Banquet With The King

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Can You Follow Instructions?

Prayer – Lord, following instructions is associated so much with attitude. When I have a good attitude, I am more willing to accept and follow instructions from others. Do You see that in me—in following Your instructions? I certainly want to please You in all that I think, say and do. I want to obey You for You have given me a precious salvation from my sin and innate sinful nature. Work in and through me.

Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I (Paul) was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:12-13

Meditate. Can you follow instructions?

The Torah in a Synagogue in Israel.
Reverently study God's word...
His instructions.
Build your relationship with God...
based on His Holy Word.

Where do you find the instructions to follow? In the greatest instruction manual of all times: the Holy Bible. Jesus taught His followers to apply some of the Old Testament traditions with His wisdom in His Sermon on the Mount—which contains the Beatitudes. Following the Ten Commandments and all of Jesus instructions throughout the New Testament is the best thing we can do. But beware of becoming legalistic. That was the problem that the Jews ran into. Following the commandments to the letter of the law…and making those interpretations into their own 613 laws. Nit picky. They were being the hypocrites that Jesus accused them of being because they were taking pride in keeping their laws rather than in obeying God, in living a loving and compassionate life.

Where do you stand today? Are you living by Christian ethics just so that you can feel good about what you do…or are you truly living to serve the Lord by serving others? As always, the choice is yours. God doesn’t force you to do anything. He gives you the option to listen and obey. Can you follow instructions?

Verse of Salvation ~ Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:12-13

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

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Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Can You Change Your Attitude?

Prayer – Lord—You are amazing. Can I actually have the same attitude as You?

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8

Meditate. Consider Jesus’ attitude.

Attitude – a way of thinking of feeling about someone or something that is reflected in one’s behavior. It might just be in your own thoughts, but usually includes actions and verbal statements.

Jesus had a humble and obedient attitude towards His Heavenly Father but consider His response to the Pharisees. Nothing meek about that when they were trying to trick Him. He simply was honest with them—those white-washed hypocrites! As we stand up for the Lord, we can do the same, in an unassuming manner.

Be of one mind.
Love each other--
So you may cross any bridge together.
Cable Bridge across the Columbia River
Tri-Cities, Washington

Peter had some advice to Christians about their approach to others, quoting from Psalm 34.

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say, "If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:8-12

You can change anything you want about yourself, including your attitude. The choice is yours.

Verses for Salvation ~ So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God's presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. 2 Timothy 2:10-14

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

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Monday, February 6, 2023

Encouragement

Prayer – Lord, I belong to You. Please, encourage me.

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2

Meditate. Look for and share encouragement.

Paul, writing to the church at Philippi, was quizzing those Christians about their fellowship with each other. He encouraged them to agree with those in their group—thereby showing their love for each other—and to work together, striving for the same goals. He continues with specific advice.

Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:3-4

Alone on the Columbia River
Crossing under the Railroad Bridge.
Where are you going?

In building relational bridges with others, it is imperative to put others first. This reminds us of Jesus words to love others as ourselves. Otherwise, life can be lonely.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote about the wisdom that comes to us from God and the feelings towards others that utilize that wisdom.

If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18

Truth is strength in interactions with God and those with whom we associate. Be encouraged…and be an encourager of the truth.

Verses of Salvation ~ Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God's marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude 1:3-4

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

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Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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Parenting Day By Day -

Daily Devotional for Building Character

You can start reading this Daily Devotional any day.

Let the Lord show you the characteristics you need to develop in your life...or to help your children or grandchildren acquire in theirs.

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Sunday, February 5, 2023

Challenge

Prayer – Lord, You were marvelous at creating friendships. It isn’t that easy for me…but I am wiling to try. Then I think of the quote from Yoda…“Do or do not. There is no try.” Wise advice. Your advice also rings in my head…”Do unto others as you would have them do to you. (Matthew 7:12)” I think that includes making and keeping friends. Show me how to intentionally do that.

They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47

Meditate. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

Imagine yourself sitting around a big table—reclining as they did in Jesus’ time—and feasting at a meal with other Christians. Please pass the hummus…and the pita bread. Would you like more water, wine, or tea? Laughter. Smiles. A joyous meal. Tomorrow, come to my house. I’m cooking up some lentil soup. It will be a tasty meal. Did you hear that the gentleman across the street just accepted Jesus as his Savior? Ah. Here he is now—and he has his wife and son with him. Praise God! Our fellowship is growing again.

Start a new friendship today.
Be intentional.
Love God--love others.
Enjoy the goodwill of all people.

Building relationships is the key to a growing fellowship. Those relationships with others and with God depend on spending time together—just as the early Christians did. Time of worshipping, studying the scriptures, fellowshipping, sharing meals, and generously giving to others. If they needed clothes, food, or help with a project—I’m sure they shared with each other. Time together and shared resources bonds people to each other, socially and spiritually. Think about your group of friends. Do you share meals, scripture, and fellowship? Actually, consider those with whom you want to be friends. A couple of years ago I was at a ladies’ conference when the speaker mentioned a book she had just read, “Friendships Don’t Just Happen” by Shasta Nelson who encouraged ladies, but it could apply to men as well, to intentionally establish circles of friends. Without the epidemic threat of isolation, we can now interact with people, real time and face to face, so we have that opportunity to establish new friendships. Those new companionships give them and us the possibility to do as Jesus taught…to love others as we love ourselves. Build a bridge today toward God and towards others in your midst that He created—then joyfully cross that bridge together like those in early Christian fellowship as Luke described in the book of Acts.

Twenty-one Day Challenge from January 16 blog post:

We aren’t to put money, or career, home, or even family before God. That may be a real challenge for some people. So, I challenge you to put God first every day for twenty-one days. That’s the length of time it takes to change a habit. No better habit that to put God first in your life. Begin today, and finish on February 5^th.

Have you met this challenge? Do you need to repeat it?

Verses of Salvation ~ But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:8-11

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

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Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Saturday, February 4, 2023

How Strong is Your Foundation?

Prayer – Lord, just like the early believers, I want to be devoted to Your teachings, to fellowship, sharing meals—even just out to lunch—and of course, to prayer—the main way to communicate with You.

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer. Acts 2:42

Meditate. Pray.

This is the day that the Lord has made—let us rejoice in it! Celebrate every day! Express your joy over just being part of God’s family…and as Luke wrote in Acts…be devoted…to the Lord’s teaching, fellowship, sharing meals, and to prayer. Fellowship—with God and with others is one of the cornerstones of Christian living. Another one is prayer. Without those we have no relationship, or just weak relationships with God and others. What kind of life is that? Lonely and pathetic. That’s not for me. I will admit that with the cold weather…and a bit of a cold…I have isolated myself from others—but not from God. I guess I could do even better in that respect, too. How much time have I spent in His word? Just minutes each day which is not nearly enough. How about you? Five minutes or an hour? How much is enough?

How strong is the foundation of your bridge?
Building the Duportail Bridge over the Yakima River.
Richland, WA

Those cornerstones of Christian living are spiritual cornerstones to the foundation of our spiritual bridge to God…and to others. Love God. Love others. Life always comes back to those two commandments that Jesus reminded us of when He responded to the question of what commandments were most important. Those two summarized all the Ten Commandments. That brings us to the question…How strong is your foundation?

Verse of Salvation ~ Though the LORD is very great and lives in heaven, he will make Jerusalem his home of justice and righteousness. In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD will be your treasure. Isaiah 33:5-6

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Friday, February 3, 2023

With Whom Are You Walking?

Prayer – Lord, I want to walk with You—and please You in all that I think, say, and do—but sometimes other relationships get in the way and the world is getting awfully crazy. Help me to stay focused on loving You and caring for others in my life, too.

Everything is falling apart; threats and cheating are rampant in the streets. It is not an enemy who taunts me—I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—I could have hidden from them. Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend. What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God. Psalm 55:11-14

Meditate. Walk carefully.

David walked through some difficult times. Enemies often attacked him—but here in this passage it is a friend that is taunting him. Do you ever feel that way? I think probably all kids in school have experienced that at some time or another. Kids can be cruel even to friends—but it is not the type of

Walking down the path at the Mount of Olives.
Headed for the Garden of Gethsemane and then...
you'll see the Temple Mount.
Israel
With whom will you walk?

behavior that you expect of adults…or is it? There are some adults that just never seem to outgrow the meanness of the classroom bully. Here David’s “friend” with whom he walked in camaraderie to God’s house, assumed to be The Temple, is being arrogant and rude. The Bible doesn’t tell us who his friend was, but their fellowship was obviously broken. We are supposed to love God—and David was doing that by going to God’s house…but we are to love others—and that is difficult to do when you aren’t in step with your companions. Watch how and with whom you walk.

That old ground hog saw his shadow and we are certain to have six more weeks of winter. Brrrr!
Here’s a chili recipe from a friend at church to enjoy on one of these cold days soon. This dear lady who has attended my church for decades is now suffering from dementia. She was such a precious soul with a great sense of humor, good knowledge of the Bible, and an excellent cook who brought tasty dishes to the church potlucks. I just want to share this recipe with you to honor her.

B’s White Chili

2 cups cooked chicken (or turkey)

1 can chicken broth (no MSG please)

1 medium onion, chopped and sautéed in a little olive oil

1 can Navy Beans (15 oz) or about 1/2 cup dried navy beans, soaked and cooked

1 can Great Northern Beans (15 oz) or about 1/2 cup white beans, soaked and cooked

1 can of green chilies (8 oz)

½ teaspoon each: cayenne pepper (or less if desired), oregano and cumin

Put all the ingredients into a pot, bring to a boil and simmer at least 30 minutes. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt. Some nice corn bread is tasty with this soup, too.

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Thursday, February 2, 2023

What Does It Mean to Be Blameless?

Prayer – Lord, show me how I can please You and be a blameless person.

This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. Genesis 6:9

Meditate. Consider what it means to be blameless.

Life-sized Noah's Ark replica.
The Ark Encounter
Williamstown, Kentucky

Blameless means to be whole, sound, and have integrity according to Strongs Concordance (#8549). That was just how God saw Noah—a man that was pure, not sinless—just righteous, in a corrupt world. Noah must have been like his great-grandfather, Enoch, who walked with God (see Genesis 5:24). Yet Moses wrote here in Genesis 6:9 that Noah walked in close fellowship with God. They didn’t just stroll around the countryside, they walked and talked—conversed with each other—in close fellowship. They were good friends. We also know that Noah was obedient—when God asked him to build the ark, he did. The ark served as a bridge, from death to life, saving the chosen ones of mankind along with pairs of all the animals. Could we be found blameless in this corrupt world today? Do we walk close enough to God to be seen as His friend?

Verses of Salvation ~ Repent, all of you who forget me (God), or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you. But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God. Psalm 50:22-23

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Disappeared?

Prayer – Lord, can I have a close fellowship with You…like Enoch did?`

After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters. Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him. Genesis 5:22-24

Meditate on Fellowship.

Adam and Eve must have been heartbroken with the loss of their son, Abel, at the hand of their other son, Cain. God comforted them and blessed them with another son, Seth. who was a rare person—devoted to God. Close fellowship should be the goal for anyone desiring a relationship with God. God created mankind for companionship. Remember how He walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening in the Garden of Eden? He walked with them, just as He walked with Enoch, six generations later. God obviously found a great friend and loyal follower in Enoch.

It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—"he disappeared, because God took him." For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. Hebrews 11:5

Was their "bridge" like an arch?
Arches National Park, Utah

How do we create that close fellowship with God? I think that the key is devotion. Adam and Eve were close to God for who knows how long before they chose not to be obedient. It looks like Enoch was loyal to God’s friendship and established a companionship like no others. He simply pleased God. They crossed their relationship bridge together. Enoch never had to suffer sickness or death—God just took him to heaven. He disappeared!

Verse of Salvation ~ Enoch, who lived in the seventh generation after Adam, prophesied about these people (who lived immoral lives). He said, "Listen! The Lord is coming with countless thousands of his holy ones to execute judgment on the people of the world. He will convict every person of all the ungodly things they have done and for all the insults that ungodly sinners have spoken against him." Jude 1:14-15

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories