Banquet With The King

Monday, May 6, 2024

Good Advice Today and Always

Prayer – Lord, the world is a scary place—and it is getting more alarming every day. As we read and study Your word, give us wisdom to obey and show us how to apply it to our lives. Thank you that You are with us wherever we go.

"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 1:6-9 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture.

Don’t turn to the right or the left—just follow God’s instructions to the letter. Don’t stray off His path.

The world can be a scary place—but God has promised to be with us wherever we go. Joshua was about to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. A place inhabited with people who didn’t just want to give up their territory. Joshua and the Israelites had to fight for it, with God’s help. Joshua was also told by God three times in this passage to be strong and courageous. God didn’t say be wimpy and scared. No. Stand up—be strong. Be courageous—not cowardly. Good advice for us all. We need to make good choices on where we go and with our attitude as we go there. Be strong and of good courage.

Do you want to be prosperous and successful in everything you do? God gives us His guidelines. Of course, they had the Ten Commandments, but additionally here God told Joshua to obey those instruction and not to deviate from them. It is important to study them daily—meditating on them day and night. Obedience is the key. Is this a prosperity gospel? I don’t think God intended it for that, nor can we hold Him to that as a promise. We’d might just be disappointed, since God blesses those He want to bless. But God did give Joshua that command—Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or discouraged. We can count on God always being with us…and isn’t that more important than all the riches we could accumulate in prosperity?

Zander at Trident Technical College graduation
You will be scattered…but you are not alone.
Be strong and courageous.

Some of Jesus’ parting words to His disciples tells us that He knew that the Father God was with Him. He will be with us always, too.

Jesus asked, "Do you finally believe? But the time is coming—indeed it's here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:31-33

Verse of Salvation ~ But LORD, be merciful to us, for we have waited for you. Be our strong arm each day and our salvation in times of trouble. Isaiah 33:2 NLT

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

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Be Prepared

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, the Scouts motto is “Be Prepared” and You told Your disciples that is what they should do…to be ready. We should be ready for anything—physically or spiritually. Now that Zander has completed his Eagle Scout project and today is his Eagle Court—we give You the praise that he has been prepared and attained this goal. Likewise, his parents have encouraged him and stood beside him all the way, so they’ve reached an admirable goal, too. Thank you for blessing them. Indeed, they can do all things through You, as You give them strength.

I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. ... I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:1-2, 7-8 NLT (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Be prepared…for what?

Be ready! Ready. Set. Go. There are so many things daily we for which we have to be ready. For school, work, appointments, meals, sporting events, church services and activities, meetings with friends or family, social commitments…and the list goes on. The Bible gives us other examples of things for which we should be ready:

When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:13

If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21

It is our choice to choose the things we want to be ready for…to be prepared to do. Choices make us who we are as each choice opens or closes the doors to other opportunities or events. Even thoughts are choices we make—choose to think good things. One of my favorite verses encourages us to do just that.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8

An Eagle Scout is just that—honorable, pure, and admirable. Keep up the good work!

Verses of Salvation ~ Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

Congratulations Zander!

You’ve Attained the Rank of Eagle Scout!

You can do anything—You can!

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, May 4, 2024

What Day is Your Sabbath?

Prayer – Lord God, I’ve been confused over the years about celebrating the Sabbath. Some people say that Christians don’t have to observe Your commandment about keeping the Sabbath on Saturday—as declared in the Ten Commandments, while others say that Sunday is the Sabbath since that was the day that Jesus was raised from the dead. Please give me insight into not only when to observe the Sabbath, but how to observe it. I certainly don’t want to “work” on Your Sabbath day…and be put to death for that!

Synagogue at Capernaum
Israel

"Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don't pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD's holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don't follow your own desires or talk idly. Then the LORD will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the LORD, havespoken!" Isaiah 58:13-14

Meditate. Consider God’s command about the Sabbath.

From where does celebrating the Sabbath originate? In the beginning, after God created everything, He rested. He took a break from His work. Resting is an important part of the Sabbath Day. God declared that day—the seventh day—holy.

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

The first time we see an actual Sabbath Day declared is when the children of Israel on their Exodus pilgrimage complained because they were hungry. God supplied their needs with manna and quail for six days with twice as much on that sixth day to last them through the seventh day—the Sabbath.

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Look, I'm going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they will gather food, and when they prepare it, there will be twice as much as usual." ... He told them, "This is what the LORD commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the LORD. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow." So they put some aside until morning, just as Moses had commanded. And in the morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor. Moses said, "Eat this food today, for today is a Sabbath day dedicated to the LORD. There will be no food on the ground today. You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day." Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food. The LORD asked Moses, "How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions? They must realize that the Sabbath is the LORD's gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day." So the people did not gather any food on the seventh day. The Israelites called the food manna. It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey wafers. - Exodus 16:4-5, 23-31 NLT

Then God gave Moses the Ten Commandments which specifically dedicated the seventh day as the Sabbath.

Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. Exodus 20:8-11

God was very specific about His people observing the sabbath and what would happen to them if they ignored His command. He gave these instructions to the Hebrew people through Moses at the time that He inscribed the Ten Commandments onto the sacred stones.

"Tell the people of Israel: 'Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy. You must keep the Sabbath day, for it is a holy day for you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the LORD. Anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death. The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day by observing it from generation to generation. This is a covenant obligation for all time. It is a permanent sign of my covenant with the people of Israel. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and was refreshed.'" Exodus 31:13-17

Death for not observing the Sabbath?! That seems pretty serious. Can we assume that God still holds us to that expectation? On which day are Christians to observe the Sabbath? Saturday or Sunday? Is another day that is appropriate? We’ll look at this again soon. In the meantime, pray about it and ask for God’s wisdom, understanding, and mercy as you contemplate the Sabbath. The decision is your own as to what you do to observe God’s Day and what day of the week is for your Sabbath.

Verse of Salvation ~ Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, "It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. For the Lord gave us this command when he said, 'I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.'" When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers. Acts 13:46-48 (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

Friday, May 3, 2024

Time for New Goals

Prayer – Lord God, I want to live to please You and I want the same for my family and friends—pure, holy lives—filled with love for God and each other.

Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. ... God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. But we don't need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another. Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more. Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others. 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 7-12

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

Shultz Family Baptism - Atlantic Ocean
Foley Beach, SC

Zander—you’ve achieved not just one—but three important goals this spring! Of all your lifetime goals achieved I think that probably the most important of all was your baptism along with your whole family in the Atlantic Ocean a year ago in October. What a fantastic spiritual day! Now you’ve achieved what some people only dream of—an Associate of Science degree from Trident Technical College! Onward to your next goal! Half-way to a Bachelor’s Degree. No matter what goal you have in mind…or just want to consider or explore, God is with you. I love the promise that He will never leave us or forsake us. You can claim that promise day by day, too. As I claim it daily, I’ll share it with you!

Goals are always good to have. Three gentlemen with whom I once worked were very goal oriented. As soon as they reached one goal…like traveling and fishing in New Zealand, or hiking in Nepal, they had a new goal mind and set their sights on achieving that goal. Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica that they should…make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. A quiet life. Working with your hands. The previous instructions seem to include living a life that is worthy and pleasing to God.

We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:12

So. with the encouragement from your folks, you’ve achieved this AS degree goal. You are on your own now—what is your next goal? You are faithful to God, your family, and friends. I love the way you’ve always been an encouragement and supporter of your sisters with their juvenile arthritis and health issues. God has a plan for you. Continue to seek Him and He will give a good future—sharing in His glory.

For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:11-13

We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5

Verse 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. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

When I think of hot beverages—I think about cold days, and we are about done with those. But a good steaming hot cup of coffee in the morning—or after dinner is always welcome. I’m not a big coffee drinker, but my husband is and has taken to roasting and grinding his own coffee beans. He also enjoys Chai Tea so when I came across this recipe for Chai Coffee on Homemade Cooking and on Karen’s Country Kitchen on Facebook, wanted to try it. Anyway—if you are looking for a little change in your coffee routine, try this. I’m looking forward to experiencing it as an iced coffee soon.

Chai Coffee

1 c. ground coffee

1 tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground cardamon

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

1/8 tsp ground ginger

Mix well and brew as usual.

Congratulations Zander!

You’ve Graduated with an AS from Trident Technical College!

You can do anything—You can!

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

Thursday, May 2, 2024

Wash Your Hands - Traditional Ritual

Prayer – Lord, cleanse my heart. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Handwashing station at an Israeli hotel
Water must be flowing to wash before eating.
Your hands are clean. Is your heart?

One day some Pharisees and teachers of religious law arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They noticed that some of his disciples failed to follow the Jewish ritual of hand washing before eating. (The Jews, especially the Pharisees, do not eat until they have poured water over their cupped hands, as required by their ancient traditions. Similarly, they don't eat anything from the market until they immerse their hands in water. This is but one of many traditions they have clung to—such as their ceremonial washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles.) So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, "Why don't your disciples follow our age-old tradition? They eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony." Jesus replied, "You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.' For you ignore God's law and substitute your own tradition." Then he said, "You skillfully sidestep God's law in order to hold on to your own tradition. For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: 'Honor your father and mother,' and 'Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.' But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, 'Sorry, I can't help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.' In this way, you let them disregard their needy parents. And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others." Mark 7:1-13 NLT

Meditate. Consider Jesus’ guidance in scripture.

Tradition. Rituals. Handwashing is a good thing. God so wisely taught Moses that the Jewish people needed to wash their hands before eating. Think of the germs that were washed away by that simple action. We do the same today. How many times have you already washed or sanitized your hands today…or in the last twenty-four hours? God gave Moses…and us…laws for our safety. Handwashing is just one of them.

Jesus pointed out in this discussion with the Pharisees that handwashing was a legalistic ritual; that they were only wanting to honor God with their words—not with their hearts. Jesus was referring to Isaiah’s words.

And so the Lord says, "These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote. Because of this, I will once again astound these hypocrites with amazing wonders. The wisdom of the wise will pass away, and the intelligence of the intelligent will disappear." Isaiah 29:13-14

Is your worship a farce? Do you honor God with words, but not your heart, just to follow the tradition of your church or group of friends?

This is not where I thought this blog was going when I sat down to write today. Handwashing is important…but apply that spiritually. When was the last time you washed your spirit and cleansed your heart? We are told to pray continually. What is your unceasing prayer?

The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them. How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. - Psalm 19:8-14

Is tradition and ritual important to you or do you want to please the Lord?

Verse of Salvation ~ I wait for your salvation, LORD, and I follow your commands. Psalm 119:166 NIV

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 1, 2024

What Was Your First Thought This Morning?

Sunrise
What was your first thought this morning?

Prayer – Lord, You created us to be continually thinking…and I do. From the moment I wake up until I drift off to sleep, my mind is always thinking, observing, analyzing, creating, zinging away with thoughts. Today I as I woke up my first thought was it’s a new day—created by You. You deserve all the praise, glory and honor for each day—but there are days I just want to roll over and go back to sleep. That’s a good thought, too. I know You are always with me. I am glad for that—I rejoice in Your presence.

O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! Psalm 139:1-7 NLT

Meditate. Consider God’s presence in your life.

God knows our thoughts no matter where we are—or what time of day. Is that a scary thought to you? If your thoughts are pure—then there’s no problem. With the billions of people in the world, it is amazing that God knows everyone’s thoughts, words, and actions, but He is omniscient. Amazing! He sees us when we travel—across town or around the world. Actually, I like that He places His hand of blessing on my head. It validates that promise that He will never leave me or forsake me. That has been such an assurance to me. When I had to face difficult things—like dealing with my dead sister’s household things and staying in her nearly empty, spooky house—I was not alone. Just day by day, I am not alone. What a wonderful, comforting thought. I will never have to be lonely.

The Holy Spirit is continually with me even as I tap away on the keys of my computer…I am not alone. I am very grateful for that. The Holy Spirit routinely inspires me as I write. If you ever have writer’s block—pray. God is good to hear our prayers…and His words in the Bible are so very encouraging and motivating. I’m glad that I can never escape from your Spirit! May my first thought every morning be about God and His greatness. That knowledge is too wonderful for me and too great for me to understand, but bring on the thoughts and inspiration, Lord. How great thou art!

Verse of Salvation ~ "When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life." Titus 3:4-7 NLT

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