Banquet With The King

Saturday, May 7, 2022

Are You Useful to the Lord?

Prayer ~ Lord, things are shaky around the world—but I am on guard spiritually, standing firm in my faith of You because You give me strength to be strong and courageous. Without You I would be a shaky mess—full of worries and fear. I am grateful for the joy I have day by day knowing the depth of Your love through Your promises.

For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" And through Christ, our "Amen" (which means "Yes") ascends to God for his glory. It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. 2 Corinthians 1:20-22

Meditate on God’s promises.

Focus on the love of the Lord. How much does He love you? He gave His life for you—that’s a lot of love. That is a promise fulfilled. You can rely on God and in your relationship with Him as respond to His promises.

Apple Blossoms
Promise of fruit--like God's promises.
This tree is useful to the Lord...and to us.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:3-8

You will be useful to the Lord as you know Him more—especially as you are strong and courageously stand firm in your faith.

Verses of Salvation ~ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance--an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 1 Peter 1:3-5

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

Did you memorize this verse? Have you reviewed the verses from the previous weeks?

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Friday, May 6, 2022

Wait Patiently for the Lord

Prayer ~ Lord, there are clouds today. The angels at Your ascension said You’d return just as left…in the clouds. For now, I’m just waiting—but I feel that I need to be doing more. You commissioned all Christians to go and make disciples—so help me to be courageous and “make disciples” for You. That is sort of like mentoring. Everyone needs a mentor, and everyone needs to be a mentor. Open the doors for that to happen for me…and for all the readers of this blog today. Thank You.

Yet I am confident I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:13-14

Meditate. No anxiety—wait patiently.

Are you just biding your time waiting for the Lord to return? What are you doing to fill up all the time you have in the day? If you are still working…I’m retired…then your job takes up a good part of your day. Remember what Paul wrote to the Ephesians, suggesting that everything we do need to be done for the Lord.

Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Ephesians 6:7

When I consider the memory verse for this week…Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13, I think about being brave and courageous…but also about standing firm which includes waiting patiently. If we are “firm” in our faith—not wavering—then we will be able to wait patiently for the Lord. Are our lives just about “waiting” or is there something that the Lord expects us to do as we wait? What do you do while you are “waiting” in line at a store, for an appointment, or even in traffic? Is your mind always working? Mine is! I have a friend who uses her time in the grocery line to evangelize for the Lord. I can only wish that I were so bold—but I do look for opportunities. Do you? Do you see the Lord’s goodness here and now and share or ask others about that? That is a good opening to a conversation that involves the Lord. I don’t think much mentoring will happen while waiting in a line, but seeds can be planted that can grow and create a desire for a deeper understanding and a relationship with the Lord.

That relationship actually begins the moment you turn your heart to the Lord. Jesus called people to repent—to turn away from their old ways—and to follow Him. How does a person today repent? Same way throughout history. We have to realize that we are sinners. No doubt about it—everyone sins. It is our human nature following Adam and Eve’s rebellion in the Garden of Eden. We have to understand that the result of sin is death—but God had a plan that wasn’t just sacrificing animals to cover up the sin. No. Because God loved us—these humans He created so much, He willingly gave up His own Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for us…and Jesus obediently went to the cross. One sacrifice for all mankind. So, when we repent and ask for forgiveness for our sins, Jesus becomes our own Savior. We’re human, so we keep on sinning…just less each day as we allow Jesus to be first in our lives. That’s God’s plan. It includes a bonus of eternal life with Him—in heaven. Everyone will live eternally—either with God or without Him. It is our choice. By choosing Jesus as our Savior, we choose eternal life with the glorious Almighty God in His magnificent creation called Heaven. It is beyond our imaginations. For now, we can just wait patiently for the Lord.

Verses of Salvation ~ The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. Lamentations 3:22-26

Memory Verse of the Week - Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

Corinthians 16:13

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

What are you eating today…or tomorrow? It is good to plan ahead and it is time here in the Northwest to plant your garden. In eastern Washington state we sometimes get a light frost in April and early May, so gardens are safely planted around Mother’s Day. Considering the Farmer’s Almanac, I don’t think the moon is just right for planting this weekend—but I just stuck some potatoes in the ground yesterday and am hoping for a few potatoes next fall. I’ll be planting some tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, bok choy, and of course, basil soon. Lots and lots of basil! I’ve got an herb garden that is already got parsley, oregano, horseradish, garlic and leeks growing like crazy. We’ll have some tasty dishes in the days ahead.

Plan and plant your garden soon—even if it is just a simple pot by your door with some tomatoes and marigold flowers. There is something special about eating food that you have grown yourself. Blessings.

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Be Strong and Courageous

Prayer ~ Lord, knowing that You are with me…that You have promised to never leave me or forsake me…gives me courage and hope. Hope is so important in this world were anxiety reigns. Anxiety creeps up on me and overwhelms me…but You are always with me—no matter what. Thank you. You are an awesome, glorious God. You are my God. I will be strong and courageous—because that strength and courage comes from You—God Almighty.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Meditate on God’s word day and night. No need for anxiety.

God was speaking to the nation of Israel before Moses died and before they went into the Promised Land. He said practically the same thing to Joshua when He assigned him to take Moses’ place as leader of the Israelites.

After the death of Moses the LORD's servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, ... 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. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:1, 5-9 (Underlined for emphasis.)

A beautiful day on The Sea of Galilee - Israel
Can you walk on water?
Jesus did even during a storm.

Being strong and courageous was very important to God. He repeated it three times as He commissioned Joshua to be the new leader. When Jesus was walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee, He spoke about taking courage.

When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, "It's a ghost!" But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid," he said. "Take courage. I am here!" Matthew 14:26-27

Can we apply that to our lives? Don’t be afraid…Take courage. In our relationship with Jesus, we can rely on Him to be with us…to never leave us or forsake us, just as He said to His disciples…Don’t be afraid…Take courage. When I am facing anxiety—like I have frequently in the last couple of years—I rely on Jesus’ words…

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30

I do find rest, comfort, strength…and courage in the teachings of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Trust Him. Like Joshua, you can be strong and courageous.

Verse of Salvation ~ Listen to me, my people. Hear me, Israel, for my law will be proclaimed, and my justice will become a light to the nations. My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way. My strong arm will bring justice to the nations. All distant lands will look to me and wait in hope for my powerful arm. Isaiah 51:4-5

[God was speaking to the Israelites. He is still promising them salvation.]

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

Happy Cinco de Mayo Day!

The Mexican army on that day in 1862 was strong and courageous as they battled against the French!

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Stand Firm - Be Strong

Prayer ~ Lord, sometimes I feel weak—but I know that You have called me…called all Christians…to be strong—to stand firm again our enemy the devil. We are so easily deceived—so please give us discernment and wisdom that we would see how and where we are being spiritually attacked and how we can combat the evil that tries to invade our lives. Thank you that You always hear our prayers.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen. 1 Peter 5:8-11 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. How do you see God working in your life?

There is a war going on—and I don’t mean the war in the Ukraine. I am referring to the spiritual battle that has been going on since Adam and Eve were confronted by serpent in the Garden of Eden. We don’t see the spiritual realm, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. God the Father is a spiritual being—as is the Holy Spirit—and He loves us enough to call us His own.

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. Ephesians 1:3-5 (Underlined for emphasis.)

It is good to be a part of the family of God and know that it is the great God and Savior Jesus Christ who fight for us. We also have angels doing battle for us, but just as Peter warned, Paul also wrote to the Ephesians, we must stand firm.

Christians around the world are suffering under the attack of the enemy Satan. Know God—and maintain a strong relationship with Him. But be on guard against Satan. Stand firm in your faith. Be strong.

Verse of Salvation ~ For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

The Keys to Joy

Prayer – Lord - every day is a new day—but there are some days that are more challenging than others. I’m standing firm in my faith and courageously put my trust in You.

Lord, as Your child, I never forget the things You have taught me. I store Your commands in my heart. I know that if I do this, I will live many years, and my life will be satisfying. I will never let loyalty and kindness leave me! I’ve got them tied around my neck as a reminder. You have written them deep within my heart. I am trusting that I will find favor with both God and people, and that I will earn a good reputation. I trust in You, LORD, with all my heart; do not depend on my own understanding. I seek Your will in all I do, and know that You will show me which path to take. From Proverbs 3:1-6.

My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:1-6

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

Which key opens the door to your heart?
Are any of these keys the key to Joy in your life?

Communication—as we all know—is a wonderful thing. It helps people understand each other. It helps us understand God—and build a relationship with Him. Relationships are what life is all about.

I love this passage today about trusting in the LORD with all your heart…. Trust. That is the confidence and hope that we have that the Lord has the power that is characteristically His. Power. He is above all other beings and creatures. He is to be exalted! As one of Job’s friends reminded him…

Look, God is all-powerful. Who is a teacher like him? Job 36:22

God wants the best for us. We just have to follow His will and His ways. We can begin, as Solomon wrote in Proverbs:

Store my commands in your heart.

Jesus spoke to His disciples about keeping His commandments.

When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. John 15:10-12

Do you want to have joy in your life? As we listen to His words—letting Him communicate with us we find that Jesus is providing the keys to joy—obedience and love. Love Him and love others.

Verse of Salvation ~ Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:12

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Are you allowing God to "parent" you--day by day as you read His word? Is He your Abba Father? You don't have to be a parent of a toddler, tween, or teen to follow a devotional with "Parent" in the title!

Communicate with God. Let Him "parent" you!

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

How much is a penny worth today?

Monday, May 2, 2022

Stand Firm

Prayer - Lord God, help us to stand firm…to put on our armor and be prepared to face suffering and spiritual attacks. Only with Your help we can do it. It is good to have a relationship with You—and to stand firm in Your love

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:10-18

Put on God’s armor so that you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.
Belt of truth
Body of armor
Shoes of peace
Shield of faith
Helmet of salvation
Sword of the Spirit – The Word of God
Has there been any time that is without evil? Certainly not today. Evil is all around us. Take care that it is not within you! Put on God’s armor so that you will be able to resist the enemy.

There is the admonition again…Stand firm.

But the LORD's plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. Psalm 33:11

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us…. 2 Corinthians 1:21

This final verse above gives us the understanding and provides hope that it is GOD who enables us to stand firm. What does it mean to stand firm? To begin with we can’t do it on our own—but God can and does help us…enables us. He gives us the strength and courage to stand our ground. To stand firm—to be decisive, not to waver in our decisions, to resist temptation and satan’s attacks on our character…and even on choices, what we think, say and do. Stand firm. Stand up for the Lord—do things His way. We know the difference between right and wrong…love the Lord by following His way, His commands. If we are unsure, there is a great book—the Bible—that can guide us and teach us. Prayer is essential. Develop a relationship with the Lord and keep in touch with Him and with other Christians daily. Encourage others to stand firm, too. Reread the verses from 1 Peter 5:8-9. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. And worse. Everyone has suffered due to the COVID-19 situation, but there are some Christians who are suffering a persecution much worse that most of us can even imagine. Stand firm. Pray for them.

Verses of Salvation ~ The LORD is my light and my salvation—so why should I be? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the LORD—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD's perfections and meditating in his Temple. Psalm 27:1-4

Memory verse of the week ~ Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13.

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

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

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

Sunday, May 1, 2022

May Day!

Prayer ~ Lord, thank you for creating Spring! This is such a beautiful time of the year—the trees and flowers are magnificent! Best of all—today we have the Sabbath to rest and focus on You, Lord. With such wisdom You created the seventh day as the Sabbath—a day of rest. You rested from creating—it was finished…it was good. I rest in Your love and joy on this Sabbath day.

So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. Genesis 2:1-3

Meditate. Relax and reflect on God’s creation.

What a great spring day. Rain yesterday—some sunshine today….creating the perfect environment for lovely spring flowers. “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” Psalm 118:24. This Sabbath day gives us the opportunity to enjoy God’s creation and just calmly celebrate His love.

Dogwood blossoms in my yard

May Day has traditionally celebrated as an International Workers’ Day, similar to our Labor Day, but it is not celebrated in the United States. Here it is a day for surprising friends and neighbors with anonymous gifting of flowers. Here’s my wish for you to be blessed with a beautiful Spring!

Verse of Salvation ~ In that day the people will proclaim, “This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the LORD, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!” Isaiah 25:9

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

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