Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Day of Atonement

Meditate on God’s Word, Rest, and Repent on Yom Kippur
"Be careful to celebrate the Day of Atonement on the tenth day of that same month—nine days after the Festival of Trumpets. You must observe it as an official day for holy assembly, a day to deny yourselves and present special gifts to the LORD. Do no work during that entire day because it is the Day of Atonement, when offerings of purification are made for you, making you right with the LORD your God. All who do not deny themselves that day will be cut off from God's people. And I will destroy anyone among you who does any work on that day. You must not do any work at all! This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation wherever you live. This will be a Sabbath day of complete rest for you, and on that day you must deny yourselves. This day of rest will begin at sundown on the ninth day of the month and extend until sundown on the tenth day." Leviticus 23:27-32

Son of man, give your people this message: The righteous behavior of righteous people will not save them if they turn to sin, nor will the wicked behavior of wicked people destroy them if they repent and turn from their sins. Ezekiel 33:12

How many times must we hear the word “repent” before we actually do it? The time of preparation before Yom Kippur is actually meant to give people time to set things right with other people and with God. The previous Pastor at the church I attend has been telling everyone for the last couple of years that they need to set aside past differences, forgive each other, make amends and start fresh. Why are people so hard-hearted that they can’t humble themselves and ask for forgiveness or offer forgiveness?

Yom Kippur is a high holy day, literally the Day of Atonement.” It is a day of forgiveness and purity. It happens on October 8-9, 2019, so now is a time to repent and set things right.

On the tenth day of the appointed month in early autumn, you must deny yourselves. Neither native-born Israelites nor foreigners living among you may do any kind of work. This is a permanent law for you. On that day offerings of purification will be made for you, and you will be purified in the LORD's presence from all your sins. Leviticus 16:29-30

Are you ready; are your ducks in a row? Are you prepared for anything that happens? Are all the details taken care of?

There are lots of predictions that the rapture will happen soon. The planets and stars are nearing the proper projected alignment. But we’ve already had the Feast of the Trumpets, which is the next prophetic feast to be fulfilled. God’s time is His own—so we cannot set a time or a day for the rapture. How can we prepare? What’s going to happen? When will Christ return? No one knows when that will happen except God…God the Father. When His disciples asked when the end of the age and His return would happen, Jesus responded:
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
Jesus also said…You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Matthew 24:44

Are you ready…have you got your ducks in a row?

Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 12; Mark 3; Luke 6

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - https://www.blueletterbible.org/.
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Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Yom Kippur begins at Sunset

Meditate on the Offerings of Purification
On the tenth day of the appointed month in early autumn, you must deny yourselves. Neither native-born Israelites nor foreigners living among you may do any kind of work. This is a permanent law for you. On that day offerings of purification will be made for you, and you will be purified in the LORD's presence from all your sins. Leviticus 16:29-30


Yom Kippur starts at sundown today and continues until sunset tomorrow. It is a Day of Atonement, especially to God for individuals and for their nation. The Jews are still looking for their Messiah—but as our tour guide, Amir, explained when we visited Israel—it is a Messiah for their nation, not for each individual. It was an epiphany moment for me as I thought about these two concepts. Jews are looking for a national Messiah and they seek repentance as a nation during Yom Kippur. Our western culture seeks individual salvation, while the countries of eastern cultures seek national salvation. God does not want anyone to be destroyed; not any nation or any individual. He wants them to repent.
The Jewish day begins at sunset...and ends at sunset.
Illuminating the clouds we see the light of the world.
Is the Light of the World, Jesus, in your heart?
That is what Yom Kippur is all about. Repentance.

A permanent law or statute. Can’t change it. God decreed it. That’s the way it is. Don’t work—just worship and honor God—atone for your sins for the year. That is what this Holy Day of Yom Kippur is all about—purification from sin. Note that it says “you will be purified in the LORD’s presence from all your sins.”  This isn’t something that people can do for themselves. The Lord God purifies us—He removes the sin. That is atonement. But we have to come to Him, admitting our mistakes and humbly seeking forgiveness. Prepare your heart daily—continually praying to the Lord. Paul wrote such advice to the church at Thessalonica.
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 NASB

Pray continually and stay away from anything evil. Good advice then…and today. Are you seeking atonement? The Day of Atonement is tomorrow, actually beginning at sundown today. On that day offerings of purification will be made for you, and you will be purified in the LORD's presence from all your sins. An offering of purification will be offered for you. Your sins will be forgiven...just ask. 

The shofar is sounded at the end of the final service in the synagogue on Yom Kippur, some say to represent the closing of heaven gates or the temple’s gates. It is significant of the reconciliation with God and with others that has taken place…or should have…in the last ten or more days.

Do you feel that during this time of Yom Kippur you have sought repentance and received renewal?

Prayer – Lord God, strengthen us to continually be in conversation with You that we would be in Your presence and in that we would stay away from evil. I praise You for Your plan for our lives that we can stand before You one day, holy and pure. Atoned of our sin.

Daily Bible Reading: John 5
© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - https://www.blueletterbible.org/.
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Monday, October 7, 2019

No Greater Love


Meditate or Memorize?
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:12-17

Small brass cross from Korea.
Jesus laid down His life for His friends.
Jesus spoke about friends and friendship often. He considered the disciples His friends…as well as His followers. He commanded them to love each other…like He loved them. He loved them with His life. He loves us in the same way. He gave His life for us. There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. He chose them and He has chosen each of us and taught us what the Father wanted us to know; what He commanded.  Love. Love each other. That is what life is all about. Love.

Produce lasting fruit. That fruit is listed in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. …the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23. I see again that one of the qualities of the fruit of the Spirit is love. That is the same love that Jesus was talking about… no greater love. God’s love. It is lasting fruit. Forever. Everlasting. Eternal.

How do you show that fruit…that love? Love for each other?

Prayer ~ Jesus, Thank You. You are the greatest friend to everyone…and my friend. I praise You. Help me—as well as my family, friends, and neighbors to love each other…as You would love each of us.  

Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 8; Mark 2

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - https://www.blueletterbible.org/.
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Sunday, October 6, 2019

Friend of the World or God?


Meditate on this:
Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:4-7

Friend of the world or friend of God? A person can’t be both.
The Greek word for friend, φίλος, is transliterated as phílos. The word friendship has the same Greek root…philos. The disciples knew Greek as well as Hebrew or Aramaic.
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:8

How can a person want to please the anything evil and then think that they can please God? Whether it is seeking the attention and acceptance of the drinkers, smokers and partygoers in the high school crowd or the bar hoppers, fast drivers, cursers, fornicators or satan worshippers in the adult group that deliberately reject God there can be no doubt that they are not friends of God. Where do you stand with God? Do you humble yourself before God and seek to please Him…or do you want to please someone or something in the world that ultimately rejects God? Choose today whom you will serve.

Don't worship the cross.
Worship God...the Creator, Savior, Friend.

Cross from Medjugorje
Like Joshua in the Old Testament, I choose to serve the Lord.
But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15
 Who do you serve?

Prayer ~ I trust You with my life and I hope that the decisions…the choices…I make are pleasing to You and bring You glory and honor.

Daily Bible Reading: John 2-4
Happy Birthday, Evelyn!
© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - https://www.blueletterbible.org/.
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Saturday, October 5, 2019

Friend?


Meditate on this:
And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith." He was even called the friend of God. James 2:23  

I’ve been thinking for a couple of months about the word “friend” and friendship.  What does it mean Biblically or spiritually? What did Jesus teach about being a friend? This next month or so I want to focus on what it means to be a friend…and what it takes to develop a friendship. I’ve asked some people where they find their friends…and I’m contemplating why friendships last…or don’t. What are the qualities of a friend? What does it take to be a good friend…or to have a good friend? There are books and books about this…but I still want to see what God has to say to me…and to each person who is reading this blog. Let me know what you think about the topic of friends.

Desert Crossing
Abraham's friend as they traveled to the Promised Land
Israel 
Who is a friend of God? One of the first people mentioned in the Bible associated with the word friend is Abraham. He was even called the friend of God.  Why was he considered a friend of God? Was it due to his obedience? Remember Abram (Abraham’s pre-God experience name) and Sarai (Sarah), his wife, left the region of Ur of the Chaldeans along with Abram’s father, Terah, and nephew, Lot, and headed for Canaan—the land promised by God. (See Genesis 11-12.) After Terah died, Abram received God’s promise. “I will make of you a great nation and I will bless you.” Genesis 12:2. God hadn’t given any of Abram’s ancestors…Adam and Eve or Noah any such promise. But He looked into Abram’s heart and saw a righteous man—a man of integrity. A man who could be trusted to listen and obey; one who trusted God for the future.

Consider the challenges that Abram faced traveling to a new country, famines and unknown situations like a Pharaoh who thought Sarai was Abram’s sister. Abram was not very forthright about his relationship to Sarai a couple of times—but God protected them…and thus protected the future Hebrew people. That is one of the things friends do for each other—protect each other. God kept His promise to Abram that He would make him a great nation—but Abram and Sarai did not have any children at that time. Still God promised to bless them. He had a plan. Abram and Sarai were part of that plan.

Do you trust God to provide for you…to be your God? Is He your friend…are you His friend?

Prayer ~ Lord God…Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you. Psalm 9:10. May You fill my heart and life with confidence in You…like that of Abram…as I search for You with all my heart, mind, and soul.

Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 4; Luke 4-5
© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - https://www.blueletterbible.org/.
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Friday, October 4, 2019

Covenant for Friends


Meditate on this:
The LORD is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. Psalm 25:14

The promise in this verse we started yesterday is that the Lord will teach them (His friends) his covenant. So what is His covenant? There are several covenants, which are agreements or promises, that God made with man…with people, beginning with Adam and Eve. God also established covenants of promise with Noah, Abraham, Moses and David. The most significant maybe the one that Jesus gives Last Supper, describing the promise of the sacrifice He was about to make.
This is my Body broken for you.
God's covenant with you.
As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take this and eat it, for this is my body." And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, "Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many." Matthew 26:26-28.

The Ten Commandments were part of the promises God gave to Moses…and that Jesus continued to teach to His followers as guidelines by which to live.

Usually when a covenant was made two people gave something as a pledge to the other person, but when God made His covenants with men He did all the “giving” and the people did the receiving. With Jesus it was the same…He gave His life…and we received salvation. During His ministry He spent a considerable amount of time and energy teaching. Consider His Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew chapters five through seven. He gives specific directions like…treat others the way you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12). He also taught His disciples and followers, including us, on how to pray by the example He provided in what we know as the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). Jesus’ covenant is His promise of salvation to all who believe in Him which was given to us in a discussion with the Pharisee Nicodemus.
"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son." John 3:16-18
So Jesus was teaching His covenant to Nicodemus…and to everyone in the world. God gave His Son as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind…the whole world. That is about the greatest covenant—the greatest promise—that has ever or could ever be given. Is it one that you have accepted…or would you like to?

Prayer ~ Lord God, Thank You for the great covenant You have made with us. I am honored that You would provide such an enduring promise for me. Please continue to teach me, giving me a deeper understanding of You and the way You want me to live.

Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3

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 tasty cakes. Try this one with all those recently harvested apples or pears.

Simple Apple or Pear Cake
½ cup oil
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2 tsp vanilla
4 cups chopped apples or pears
1¾ cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
½ cup chopped pecans, optional – can sprinkle on top of cake before baking
Combine all ingredients. Pour into a greased and floured 9 X 13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. This will store and keep fresh for a week or more. Enjoy warm with ice cream or whipped topping.
This is an apple birthday cake for you, Lisa!
Happy Birthday, Dear Lisa!
Blessings
© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - https://www.blueletterbible.org/.
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Thursday, October 3, 2019

The Lord is a Friend

Meditate on this:
The LORD is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. Psalm 25:14

The Lord teaches. What a gracious God we have. He cares enough about us—about mankind—that He teaches us—how to live...what it means to please Him. Wasn't that one of the purposes for Jesus to come to earth, to teach us? A Pharisee named Nicodemus who became a follower of Jesus spoke to Him one evening. 
After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. "Rabbi," he said, "we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you."  John 3:2 

Show us the right path.
Take our hand and lead us along Your way.
Hiking on the Badger Mt trail.
Richland, WA.
The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. Psalm 25:8-9.

The Lord is a friend to those who show respect...fear...towards Him. What does it mean to be a friend...of God, of the Lord...and of others—fellow believers or non-believers? We occasionally sing an old hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" that stresses His devotion to us...to care for us, bearing our sins and griefs. It is our privilege to take all our cares to Jesus in prayer. That's what friends do for each other...they care. We know that Jesus will take our requests to His Father. He will be our mediator.
Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. Hebrews 7:25
The Lord is our friend—we just have to trust Him...and fear Him. To "fear" is to respect. Do you respect Jesus Christ...is He your Lord and Savior? He is mine. My Lord, my Savior, my teacher. My friend.

Prayer ~ LORD, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remembers me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD.  Psalm 25:1-7

Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 2


Happy Okinawan Birthday – Lisa Chan

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved..
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - https://www.blueletterbible.org/.
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Wednesday, October 2, 2019

The Lord Bless You


Meditate on this:
The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 NASB

During the Rosh Hashanah worshipers gathered for a group meal and together in unison recite this blessing above from Numbers. What a wonderful blessing…the Lord’s face shine on you. That is what Moses experienced.
It came about when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the testimony were in Moses' hand as he was coming down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him. So when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. Exodus 34:29-30 NASB

Are you experiencing God's peace.?
Prosser, WA Balloon Festival.
Peace…God’s peace. Seek it with all your heart.
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:4-8

Did you thank God today for all He has done for you?
Are you thinking about what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable?  May the Lord bless you—and let His face shine on you and give you His peace.

Prayer ~ Bless You LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless Your holy name. Bless You LORD, O my soul, and I will not forget Your benefits…. Psalm 103:1-2 NASB

Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 1; Luke 2
© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - https://www.blueletterbible.org/.
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Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Are You Listening?


Meditate on this:

What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:50-53



Time to Rest.
God values rest. The Feast of Trumpet is a resting holiday that helps commemorate Creation. God created the heavens and the earth, plants, animals and people in six days and then He rested. He expects us to do the same. Rest. That is even one of His Ten Commandments.
Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. Exodus 20:8-11

God is pretty serious about keeping this day sacred, holy and restful. No work. He decreed that He… will destroy anyone among you who does any work on that day (Leviticus 23:30). That is very specific and since He gave that as a warning—if someone disobeyed they could expect to have their life ended. Would that make you not work on Rosh Hashanah? Great deterrent for any workaholic.

This scripture from Psalm 27 is traditionally read in the synagogues on the Jewish New Year.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life…to behold the beauty of the Lord…and to meditate in His temple. Vs. 1, 4.
That is what I’m looking forward to…to live forever in the house of the Lord…in Heaven. But to be there…along with family and friends…we must be pure…have repentant hearts as Jesus required. We wait patiently for the Lord’s return—in God’s time. Is that soon? Repent. Be ready and listen for the sound of the trumpet. The shofar is blown 100 times each day of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, also known as the Feast of Trumpets. This Feast ends at sunset today. Listen for that last sounding of the trumpet.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus… Teach me how to live, O LORD. Lead me along the right path (Psalm 27:11). You are worthy of all praise and glory. I am listening for the sound of Your trumpet. Lord, may we rest in Your presence today—humbly seeking Your mercy in our lives. Thank you for hearing our prayers.


Daily Bible Reading: Luke 1; John 1
If you are following this daily Bible reading plan, you will note that we have finished reading the entire Old Testament and beginning today we are starting the New Testament. Congratulate yourself if you are up to date on this reading plan! Well done! If not, just read and rejoice in what the Lord is teaching you.

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved..
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - https://www.blueletterbible.org/.
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Monday, September 30, 2019

How Do You See God?


Meditate on this:
Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave [the guilty] unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations." Exodus 34:6-7 NASB
Know God. Let His light shine in your life.

This scripture is said to have the thirteen merciful attributes of God. It is used as a central prayer, repeated several times during a service at the synagogue in the week before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. So that is a scripture that would have been recited last week in most synagogues.

Getting to know God and His qualities is an ongoing process that is not bound by time or place. Meditate on those verses. Can you pick out thirteen attributes?
1.      Compassionate
2.      Gracious
3.      Slow to anger
4.      Overflowing with lovingkindness
5.      Abundance of truth
6.      Lovingkindness to thousands
7.      Forgiving iniquity (fault)
8.      Forgiving transgressions (rebellion or trespass)
9.      Forgiving sins
10.  Punishing guilty
11.  Putting the guilt or punishment of the father on his children
12.  Putting the guilt or punishment of the father on his grandchildren
13.  Putting the guilt or punishment of the father on his great-grandchildren

Pretty stiff sentence for those last three groups. The sins of the father heaped on three generations. Have you seen that in life? I think that God in His mercy allows forgiveness and thus the cycle of sin can stop with the later generations if they are seeking and following Him. Some actions may have natural consequences that keep poverty or other cycles going. Some things in life are hard to escape. Sin, disease, poverty and eventually death. Although death, if one believes in Christ as their Savior can be a wonderful thing. I know of several people that are hoping that the end of their time and suffering is near, but they continue to endure.

At this point the Hebrew people had been wandering in the desert for a while, but even as they left Egypt they may not have known God the way Moses did. They still needed to learn about Him so this list provided the Israelites with a broader picture of who God is. The good and the scary sides of God: all-loving, all-forgiving, all-powerful and a strong disciplinarian. How do you see God today?  

Prayer ~ O God, Create in me a clean heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You. Psalm 51:10-13 NASB.

Daily Bible Reading: Malachi

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved..
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Sunday, September 29, 2019

A New Year is Coming

Meditate on this:
The LORD said to Moses, "Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. On the first day of the appointed month in early autumn, you are to observe a day of complete rest. It will be an official day for holy assembly, a day commemorated with loud blasts of a trumpet. You must do no ordinary work on that day. Instead, you are to present special gifts to the LORD."
Leviticus 23:23-25

This day is known as the Feast of the Trumpets. It is the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, literally meaning the head of the New Year. There are four “New Year” celebrations in the Jewish calendar. This one marks the actual beginning of the year. It may have commemorated the creation of the world and focuses on God and worship in the Synagogue. God created man and is the ultimate judge of man, so as this festival begins the Jews use this time to look inward and consider all the actions that occurred in the last year for which they need to repent.

This year Rosh Hashanah occurs on September 29 to October 1. The holy day actually begins at sunset on Sunday, September 29th. It is celebrated on two days because in ancient times people in remote villages couldn’t determine the actual day of the new moon, which began the New Year of years, so they celebrated two days. The custom just continued and goes on with a two day celebration today everywhere. It is one of the holiest days of the Jewish year.

The sounding of the trumpet was associated with war throughout the Old Testament history. In the prophetic book of Ezekiel God gives a message to the people of Israel.
Son of man, speak to the sons of your people and say to them, 'If I bring a sword upon a land, and the people of the land take one man from among them and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows on the trumpet and warns the people, then he who hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, and a sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head.’ Ezekiel 33:2-4 NASB   
Paul uses an interesting phrase about the last trumpet in his first letter to the church at Corinth.
What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:50-53

Search your Bible for the truth
of the trumpet sound.
Jesus is the  Way, the Truth, and the Life.
In synagogues during the Feast of Trumpets the trumpet, or shofar, is sounded 100 times, using three different patterns of sounds. Is that last trumpet sound of any significance to us today? Search your Bible yourself for the times and reasons for the sounding of the trumpet.
  
How will you celebrate this Jewish New Year? Will you repent from your sins of the previous year? Study God’s Word? Will you call upon Jesus Christ as your Savior and listen hopefully for His shout from Heaven?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, we are listening for the piercing sound of the shofar horn, bellowing from synagogues and from Heaven announcing the coming of the New Year—the new life. We don’t know the hour or the day, but we wait expectantly for Your return, as all Christians have since Your resurrection and ascension. 

Daily Bible Reading: Nehemiah 11-13; Psalm 126

© 2019 Text and photos 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 - https://www.blueletterbible.org/.
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Saturday, September 28, 2019

Celebrate the Festival of Trumpets – September 29 -October 1, 2019


Meditate on this:
Celebrate the Festival of Trumpets each year on the first day of the appointed month in early autumn. You must call an official day for holy assembly, and you may do no ordinary work. Numbers 29:1

A lot of people would love to celebrate with doing no ordinary work. Imagine if everyone followed this ordinance…life would just shut down for two days. Remember the Feast of the Trumpets, or Rosh Hashanah the beginning of the New Year, is a two day holiday because it won’t start until there is a new moon at sunset, Jerusalem time…and that couldn’t always be predicted. Now we have more accurate prediction of new moons—but the tradition of two days continues. The important thing about this holiday is that it is a call to repentance.

Time to read the Torah
at a synagogue in Israel.
Time—lots of time—is spent in the Jewish synagogue reading the Torah and praying. The focus on this Festival is meeting with God in the synagogue, not family time at home. The Saturday before Rosh Hashanah Jews meet in small groups to study, pray and reflect on their relationships with each other and with God. Introspection is important to reveal flaws in one’s personality and to commit to change. In the synagogue services include prayers asking for forgiveness and scripture is repeatedly read about God’s merciful qualities as the Lord Himself proclaimed to Moses when He gave him the second set of stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments.
Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations." Exodus 34:6-7 NASB
It blesses us to remember these attributes of God.

One enduring custom that the Jews perform is to throw bread crumbs into a nearby body of flowing water to symbolically cast off their sins on afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah. They even empty their pockets of lint—as though those were the sins that they carried with them.  
Repentance is the key. Jesus called people to repent—and we are still responsible for that in each of our own lives today.
Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:14-15 NASB
Some of the Jews followed Jesus…and some did not. Everyone has a choice…then and now. How will you choose to respond? What will you do with the sin in your life?
… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God….Romans 3:23 NASB.

The key is repent. Jesus also taught that whatever we ask for in His name we will receive. It makes sense to ask for forgiveness. Here’s my sin…I’m sorry…forgive me. Can you do that—with God and with others?

Prayer ~ Lord God, Let me be more and more like Jesus every day. Mold me and make me…obedient, pure, honest, caring, compassionate, trusting and above all—loving—like Jesus.

Daily Bible Reading: Nehemiah 8-10

© 2019 Text and photos 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 - https://www.blueletterbible.org/.
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