The Spirit Lives in You

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people (false prophets), because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world's viewpoint, and the world listens to them. But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception. 1 John 4:4-6 NLT

 

Greater is He that is in me…in us…that he that is in the world. A favorite verse to comfort and strengthen a fellow believer going through a trial or tough time. God will fight our battles for us. Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the LORD your God fights for you, just as he has promised. Joshua 23:10 NLT. What a marvelous thought! God—and His army—fights for us. He always wins in the end. We may not see His army…we don’t have spiritual vision, but that doesn’t mean that they are not there. When Joshua fought the battle of Jericho a great mighty warrior appeared to him. He asked if the warrior was for him or against him, “friend or foe?” The warrior replied…"Neither one," he replied. "I am the commander of the LORD's army." At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. "I am at your command," Joshua said. "What do you want your servant to do?" Joshua 5:14 NLT. Are you looking for God’s help…for His army to do your spiritual battles?  If you belong to God you have already won. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

 

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, we belong to You. Surround us with Your army as You fight our battles. We praise and thank you.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

 

Test What You Hear

Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here. 1 John 4:1-3 NLT

 

Test what you hear others saying. Do they believe that Jesus is who He says He is? That as God, He came to earth as a real man? Be careful of false prophets. Listen closely, not naively or blindly, to what preachers and teachers are saying and judge their words against the Word of God. Don’t be mesmerized by their smooth talking. Evaluate for yourself what they are saying. Listen to yourself speak, too. Make sure that you are telling the truth when you are telling others about Jesus—about God the Father and the Holy Spirit.

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, guide us in all truth that we would be witnesses for Jesus and would listen closely to what others are preaching and teaching so we clearly evaluate what we hear.

 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Transformed

And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit….” John 20:22

 

Jesus was with His disciples in the Upper Room after His resurrection. He walked into the room…without going through the locked door. Hmmm. What does that tell us about His resurrected body? He could walk through walls. Our resurrected bodies will one day be like His.

Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man. What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:48-53 NLT.

We will be transformed…just like Jesus. Will we be able to walk through walls? In heaven will there be walls like we have on earth? So many questions…so little time.

 

Jesus breathed on the disciples and they received the Holy Spirit. Then again at Pentecost about three thousand people received the Holy Spirit.  And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts 2:4 NLT. People can receive the Holy Spirit in groups or individually. One amazing thing now is that unlike those in the Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit remains…abides in us.

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit—come and live with us. We receive You into our hearts and lives that we would be transformed like Jesus—spiritually obedient and eternally loving.

 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Glory to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.' John 16:13-15 NLT

 

One thing that The Holy Spirit and Jesus have in common is that they both listen and speak what they hear. Here in this scripture today we see that the Holy Spirit speaks what He hears from Jesus. Jesus speaks what He hears from the Father. For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me. John 12:49-50. Jesus’ focus was to give glory to the Father…and the Holy Spirit’s goal is to give glory to the Son…to Jesus. As an example for us…we shouldn’t speak on our own initiative, but on what we hear…from the Holy Spirit…or from what we read in God’s word. May God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be glorified in what we think, say and do.

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, guide us into all truth. Show us things about Jesus that we didn’t understand…or that we just didn’t see before. Set our hearts on fire to share what Jesus is doing in our lives—and about the eternal life that is offered to us as a gift from God. A gift. No work involved.

 

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

 

Are You Listening? Are You Sharing?

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 15:26-27

 

The Helper, the Spirit of Truth—the Holy Spirit. He comes from the Father—from Heaven. Heaven is the “home” of the Holy Spirit—along with Father God and Jesus Christ, who is seated at the right hand of the Father. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God. Luke 22:69. This same Holy Spirit is with us here now…and testifies about Jesus. He tells us what we need to know—confirming the truth about Jesus. Jesus told His disciples that they would testify about Him, too—because they had been with Him since the beginning of His ministry. They had seen Him heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons, and raise the dead—and He gave them power to do the same. We need to “testify” about Jesus, too. To witness or share with others about Him…to tell them of His power, glory, mercy and love. Are you prepared to do that? What has Jesus—or the Holy Spirit done in your life? Not just ten or twenty years ago…but TODAY? I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit….Romans 9:1.

 

Today, the Holy Spirit convicted me, yet again, about being on time to meetings. But this time He showed me that it isn’t just about being disrespectful to others about being 5-10 minutes late…but about being disrespectful to Him, too. That hurt. I’m not being lazy or relaxed about my schedule…or lack of it—it is just a lack of regard for the whole time element in life. I stopped wearing a wristwatch a few months before I retired. There are clocks everywhere so I don’t need one on my arm. I have a clock on my phone and set reminders for myself for appointments and meetings. Still there is that element of appreciation for other people’s time and devotion to a particular gathering. Other people’s time IS God’s time. Consider what the Holy Spirit is showing you about yourself—are you listening to His voice in your life. God speaks to us in His Word and in our own conscience. Here is a promise that God gave to the Israelites (and to those who love Him) through Moses…

If you obey the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways, the LORD will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do. Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the LORD, and they will stand in awe of you. The LORD will give you prosperity in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, blessing you with many children, numerous livestock, and abundant crops. The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them. If you listen to these commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom. You must not turn away from any of the commands I am giving you today, nor follow after other gods and worship them. Deuteronomy 28:9-14 NLT

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, help me to be respectful of Your time—and treat others with the respect that I would give to You—to Jesus. May my thoughts, words and actions be pleasing in Your sight and witness to the Truth of Jesus.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Helper & Teacher

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 14:26

 

I love the fact that the Holy Spirit will bring to my memory…all things. That’s not really what this verse says…but that is what I understood it to mean early in my understanding of the Holy Spirit. I would pray that I would find my keys…or other lost things. Sure enough. Immediately I’d find them. Remarkable. Then I learned that the “remembering” was about recalling what Jesus taught His disciples. It is important to not take scripture out of context. Again, this is part of a long discussion that Jesus had with His disciples in His last “teaching” session during the Last Supper. He was teaching them…and He wanted them to know that after He was gone the Holy Spirit would continue to “teach” them.

 

Are you being taught by the Holy Spirit today?

 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit—show us not only what Jesus taught His disciples as He walked on this earth, but teach us, giving us insight into God’s will and His ways for us today.

 

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

Cinco de Mayo was earlier this month, so here’s a favorite Mexican inspired dish to try.

 

Mexican lettuce wraps

3 cups shredded cooked chicken or turkey

1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies

1 can black beans, 15 oz., rinsed and drained

 

1 medium tomato, seeded and finely chopped

¼ cup finely chopped onion

¼ cup finely chopped sweet red pepper

1 tablespoon lime juice

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 

1/2 teaspoon sea salt 

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup salsa

1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and finely chopped

1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream

12 Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves

 

In a large bowl, combine the first 11 ingredients. Refrigerate until serving. Just before serving, stir in avocado. Place 1/2 cup mixture on each lettuce leaf; top each with 2 teaspoons sour cream. Fold lettuce over filling. Serve with additional salsa, if desired.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Heavenly Help

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. 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. John 14:13-17 

Jesus was addressing His disciples in His final discourse during the Last Supper before He was arrested, tried and crucified. He was always giving glory to the Heavenly Father. By asking for something “in Jesus’ name” prayers are answered thus giving glory and honor to the Father. Additionally, Jesus promised to ask His Father to send the Holy Spirit—the Helper to be with the disciples forever. Those promises are valid for us, too.  Whatever we ask for in Jesus’ name, we can be assured that He will do it…IF we love Him and keep His commandments. That is a big IF.

Another Helper. Jesus saw Himself as a “Helper” doing the will of His Father. This new Helper wasn’t really new. He had been around since the beginning of time—with the Father and the Son. Now this Helper would be with the disciples…and us…forever. Forever. This Helper is the Spirit of Truth—living in us and being with us. So do you love Jesus and keep His commandments? IF you do, you can be assured that you’ll have the Holy Spirit…forever.

Prayer ~ Jesus, I love You and although I’m not perfect please give me the grace and skill to honor You by keeping Your commandments—not just trying, but honestly doing what You’ve instructed. Fill me anew each day with Your Holy Spirit that I would live a life holy and pleasing to You.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Ask for Good

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" Luke 11:13 

Ask—God wants us to ask Him for things we want and need. Spiritual things, too. That would include the Holy Spirit. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:21-22. "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." Matthew 21:22. Ask away! Have you ever asked for the Holy Spirit? I have. And God heard my prayer and filled me with His Holy Spirit. A joyous day. It is not just a one-time experience. I have asked to be renewed and refreshed many times. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10. It is part of the sanctification process—being continually renewed in the Spirit. Seeking a life of holiness. Holiness unto the Lord. … that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Ephesians 4:22-24. Where do you stand with the Lord? 

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, Create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Fill me again and refresh me with Your Holy Spirit. May my heart and my life be pleasing to You, Lord.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Rejoice In The Holy Spirit

"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven." At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight." Luke 10:20-21 

He rejoiced…that is Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit. He had just sent seventy of His disciples out to heal the sick and to witness about Him. The Holy Spirit was continually in Jesus—and Jesus was delighted because people were being saved. They believed in Him as their Savior. He said not to rejoice that the spirits were subject to those 70 disciples, but that they were headed to Heaven—their names were recorded in the Book of Life. Do you rejoice—celebrate when someone is saved? 

When was the last time you led someone to the Lord? Do you have a plan…an intentional idea or strategy for sharing Jesus with others? Do you feel that you need to be “specifically” trained in evangelism…or that it is not your “gift”? Just before His ascension into Heaven Jesus told His disciples… "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20. The same command is for each of us today. We can’t ignore His command. Meet people at their point of need and the Holy Spirit will guide you in what to do and say.   

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, show me the person with whom You want me to share the Good News and help me to lead them to Jesus…whether it takes a day, a month or years. I understand that just leading them to Jesus doesn’t “disciple” them, but it takes an investment in my time and energy to help them develop a lasting relationship with You.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Guilty?

But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin."  Mark 3:29 HCSB 

Guilty? Eternally guilty? Whenever God repeats something He is really trying to teach us something important. God has repeated this lesson on the Holy Spirit and blasphemy several times. Well—each of the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke tell us about the consequences of being disrespectful to the Holy Spirit. Eternal sin—everlasting unforgiveness. 

God has taught me a few lessons this way…repeating scripture passages that just jump off the page at me, several sermons—from different pastors, and Sunday School or Bible Study classes that all have the same message. One on forgiveness was particularly memorable—who did I need to forgive? The Lord specifically told me that, too. Another lesson was on love…and another on humor. God has a sense of humor. Trust me—God will teach you what He wants you to know. Are you listening? Is there a pattern to what He is teaching you on a daily basis? 

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, show me what is important to You. It is important to me, too. Blasphemy? May it never be. I don’t want to be guilty of blasphemy—particularly blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Search me and know me that I would be found acceptable in Your sight. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." Psalm 139:23-24. God, Your way is the way I want to live my life. To serve You—eternally.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Natural Consequences…No Forgiveness?

Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him. But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the one to come.  Matthew 12:32 HCSB 

No forgiveness—that is pretty stiff punishment. Everyone is forewarned. No forgiveness for speaking against the Holy Spirit. To speak something is pretty much the same as thinking or doing it...so you may want to rethink any tendency to thoughts or actions that are disrespectful. Children need to be taught about natural consequences for their action—like having to clean up their spilled milk. Christians…and others…need to know that there are natural spiritual consequences for their actions—even for their thoughts, too. This passage in Matthew and other passages, like the one yesterday from Luke 12, show us that there are results from blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. The consequence…No Mercy—No Forgiveness. Forever. Think about it. Would you ever blasphemy the Holy Spirit? Can you encourage others NOT to blaspheme the Holy Spirit? 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, please find all that I think, do and say acceptable to You—for I never want to blaspheme against You. You are worthy of praise and adoration.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

No Blasphemy

Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don't worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.  Luke 12:10-12 NLT 

Blasphemy—showing or speaking with disrespect, contempt, or lack of reverence about religious things—is serious business with God. Jesus is forgiving…but those who bad-mouth or are disrespectful to or about the Holy Spirit will be sorry someday—they will not be forgiven. That is thoughtless on their part—eternally thoughtless. Self-control is part of the fruit of the Spirit…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23. It is the wise person who has self-control. Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. Proverbs 13:3 NLT.  Conversely, without restraint…He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness. Proverbs 5:23 NLT. We choose our thoughts, words and actions. It is encouraging to know that the Holy Spirit will stand with us if we have to go to trial—assumedly for some action involving God. He will give us the right words to say. There are plenty of times that I’ve been at loss for what to say. So it is comforting to even just imagine the Holy Spirit giving me words to speak. Comfort from the Comforter. Like in prayer when the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:25-27. I’ve experience that interceding in prayer when I just didn’t have the right words—hurting so deeply that I just couldn’t speak or stumbling about looking for the will of God. So…do you know the will of God? Are you seeking Him daily? 

Prayer ~ Lord God, as I study Your Word reveal to me Your will for my life, for my family and my friends so we would know You better, do what is pleasing in Your sight, and become more like Your Son every day. …For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren…. Romans 8:29. We want to be like Jesus—pleasing and obedient to You. Thank you for loving us and hearing our prayers.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

Hungry?

Then Jesus returned from the Jordan, full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over, He was hungry. Luke 4:1-2 HCSB

Tempted in all things…and Jesus was hungry. What tempts you when you are hungry? Ice cream, candy, asparagus, chocolate and peanut butter, or cookies? The Holy Spirit indwelled in Jesus and took Him to the wilderness. There in the desert the devil tried to tempt Jesus by challenging Him to change stones into bread. And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.'" Luke 4:3-4. Bread may have been tempting to some people when they are hungry, but not to Jesus. What an example He was to us. Tempted, but He didn’t give in to the temptation. He knew that man, including Himself since He was fully human, needed more than bread to live on. Humans need spiritual food as well as physical food. Have you had your spiritual food today? Are you hungry for it? Are you reading through a particular book of the Bible—digging deep into God’s Word? Do you have someone to whom you are accountable and for whom you hold them accountable for their spiritual growth? Accountability is the key in spiritual growth…and what is more important than that?  

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, keep me accountable to my friends as they hold me accountable for studying scripture, memorizing and applying Your Word to my life. If there are some reading this who are not learning and growing spiritually, may You provide encouragement where they are and may they seek to know God—the Father, Son and Holy Spirit—more deeply each day. 

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

Here is a version of the softest yummiest sugar cookies. A real temptation for me.

Soft Style Frosted Sugar Cookies
Cookies:
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1 c. butter, at room temperature
2 c. granulated sugar
3 eggs
2 t. vanilla extract
1½  c. sour cream

Frosting:
1 c. butter, room temperature
1 t. vanilla extract
4 c. powdered sugar
6 T. heavy cream
Several drops food coloring, if desired
Multi-colored Sprinkles

Directions:
Cream the butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add the eggs, one at a time beating until each is incorporated. Add the vanilla and sour cream and beat at low speed until combined.

Add the dry ingredients and beat at low speed until just combined, scraping down the bowl as needed. Dough will be a bit “sticky”. Divide dough into two sections. Flatten into rectangles about 1 1/2 inches thick, then wrap with plastic wrap. ALTERNATIVELY: Form the dough into a 2½ inch thick cylinder, and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator overnight or at least two hours until firm.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or spray them with nonstick cooking spray, set aside.

If you formed the dough into a 2½ in cylinder, then unwrap and slice cookie dough ¼ inch thick and place on baking sheet.

If you formed a rectangular block, use the plastic wrap that you chilled the dough in. Dust the top of the dough and then flip and flour the other side, keeping it on the plastic wrap. With a rolling pin, roll the dough out to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out circles and transfer to a baking sheet.  

Bake for 7 minutes, until pale golden. Immediately transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.

To make the frosting, cream together the butter and vanilla with an electric mixer. Slowly beat in the powdered sugar. Once smooth and creamy, add in heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired spreading consistency is achieved. If desired, add food coloring and beat until combined.

Once cookies have cooled completely, frost and add sprinkles. Allow frosting to set, then store in an air-tight container. Let cookies sit for several hours before serving to allow the flavors to develop.

Makes approximately: 5 to 6 dozen cookies (will vary on the thickness of the dough). Enjoy with a cup of your favorite tea or coffee, or with a tall, cold glass of milk

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

The Baptism Scene

When all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. As He was praying, heaven opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are My beloved Son. I take delight in You!  Luke 3:21-22 HCSB

This is how I picture of this event—the Trinity was all present. John had just lowered Jesus into the water and raised Him up. They are standing there in the Jordan River. Jesus is dripping wet, and glowing with the rebirth that every believer experiences when they are baptized. Then the Heavens open—clouds part—and a beam of light shines down onto the Jordan River. The water is reflecting Jesus with John standing next to Him.  A gleaming white dove swoops down from Heaven—and lands on Jesus’ shoulder. I imagine that in an instant the dove is huge and spreads its wings around Jesus enfolding Him ever so briefly—that if you blinked you would miss the spectacle. The Holy Spirit now lives within Jesus the man. As the Heavens opened a booming voice spoke with heartfelt clarity, warmth and love to Jesus. You are My beloved Son. I take delight in You!  Jesus pleased His Father with His obedience. 

If you were standing on the Jordan River bank that day what would you have seen? How would this baptism be any different from any other? Oh, but wait. It is different. This is the Son of God being baptized and like most fathers, He wanted to be there with His Son—so He spoke to Him from Heaven. You are My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased! Has your son or daughter been baptized? Were you there for them? Have you taught them to be obedient? Do you encourage them as they walk daily with the Lord?  

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, please guide and direct us as parents that we would teach our children and grandchildren about You, Your Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. May we not only plant the seeds within their hearts, but lead them into praying for Salvation for themselves…and encourage them to be baptized, just as Jesus was.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Spirit Descending

This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one I was talking about when I said, 'A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.' I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel." Then John testified, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn't know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, He told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God."  John 1:28-34 NLT 

John the Baptist didn’t even know Jesus was the Messiah until he saw the Holy Spirit—like a dove—coming down from Heaven lighting on Him. This was man whom he had known all of his life—his relative, perhaps a cousin. This passage doesn’t tell us of their family relationship—but John’s mother, Elizabeth, was related to Mary, the mother of Jesus (see Luke 1:36). God told John to watch for the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. Now here is the Holy Spirit filling Jesus at His baptism. He is the Messiah—the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit. All these promises rolled into one—The Chosen One. John the Baptist was certainly blessed to have witnessed this—to have walked not only where Jesus walked…but before and alongside of Him. John had a special relationship with Jesus. How is your relationship with Jesus? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, just as You were revealed to John, reveal more of Yourself to us that we would draw closer to You. Help us to understand You and Your ways more deeply and have an even closer relationship with You, Your Father, and the Holy Spirit—that we would also testify that You are the Chosen One of God.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Baptism - Water, Spirit or Fire

I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am--so much greater that I'm not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Matthew 3:11 NLT
 
This passage in Matthew is much like what we read in Luke 3:16 about John the Baptist—being unworthy to even carry Jesus’ sandals. Here in this New Living Translation, John indicates that he will baptize with water those who repent and turn to God. Still today those who repent and turn to God are baptized. I was sprinkled as a teenager when I went through a ritual confirmation in the church I attended. There was a six or eight week class that a dozen of us teens attended to learn more about God, the Bible and church history. Then those who hadn’t been baptized as a baby were baptized—that was me. The next Sunday we were “confirmed” by being questioned about our knowledge of God and the Bible in front of the congregation. It was head knowledge. There wasn’t much relationship developed at that point. Later, when I was in college, I repented of my sin and accepted Christ as my Savior—starting my own relationship—a heartfelt devotion to Him. A few years later I felt a deep conviction to be baptized by immersion. My Bible Study leader had baptized a couple of other ladies in her bathtub—and that was good enough for me, but she asked if instead her husband could baptize me along with several others in a local church baptism pool. So after a late night revival meeting we drove over to another church and Joe proceeded to baptize several of us—sharing scripture and our individual testimonies of repentance and belief before each of us were dunked. What a powerful feeling it was—to know…

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 NLT.

I have been crucified with Christ. Those that John baptized didn’t experience that since Jesus had not yet died…were they baptized again after His death? I doubt it if their repentance was real when they entered that Jordan River and allowed John to baptize them. Have you had that baptism experience? It is not an experience that will get you into Heaven…but you may want to be baptized after repentance if you have not already done so. Where do you stand with the Lord?

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit—I am so unworthy of Your blessing…unworthy to untie or carry Jesus’ sandals. Refresh me with Your love and grace that others would see You and feel Your love drawing them to the Father, to Jesus and to You, for You are worthy of our love.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Baptize with the Holy Spirit

John answered them all, "I baptize you with water, but One is coming who is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to untie the strap of His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." Luke 3:16 HCSB

John the Baptist, the forerunner, was telling others about Jesus. Being “baptized” with water wasn’t really a new thing since the Jews had purification rituals established in the book of Leviticus. I think the idea of being baptized by the Holy Spirit was new since many of these Jews and Gentiles listening to John may not have known about the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is not mentioned specifically using that word in any version of the Bible that I searched, but it is obvious that the concept of the Trinity was established at the beginning of time. In the beginning…there was God, the Father; the Word, Jesus the Son; and the Holy Spirit. So now we have John telling us that Jesus will baptize, assumedly those who repent and believe, with the Holy Spirit. John himself felt unworthy. The Holy Spirit had taught him, who was known to be a humble man, that this “One” would be more powerful, mightier, and greater than any other person. John told his audience there on the Jordan River that is “One” would baptize them with the Holy Spirit or fire. The baptism with fire could be for those who did not repent—that doom of the Lake of Fire. So where are you headed…baptism by the Holy Spirit and live forever with Jesus…or that unfortunate fate of fire?  

Prayer ~ Precious Lord and Savior, we seek Your forgiveness for our careless thoughts, words and actions that could otherwise doom us to a lifetime away from You. Fill us anew today with Your Holy Spirit and guide us into a life of holiness…to be pleasing to You.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved

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

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Blessing the Messiah

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel's consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said:  Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in peace, as You promised.  For my eyes have seen Your salvation.  ... Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: "Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed—and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."  Luke 2:25-30, 34-35 HCSB

Day after day Simeon went to the Temple—watching and waiting for the Messiah. Was it that man who just entered? No. But wait, there is a young couple with a baby. A baby. The Holy Spirit spoke to Simeon—that is the one. He is the Messiah. A precious baby is the Messiah. I imagine that He seems to be glowing—with the love of God flowing out of Him. Simeon blessed not only Jesus, the awaited Messiah, but also His parents who were amazed at what Simeon had said as he held Jesus. The Holy Spirit filled Simeon to show him the truth and to give him wisdom as he spoke the blessing upon Jesus and His parents. Wisdom. Who could have foretold that a little baby would be the Messiah without divine guidance? Wisdom. Who could have prophesied such an accurate description of Jesus’ future without insight from Heaven itself? Wisdom from the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us… We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. 1 Corinthians 2:13 HCSB. It was not human wisdom—but the wisdom from the Holy Spirit. We could all wish…or ask…for wisdom from the Holy Spirit.

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, give us wisdom, like You gave Simeon. Show us more about Yourself, Jesus, and the Heavenly Father that we would have insight and understanding like Simeon did.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

John, Elizabeth and Zechariah

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother's womb.  ... When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ... Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and provided redemption for His people.  Luke 1:15, 41, 67-68 HCSB

Filled with the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit all his life—from the womb to eternity. His parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, were both filled with the Holy Spirit—before their son was born. Filled with the Holy Spirit. The long awaited forerunner of the Messiah. "It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:17. "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS….”Luke 1:76.  John the Baptist was a devout and obedient man of God—who we see here as a baby being given a prophetic view of a holy life—no alcoholic beverages. Since wine was a staple in that region of the world and in that era—it would be rare for one not to drink wine. It possibly could have been safer to drink the wine than water. John’s mission in life was to point people to the Lord, to prepare them to be ready to meet the Savior. Being filled with the Spirit would be essential for one such as John so that he himself would be prepared—living a holy life to show others the way to the Messiah. Are we ever like John the Baptist, pointing others to Christ—our Messiah? 

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, we praise You for Your power in the life of John the Baptist. Guiding him in purity and wisdom, as well as helping him to be obedient to God. May we be obedient, like John.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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

The Holy Spirit in the New Testament

So the Holy Spirit was with people for short times in the Old Testament. As we look into the New Testament we’ll see how the Holy Spirit is manifested, revealed and indwelling in individuals.  

The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.  But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit." Matthew 1:18-20 HCSB

Here we see the Holy Spirit and Jesus—two parts of the Trinity—together. This is the beginning of the whole miracle of God becoming Man. Can you imagine how Mary and Joseph must have felt? Overwhelmed—no one else had been through this before. The Holy Spirit not only conceived the Man God within Mary…but guided Mary and Joseph as they began their journey with the Son of God. Joseph and Mary were both righteous people. God chose them to raise His Son. He had a plan from the beginning—even before Eve and Adam ate that fruit off the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (see Genesis 2 and 3). Amazing love that God had for mankind. A plan for salvation. Just as Joseph and Mary were righteous—we need to strive to be righteous. To live to please God—our amazing God—who loved us enough to allow His Son to give His life for us. What does that mean to you?

Prayer ~ Lord God, just as Your angel told Joseph—don’t be afraid—I claim that promise. I will not be afraid because You, Heavenly Father, had a plan. A plan that included Jesus and the Holy Spirit in my life—forgiving me and rescuing me from an eternal life apart from You. You are an amazing God. You are my Heavenly Father, my Savior, my Comforter—my God.

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

I had a great chicken curry at an Indian restaurant in Lynnwood recently, so I’ve found a nice spicy recipe to try. Do you like curry? I’ve been told that it is better to use all the variety of spices as listed rather than a pre-mixed curry powder.
 
Indian Chicken Curry
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 teaspoons salt
½ cup cooking oil
1½ cups chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1½ teaspoons minced fresh ginger root
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon water
1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup water
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1. Sprinkle the chicken breasts with 2 teaspoons salt.
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat; partially cook the chicken in the hot oil in batches until completely browned. Transfer the browned chicken breasts to a plate and set aside.
3. Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium-high; add the onion, garlic, and ginger to the oil remaining in the skillet and cook and stir until the onion turns translucent, about 8 minutes. Stir the curry powder, cumin, turmeric, coriander, cayenne, and 1 tablespoon of water into the onion mixture; allow to heat together for about 1 minute while stirring. Mix the tomatoes, yogurt, 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, and 1 teaspoon salt into the mixture. Return the chicken breast to the skillet along with any juices on the plate. Pour ½ cup water into the mixture; bring to a boil, turning the chicken to coat with the sauce. Sprinkle the garam masala and 1 tablespoon cilantro over the chicken.
4. Cover the skillet and simmer until the chicken breasts are no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Sprinkle with lemon juice to serve.

Serve with rice and a tossed green salad.

Note: Garam masala is one of the most known Indian spices. It is made up of coriander, green & black cardamon, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, nutmeg, ginger, pepper, cumin.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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