December 6 – Truth Changes Lives

But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you. John 16:7-15

 

Truth. Jesus always told the truth—and here in these red letter words He is telling His disciples that He is “telling the truth.” The disciples loved Jesus so much…you could tell that they did since they did what He asked of them, and they listened intently to His teaching…and followed Him throughout Galilee, Judea and even through Samaria. Now He was talking about going away—and He knew that they would be sad about that. He was trying to encourage them by telling them about the Holy Spirit, the Helper. He mentioned some specific traits of the Holy Spirit:

·         Convicts the world of sin

·         Reveals righteousness

·         Shows Judgment

·         Shows or revels the truth to believers

·         Speaks what the Father tells Him to say

·         Tell what will happen in the future

·         Glorifies Jesus

I know that the Holy Spirit not only helps me remember scripture—but also where lost things are…and found parking places! Healing, comforting touches, joyful moments and changed attitudes (mine) are all things that I can attribute to the Holy Spirit. My life would be sorrowfully sad, depressing, unremarkably boring and shallow without inspiration and guidance from the Holy Spirit. How about you? How do you see the Holy Spirit working in your life…in that of your spouse and your children? Sometimes we just need to look around or deeply within ourselves to see how God is at work in our lives. When you find that…share it with someone else—tell me about it.  

Prayer- Thank you Jesus for surrendering Your life for us and for allowing the Holy Spirit to come and indwell within us that our lives would be changed.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

December 5 - Don't Stumble

These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?' But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.  John 16:1-6  

Have you ever had a loved one that told you they were dying—going to “go away” permanently? That must have been how the disciples felt when Jesus kept talking about going away. Jesus was preparing them for the trials and rejections that they were surely going to have to go though—just because they were His followers. He had just talked to them about pruning, and then being hated…and now death. How disturbing this prophesy about their future must have been. Death. Their death. Jesus talked a lot—about a lot of different things—and there were more topics ahead that would be even more mystifying. This was an intensely deep teaching time at the Passover dinner. Jesus last Passover meal. He wanted to warn them and encourage them not to fall away from His teaching. Don’t stumble. 

May these words to His disciples encourage us, too. Don’t stumble or fall away from Jesus teaching if you feel persecution. When you feel like an outcast or think that someone is plotting your demise, then consider what Jesus went through and what He did for you. Unlike His disciples, we know the rest of the story…His death and resurrection. We don’t have to wonder where Jesus went…we know that He has gone to Heaven, and that He will return one day to take us to be with Him there. That knowledge is like a spiritual feast. Savor those words—He will return and call us to go up to Heaven with Him. Hang in there—and believe. Believe in Jesus as not only your Savior—but as Lord of your life. And He shall reign forever and ever. King of Kings. Lord of Lords. Hallelujah! 

Heavenly Father—Thank you for your plan for our lives, for sending Jesus to pay the price for our sins. You have an awesome Son. I look forward to a spiritual feast with You—for Your words are savory to my ears…as well as to my heart and very soul.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

December 4 – Hate

He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, 'THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.' When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.  John 15:23-27 

Hate is such an awful word. Hate is such an awful feeling—to hate or to be hated. Hating Jesus without a cause is now history—but it must have been heart wrenching for the disciples and His followers at that time. And the feeling of rejection that went along with the hatefulness that Jesus continually suffered could only have been endured by our Savior.  

It must have been confusing for the disciples to understand about the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of truth that Jesus was talking about. Now we just take for granted the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. There was a great discussion about the Holy Spirit’s role in our live just this last Sunday in the Sunday School class I attend. The Holy Spirit comes into our lives, filling us, when we accept Jesus as our Savior and make Him Lord of our lives. He continues to dwell within us always. We just feel that the presence of the Spirit more at some time than at others because we are yielding more of ourselves—and thus allowing the Holy Spirit to flow through us. More of Him and less of us. That is what I want—more of Him and less of “me”.  

Thank you Jesus for taking on the rejection of the world as well as the forgiveness of our sins—just for us—for our salvation. Take my life and use me to serve others—to direct them to You.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

December 3 – IF

If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.  John 15:18-22

Our son’s favorite sayings when he was a small boy was…“what if?”! And our daughter’s favorite was… “I know.” So still today we at least inwardly grin if we hear…what if or I know. Here Jesus keeps repeating “IF.” If the world hates you…if you were of the world…if they persecuted Me…If I had not come…. But Jesus defends us in all these things—remember again that He has chosen us. We are not greater than Him but we are part of His family. We may have to suffer some things because we have chosen Him, but He chose us first and has paid a great price for us…for our salvation. That price has bought us a great spiritual feast—that began the day we accepted Him as our Savior. So savor His words and if you ever have to face persecution, remember His words and focus on them—and on Jesus Himself. He has promised, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5. Claim that promise now and always. I do.   

Jesus—Thank you that you have promised to never leave us or forsake us—for we are your family and family sticks close together.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

December 2 - Love One Another

This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another. John 15:12-17

 

Do you remember choosing teams for sports in grade school and junior high? I was never very good at sports so I always cringed when it came time for team selection. I didn’t want the humiliation of being chosen last…or even next to the last. Jesus tells us here in these red letter words that we didn’t choose Him, but He chose us. It is so comforting and yet humbling to know that I have been chosen by God—He picked me for His team—a team of Jews and Gentiles.

 

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

 

And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles. Romans 9:23-24

 

It gives me such confidence to know that God chose me from among the billions of people that He has created—He looked down and said—I want you on my team…part of my family. Yes. I’m adopted into God’s family. He predestined us to adoption as sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will…. Ephesians 1:5. Family! Are you part of God’s family, too? If you believe in Jesus as your savior—then you have been call and are adopted into The Family. So Jesus also tells us in these red letter words to “love one another” and that is what families are supposed to do—love one another.

 

How do you show your love? Friendly greetings, hugs, encouragement, training and correction, share material needs or blessings, rejoice together during happy times, and comfort each other in times of sorrow or hardships. Love one another just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. That is a lot of love. Who in your circle of family and friends would be willing to lay down his or her life for you—or you for them? I don’t know if I could do that for many people…though for my family and friends I think that I could. I would take a bullet for them.

 

Dear Jesus—I’m asking, in Your name, that I would be strong enough if necessary to “take a bullet” for anyone in my family—or for any of my friends. I feel so privileged to be part of Your family. Please continue to bless those I come in contact with that they would see You and seek You with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength. Thank you for loving us.

 

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

December 1 - Joy

"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” John 15:9-11 

Remember how Moses got so mad at the Israelites and broke the first set of Ten Commandments? Picture it in the Ten Commandments movie. God keeps repeating over and over in the Bible in the Old and New Testaments—keep my commandments. See the following verses.

…but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. Exodus 20:6

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments…. Proverbs 3:1

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:15  

Jesus tell us in these red letter verses that He was giving us this advice so that we could have His joy! Joy is something that brings great happiness—especially a spiritual kind. Now there’s a promise to claim…we can have His joy and it will fill us up. That is kind of a feast of joyousness. The NASB version of the Bible has “joy” listed 182 times. That is a lot of joyfulness. We can claim it every day…not just during this “joyful” season of Christmas. 

What gives you joy? Well—for starters knowing that we’ve gone an hour or a day without breaking a commandment—remember it is in thought as well as in action that that counts for meeting Jesus criteria. Other sources of joy for me are laughing with my grandchildren, walking in the fresh crisp air, baking a cake or cookies for someone without being asked to do that, and just watching others around me share hugs and appreciation of each other. This time of the year really is a joyous time—especially at mealtimes with family and friends. May you create some joyous memories with your family and friends during this advent season. 

Lord Jesus—as we look into the manger scene and see you as the Baby—the gift to us from God the Father may we be filled with joy and motivated to keep your commandments.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 30 - Looking Ahead to Pruning Time

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” John 15:1-8 

We live in wine country in the Northwest—there are 40,000 acres of vineyards with over 140 wineries here in Washington State. With that many acres of grapes there is a lot of pruning that happens in late winter, just before spring. Some of the vines die off in the winter and others are just not in the optimum growth pattern for producing lots of fruit, so the grape growers or their workers prune the vines. The growers look for the best balance between vegetative growth and fruit. The pruner selects the best vertical branch and ties it up, training it, while he removes the weaker, lateral and dead branches. Lateral branches tend to just grow leaves, not much fruit. That pruning is just what God does with us. Those that aren’t seeking Him or growing upright would be cut off from a relationship with Jesus. Once the branches are cut off they are discarded—Jesus tells us they are thrown into the fire and burned up. That would be casting them into Hell. Hmm. What do you want to be? Pruned to produce more fruit or cut off completely and sent to Hell?  

Once again—ASK! Jesus is telling His disciples to ask for whatever they want. There are at least 44 times that the word “ask” is used in the gospels (NASB version). Here are a couple of those verses. “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10 "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 18:19 "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13 Ask away—that your needs may be met and that you would be closer to Jesus—to know Him more deeply. 

Jesus is always pointing us to glorifying God. That is His aim and focus. How do we glorify God?  …and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, "THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME." - Romans 15:9 I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever. Psalm 86:12 These verses tell us that we glorify God by praising Him, by giving thanks, by singing…in addition I think that we glorify Him in our obedience, by the way we live, act and speak that gives Him honor. When we study (not just read) His word, meditate on it and pray, we also glorify God.

How do you personally glorify God? 

Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. (Matthew 6:9-13) May You be glorified in all that we do, say and think—for You are worthy of all glory and honor. Amen.    

Happy Birthday  - to my Heavenly niece, Vicki—who would have been 37 years old today.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 29 – Don’t Let Your Heart Be Troubled

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. "You heard that I said to you, 'I go away, and I will come to you.' If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe. I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me; but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here.”  John 14:27-31

I was worried…and afraid. I was in labor and the doctor had just told me that I was going to have a baby girl. That was what he had guessed just a week earlier—that was in the days before ultrasounds. When he examined me during my labor, he knew I was having a girl because she was breach. Now a nurse was prepping me for a possible cesarean—a C-section—a knife slicing into my fat belly. My husband was in the waiting room but I was half a world away from my mother. Who was going to take care of the baby and me if I had to have a C-section? Certainly not my husband—he was too busy with his job. I pleaded with God to let this baby be born naturally—Oh, don’t let them slice me open. Then God gave me His peace—don’t let your heart be troubled or afraid. No Fear! It was 1975 and my husband was stationed in Okinawa. We were there just a month before our daughter was born during a typhoon—naturally without a C-section. I was able to take care of our first precious little baby—and all was well—at peace. 

God is good—all the time! That time in Okinawa I felt real fear. There were other times when we lived there that I felt real fear—like when we almost drove off of a cliff because the road just ended without any warning signs. We had to push the car back onto the road. No fear. Prayer is powerful. God is always with us—but that time I thought we might be leaving and going to the Father. He had other things for us to do—and still does. We rejoice because we know that Jesus is with the Father—and hears our prayers. We look forward to the day that He will come back to get us and we will have a banquet with Him in Heaven. In the mean time we feast on His words and know we need to tell others about Jesus. How about you? Are you sharing with others how Jesus has touched your life in ways that give you peace? Don’t let your heart be troubled—but do share your life with others. Gather them into a spiritual banquet with you. 

Dear Jesus—give us your peace. Help us help others that they can experience life without fear. No Fear! Just precious peace flowing into our hearts and out to others.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 28 – Where Did I Leave My Keys?

Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me. These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:22-26 

If I could just remember…. How many times have you said that to yourself? As we get older it seems to be a phrase that is heard more often with friends and family, too. There are just so many brain synapse to connect with within our brains—and as we get older there are more memories that need to be accessed. It is truly a comforting thought that the Holy Spirit will teach us and help us remember Jesus words—I’ve experienced that. Somehow the scripture comes to life more if it can be applied to everyday situations—life today. One of our associate pastors was great at memorizing entire Psalms—and it was so beautiful and inspiring to hear him recite those Psalms. I felt like I was doing great just to remember Psalm 1 that I memorized for Confirmation Class when I was in the seventh grade. Of course I also know the 23^rd Psalm—or at least I thought I did. A few years ago I recited it…and discovered that I was leaving out a verse. There are only six verses—so leaving one out is critical. Now I can easily recall those six verses correctly. I challenge myself to say it frequently—and meditate on the meaning of the words as I say it. It has a lot to say—and is so comforting. There are so many promises from God in those six little verses. He provides for us and will never leave us.

A friend of mine is amazing with scripture memory and it is the Holy Spirit that helps her. She encourages many people to “hide God’s word in their hearts.” That is what scripture memorization is all about. I’ve had a difficult time with memorization—although I can remember birthdates and phone numbers from ages ago! Now if I could just remember where I left my keys?! 

Holy Spirit—fill me with Jesus’ words that I would not only remember them, but apply them to my life…and share them with others around me.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 27 – Keeping Commandments

"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him." John 14:15-21 

Keep my commandments. There are at least 14 verses that tell us to keep God’s commandments. An early one is found in Exodus 20:5-6, “You shall not worship them (idols) or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” What a promise—He will show lovingkindnesss to those who love Him and keep His commandments. Why is it so hard for us humans to do this? Our very nature allows for sin to creep in. We get our eyes off God, onto idols like money, TV, or sports heroes. We might treat our parents poorly—not honoring them as we should or we start “wanting” what someone else has—coveting their stuff. Pretty soon we’ve broken all ten of the commandments—if not actually, then just in our hearts and minds. Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount that to think about adultery is to commit it—that goes for each of the other nine commandments.  

I know Jesus as my savior, but I need that other Helper—the Holy Spirit to help keep me in line, focused on God’s commandments. The Holy Spirit is the one who prompts me to do right—who checks my thought life and leads me in the path of righteousness—for God’s sake. That is from Psalm 23—once again the Holy Spirit is in action helping me recall some great scripture and applying it to my life. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Psalm 23:3. Does the Holy Spirit do that for you? Have you been “filled” with the Holy Spirit? If not, ask, and you will receive. And your heart will be filled to overflowing with a peace and love that just flows out to others. Amazing and wonderful. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness—and all these things will be added to your life. Paraphrase of Matthew 6:33. 

Dear Jesus—I love you and am trying to keep Your commandments. Continue to guide me and fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I would have Your peace, joy , and love flowing through me to others around me.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 26 – ASK

"Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14 

This is the ultimate “gimme” opportunity! Whatever! Are you sure, Lord? Whatever!?! Wait this has to be something that will glorify You. It can’t be…gimme a new Mercedes Benz or a cabin in the mountains…or a condo in Hawaii and free air travel there for the rest of my life! Those things wouldn’t glorify You. But please give saving faith to my neighbor and ease the pain in my aunt’s hip and my granddaughters’ legs. It is our human nature to want things—but to want things that give glory to God we have to think a bit. Consider what you would want Jesus to do for you. Would it bring glory and honor to Him? 

Ask away…this is the time of the year that everyone wants things for themselves and others. There are so many in need. It reminds me of when Mary poured the oil from the alabaster jar over Jesus feet and some of the disciples criticized her for it. Jesus said to leave her alone and then He said, "For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me." John 12:8. We do have Jesus with us now…in the form of the Holy Spirit, living in our hearts, if we have accepted Him as our Savior. Ask away…for things that will glorify God the Father through Jesus…salvation of family and friends, help for the poor, healing for the sick and ailing, grace for each of us to live the way He wants us to, and power to overcome the evil around us. Those are things that are worthy of Him. He wants us to be specific in our prayers. As you consider what to pray for, search the scriptures and pray those scriptures back to the Lord. That alone gives Him glory. Here’s an example: Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6. And…I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake. Philemon 1:6   

Heavenly Father…You are worthy of our praise…our glory and honor. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus, and for all that You have provided and done for us. Specifically I thank you for my salvation, and for the salvation of my husband, daughter, son, and their spouses. Please do touch my granddaughters’ bodies and allow them to be free of arthritis pain. Touch my aunt’s hip and give her a joyous pain free day even though it is cold and wintery today. I love you, Lord. There are so many needs…please especially grant wisdom in the hearts of our nation’s leaders. May You shower us all with Your peace, joy and love as we seek and serve You. I ask these things in Jesus precious and holy name. Amen.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 25 - An Obedient Son Prays

“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him." Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.” John 14:7-12 

“If you knew me…” Jesus said that to the Jews (John 8:19) and now He is saying the same thing to His disciples. You would think that after about three years together that the disciples would know who Jesus was. Knowing Jesus is knowing the Father. Like Father, Like Son. Jesus speaks what His Father tells to say. He is an obedient Son. Do you speak what pleases your father and mother? Do your children speak what you would have them say? Have you taught them to be polite and obedient? Children must be taught to be obedient—they don’t just do it on their own. One instruction in the Bible says…Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Ephesians 6:1. Also read 2 Corinthians 10 for a discussion of obedience and disobedience. It is best to consider scripture in the context it is written, rather than pulling out a verse, or part of a verse, that has a particular word or phrase in it.  

Jesus says for us to believe in Him and in the works, the miracles, that He did, we will be able to do, too. I haven’t calmed a storm, raised any lame, given sight to any blind, or raised anyone from the dead. Is my faith not strong enough—or have I just not asked? Jesus tells us in Luke 11:9 (and Matthew 7:7) "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” So, we need to ask, believing, that miracles will be done IN JESUS’ NAME. In John 14:14, Jesus said, “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” We certainly cannot do them on our own.  

Last July when it was hot I was watching my three year old grandson play in his backyard. I had just given him a drink of water and he was standing on the back porch. He looked up at the sky and shouted at the top of his lungs, “Give us some wind!” I asked him if he was praying to God and he nodded. So I said, “You can whisper and Jesus can hear you.” So he whispered, “Please, Jesus, give us some wind.” I didn’t want him to be disappointed if God didn’t answer his prayer, so I said, “Isaac, sometimes we don’t always get a quick answer from God—He hears us, but He may not want to answer our prayer right away—He has lots of prayers to answer.” Well, I no sooner had stopped speaking than we could see the leaves in the trees in the neighbor’s yard moving gently—and then right over the fence came the breeze, rustling the leaves on the trees in Isaac’s yard. Oh my—that kid has the power of prayer! I turned to him and said, “Well, Isaac, what do you say to Jesus?” He just nodded and said, “Thank-you Jesus.” And then he went on playing, refreshed by the gentle breeze that was cooling him off a bit. 

Ask and you will receive. Believe with the faith like a child.

Thank You Jesus for hearing our prayers. We believe in You.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 24 - The Reason for the Season

Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:5-6 

The Way. The Truth. The Life.

Truth be told Jesus is the only way to Heaven—to eternal life on the positive side of things. Jesus is our Way. Our way to eternal life. Our way to love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, as listed in Galatians 5:22-23. 

Jesus is the truth—the epitome of honesty. He never told a lie. He offers us truth. He offers us life—with Him, eternally. 

Peace is special at this time of the year. Peace in the world and peace in our hearts. This is the season of unmet expectations—may God give you the grace to look past disappointments and keep your eyes on Jesus—the reason for the season that begins right after Thanksgiving—the Christmas Season. Jesus came to show us The Way, The Truth, and The Life. To share Himself with the world.  

Thank you Jesus for opening our eyes to see You for You are The Way, The Truth, and The Life.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

November 23 - A Mansion in the Sky for You

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going."

John 14:1-4

 

A mansion in the sky just for you. Some translations of the Bible translate this passage as “dwelling places”, others translate it as mansion…or as many rooms. At any rate Jesus has gone to Heaven to prepare a place for us…so that we can go to where He is. I love this passage—I blogged it May 30^th. Jesus promised that He would prepare a place for us. In the Hebrew custom, when a couple became engaged, the bridegroom would add a room onto his father’s home. Their marriage would not happen until the father said that the dwelling place was ready for the new couple. It couldn’t just be thrown together. It had to be well constructed and approved by the father. He was like the building inspector—no shabby construction project on his family home. When everything was in order the father would send for the bride from her father’s home and for the wedding guests. When they arrived at the bridegroom’s home, a weeklong marriage party would begin. A feast with the groom and bride.

 

All we can be assured of is that when the time is right, when our new home is ready, God the Father will send His Son to get us (the bride—His church) and take us there to His heavenly home. Then we will have a feast at the King’s Banquet Table with the King of Kings providing a bountiful meal fit for His bride. No Thanksgiving leftovers for this feast. Spiritually we can feast on the King’s word everyday—and it is as great a banquet as we could ever want to feast upon. We just have to open our Bibles, read, and open our hearts and minds to a real communion with God. Focus on Him. Don’t have anxiety or let yourself be upset, troubled. God can give you His peace and a home in Heaven, just for you. How good can that be?

 

I dream about that room or mansion that Jesus is preparing for me. How about you…is a mansion in the sky in your dreams?

 

Dear Jesus—I put my trust in you so that my heart is not troubled. I believe in You—and in God the Father. I am so excited that You are preparing a “home” for me in Heaven—what is it like? Wood floors or plush carpet? Can You have the walls painted a nice mocha color—or will they all be brilliant, pure white—or like a rainbow, changing throughout the day? There are so many possibilities—and You are so creative. I trust that whatever my new home is going to be, it will be perfect.  

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).