen closely—do you hear a trumpet calling? Are you ready for Christ’s return? Since Jesus’ ascension people have been looking to the sky…wondering when He will return. Whether it is this week…or in a hundred years…or a thousand years, Jesus admonished His disciples…and us…to be ready.

Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Luke 12:39-40.

Prayer ~ Lord, instill in our hearts a desire to do Your will…so share Your word, to serve and love others for You…and to be ready. Help us not to be complacent—but to be willing and ready.

Daily Bible Reading: February 3 – Exodus 13-15

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Last Friday I suggested trying to make your own curry powder. Here’s the combination I used with just a few powdered spices that I already consider favorites—and it was tasty to me.

Black Pepper   1/8 tsp

Cardamom       ¼ tsp

Cayenne          pinch 

Cinnamon        ¼ tsp

Cloves             1/8 tsp

Coriander         1/8 tsp

Cumin              ¼ tsp

Fennel              12 seeds - whole

Ginger              ¼ tsp

Mustard           ¼ tsp

Turmeric          1 Tbsp

Mix the spices well and store in an empty recycled spice bottle.

Easy Chicken Curry

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 clove garlic, grated

2 Tbsp chopped white onion

½ cup sliced carrots

½ cup sliced celery

½ cup frozen green peas (or other vegetable of choice) 

1 Tbsp curry powder (your favorite mix or purchased spice mixture)

1 tsp corn starch

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup cooked shredded or chopped chicken

1 cup cooked quinoa

¼ cup raisins

¼ cup peanuts or almonds, chopped

Saute the onion, celery, garlic and carrots in the oil for a few minutes. Add the curry powder and cook for a few more minutes. Mix the cornstarch into the chicken broth and add to the pot along with the chicken and peas. Bring to a boil and simmer for a few minutes. The veggies should be tender by now. Serve over quinoa (or rice if preferred) with raisins and chopped nuts.

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.  All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. www.blueletterbible.org/dailyreading

Be With Us

God answered, "I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain." Exodus 3:12

 Moses was living a secluded life…away from Egypt and the Israelites. Then things change.

Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. The angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. So Moses said, "I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up." When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then He said, "Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." Exodus 3:1-5 NASB

Shadow of a Promise - I Won't Leave You

I will…that is God’s promise. He promised Moses that He would be with him. That mountain—Mt. Horeb—is important to God…and to Moses. God has hidden the location of that mountain from everyone throughout history. I think that it is so that people will worship GOD—not the mountain where God spoke to Moses in the burning bush. The important thing is God’s promise to Moses...I will be with you. God is planning a big change for Moses—and that promise to be with him is powerful. A similar promise is given to us in Hebrews…For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." Hebrews 13:5. 

For the Israelites a very special promise was given in Isaiah.

But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 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. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you. "Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you and your children from east and west. I will say to the north and south, 'Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the distant corners of the earth. Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.'"  Isaiah 43:1-7  

God has not forgotten His chosen people. They are gathering in the Promised Land. The world is waiting to see this promise fulfilled. Will it be in our lifetime? Will Christ return soon? Only the Father knows—as Jesus said...However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. Matthew 24:36.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, we eagerly wait for Your return. In the meantime we claim Your promise that You will never leave us or abandon us. It is comforting to know that we are never alone.

Daily Bible Reading: February 2 - Exodus 10-12

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. www.blueletterbible.org/dailyreading

Hearing the Groans

God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Exodus 2:24

  

Near the head of the Jordan River - in the Promised Land

Groan. “Stop your moaning and groaning!” Although it may not have been directed at me, but for my sister or brothers, how many times did I hear that as a kid? How often did I say that as a parent?  Groaning can be so annoying. God wasn’t annoyed when He heard His chosen family crying out from the land of Egypt. Help us. Save us. Being the compassionate Father that He is, He heard them and remembered His covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He would get them out of Egypt and take them to His Promised Land. The land of milk and honey. Oh, they would love it there. No slavery, brick making or pharaohs wanting them to kill their baby boys. Yes. The Promised Land would be good for them. God had promised Abraham and now there was a plan.

Do you have a plan for your life? Does it include God? Do you worship Him every day…or just on Sundays? Do you groan like the Israelites when they found themselves captive in Egypt?

Prayer ~ Lord God, my life is easy compared to the Hebrew people in Egypt at the time of Moses. Forgive me when I groan, but please do hear my groaning and rescue me—like You rescued Your chosen people. Chosen. Thank You that You are still choosing people to be in Your family.  May those who read this choose You—to love and obey You. Personally, I look forward to spending eternity with You in Your Promised Land.

Daily Bible Reading: February 1 - Exodus 7-9

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.    www.blueletterbible.org/dailyreading