Listen for the Shofar

Meditate on this:

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NASB 

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation" www.lockman.org.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God…. Are you listening for a shout from heaven and the sound of the trumpet or shofar horn? Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins at sunset on Sunday, September 29^th this year. Sunset occurs around 6:30 PM Israeli time, which is about 8:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time. This two day Jewish celebration is also known as the Festival of Trumpets. The Lord gave Moses the directions for this particular observance. Note that it is such a special day that the Lord required the people not to work.

Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. On the first day of the appointed month in early autumn, you are to observe a day of complete rest. It will be an official day for holy assembly, a day commemorated with loud blasts of a trumpet. You must do no ordinary work on that day. Instead, you are to present special gifts to the LORD.  Leviticus 23:24-25 NLT

It will certainly be a special if it truly is the day that Jesus Himself descents from Heaven with a shout and the blowing of the shofar—a trumpet of the earlier Biblical times. Are you ready for this day?

We all know that only God the Father knows hour and the day of Christ’s return. Jesus’ advice was to be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. What must we do to “be ready?” This is a spiritual battle in a spiritual realm. It won’t make any difference if we board up our houses, wash our clothes or prepare a big feast. What will matter is what matters to God.

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

Keep watch…and be prepared. Don’t let your spiritual guard down. Be alert.  

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

Are you ready for Christ’s return?

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, is that home that Jesus is building for His church, His bride, nearly ready? Lord Jesus Christ, You are my Savior, my Lord and my King. I eagerly am listening for You to shout from Heaven, although I anticipate that it could be a very loud shout to get everyone’s attention!  The joy of the occasion will be beyond measure. Come, Lord Jesus! Your creation waits…in Your time. Show me if there is anything I still need to do to “get ready.”

Daily Bible Reading: Nehemiah 6-7

Friday’s Feasting at the King’s Table

What do people traditionally eat for the Jewish New Year? 

The Israeli flag flying over the Sea of Galilee.
Pray for Israel in this coming New Year.

For a sweet new year, apples dipped in honey, dates; pomegranates; black-eyed peas; pumpkin-filled pastries called rodanchas; leek fritters called keftedes de prasa; beets; and a whole fish with the head intact. It is also common to eat stuffed vegetables called legumbres yaprakes. Information from www.Wikapedia.org.

It is an interesting menu. I’ll be serving apples dipped in honey for breakfast around 8:00 AM on Sunday morning…as the sun is setting in Israel. Come and join us to see in this New Year!

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Caught Up In The Clouds

Meditate on this:

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NASB

Comfort? Those words cause an unsettling in some people. Those who are grieving the loss of a loved one may find comfort in that those who have died believing in Jesus are “fallen asleep in Jesus” and they will be resurrected—they will rise. Listen. Will you hear the trumpet sound?  Did you see the words of verse 14…if we believe that Jesus died and rose again...? That word IF is a loaded word. If we believe that Jesus died and was resurrected…then…those who have died—fallen asleep in Jesus will we will be “caught up.”  Those who are still alive will be “caught up” with those sleepyheads.

Thirty some years ago I went to a revival in which a chalk artist each evening did a large picture depicting a Biblical event. Once the chalk painting was done he would turn on a black light and illuminate the painting. One of the hidden pictures involved believers in white robes going up into the air. Being “caught up” and going to heaven. It was exciting to consider that we could be together with those who were resurrected from their gravesites or that we could be caught up with them. 

Caught up in the clouds?
Haystack Rock, Oregon Coast

I recently remarked to my brother that I would like to be at the cemetery where our family is buried when the dead in Christ rise first. He didn’t seem to think it will make any difference. We will be going up next, so soon, as in the twinkling of an eye that it will all seem to happen at once. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…. No matter how fast it happens, it is going to be incredible to be a part of that. I am trusting that I will be part of the “caught up” group. Will I see you in the air?

We are admonished by Jesus to “be ready”—to be prepared. What are you doing to honor Jesus with your life?

Prayer ~ Lord God—help us to be prepared as we go about our daily lives. We don’t want to miss your message like the people of Noah’s age.

Daily Bible Reading: Nehemiah 1-5

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation www.lockman.org.

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When Will the Son of Man Be Expected?

Meditate on this again:

So you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.  Matthew 24:42-44

… the Son of Man will come when least expected. Jesus descriptively explained this to His disciples.

Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. Two men will be working together in

Where are the women grinding flour?
Heritage museum - Israel

the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. So you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:32-42

This generation will not pass away…but it has been two thousand years. This generation began when Jesus lived and will continue, as I understand it, until He returns. Matthew tells us that… his return is very near, right at the door. Will it be at the time of the Feast of Trumpets, celebrating the Jewish New Year, which fall this year on September 30^th – October 1^st? We can only trust God—and we know that we can trust Him to keep His promises. Our responsibility is just to be ready all the time…. It is going to be like in Noah’s day—everyone just living day to day, celebrating life with parties and weddings. What matters today is how we spend our time—or more important the decisions we have made regarding our relationship with Jesus. Who is Jesus to you? Are you expecting His return?

Prayer ~ Jesus, I believe in You as my Lord and Savior. If there is anything in me that I need to change…tell me now, as I am waiting for the day of Your return for Your church. You taught Your disciples… "From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He." John 13:19 NASB.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 7-10

Happy Birthday Blessings ~ Liberty!

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Be Ready All the Time

Meditate on this again:

So you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.  Matthew 24:42-44

Be ready all the time….  Jesus has commanded, not just suggested, that we should be ready all the time for His return. People all through time have expected Jesus to return. Is now the time? If you listen to prophesy people they are seeing all the signs align. But we know that only God the Father knows the time…He determines the time.

However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. Matthew 24:36

When everything is ready, the Father will send the Son to get His bride, the church.

When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. John 14:3

God holds the Keys to the Kingdom...and knows the Time.

What a wonderful promise. Are you ready to go…are you prepared? Are you spiritually ready?

Time may be running short. What promises from God would you still like to see Him fulfill in your life—with your family, friends, neighbors? What is your heart’s desire?

Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 NASB

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12 NASB

Is your desire for a home in Heaven?

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:16 NASB

God is preparing a place for you—if you believe Jesus—the Son of God. Jesus promised His disciples…and us…that like the Jewish bridegroom, He is building a place for us in His Father’s heavenly home.

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. John 14:2-3 NASB

Do you trust Jesus to live up to His promises or do you have some doubts?

Prayer ~ In You God I boast all day long, and I give thanks to Your name forever. Psalm 44:8 NASB. I believe in You, Lord Jesus, and in the power that You have over all creation—in Heaven and on earth. I am ready for Your return.

Daily Bible Reading: Esther 6-10

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Keep Watch

Meditate on this:

So you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.  Matthew 24:42-44

Keep watch. There is a wonderful use of this phrase in the Old Testament. It has little if anything to do with being ready for the Lord’s return…but I loved the image of the Lord watching over my lips and my heart—so that I wouldn’t say or do anything evil.

Blue door to ward off evil in Israel.
Is the door of my lips blue to keep evil away?

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice deeds of wickedness with men who do iniquity; and do not let me eat of their delicacies. Psalm 141:3-4 NASB

David wrote this Psalm as a prayer to the Lord for His help in keeping him from even fellowshipping with ungodly people. That is a good step in being prepared…yet those are the very people that we may need to reach for the Lord. Don’t let evil into your life…but do share the Good News of Jesus as King and Judge with others. There is a delicate balance there that we all must consider.

Keep watch over the door of my lips.  Guarding our hearts and tongues provides the integrity that demonstrates we live the way God wants us to live.

Keep watch. There are people saying that the Rapture will happen soon…and others who say that it won’t happen this year. We all know that only God the Father knows the hour or the day. Jesus’ advice was to be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. What must we do to “be ready”? This is a spiritual battle—a spiritual realm. It won’t make any difference if we board up our houses, wash our clothes or prepare a big feast. What will matter is what matters to God.

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

Keep watch…and be prepared. Don’t let your spiritual guard down. Be alert.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

Are you ready for Christ’s return?

Prayer ~ Lord, watch over us, help us to see any errors or weak areas of our lives and give us strength to change—to be more like You. May our lives be filled with the goodness, peace, and joy of the Holy Spirit—and may all that we think, say and do please You.

Daily Bible Reading: Esther 1-5

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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No Fear—Safe When I Sleep

Meditate on this:

If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands ...I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep with no cause for fear. I will rid the land of wild animals and keep your enemies out of your land.  Leviticus 26:3, 6

Peace, peace wonderful peace. A peace that allows me to rest, just as David expressed in a Psalm that he wrote about trusting God.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe. Psalm 4:8

I’m not sure how many people really like to “sleep in the woods” but that is a favorite of mine. There is nothing like sleeping and waking under tall pine or fir trees, hearing the wind through their branches, and smelling the fresh mountain air. Add in a babbling brook and you have a recipe for a peaceful night’s sleep.

The wolf was watching me.
I was watching the wolf.
Show no fear.

My hubby and I took a road trip up to the mountains early this summer—all the way to Mt. Rainier National Park. Along the way we stopped at a favorite camping spot at Goose Prairie. We’ve seen plenty of elk, deer, chipmunks, raccoons and a variety of birds, but on this trip I spotted a wolf—or maybe it was just a coyote—a few hundred feet from where I was walking. I didn’t want that wolf to attack me. I showed no fear, just stood my ground and prayed. No fear. He walked away…and then disappeared in the woods, hopefully to chase a mouse. There is an ecological balance when we have natural predators. Balance gives peace—no fear—but does it give you restful sleep? Trusting in the Lord gives peace and fearless sleep. Trusting God is really what it is all about. He has promised to keep the enemies and scary wild animals away.

Ezekiel commented about living and sleeping securely when he wrote about a new covenant, the millennial kingdom and the Messiah.

I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate harmful beasts from the land so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. Ezekiel 34:25 NASB

In the sunshine and beauty of the rugged mountains we felt the presence of Jesus on that road trip. Being out in the wilderness reminds me of the complexity of God’s creation, but you can see God’s creation in the produce at the market, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, in newborn babies and in the stars in the night sky. The quietness of a vast wilderness experience whether it is in the mountains, desert, or seashore provides another dimension of God’s creativity. Can you find His peace there? Can you find His peace in your heart no matter where you are? Do you have His peace to give you a restful night’s sleep?

Prayer ~ Lord God, provide me with a new revelation of your peace in my life so that I will lie down and sleep well, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.  

Daily Bible Reading: Zechariah 10-14

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Do You Hear the Trumpet Call to Love?

Meditate on this:

So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder. Exodus 19:16-19 NASB 

This is the first passage of scripture that mentions “a trumpet” and it seems that God is using the trumpet to call His chosen people together. He has something important to tell them through Moses. At least the trumpet is calling Moses to speak with God. No one else gets to go up the mountain and have an audience with God Himself. They are left standing at the bottom of the mountain quaking in their sandals. It is cloudy, smoky and there is an earthquake. It’s no wonder that the Israelites were scared. It wasn’t a common occurrence to hear a loud trumpet—and where did that sound come from?

Forest recovering after a fire.
Along the Wenatachee River near Leavenworth, WA.

The fire and earthquake scenario sounds a lot like conditions in the Pacific Northwest the last couple of summers. Not so bad this summer, but last year we had a couple of months of smoke from nearby forest fires with the smoke so thick that visibility was reduced to a couple of miles and you could taste the smoke in the air. People were told to stay indoors whenever possible. During our smoky times last year football and soccer games were rescheduled or canceled completely. That is rare to cancel a soccer match. Rain, snow, wind and the games aren’t canceled. Smoky air conditions cancel a lot of things. It is just not healthy to be out in that low quality air. 

Was the air quality in question at the foot of Mt. Sinai? The trumpet sound didn’t alert the people to earthquakes or poor air quality, but called to them to meet God. Well—only Moses got to go up the mountain and really meet God. That was when he was given the Ten Commandments. God was calling His people to obedience. Letting them know what He really expects of them and of us. He specified how He wants mankind to live. It’s all about love. Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.

Do you hear God calling you to love? To love Him and to love others?

Prayer ~ Lord God, I submit myself to You. I want to live to please You…to show my love for You and for others. Give me the wisdom to see my own motives in my actions and to respond to Your love.

Daily Bible Reading: Zechariah 5-9

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Told Before It Happens

Meditate on This:

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.  John 14:28-29

Jesus said it before 'I go away, and I will come to you.'  He seemed to have to repeat Himself to the disciples. Go away…come back. He did go away…and we can claim the promise that Jesus is coming back. He told His disciples that He was coming back and this is described by Paul in 1 Thessalonians. 

When is the time of His return?
Be ready...we don't know the hour or the day.

But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:8-10. 

We will live together forever. Jesus told us before t happens so that we would know and be prepared. In the Old Testament there are warnings to be prepared, too. Near is the great day of the LORD, near and coming very quickly; Listen, the day of the LORD! In it the warrior cries out bitterly. Zephaniah 1:14. In your concordance or Bible search engine, look for “listen,” “ears let him hear,” and “be ready.” Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. Matthew 13:43. You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect. Luke 12:40. Meditate on that truth, on that promise. Be ready. How will you respond to Jesus’ teaching today?

Prayer~ Jesus, help us to be ready…to help others to know You more deeply and desire to be ready, too. We need to be able to discern the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3), so open our eyes that we would see what is going on around us, and give us wisdom and understanding that we can apply Your Word to our lives.

Daily Bible Reading: Zechariah 1-4

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Dieting. Ugh. Some people consider it a dirty word…but let’s face it…diet is part of everyone’s life. It is the way we eat…not necessarily just restricting our food. We eat to live and live to eat. Recently I was behind a man in his seventies at the grocery checkout. He had a couple of tomatoes and bananas, hamburger buns, three packages of cookies and a lot of chocolate bars. It didn’t look like a very healthy diet…but who was I to judge. Sugar is just poison for me—so I am trying desperately to avoid it as much as possible. I will admit I had a jar of Mrs. Richardson’s Hot Fudge Sauce in my cart. I’ve found that it is wonderful to have on a spoonful of fresh ground peanut butter when I can’t resist those carb cravings! What is your weakness when the cravings attack? Do you turn to the Lord, or do you give in to those cravings?

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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The Lord is Patient

Meditate on This:

But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9 NASB

God doesn’t want anyone to perish—to spend eternity in hell. But everyone makes their own choices—including where they will spend eternity. If we don’t choose to follow God—His ways, His commands—and accept His gift of eternal life with Him, then we get the alternative—eternity WITHOUT God. He is faithful to hear our prayers and as this scripture today tells us: He is patient. When the time comes for Him to call His chosen people home to Heaven, the time of patience will end. The door will close, just like in the parable of the bridegroom.

The Bridegroom is coming.
Are you ready?
Will the gate be closed?
A Gate at the Garden of Gethsemane.

Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.' But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.' Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour. Matthew 25:1-13 NASB

We don’t know the hour or the day…so always be ready for Christ’s return. Some people predicted that it would be when the shofar horn was blown at the end of the last Yom Kippur service, signifying the end of the fast for Yom Kippur, the end of Shabbat, in 2017 (Hebrew calendar 5777) since it was year of the Jubilee. But Christ’s return hasn’t happened. Once again we are starting over…just like with repentance, we start fresh with God. Forgiven, cleansed of all unrighteousness.

Prayer ~ Dear Jesus, Set our hearts right with You. Give peace, strength and hope to those who so desperately need it. Life and death are just part of our existence…and as we listen constantly and patiently wait for that shofar horn blast, may Your love surround us and flow through us to others.

Daily Bible Reading: Haggai

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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His Yoke is Easy

Meditate on This:

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22 NIV

Yoke in the Charleston Museum
For one person carrying a heavy load. 

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

Jesus wants us to give Him our worries, our cares, our burdens. He will take it away…or bear it with us. He doesn’t want to make it harder, but easier—light burdens. The verse in Psalms…Cast all our care on the Lord…reminds us that Jesus often taught what was already written in the Old Testament—or for the particular book of Psalms it was known as the Ketuvim or Writing to the people in Jesus time. He will sustain you…He’ll support you…He will give you rest. Rest from the heavy burdens…the problems that are weighing you down today. Rest. Take a deep breath and let go of the worries…and let Jesus come alongside you. Image that. A friend who cares enough to help you…spiritually and physically. Of course, Jesus himself isn’t walking physically with you…but it is likely that He has someone who is willing to help you out. Look around. Who can help you…who can you help? Spiritually…that rest that Jesus promises can happen instantly. I’ve been there. He is good…if you just trust Him. Just like a fisherman casts his line or net out…you can toss your cares to Jesus. He’s a great catcher. Then He’ll take you into His yoke…like you see in old movies with oxen yoked together…and He’ll pull your weighty burden…lightening your load. It will be good. You can trust Him. He is strong.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, I give you my cares, my heartaches, my disappointments. Life isn’t always what I expected, anticipated or hoped for…but I know You care. Thank You. Teach me and help me to help others find their rest in You.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 4-6; Psalm 137

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Live in God

Meditate on This:

And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

1 John 4:17

As we live in God…. What does that mean to you? Paul wrote to the Galatians about living in Christ…

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

Those of us who believe in Jesus as our Savior have repented of our sin and that has been crucified with Christ. With our sins removed that void in our hearts, in our lives, has been replaced and is continually renewed with the love of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. As Paul put it, I live by trusting in Jesus every day to keep me going and growing. That is an enormous amount of love on Jesus part—to show that love in the first place by allowing Himself, pure and sinless, to be crucified on the cross just like a sacrificial lamb. Jesus continues to show that love when He continues to forgive our sin…daily. And there He is in heaven creating a home for His bride, the church. That is love. His love overflow into each of us…and through us to others. This verse in Philippians expresses the way I feel about that overflowing love for each of you reading this blog.

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

Do you know how much Jesus loves you? Are you growing in your knowledge and understanding of Him? How are you sharing His love with others?

Meditate on His Word today.

Prayer ~ Jesus, thank you for loving me enough to go to the cross for me. And as I live in You…and You live in me, may my love grows more perfect. So I will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but I will face You with confidence because I live like You here in this world. 1 John 4:17.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 1-3

© 2019 Text and painting by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - https://www.blueletterbible.org/.

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No Fear

Meditate on This:

When the Day of Judgment comes...
will you be afraid?

And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

1 John 4:17 NLT

The verse in context:

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. But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, 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. ... And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 1 John 4:1-6, 13-17 (Underlined for emphasis.)

There is so much in this passage that it is almost overwhelming, but note the portions underlined. Sometimes you just have to dissect what you read to choose what is important. This is a good reminder: the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God and… you belong to God, my dear children. Those are Biblical truths to hang onto and to share with others. Believing that Jesus is God Son, our Savior, makes us part of God’s family—His children. The more we know about God, the more we love Him. That is a cyclic, upward spiraling phenomenon. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. John continued to write about perfect love in the next verse.

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 1 John 4:18

No fear. How perfect is that? There are so few things in life that are “perfect” but we cling to those things that are as near perfect as we can get like relationships, friends, foods and memories. The relationship we should strive for the most is that one with Jesus—who was and is perfect and offers us a perfect love—with no fear. Knowing that one day we will all stand before Him in Judgment could be a very scary situation, but also knowing that He has our back takes away all fear. He knows our sins—He died for those very sins. As long as we’ve repented of those sins, we are free and clear. Now that is a win-win situation for all those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Are you on Jesus’ winning team? Do you belong to Him?

Prayer ~ Jesus, we are awed by Your sacrifice for our sins. You are perfect and we want to know You more…and live in You. And as we live in You, God, our love grows more perfect. 1 John 4:17.

Daily Bible Reading: Daniel 10-12

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - https://www.blueletterbible.org/.

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Honor the Sabbath

Meditate on this verse:

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2 NASB

Meditate. Think about and find joy in God’s word all day and night. God created evening and morning…the light He called “day” and the darkness He called “night” as in Genesis 1:5. Without that would we have only day or only night? We need both to balance out our life—so that we can find rest. Rest is what we always need and on this Sabbath day, it is rest that we shall have, if we follow the Lord’s command to honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy.

Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Exodus 20:8

Isaiah prophesied about keeping the Sabbath day holy in a contrast between right and wrong worship.

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. Isaiah 58:13

He uses that word “delight.” So delight yourself not only on the Sabbath, but every day as you meditate on God’s Word.  Such wisdom in Isaiah’s writing on the Sabbath that could be applied to every day, such as…don't follow your own desires or talk idly, or… don't pursue your own interests on that day. If we our meditation and delight in His Word day and night, then we would truly honor God always. What a wonderful life that would be! Sounds like heaven. Maybe that is how it will be there, but for now we have things to do, work to be accomplished, people and things to take care of so that we aren’t always focusing on the Lord. Even while we are doing other things, we can meditate on God’s word. Hide it in your heart, so that even when you can’t be reading it, it is there for you to think about and ponder. For me, I can think on His word…just a verse or so…while I make the bed, brush my teeth, do the dishes, or go for a walk. Multitasking is possible. How about for you? Can you find a time to meditate on God’s word…day and night?

Prayer ~ Glory be to Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…as it was in the beginning, may it now and ever shall be. World without End. Amen. May Your power, Lord, be within our hearts and minds day and night. May all that we think, say and do bring glory and honor to You.

Daily Bible Reading: Daniel 7-9

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - https://www.blueletterbible.org/.

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Day and Night

Meditate on this verse:

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2 NASB

...in His law he meditates day and night.

Meditate. After Moses died, God spoke directly to Joshua who was about to lead the Hebrew people into the Promised Land.

"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

This Book of Instructions was the only “Bible” written so far containing the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The Pentateuch was all written by Moses. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Obedience was the key to the right relationship with God…and thus with men. Obey God and life will be good. Joshua must have been able to read. I wonder how many of the Hebrew people were literate? They had a lot of time out there in the desert for forty years, they should have all had time to learn to read and to study the words that Moses had recorded from God. Did they only have stone tablets? Carrying all that around would have been heavy weight. It was likely they had all the stories, words of wisdom and commands memorized, but God told Joshua to meditate on the written word, so we can assume that the Law was written down by this time.

Meditate on God's Word
Day and Night

How long have you had a Bible? I received my first Bible when I was in the seventh grade, so that is well over fifty years ago. Since then I’ve had multiple copies and have at least six copies here in my office right now, plus availability of on-line Bibles, like the Blue Letter Bible, right at my fingertips. I was so proud of myself for actually reading through the Bible a couple of years ago—and I periodically read a portion of the Bible on a scheduled reading plan like the one listed at the end of each of this Banquet With The King blog. But reading the Bible through on a scheduled plan is not the same as meditating on God’s word. Meditating take a person much deeper into knowing, experiencing, and then applying scripture to our lives. The only way, or perhaps the best way, to really know God, to have a relationship with Him, is to know His word—to study, memorize and meditate on His words. Like God commanded Joshua...Be Strong and Courageous. God's Word never changes, but each time you read, even the same passage, God can bring new meaning and relevance about Himself, history, and His plan for our lives. Try reading the same passage on three different days, day and night. Try using three different translations and see if it says the same thing to you each time. Pray for understanding before you read His word. Can you apply His words to your life? Day and night? 

Prayer ~ Lord God, Open my eyes to see You more clearly and apply Your teachings to my life. Especially help me to be ready all the time—and to encourage others to do the same. Thank you that You have given me free will to choose to follow You. I choose to do just that...and to love You with all my heart, mind, soul and strength.

Daily Bible Reading: Daniel 4-6

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - https://www.blueletterbible.org/.

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