Banquet With The King

Monday, October 10, 2022

Who Will Be the Last Believer?

Prayer – Lord, open my eyes and heart to hearing, understanding and applying Your word to my life.

O God, listen to my complaint. Protect my life from my enemies' threats. Hide me from the plots of this evil mob, from this gang of wrongdoers. They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows. They shoot from ambush at the innocent, attacking suddenly and fearlessly. They encourage each other to do evil and plan how to set their traps in secret. "Who will ever notice?" they ask. As they plot their crimes, they say, "We have devised the perfect plan!" Yes, the human heart and mind are cunning. But God himself will shoot them with his arrows, suddenly striking them down. Their own tongues will ruin them, and all who see them will shake their heads in scorn. Then everyone will be afraid; they will proclaim the mighty acts of God and realize all the amazing things he does. The godly will rejoice in the LORD and find shelter in him. And those who do what is right will praise him. Psalm 64:1-10

Meditate. What are your plans?

Do you ever try to have “the perfect plan,” assuming it is not for evil, but for good? Do you make a “To Do” list every day? On that list do you make an appointment…set aside…a time for just you and God? David’s enemies weren’t doing good things with their “perfect plan” but they were planning. How often do we go through days and weeks without planning…without setting aside time to connect with God and with others.

During the COVID isolation most of us had too much time where we were not connecting with others—hopefully you all were connecting with God on a regular basis then. How about now? Most everyone feels like we’re almost back to normal…or at least a new normal. We are back in church…and have been for months, so we are regularly connecting with God on Sundays. How about those other six days of the week. Personally, I connect with God as I read my scripture passages just writing this blog daily. Additionally, I do a Bible study weekly with eight other people and so I’m into God’s word for that lesson. I will admit that I really fall short on memorizing God’s word—although I’m challenged, as I hope you are, with my weekly Scripture Memory verse on this blog. Most of the verses I had already memorized at some point in time, but it has definitely been a test of my recall.

David is once again asking God for protection and shelter from his enemies. Notice that near the end of the Psalm, they are afraid and are amazed at the mighty acts of God. God rules and reigns! Awesome! Those who love the Lord, and show it by doing what is right, will be the ones praising Him. I am among those praising the Lord. Join me in praising our Creator, our Lord, our God, our King…the one who is all powerful and mighty. If you love the Lord, serve Him. Walk obediently on His path, following the way that He wants us to live, honoring Him. To honor Him, we must begin by having a pure heart…giving up our sin…and declaring Jesus Christ to be our Savior. Have you done that? Can you do that? It doesn’t matter where you live…Jesus is the Lord of Lord, King of Kings, Son of God, God Himself, and the Alpha and the Omega. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He sacrificed His life so that we could live eternally with Him…and with our Heavenly Father. God is love—and He is waiting for each person to make a personal commitment to establishing a relationship with Him and with Jesus.

You are the light of the World.
Let your light shine.

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. John 3:16

Some people wonder why Jesus hasn’t taken all believers to be with Him yet. God has a plan…and it includes waiting until the last one who will believe in Jesus as their Savior, believes. So, we all must wait. Are you sharing the Good News of Jesus as your Savior with others? That person might just be…the last one for whom God is waiting. Who will be the last believer?

Verse of Salvation ~ Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Happy Birthday Blessings – Mary Ellen!

Much Love & Prayers

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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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Sunday, October 9, 2022

Can You Sing For Joy?

Prayer – Lord God, You know that it is a dry—semi-desert area—in which I live. Sometimes it feels like a dry place spiritually, too. Forgive me once again…and spiritually refresh my soul with Your Holy Spirit. I praise You today…and always—singing for joy once more in the shadow of Your wings. Show me more of Your truths in Your word today.

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely. But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin. They will go down into the depths of the earth. They will die by the sword and become the food of jackals. But the king will rejoice in God. All who trust in him will praise him, while liars will be silenced. Psalm 63:1-11 NLT

Meditate. Listen for the song in your heart.

Camel Crossing
Judean Desert - Israel

David was in the wilderness of Judah when he wrote this. That wilderness is a bleak area—no trees…no bushes. A true desert. At one time I assumed, or maybe I was told when I visited Israel, that it was the Judean desert where Jesus spent His forty days of temptation, but commentaries I’ve researched indicated that Jesus was in the desert of Mt. Horeb on the Sinai Peninsula when He fasted for forty days and then was tempted by Satan. So, David didn’t have the same experience as Jesus, but he was in a wilderness reflecting on the power and unfailing love of the Lord God.

The desert would be a good place to take shelter in the shadow of the wings of a great and mighty bird. Any shadow would provide relief in a true desert. Here David is again praising God and singing for joy. When I pause from my busy day, reflecting on God and His unfailing love, my heart sings for joy.

Can you sing for joy?

Verse of Salvation ~ Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1

Celebrating Baptisms in the Atlantic Ocean Today!

Lisa, Kim. Zander, Amelia & Liberty

Blessings!

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:13-16

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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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Saturday, October 8, 2022

Are You Known for Your Self-Control?

Prayer – Lord, I am weak—but You are strong. Jesus, keep me from all wrong. Daily help me walk closer to You—as I wait quietly before You. You are my rock, my shield and my salvation. Guide me step by step down the path that You have chosen for me.

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. So many enemies against one man—all of them trying to kill me. To them I'm just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence. They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts. Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air. Don't make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don't make it the center of your life. God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you; unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. Surely you repay all people according to what they have done. Psalm 62:1-12

Meditate. Be quiet before the Lord and consider His unfailing love for you.

Who is pleased, delighted to tell lies about others? Obviously, David’s enemies are among that evil group of people. Don’t they…and other liars…know that that is one of the big ten law breakers? Not lying and stealing are among the Ten Commandments. False testimony is lying—and it is also a form of stealing their integrity or identity. God will punish those who lie and steal.

"You must not steal. You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:15-16

Even though as Christians we are under God’s grace, we still need to respectfully obey His commandments. David gives his people…and us…some very wise council as he tells us not to make our living by stealing or extortion…and not to let money rule our hearts. Jesus taught the same thing.

"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24

David’s enemies may have thought that he was like a broken-down wall, but he was actually strong with the help of the Lord and he exhibited great self-control by not revengefully attacking his enemies.

A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. Proverbs 25:28

A broken-down wall allows just anyone access to our city...friend or foe. Does that relate to our self-control? How do we deal with self-control? Do you cower under stress or fly off at the handle when you are angry? Are you known for your self-control?

Verse of Salvation ~ He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:2

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. Colossians 3:16

Are you singing to God as you’ve memorized this verse?

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

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Friday, October 7, 2022

Are You Under His Wings?

Prayer – Lord, once again, I am seeking shelter under Your great protective wings. Like David, I ask You to hear my prayers and lead me to safety. There is nothing better than seeking You…and finding You. I continually sing praises to You.

O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! For you have heard my vows, O God. You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name. Add many years to the life of the king! May his years span the generations! May he reign under God's protection forever. May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him. Then I will sing praises to your name forever as I fulfill my vows each day. Psalms 61:1-8

Meditate. Sing praises to God.

Did you know that when a person accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior that they “enter” the Kingdom of God right then? No waiting until you go to heaven. It is our inheritance now. Jesus gave us a hint to this as He spoke to Pharisees and then to His disciples. Seek this information for yourself.

One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, "When will the Kingdom of God come?" Jesus replied, "The Kingdom of God can't be detected by visible signs. You won't be able to say, 'Here it is!' or 'It's over there!' For the Kingdom of God is already among you." Luke 17:20-21

Some translations say “within you” rather than “among you” indicating that when Jesus is within us spiritually, then the Kingdom of God is within or among us. Additionally, when Jesus was speaking with Nicodemus, He taught him about being reborn.

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God." "What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus. "How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?" Jesus replied, "I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life….” John 3:3-6

You must be spiritually born again—and then You can find shelter under His wings.

Verses of Salvation ~ Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13

(Rescue—save us—that is salvation.)

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

The fruit of the Spirit…But 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

This is the time of the year that so many fruits are available. Eat up and enjoy! Fruit maybe high in sugar, but it gives us necessary nutrients, like Vitamins C and A, as well as fiber and good flavors that mix well with other fruits, vegetables and even meats. I’m sure you’ve had pineapple with chicken, pork or beef—but have you tried grilled watermelon or mango, served up with some grilled wild salmon or feta cheese? That can be a flavor explosion for your tastebuds.

Grilled Watermelon

1 small seedless watermelon – cut into ½ inch thick, or thicker, triangles – leave on rind

¼ cup honey

2 limes, zested and juiced

½ tsp red pepper flakes

Grill watermelon for 2-3 minutes per side. Get some nice grill marks.

Mix the honey and lime juice, with zest. Warm it in the microwave for about 10 seconds.

Serve the watermelon immediately when you take it off the grill and drizzle with the honey-lime sauce.

Enjoy with feta cheese or the BBQ meat of your choice.

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, October 6, 2022

How to Get Joy

Prayer – Lord, help me to remember Your promises and how You helped David and his army so many times. You are powerful. Although I don’t have enemies or an army like David…I still need Your help Lord. Don’t reject or abandon me. You’ve promised to never leave me or forsake me…and I am clinging to that promise. Please give me the abundant joy that You promise to those who love You and follow Your teachings.

You have rejected us, O God, and broken our defenses. You have been angry with us; now restore us to your favor. You have shaken our land and split it open. Seal the cracks, for the land trembles. You have been very hard on us, making us drink wine that sent us reeling. But you have raised a banner for those who fear you—a rallying point in the face of attack. Now rescue your beloved people. Answer and save us by your power. God has promised this by his holiness: "I will divide up Shechem with joy. I will measure out the valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh, too. Ephraim, my helmet, will produce my warriors, and Judah, my scepter, will produce my kings. But Moab, my washbasin, will become my servant, and I will wipe my feet on Edom and shout in triumph over Philistia." Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will bring me victory over Edom? Have you rejected us, O God? Will you no longer march with our armies? Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. With God's help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes. Psalms 60:1-12

Meditate. Pause and focus on God’s word.

Take a ride on the Sea of Galilee
Where are the regions and towns that David mentioned?

Consider the names of these regions. How well do you know the geography of the Middle East—particularly the area of Israel. Take a look at a map of the area by Googling “Map of Israel at the time of David” to see the particular areas that David was referencing. Israel is smaller today and with all the name changes, it is difficult to locate the same places that David wrote about. That can be a challenge for you if you are ever bored. Focus on understanding not only the past, but the present geography of that region.

David is once again crying out to God, but he realizes that God has been angry with the people of Israel. Rescue us! David is pleading for God’s help and declaring that with God’s help they will do mighty things. God is powerful—and David wants His help against his enemies. God will help us in the same way that He helped David…if we believe in Him and ask for His help. Jesus said that if we ask in His name, we will receive. Believe in Jesus as your Savior and trust Him. Jesus explained this to His disciples just before He was arrested and taken to the cross.

I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. John 16:23-24

How do you get joy in your life? No joy without the Lord. Ask for joy in your life. Jesus will give it to you.

Verses of Salvation ~ 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. Psalm 51:8-12

Birthday Blessing - Evelyn

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

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Rescue Me

Prayer – Lord, just like David, I call out to You…Rescue me…protect me. But I put my trust in You. You are always there for me. Show me once again how You are protecting me…and may You hear praise that I’m singing in my heart. You are an awesome God…You are my God, my Lord, my Savior.

Rescue me from my enemies, O God. Protect me from those who have come to destroy me. Rescue me from these criminals; save me from these murderers. They have set an ambush for me. Fierce enemies are out there waiting, LORD, though I have not sinned or offended them. I have done nothing wrong, yet they prepare to attack me. Wake up! See what is happening and help me! O LORD God of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, wake up and punish those hostile nations. Show no mercy to wicked traitors. They come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets. Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths; their words cut like swords. "After all, who can hear us?" they sneer. But LORD, you laugh at them. You scoff at all the hostile nations. You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress. In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me. He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies. Don't kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons; stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees, O Lord our shield. Because of the sinful things they say, because of the evil that is on their lips, let them be captured by their pride, their curses, and their lies. Destroy them in your anger! Wipe them out completely! Then the whole world will know that God reigns in Israel. My enemies come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets. They scavenge for food but go to sleep unsatisfied. But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. Psalm 59:1-17

Meditate. Focus. Imagine God fighting your enemies. Joyfully praise Him.

David was so often being sought out by his enemies who were trying to kill him—to destroy his physical body. Did they realize that they couldn’t kill his spiritual body? How often do we ask God to help us…to protect us…to save us from a situation that could harm or kill our bodies? But what about our spirits? Do we ask God for protection against the evil in the world that could or does attack us spiritually?

It is our spiritual being that really matters in the long run. Our bodies will die, but our spirits will live forever. Forever…either with God or away from Him. Personally, I choose to live with God. I made that choice a long time ago…and daily choose again to have Jesus Christ as my Savior. I repented of my sins. Although even when I first discovered the idea of having a relationship with Christ, I didn’t think of myself as a sinner—I was. When I prayed to be forgiven of my sin, I remember a huge weight being lifted from my shoulders. That was my sin that Jesus had taken to the cross. I was forgiven. Wow! Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. With that prayer my spiritual life began—I am a new creation in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). That relationship with Jesus Christ—as well as with the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit—has continued to grow as I trust Him with everything in my life. He has really shown me His unfailing love and I know that He is with me…always…just as He promised. Can you trust Him to rescue you?

Can you hear the rustle of the leaves?
Tree along a canal bringing water to crops.
Israel

Verses of Salvation ~ Give to the LORD the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations, "The LORD reigns!" Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise, for the LORD is coming to judge the earth. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Cry out, "Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you." Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting! And all the people shouted "Amen!" and praised the LORD. 1 Chronicles 16:29-36 (Underlined for emphasis.)

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

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Reward for Living for God?

Prayer – Lord, please give me insight into Your word…and what justice means. How can I live to satisfy Your expectations of righteous living?

Slimy old snail

Justice—do you rulers know the meaning of the word? Do you judge the people fairly? No! You plot injustice in your hearts. You spread violence throughout the land. These wicked people are born sinners; even from birth they have lied and gone their own way. They spit venom like deadly snakes; they are like cobras that refuse to listen, ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers, no matter how skillfully they play. Break off their fangs, O God! Smash the jaws of these lions, O LORD! May they disappear like water into thirsty ground. Make their weapons useless in their hands. May they be like snails that dissolve into slime, like a stillborn child who will never see the sun. God will sweep them away, both young and old, faster than a pot heats over burning thorns. The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged. They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked. Then at last everyone will say, "There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth." Psalm 58:1-11

Meditate. There truly is a reward for those who live for God…. What reward are you seeking?

David wrote asking about justice and declares that there is a God who judges justly here on earth. Scripture tells us over and over that God is a just ruler.

Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. You love justice and hate evil. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else. Psalm 45:6-7 (Underlined for emphasis on justice.)

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God's judgment when you do the same things? Romans 2:1-3

Wow! Judge not least you be judged! We will all be judged for not only our actions…but our thoughts and deeds as well. Interestingly enough, Jesus will judge us…but He will do it by God the Father, just as Paul wrote to the church at Rome.

And this is the message I proclaim--that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone's secret life. Romans 2:16

The reward of those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior…and live for God will be an opportunity to serve with Christ. What a great honor that will be for those who serve God and Christ as priests and kings.

Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years. Revelation 20:4-6

… and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:5-6 (Underlined for emphasis.)

As written in Psalm 19, keeping the law of the Lord, the precepts of the Lord, the commandments of the Lord, being respectful of the Lord, and knowing that one day we will be judged by the Lord gives us warning about keeping God’s teachings. In our scripture today, David tells us there will be a reward for those who live for God. We know that the reward will not be a free ticket into Heaven. That door is opened by turning our repentant heart to believing in Jesus as our Savior. Will that reward just be a blessing of happiness as alluded to in Proverbs 29:18? Or will the reward be serving as a priest or king with Jesus Christ? Is the choice ours by our obedience to the Lord now? What is the reward for living for God?

Verse of Salvation ~ 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 51:5

Happy Birthday Lisa! 🎵

Much Love and Blessing Today and Always!

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

Monday, October 3, 2022

God Has a Purpose for Everyone. What is Yours?

Prayer – Lord, show me something new in Your scripture today. Something that I can apply to my life and give You glory and honor. Thank You that You have a plan and a purpose for my life.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness. I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey—whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth. My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress. They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it. My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song. I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth. Psalm 57:1-11

Meditate. Consider God’s grace, mercy, and unfailing love.

This Psalm written by David, about the time he fled from Saul and went into a cave (see 1 Samuel 24:3). Once again, we have this picture of God with wings—so that we can hide beneath them and be protected. I love that image. Birds gather their young—and the little ones run to their parents for safety and security. That is just how God will protect us.

Keep reading this Psalm. David is hounded by his enemies—described here as lions. Then he tells God that he is looking confidently to Him for protection and he sings praises to our Lord. Gratefully, David expresses the love and faithfulness that he sees in God. Glory be to God. No wonder God calls David a man after His own heart. David is as faithful to God as God is to David, and to each of us. God had a purpose for David’s life. He has a purpose for each of us, too. What is yours?

Verses of Salvation ~ So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time--to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. 2 Timothy 1:8-10

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. Colossians 3:16

Happy Okinawa Birthday, Lisa-Chan

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

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