Sparkling Clean Within

Memory Verse:

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12

I'm prickly--like a Prickly Pear Cactus.
Found in Utah's Canyonlands National Park.
Lord, create in me a clean heart.

This scripture passage was written by David after Nathan the prophet had confronted him about his adultery with Bathsheba. Consider the verses in context.

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner--yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me--now let me rejoice. Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. Psalm 51:1-15

To be holy, like God commanded through Peter and is recorded in 1 Peter, begins with a repentant heart…one that desires to be clean. That is what God wants—an honest and pure heart. David wanted that. He recognized that he was a sinner—born that way—and repented. He was seeking holiness.

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

Do you have a repentant heart?  Are you seeking holiness? I am—although I know that it is only through Christ, through the Holy Spirit, that I can be purified.

Prayer ~ Lord God, Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12. I want to follow You, listen to You, obey your commands, and tell others about power and glory. Great are You Lord, and greatly to be praised….Psalm 48:1. May all my thoughts be pleasing to You, for I rejoice in You LORD. Psalm 104:34

Daily Bible Reading: Hosea 1-7

© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Standing Holy

Memory Verse:

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

Have you successfully memorized this scripture passage? How have you applied it to your life?

But now you must be holy in everything you do,

just as God who chose you is holy.

For the Scriptures say,

"You must be holy

because I am holy."

1 Peter 1:15-16

God wants you to be holy—pure—undefiled so that one day you can be with Him. The choice is yours…holy or not? Only the pure will be able to stand before Him as He sits on His throne in heaven. Will you be there?

Israeli flag flying over the Sea of Galilee

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, we are so blessed to have been chosen—to know You as our Savior, Redeemer and Friend. May Your joy fill our hearts and lives. Please reveal Yourself to those who stubbornly refuse to believe in You and Your resurrection, especially to the nation of Israel that they would know You as their Messiah. Thank You, Jesus.

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 18; 2 Chronicles 29-31; Psalms 48

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table    

Molasses is a superfood that has some iron in it that should be good for our blood…carrying oxygen and giving us energy. Good rationalization for a reason to take a couple of more cookies! Enjoy and be energized. These little piggy cookies have been a family favorite for years. We’re always wanting to have them with Mexican suppers. Tacos? Let’s have piggies, too.

Mexican Piggies - Molasses Cookies

5 cups flour

1½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

1½ tsp cinnamon

2 tsp ground ginger

1½ tsp vanilla extract

1 cup brown sugar

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

¼ cup milk

¾ cup blackstrap unsulphured molasses

2 eggs - One for the dough and one for an egg wash before baking.

Stir together dry ingredients and set aside. Cream brown sugar and butter. Add in the milk, molasses, vanilla and an egg. Mix in the dry ingredients. Roll out on a slightly floured surface to 3/8 inch thickness. Cut with a pig shaped cookie cutter. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet or parchment lined sheet. Beat the remaining egg and brush the egg wash onto the cookies before baking.

Bake at 350 degrees, 10-12 minutes—until lightly browned. Do not over bake. Makes 2 to 3 dozen depending on the size of the cookie cutter. Store in a Tupperware container. Serve with a hot cup of coffee or a tall glass of cold milk after a traditional Mexican meal of tacos, burritos or tamales.

© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Remember…You Must Be Holy

Memory Verse:

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

You must be holy because I am holy. This verse is in Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7.

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

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

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

Holy-Holy-Holy

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

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

Choose holiness.

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

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. 2 Corinthians 7:1   (work toward…accomplish)

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

Choose holiness as you memorize this scripture.

But now you must be holy in everything you do,

just as God who chose you is holy.

For the Scriptures say,

"You must be holy

because I am holy."

1 Peter 1:15-16

Holy, holy, holy.

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

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 23-27

© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Scriptures Say

Memory Verse:

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

The Torah at a Synagogue in Israel

Scriptures say…. Scripture is emphasized and concepts taught when verses are repeated, just as Peter repeated, "You must be holy because I am holy." Consider how the Ten Commandments and laws are repeated. I really love the way that Jesus used Old Testament principles to teach His followers, as recorded in verse found in the Sermon on the Mount and other places in the New Testament. Jesus brought the scriptures to life and helped people apply them. That is still what we should be doing today.

Several years ago when we visited the Holy Land I commented to our guide, Amir Orly, that scripture repeats…because, in my opinion, not everyone reads the entire Bible, so God repeats particular verses since He wants to be sure that people get the important points He is trying to make. Not so. It was then impressed upon me the importance of reading…and learning…the whole Bible. God repeats because He is God and He wants to say He will, and He has.

Scriptures say…. What are the scriptures saying to you?

Prayer ~ Dear God, You said that You would bless the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and bless all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near. Revelation 1:3. Bless us as we seek to know You more and to live in ways that please You.

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 18-22

Happy Birthday, Melissa!

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires. Psalm 37:4

© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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No One is Holy Like the Lord

Memory Verse:

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

God is holy. People throughout the Bible recognized the holiness of God. One example of that is Hannah’s prayer when she took her son, Samuel, to the Tabernacle at Shiloh to dedicate and surrender him into the Lord’s service.

Then Hannah prayed: "My heart rejoices in the LORD! The LORD has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me. No one is holy like the LORD! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God." 1 Samuel 2:1-2

No one is holy like the Lord. It is hard to image just how holy God is because our minds are finite—but as Hannah said…No one is holy like the Lord. Yet God want us to be holy like He is—so there is hope for a great holiness in our lives one day. Samuel is so revered that people come to worship at his tomb. 

Tomb of the prophet Samuel.
Israel

Hannah continued in her prayer:

"Stop acting so proud and haughty! Don't speak with such arrogance! For the LORD is a God who knows what you have done; he will judge your actions. The bow of the mighty is now broken, and those who stumbled are now strong. Those who were well fed are now starving, and those who were starving are now full. The childless woman now has seven children, and the woman with many children wastes away. The LORD gives both death and life; he brings some down to the grave but raises others up. The LORD makes some poor and others rich; he brings some down and lifts others up. He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honor. For all the earth is the LORD's, and he has set the world in order. He will protect his faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone. Those who fight against the LORD will be shattered. He thunders against them from heaven; the LORD judges throughout the earth. He gives power to his king; he increases the strength of his anointed one." 1 Samuel 2:3-10

Are you committing this verse to memory?

But now you must be holy in everything you do,

just as God who chose you is holy.

For the Scriptures say,

"You must be holy

because I am holy."

1 Peter 1:15-16

It is an awesome thought that we are chosen by God…chosen to be holy. Are you feeling His love and presence in your life? Peter wrote that the time is NOW to be holy in everything you do. We each have a choice. Choose holiness.

Prayer ~ Lord God, the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If I serve Christ with this attitude, I will please You, God, and others will approve of me, too. Romans 14:17-18. May my life be holy and pleasing to You…in all that I think, in what I say and all that I do. Glory be to You—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 13-17

© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Chosen for Holiness

Memory Verse:

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

Christ on the Cross
Holy Family Shrine - Gretna, Nebraska

God chose you. God has made a lot of choices. He chose to have His Son, Jesus, be the sacrifice for our sin—to allow us to be holy, yet Peter tells us that God has no favorites.

And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as "foreigners in the land." For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days. Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 1 Peter 1:17-23

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15

The Hebrew people…the Israelites…were originally God’s chosen people and they still are, just as when Moses told them before they went into the Promised Land.

For you are a holy people, who belong to the LORD your God. Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure. "The LORD did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! Rather, it was simply that the LORD loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the LORD rescued you with such a strong hand from your slavery and from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. Deuteronomy 7:6-9

As believers in Jesus Christ, we are adopted into God’s family. It doesn’t matter if we are Jewish or Gentile. We are part of the family of God.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:14-15

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same [Lord] is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him…. Romans 10:12 NASB

Holy, Holy, Holy. Lord God Almighty. You are chosen to be part of His forever family…His adopted children. Chosen in love. Love for an eternity. 

Prayer ~ Abba Father, we are privileged to be part of Your family. Thank you that we can be holy—because of Jesus’ sacrifice…because You are holy.

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 28; 2 Kings 16-17

© 2019 Text and photo 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.

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Freedom Isn’t Free

Memory Verse:

But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, "You

Purity
Be Holy

must be holy because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16

Now you must be holy. Now…not later. He expects no less of us than He expected of the Israelites. God expects purity. He directed the Israelites, through Moses, on specifically how to be pure and holy.

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

We are privileged to be chosen to be part of God’s family…to have the opportunity to be holy and know that one day we will stand before our Heavenly Father. Praise Him now. Choose to be holy…now.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:3-8

Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus that God graciously purchased our freedom. Freedom is not free. We have been reminded about that right here in the United States since we just celebrated the Fourth of July—our Independence Day. Men and women are continuing to “purchase” our freedom with their time and lives as they serve in the military and work in public service—as firefighter and policemen. The distressing fact of alarming rates of increase in suicide in military and police personal has recently been brought to light in the news media. Both active duty and veteran military suffer from suicide rates that are 50% higher than their civilian counterparts. What is happening within our military system? As a wife of a US Veteran I am very concerned about this situation. The stress level is overwhelming for these people—but like many people in our society there is a stigma against seeking help. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is well known throughout our country since it is recognized to affect anyone who has experienced a traumatic event in their life. The best thing would be to prevent or deal with the stressful situation before it gets to the level of suicide.

Signs of suicide as listed on the Mayo Clinic website, mayoclinic.org.

Suicide warning signs or suicidal thoughts include:

·         Talking about suicide — for example, making statements such as "I'm going to kill myself," "I wish I were dead" or "I wish I hadn't been born"

·         Getting the means to take your own life, such as buying a gun or stockpiling pills

·         Withdrawing from social contact and wanting to be left alone

·         Having mood swings, such as being emotionally high one day and deeply discouraged the next

·         Being preoccupied with death, dying or violence

·         Feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation

·         Increasing use of alcohol or drugs

·         Changing normal routine, including eating or sleeping patterns

·         Doing risky or self-destructive things, such as using drugs or driving recklessly

·         Giving away belongings or getting affairs in order when there's no other logical explanation for doing this

·         Saying goodbye to people as if they won't be seen again

·         Developing personality changes or being severely anxious or agitated, particularly when experiencing some of the warning signs listed above

Warning signs aren't always obvious, and they may vary from person to person. Some people make their intentions clear, while others keep suicidal thoughts and feelings secret.

 

There are phone numbers to call for help.

If you are in crisis dial 911 or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

 

Don’t ignore the warning signs. If you see or even suspect suicidal thoughts or actions in yourself or others…seek help. God wants us to respect these bodies that He has created to be holy…and to commit suicide is beyond tragic and disrespectful.

   

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, open our eyes to those around us and give us the courage to seek help in stressful situations. You have set us free…given us freedom. It wasn’t free for You.

Daily Bible Reading: Micah

© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Can You Be Holy?

Memory Verse:

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

Read the verse in context.

So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy." And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as "foreigners in the land." For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days. 1 Peter 1:13-20

Jesus is the ransom for us…He paid the price for our sins…our mistakes…with His life. We can rejoice in His resurrection. His resurrection set Him free…and gave us the assurance of an eventual resurrection for each of us. Without Jesus’ death we could never attain holiness. Our sins were washed away…making us white as snow. Pure. Holy. There is a purity and holiness that one must have in order to stand before our Heavenly Father. Jesus said…"I am the way the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6. Through belief in Jesus, as well as His death and resurrection, we obtain that purity.

With that search for holiness are you also looking for peace of mind and heart? Jesus promised…

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe. I don't have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let's be going. John 14:27-31

Jesus will return in the clouds.
Can you see Him in the clouds over the Mount of Olives?
Jerusalem, Israel

Jesus was preparing His disciples for His death…and resurrection. And preparing all of us for His return…that is our rapture and His ultimate return at the end of the time…the last days. Some people feel that the last days are all the days since the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus told His disciples and us…to be ready…to be prepared. The angels at His tomb said that Jesus would return in the clouds…just as He left. Spiritually, what are you doing to be ready?

Prayer ~ Lord God, I love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. I hear the message…Jesus Christ will return in the clouds…and every knee will bow down to worship Him. Show me what I need to do to be spiritually ready for your return.

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 27; Isaiah 9-12

© 2019 Text and photo 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.

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Sound of Silence

Memory Verse:

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Have you memorized this scripture passage?  Are you tempted not to try?

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.

And God is faithful.

He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.

When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

1 Corinthians 10:13 He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.

If the temptation seems overwhelming you may be falling into depression. This old Simon and Garfunkel song has been going around in my head lately. I recently discovered that it describes the darkness of depression and perhaps as a vision prophesied the silence of our current generation as they silently speak on their cell phones--tapping out their text messages. Do you silently do that?

The butterfly makes no noise.
The Sound of Silence.
As the butterfly flies away...it is a way of escape.

Sound of Silence written by Paul Simon

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly, creeping
Left its seeds while I was, sleeping
And the vision, that was planted in my brain... still remains
Within the sound of silence

In restless dreams I walked alone

Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a streetlamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound, of silence

And in the naked light I saw

Ten thousand people maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs, that voices never shared
No one dared
Disturb the sound, of silence

"Fools," said I, "You do not know

Silence like a cancer grows"
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed, in the wells, of silence

And the people bowed and prayed

To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls,
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sounds, of silence"

But remember God is faithful. Even if depression is testing you, you can trust God to help you. He will make a way out…a way of escape. Don’t be overcome by the darkness. Think about the silence that Jesus experienced during one of His trials, before His crucifixion.                                             

But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" Mark 14:61

Just as described by Isaiah…

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. Isaiah 53:7

Jesus kept silent. Could you have done that? I don’t think that I could. I would have been sticking my foot in my mouth and telling them that they were all wrong…maybe that God had a plan…and that unless they changed their ways they would be doomed. Or would I have kept silent? I can only speculate.

What will Jesus say to His accusers? Do you know the rest of the story? Speak now…or forever hold your peace. That is a familiar line that is used in marriage rituals. Let everyone know if you have any objections.  Remember that within the last few hours Jesus had just prayed…

"Abba, Father," he cried out, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." Mark 14:36

God’s will was for Jesus to be…silent… at least for a few minutes. And that is just what He did. He was silent. Next listen closely to what He said…read ahead in Mark 14.

Prayer ~ Lord God, I want to please You. You were silent. Help me to bring You glory by thinking before I speak. May my silence not be from the trial of depression but let me be attuned to Your Holy Spirit and be silent when I need to be.

Daily Bible Reading: Amos 6-9                                                              

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, fruit and fat. Don’t forget the good fats!

Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) are good for our bodies. Those contain antioxidants and actually help to lower cholesterol. Some of the foods that contain monounsaturated fats include: olive oil; avocados; nuts and seed—especially almonds, peanuts, and sunflower seeds; olives; and even chocolate. Try to have a MUFA with each meal, such as 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter, ¼ avocado, no more than 10 olives, 2 tablespoons raw nuts, ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips, a serving of your favorite dark chocolate bar (usually about 2 squares), or 1 tablespoon olive oil.  Watch the serving size of your MUFAs—the calories can add up and deter any weight loss you for which are striving.

© 2019 Text and photo 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.

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Everyone Experiences Temptation

Memory Verse:

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Is there a phrase in this scripture that you are having difficulty remembering?

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.

And God is faithful.

He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.

When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Perhaps you prefer another translation:

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB

Be patient as you wait on the Lord.
His time is not the same as our time.
Trust in the Lord. He is faithful.

Remember that everyone experiences temptations. We all get attacked. But God is committed to His followers and can be relied on to create a way out…an alternate to the temptation that gives us opportunities to not only persevere but to persist under the duress of some enticement. As long as the desires of our hearts are within the will of God—not an evil temptation—we can be assured that we will receive what we want. We can only trust Him. Be patient as you wait for Him.

Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land. Psalm 37:3-9

Truth is what we are seeking…as a way out of temptation. Remember Jesus said…

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32

Jesus is the way…the truth…and the life. Do you believe this and will you share this truth with others?

Prayer ~ Lord God, Be gracious to me according to Your word. I love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. I want to keep Your commandment and live to please You in whatever I think, wherever I walk, and whatever I do. Please continue to teach me more about yourself today…and every day, as long as I live. Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from the evil one—from evil thoughts, words and deeds. I Thank You morning, noon and night for Your goodness, love, and righteousness.

Daily Bible Reading: Amos 1-5

© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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