Banquet With The King

Thursday, December 7, 2023

What Level of Intimacy/Fellowship Would You Like to Have With God?

Prayer – Lord, my fellowship with You is important—it is the best way that I can get to know You.

The Holy Spirit - as a dove.
He will teach us everything we need to know!

But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true--it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God's children. 1 John 2:27-29

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture and what He is saying to His children.

God keeps drawing me back to this scriptural advice that David gave to his son, Solomon. He even directs Solomon to know God intimately—closely, personally.

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 (underlined for emphasis.)

I find it almost ironic that David is telling his son to know the God of his ancestors—where David is an ancestor of Jesus—the very God that they are seeking.

So, how do we attain a level of intimacy with our Lord? How do you get to a level of fellowship or intimacy with anyone? Best way is to spend quality time with them in conversation—not just watching movies or videos. Engage in a level of conversation that is deeper than the weather. With the Lord—it would be digging into His word, finding facts, applying them to your life, and making connections between scripture in different places in the Bible. Times when I’ve done just that, I have found a deep peace and been filled with joy—with the love of the Lord and Holy Spirit. I can only say…try it for yourself.

Consider that by fellowshipping with the Lord we have to take the unpleasant times along with the good times. Sharing life together. For an explanation of this, read Philippians 3:10 in the Amplified version.

And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]. Philippians 3:10 AMPC

Paul is telling us that we will suffer—but we will also be resurrected! Bad news and good news. This encourages us to seek a thorough acquaintance of Him. Be prepared.

What level of fellowship or intimacy do you want to attain? Depends on your dedication to the Lord. How much time are you willing to devote to spend with Him? If you are worshipping and serving Him with your whole heart and willing mind—then there is no limit. The life-giving joy of the Lord will be flowing through your life—to others.

Verses of Salvation ~ Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. Jude 1:24-25

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

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

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMPC),

Search from Gateway Bible. https//://biblegateway.com

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, December 6, 2023

What Ministry Could Benefit from Your Leadership?

Prayer – Lord, I’ve had leadership roles all throughout my life—like in 4-H, writer’s group organizer, Women’s ministry, puppetry ministry, Sunday School teaching, Small Group facilitator, Bible study leader, and within my home alongside my husband—but what is it You want me to do now? How can I best serve You? Please give me wisdom and opportunities.

Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. Proverbs 11:14

Meditate. Are you a leader?

Are you a leader?
Do you collaborate well with others?
Does anyone want to follow your direction?
Is the Lord your Shepherd?

It has been wisely written that leaders need to take their responsibility seriously. Can you do that? I’m sort of a serious like that since I take life and any spiritual gifts seriously. It doesn’t matter which gift you’ve been given…but leadership is one that will impact many people and influence other spiritual gifts to reach their highest potential.

If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:8 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Solomon prayed for wisdom as he was about to become the leader and king of the nation of Israel. God answered him.

Give me the wisdom and knowledge to lead them properly, for who could possibly govern this great people of yours?" God said to Solomon, "Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for wealth, riches, fame, or even the death of your enemies or a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people—I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested. But I will also give you wealth, riches, and fame such as no other king has had before you or will ever have in the future!" 2 Chronicles 1:10-12

No matter what the spiritual gift is that has been bestowed on you—you have a responsibility and opportunity to serve the Lord and others by utilizing that talent or ability. Think about it as a chance to show love to God and to others. It occurred to me that part of the “responsibility” might just be in developing that skill—like practicing the piano—so that you are the best that you can be. What ministry would or could benefit from your leadership?

Verse of Salvation ~ As for me, I look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Micah 7:7-8

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

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

What Ministry Could Utilize Your Unique Gifts?

What is your gift?
Prayer – Lord God—please reveal to me how I can use my spiritual gifts to serve You in my church and my community.

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Meditate. What spiritual gifts do you have and how do you use them?

Have you ever done a Spiritual Gifts evaluation? It is a questionnaire that fill out and your response to the suggested circumstances reveals the spiritual gifts that you have. Here is one that you can download and use from Lifeway. It is not a test—just a response to traits, actions, characteristics. Everyone has at least one and this will show you your top three gifts. Over the years it can change—but usually not very much. A few years ago, our Small Group Bible Study did such an evaluation and it was amazing that within our group of about twelve people we had all the Spiritual Gifts. I hope you will try it.

The gifts are: Leadership, Administration, Teaching, Knowledge Wisdom, Prophecy, Discernment, Exhortation, Shepherding, faith, Evangelism, Apostleship, Service/Helps, Mercy, Giving, and Hospitality.

An explanation of the gifts can be read in another Lifeway page about the Spiritual Gifts. So, once you discover your spiritual gifts you can consider what in what ministry you could use those gifts. Those like Teaching, Shepherding, Service, and Giving are pretty obvious. For Evangelism you don’t have to hit the road or fly around the world…just learn how you can tell others about Jesus right where you live.

When you know your gifts and applicable ministries it is up to you to decide if and when you want to devote yourself to that ministry. As always, we have a “choice” when we have an opportunity to serve the Lord. Do you want to do what the gifts the Holy Spirit has given you?

Verses of Salvation ~ 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 1:9-10

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

Monday, December 4, 2023

How Would You Like God to Use You?

Prayer – Lord God, I recognize that there are people around the world—and in my own neighborhood and community—that don’t know You yet as their Lord and Savior. Personally, I want to be used by You—to do Your will. Provide opportunities for me to minister to others—using the gifts You have given me. May You be glorified in all that I think, say, and do. If time is growing short before You call for believers to come up to Heaven…to be raptured…then it is imperative that these lost people need to make their decision sooner rather than later. I put them in Your hands—that they would have eyes to see and ears to hear today.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10

Meditate. Consider your attitude in serving the Lord.

How would you like God to use you…to bless you?

Moses gave the children of Israel promises from God before they crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Blessings and curses. It looks to me, like always, that obedience is the key. To obey is to get one’s attitude in alignment with God and to be willing to serve Him with the gifts He has given.

If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the LORD your God: Your towns and your fields will be blessed. Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed. Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed. Deuteronomy 28:1-6 NLT

If you refuse to listen to the LORD your God and to obey the commands and decrees he has given you, all these curses will pursue and overtake you until you are destroyed. These horrors will serve as a sign and warning among you and your descendants forever. If you do not serve the LORD your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received, you will serve your enemies whom the LORD will send against you. You will be left hungry, thirsty, naked, and lacking in everything. The LORD will put an iron yoke on your neck, oppressing you harshly until he has destroyed you. Deuteronomy 28:45-48

Destruction is the result of disobedience. That hasn’t changed since the time of Adam and Eve. To obey is to be blessed. We have the power to choose what we want—how we want to live. To be blessed or to be destroyed. God has standards and has given us plenty of warnings and directions on how to please Him—if that is our preference. God is all powerful and I believe Him. He can destroy anyone who willfully disobeys Him. Those who obey will be rewarded…and those who disobey will be destroyed. Pretty simple promises. How would you like God to use you?

The Holy Spirit
Release into my life.
Use me to Your Glory, Lord God.

Verses of Salvation ~ God's purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. Ephesians 1:12-14

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

Sunday, December 3, 2023

What Attitude or Habit Needs to Change?

Prayer – Lord, search me and know my heart. You know me even better than I know myself. Open my eyes so that I can see me as You do…and then open my heart to be willing and able to change. I know my attitude just plain stinks sometimes—but as I live closer to You, I think that it’s better than it was a few years ago. Is that being egotistical? May I bring glory to You—never to myself.

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. Romans 14:17-18

Meditate. Look into your heart and consider your attitude…towards God, others, and yourself.

Are you always looking out for yourself?
Big smile...but wicked bite?
How's your attitude?

What motivates you in life? Are you trying to impress others? Are you selfishly looking out for your own interests? Something I read recently about always thinking that my ideas were the best for our home, family, whatever was really selfish. Other people’s ideas are worthy and important, too. That was really convicting to me…I think the Holy Spirit was at work in my heart! I thought I was considering other people’s interests—but was I really? What was Jesus Christ’s attitude? He truly and totally committed His life to pleasing the Father. Putting Him first. Total obedience. In our relationship to God can we be as obedient as Jesus?

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. For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!) So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham's. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, "I have made you the father of many nations." This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. Romans 4:13-17 (Underlined for emphasis.)

In our relationship to the Lord where is our attitude towards Him…and to others that He has placed in our lives? Faith is the key to setting our attitude right. Our faith is in God as our Lord, our creator, our hope and savior. In considering your spiritual goals for this month and the coming year, are there any attitudes or habits that you need to change in order to have a closer relationship with the Lord?

Verse of Salvation ~ For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, the "right time" is now. Today is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

Revised and reused portions from May 30, 2021 “Banquet With The King” blog

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

Saturday, December 2, 2023

What Would You Like to Accomplish Spiritually This Year?

Prayer – Lord, You are a spiritual being—and I want a deeper relationship with You—day by day. Please give me insight into Your word draw me closer to You.

I take joy in celebrating Christmas.
A fresh sprinkling of snow reminds
me of God's love and purity.

O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them. ... I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart. Psalm 40:5, 8

Meditate. Consider God’s plans in scripture.

Do you consider yourself to be a spiritual being? We are all part body, soul, and spirit. Those who have become believers in Christ as their Savior are indwelt by the Holy Spirit—so I’d say that we are spiritual beings. Yet, we cannot see that spiritual side of us, so I think we just kind of ignore it except when we are open to the Holy Spirit leading and guiding us. Personally, I feel that nudge of the Holy Spirit sometime just encouraging me to do something in particular for another person. I am often amazed at things I’ve written—because it is not me but the Holy Spirit that gave me just the right words. No writer’s block when the Holy Spirit is moving and evident! God is good!

So, the question is…What would you like to accomplish this year? Actually, begin with this month, this week, and today. In order to attain any goal, one must specifically identify that goal and set smaller objectives in order to reach the ultimate purpose. What could be some attainable spiritual goals? How about memorizing scripture, encouraging a non-Christian friend by just listening to them, or lifting up a Christian friend by actually praying together? You could also read your Bible and journal what the Lord is telling you through that scripture passage. As you do that on a daily basis, you’ll see how God is working in your life. I find that if I write down how God is answering prayers, guiding me and my family, then it helps me to have something to share with others about how good God is! I think that sharing the spiritual side of my life encouraging spiritual growth in myself…and others. How about you? Are you intentionally growing spiritually? Any objectives for today…this week? Choose a verse to memorize…or chat with a more mature Christian for encouragement. That’s what I plan to do—starting with Psalm 100.

Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth!

Worship the LORD with gladness.

Come before him, singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the LORD is God!

He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good.

His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Psalm 100:1-5

What will you choose to do to challenge yourself spiritually?

Verse of Salvation ~ Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness. 1 Peter 2:2-3

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, December 1, 2023

Welcome to December!

Prayer – Lord, here I am at the last month of 2023. What do You have in mind for me to do during this last month of the year? I’m still in the “waiting” for You to return--but I know that I can serve You as You wish until You call me home! Souls to win...windows to wash...books to write?

Jesus Christ was God's Gift.
We can't earn salvation.
Saved by God's grace.
Stained glass at Lord of Life
Lutheran Church, Kennewick, WA

The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me. Psalm 138:8

Meditate. Consider your goals or interests at the beginning of 2023...and now.

Do you recall this quote from last January?

“It must be borne in mind that the tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goals to reach.” —Benjamin E. Mays

Did you make any resolutions for the 2023 year and have you reached any of those objectives or goals?

Here’s the challenge for 2023—written in December 2022 and posted on the December 28, 2022 blog.

Here are some things to consider when setting Spiritual Goals for the New Year:

1. What would you like to accomplish spiritually this year?

2. What attitude or habit needs to change?

3. How would you like God to use you?

4. What ministry could utilize your unique gifts?

5. What ministry could benefit from your leadership?

6. What level of intimacy would you like to have with God?

7. What friend would you like to lead to Christ?

8. Who do you want to be your mentor…and who do you want to mentor?

As you consider these questions, think about what steps you can take on a monthly, weekly and daily basis to attain these goals. We need goals in lots of areas of our lives to challenge us—at work, at home, with physical fitness and with diet or nutrition (how many pounds do you want to lose this year?). Let me challenge you to seek to set some spiritual goals for 2023. Without a goal we fail to attain anything. As Lawrence J. Peter said…

If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.

Where are you going spiritually in 2023?

Only 31 days left in 2023. What are you going to do in those days to honor God? What spiritual goal will you set for yourself this month…and for the coming year? I didn't exactly meet my 2023 goals--but I have managed to continue to blog every day this past year. I feel good about that, but I didn't get another children's book written. Oh well. Another year ahead of us all. If you are not a goal setter—how will you spend your time during these last days in 2023?

Verse of Salvation ~ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:8-10

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Celebrating an early Christmas—with a family Chinese dinner—this weekend. A feast indeed!

Our Chinese Menu:

Egg Rolls/Lumpia – we are making them ourselves. Learning experience for the grandkids!

Beef and Broccoli

Sweet & Sour Shrimp

Teriyaki Chicken

Fried Rice

Cucumber Salad

Jasmine Tea

Dessert – Angel Food Cake with Strawberries and Whipped Cream

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