Banquet With The King

Friday, February 24, 2023

Are You Called by the Lord’s Name?

Prayer – Lord, I am seeking You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Finding You, I love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. That’s what You expect…and I want to live to please You.

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Meditate. Seek Him.

Are you looking for God? Seeking Him? Do you want to be in His presence? Do you think you have to go to Asbury University to find God? The world was awakened this past week through the Holy Spirit at the Asbury University as they celebrated Jesus Christ in their lives and the greatness of God in our lives. Yesterday—the last Thursday of February—the National Collegiate Day of Prayer was celebrated at college campuses across the United States. Revival is happening in the lives of these students and the lives of those who have been touched by the Holy Spirit through this focus on God.

God has promised that as people seek Him…and that would assume that they are repentant as they seek Him…He will forgive them. Did you note that He not only promises to hear us from Heaven, but to “forgive their sins and restore their land?” Restoration of our land to Him—a revival. Claim that for your life. Praise Him. We are told in several places that if we seek God, we will find Him, including this passage from Second Chronicles. Look up these verses below and read them in the context of the chapters in which they are written.

· And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9

· The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help be encouraged. Psalm 69:32

· All night long I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek for God. For only when you come to judge the earth will people learn what is right. Isaiah 26:9

· Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

· His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him--though he is not far from any one of us. Acts 17:27

· And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Have you ever found God without looking for Him? In cases like that, God is seeking you…and He found you! Usually we seek God—and if we are humble, honest, and diligent, we will find Him. He’s never far from us and has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. Keep looking.

Are you thirsty?
Come and drink.
God provides unfailing love.

Verses of Salvation ~ Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink--even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk--it's all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David. Isaiah 55:1-3

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Feasting or Fasting? During this time of Lent, are you fasting? Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness fasting.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread." But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:1-4

No food for forty days! Even just a few days without food is challenging. I’ve found that doing an eighteen hour “fast” is a good way to start developing a fasting habit. Going for sixteen to eighteen hours between the last meal of the day until the first meal of the next day gets easier with each passing day. It may seem like you are just giving up breakfast—there is really only time for two meals in day when there are only a few hours additional hours for the remaining meals. You can actually eat “breakfast” foods at any time, so you don’t need to feel like you are giving up breakfast.

If you end your evening meal at six PM, then you can eat again at noon the next day, eighteen hours later. Then you can have another meal in the evening…finishing again around six PM. So, give it a try and let me know what you think. You can find more on this 18-6 intermediate fasting by Googling it on-line. Using the time when you would be eating to focus on Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for you is a good way to “live by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Happy Birthday, Debbie J.

May God continue to bless you with those creative gifts He has given you!

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

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Thursday, February 23, 2023

Lent has Begun

Prayer – Lord, Lent has been celebrated for a couple of thousand years. I want to honor You Jesus more this year than in all the previous years—and to be closer to You. Open my eyes and heart that I may see You more clearly…clothing myself in Your presence. Thank you.

This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. Romans 13:11-14

Meditate. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

Lent is the forty days, minus the Sundays, prior to Resurrection Sunday. It is a time of preparation to commemorate the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is a time of repentance and often of giving up something or fasting to focus on Jesus and His sacrifice. The result of this sacrificial obedience on the part of the Christian is closer communion with God. Isn’t that just the relationship for which we are striving?

Jesus provides a bridge with His life--
giving people hope.
What will you do to honor Him?

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday—which was actually yesterday. What will you do for these remaining six weeks to focus on Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit’s role in your life? Some people have traditionally given up some food, like sweets or sodas, but that is generally not a spiritual component in your relationship with the Lord. Consider how you approach God on a daily basis. Do you read His word and pray? How about singing, praising, and worship? Check out your devotion to Lord. Is there any idolatry involved—are you putting anything first in your life before God?

Paul wrote to the Romans that it was time to…wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Now is certainly the time to wake up because things have changed since Paul wrote this passage. Look at the prophecies that have been written. Israel is back in their land as foretold, and tensions in the Middle East are such that we are likely to see a war with Israel and countries like Russia and Turkey. If you haven’t studied Revelation (beginning with Revelation 12) now is the time to begin. Jesus told us not to be afraid, but to be prepared. God has provided us plenty of knowledge about the future—we just have to dig into His word to understand it. This is an opportunity to know more about God and His plan for all of mankind. Obedience is the key. Jesus was obedient…will you be?

Verses of Salvation ~ While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. Hebrews 5:7-9

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

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Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Follow Good…Follow God

Prayer – Lord God, I know that just being good doesn’t make a person Your child—only believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior—the true Son of God allows one to be “adopted” into Your family. I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God! Thank you, Jesus for Your obedience and sacrifice

Dear friend, don't let this bad example (see verse in context of chapter) influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. 3 John 1:11

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture.

Follow good…follow God. John tells us in this passage that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. Yes, the good know God and belong to Him…but are they good on their own…or are they good because they know God? That is a good question. Will they enter the Kingdom of God…will they ultimately enter Heaven…because they are good?

Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God's way. For the Scriptures tell us, "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith." When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. ... Clearly, God's promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God's law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. If God's promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. Romans 4:1-5, 13-14

Just as these Sandhill Cranes follow each
other...follow the good...follow God.
Their relationship with each other is
important.
How is your relationship with the Lord?

Being good on our own is not enough—we need faith. In that faith, we believe in God and have a relationship with Him. We cannot love Him, unless we know Him. Know Him by knowing His word—and then obediently following it. Follow the good…follow God.

Verse of Salvation ~ This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11

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

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Be a Friend—to God and Others

Prayer – Lord, show me how I look to You. Am I a companion worthy of Your trust? Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. Psalm 119:18

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 2 Timothy 2:22

Meditate. Consider your companions and their relationship to God.

Build a new relationship over coffee.
Bring God with you!

We become like our friends. Those are the people with whom we spend time, whether it is over coffee, a meal, a pickleball match, walk, or kayak trip. As Paul wrote to Timothy…Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. Associate with like-minded people.

A while back I wrote a blog post about what it takes to be a friend…and being a friend of God. Here are some of the ideas I posted:

1. Be available.
2. Be part of a group or club.
3. Say nice things to others.
4. Set a target.
5. Smile a lot.
6. Make friends with friends of friends.
7. Be aware of cultural differences.
8. Be happy with those who are rejoicing and comfort those who mourn.

Simply, be a friend to make a friend. Can you do that with God, as well as with other people? A good place to begin is in prayer…to draw closer to God and to others.

The same things are still valid today for making and being a friend. While being available is important, listening is a definite key—letting the other person, or God, know that you care about them. Focus on them, not yourself. God even likes to hear His words echoed in your prayers to Him. Just treat others the way you want to be treated…be like the friend you want.

Verse of Salvation ~ But I keep praying to you, LORD, hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation. Psalm 69:13

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

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

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Monday, February 20, 2023

Bridge to Partnership

Prayer – Lord, I am eagerly awaiting Your return. No one knows the hour or the day…but that can’t keep us from watching the calendars and the sky, searching for clues in scripture. Give us wisdom and help us not to be deceived—for You warned us not to be deceived.

Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:7-9

Meditate. Consider God’s faithfulness.

Gifts are wonderful—and when used wisely will glorify the Lord. Peter lists some gifts in this scripture below:

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11

God has promised to keep us strong…to the end. And He is faithful to His promises. I trust the Lord God to keep His promises and am honored to be partnered with Him. May the Lord be glorified—as we wait for the end of time to play itself out—in these last days.

Twin towers of the Suspended Bridge crossing
the Columbia River.
Pasco to Kennewick.
A partnership keeps the bridge together.
Waiting for the Son to return.

Since the early seventies I’ve always thought I’d be alive when Christ returns for his church—for the Rapture. There is much more to the end times than what was taught in the “Late Great Planet Earth” and other books on Revelation. Search for yourself through the scriptures of the Book of Revelation, beginning with Revelation 12…and the Bible as a whole as you seek to know God more completely and build a bridge in the partnership He desires to have with each of us.

Partnerships sometimes indicate a business arrangement—but this partnership with Jesus and with God signifies devotion and dedication we have in common in a companionship that will endure all time—eternity. This is enhanced by the spiritual gifts He has given us.

Verses of Salvation ~ Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:14-16

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

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Sunday, February 19, 2023

Don’t Be Deceived

Prayer – Lord, help me decern when a false teacher is trying to deceive me. Open my eyes and show me Your truths that I would not be deceived.

Storm clouds over the Columbia River
Richland, WA
Don't be fooled by clouds...or false teachers.

When these people (false teachers) eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord's love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots. Jude 1:12

Meditate. Don’t be deceived.

Jude gave a warning about the dangers of false teachers. They may be fellowshipping with you—so be discerning and not deceived. Jesus Himself told His disciples and us not to be deceived.

For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. See, I have warned you about this ahead of time. Matthew 24:24-25

Be careful with whom you associate—and keep your relationship with the Lord strong—like a bridge with a sturdy foundation. That strong foundation in knowing God and His Word will give you strength to differentiate between those rightly or wrongly teaching God’s word. The false teachers can seem like wolves in sheep clothing. Jesus taught about this in His Sermon on the Mount.

Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Matthew 7:15-20

Is the fruit, the lifestyle and instructions, that your favorite teachers are speaking reveal truth? Don’t be deceived.

Verses of Salvation ~ I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation--the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:9-11

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

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Saturday, February 18, 2023

Only True God

Prayer – Lord, show me how to live in complete fellowship with You. You are my God…and the only true God. Others may claim to be the true God…even the Messiah…but Your Word assures us that You are it. Jesus, You are the only one claiming to be God that actually rose from the dead. I believe in You as my Lord and Savior. My Messiah.

We know that God's children do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life. Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts. 1 John 5:18-21

Meditate.

John has given us such an overwhelming truth—we just have to listen to him…and accept what he said. Can you do that? I have…and do daily. Jesus is the Son of God…and He is God. I love that assurance that He holds those who believe in Him…they become adopted sons and daughters of the true God…securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. Halleluiah. Satan may try to attack us…and send his evil demons to do his dirty work…but we are protected! Did you see John’s warning in the last verse of this passage? Keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. That goes right along with the first couple of commandments, in the Ten Commandments.

You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. Exodus 20:3-6

Someday you will cross that bridge,
from life to death to eternal life.
Just like Jesus--raised from the dead.
Listen and obey today.
Choose the True God.

God hasn’t changed His expectations—He hasn’t and won’t ever change. So, we can bask in His love and the security He provides. Our part in this ongoing relationship with Him is to cross the bridge that He provides and to listen, learn, and obey Him because He is the true God.

Verse of Salvation ~ Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!" Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost." Luke 19:8-10

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

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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, February 17, 2023

Because of the Spirit

Prayer – I believe in You, Jesus. I love You, Lord God—with all my heart, soul, mind and strength—and I long for constant and continual fellowship with You. You live in me—because You have given me spiritual life through the Holy Spirit. I praise You. Open my eyes, heart, and mind to even more fully understanding You.

And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. Those who obey God's commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us. 1 John 3:23-24

Meditate. The Spirit lives in us.

Continue looking at this scripture again from yesterday, but focus on the portion of the verses…the Spirit he gave us lives in us.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. Romans 8:26-27

The Holy Spirit indwells—lives within—all Christians when each person becomes a Christian by repenting of their sins and yielding their life to Christ. Paul wrote about the Holy Spirit in several of his letters to different churches.

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 1:21-22

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:25

The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity—He is God, living in us. I especially like the fact that the Holy Spirit speaks to the Heavenly Father for me—when I just can’t find the words to express myself. This is one more dimension to God—and our fellowship with Him. Father. Son. Holy Spirit. Find for yourself that triune depth in your relationship to the Lord God.

Verses of Salvation ~ As for us, we can't help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation--a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

When I was growing up we always had a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at the Church we attended. It was a complete meal with big fluffy pancakes, sliced ham or sausage links, homemade applesauce, and coffee for the adults. Usually the teens helped serve, so it was a fun time. What is Shrove Tuesday all about? It is traditionally a time to eat heartily and consume fatty foods before Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, the following day. The season of Lent, the six weeks or forty days, actually 46, days prior to Resurrection Sunday (Easter) was a time of fasting to reevaluate one’s relationship with the Lord. This year Easter is April 9^th, so Shrove Tuesday is on February 21^st. How do you like your pancakes…fluffy thick, or thin? Some people prefer to eat their pancakes very thin like a crepe and roll their applesauce inside. Either way—fluffy or thin—pancakes have been a favorite of mine until I cut back on carbs. I will eat some pancakes on Tuesday…and remember what my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has done for me. I’ll consider fasting from carbs again beginning on Ash Wednesday.

Family Favorite for Perfect Pancakes

2 C. all-purpose flour (or Gluten free blend)

2 tsp baking powder

1 Tbsp raw cane sugar

½ tsp salt

2 eggs (use an additional egg for thin, crepe pancakes)

2 C buttermilk, adjusting to the desire thickness: less for thicker pancakes, or more ~ 3C for crepes.

2 tsp vanilla

2 Tbsp melted butter or oil

Preheat griddle to 350 degrees.

In a mixing bowl add flour, baking powder and soda, sugar and salt. Mix well.

Make a well in the center and add eggs, milk, vanilla and butter. Stir to combine, but don’t overmix. My Dad always said, “Lumps are OK.” No lumps for crepes. You can mix this several hours ahead of time.

Oil the griddle—it should be sizzling hot.

Use about ½ C of batter per pancake, more or less depending on the desired size.

Cook about 3 minutes, until bubbles begin to pop and the edges are browned.

Flip pancake and cook for about 2 minutes on the other side.

Serve hot, with your choice of condiments. Butter, hot maple syrup, blueberry syrup, peanut butter, jam, Nutella, honey, or yogurt and chopped fresh fruit.

Of course, for Shove Tuesday you’ll want to serve ham or sausage and applesauce.

Enjoy!

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