Banquet With The King

Monday, August 14, 2023

A Time of Judgement

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I understand that a time of judgement will come…and that You are the judge. “Here comes the Judge” will be heard throughout heaven and earth as You come to judge everyone.

The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground and worshiped him. And they said, "We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign. The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come. It is time to judge the dead and reward your servants the prophets, as well as your holy people, and all who fear your name, from the least to the greatest. It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth." Revelation 11:16-18

Meditate on the coming end times.

Time to harvest the grapes in my yard!

Imagine Jesus ready to “harvest” the souls on earth. There He is in the clouds with a golden crown on His head harvesting souls presumably depicted as wheat and then grapes with a sharp sickle. Everyone will face judgment. Those grapes that are harvested will go into a wine press—which the commentary on Revelation 14 by Matthew Henry indicates as the wrath of God.

Then I saw a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was someone like the Son of Man. He had a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. Then another angel came from the Temple and shouted to the one sitting on the cloud, "Swing the sickle, for the time of harvest has come; the crop on earth is ripe." So the one sitting on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the whole earth was harvested. After that, another angel came from the Temple in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. Then another angel, who had power to destroy with fire, came from the altar. He shouted to the angel with the sharp sickle, "Swing your sickle now to gather the clusters of grapes from the vines of the earth, for they are ripe for judgment." So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and loaded the grapes into the great winepress of God's wrath. Revelation 14:14-19

Paul tells Timothy…and us…what we are to do in the meantime until Jesus comes to judge the living and the dead.

I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (Underlined for emphasis.)

We’ve got our marching orders for now. The text underlined above is Paul’s guidance, so we don’t have guess what we need to be doing until we are called home to face the judgment.

Verse of Salvation ~ So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people's affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God's household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God's Good News? And also, "If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?" So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. 1 Peter 4:14-19

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

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Sunday, August 13, 2023

Are You Faithful and Ready?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I feel like I am about as ready as I can ever be. Is there anything else I need to do to get ready for Your return?

Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready. Luke 12:35-38

Meditate. Consider how to prepare for end times.

Are you a checklist person? Do you set goals…and then daily reach to attain some little action to reach that goal. So spiritually, what are your goals?

Are you ready for service?

Is your lamp burning—are you filled with the Holy Spirit?

Are you ready to open the door for Christ? Are you asking Him to be part of your life?

Do you trust God with the little details and the big decisions in your life?

How do you want grow spiritually?

Do you want to help others grow spiritually?

What scripture do you want to memorize?

Are there things for which you need to repent?

Are you ready for Christ’s return?

Are you having a cup of coffee...
and waiting for the day to start?
Are you faithful and ready?

Jesus told His disciples to be ready since they wouldn’t know the hour or the day that He would return. Those who are ready will be rewarded.

ü You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Luke 12:40

ü The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! Luke 12:37

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

So, it is time to be ready—and those who aren’t will be like dead vines—they’ll be trimmed off. Each person will make their own choice. Love God—and be a faithful follower or reject God and be thrown into the fire.

Even now the ax of God's judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. Luke 3:9

Are you faithful and ready?

Verse of Salvation ~ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance--an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 1 Peter 1:3-5

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

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Saturday, August 12, 2023

I Have Chosen to be Faithful - Have You?

Prayer’s laws – Lord Jesus, I choose to listen to You and obey—to be faithful. You have encouraged me over and over with Your words. C ontinue to guide me and give me wisdom, understanding, and insight into Your commands, directives, regulations, and laws.

A lizard made these tracks.
Like it...I lie in the desert dust.
Revive me with Your words, Lord.

I lie in the dust; revive me by your word. I told you my plans, and you answered. Now teach me your decrees. Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds. I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word. Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions. I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations. I cling to your laws. LORD, don't let me be put to shame! I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding. Psalm 119:25-32

Meditate. Focus on the Lord God ways and teachings.

Down and out in the dust and dirt. Have you been there? Revive me and refresh my heart. Having goals is so important in life. David told God his plans—his goals. Do you ever share with God your plans—what you want to accomplish? If you include Him in those plans, it is more likely that you will succeed. A verse in Proverbs that I memorized long ago comes to my mind. Look this verse up and read the verses before and after it…or the whole chapter. Don’t depend just on what you know—ask God to help you and do what pleases Him…His will. Knowing which path to take…what to do…can give insight and may be a change point in your life.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust God. He is looking for faithful followers. Will you be one of those? Choices we make every day…actually moment by moment…affect our life and those around us. If we choose to follow Jesus and live according to His words, then we are choosing to be obedient, faithful followers.

Verse of Salvation ~ So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. "For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away." But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved. Hebrews 10:35-39

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

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Friday, August 11, 2023

Looking for God’s Blessing?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I hear Your word and plea for obedience. I want Your blessing…so I will listen and obey. I hear…the time is near.

God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near. Revelation 1:3

Meditate. Listen to God’s words and obey.

Jesus stressed the importance of obedience…and that obedience shows love. Love given and love received. Additionally, to love Jesus is to love His Father…our Heavenly Father.

If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans--I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them." Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, "Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?" Jesus replied, "All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn't love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. John 14:15-24

Disloyalty is disobedience. How often do we try…and try…to obey and just can’t? Then again have you ever willfully disobeyed one of God’s commandments? It is human nature…or maybe it could be called fallen nature, since after Adam and Eve disobeyed, they hid from God and had to be covered with animal skins to cover their sin. In His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Jesus talked about how thinking the evil was the same as doing the sinful act. Even in the Old Testament we see shame from sin.

Lord, you are in the right; but as you see, our faces are covered with shame. This is true of all of us, including the people of Judah and Jerusalem and all Israel, scattered near and far, wherever you have driven us because of our disloyalty to you. O LORD, we and our kings, princes, and ancestors are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. We have not obeyed the LORD our God, for we have not followed the instructions he gave us through his servants the prophets. Daniel 9:7-10

Are you looking for God’s blessing? Are you willing to listen and obey?

Verse of Salvation ~ While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. Hebrews 5:7-9

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

I’m on a gluten free-granola kick right now. It is a very satisfying snack or dessert—topped with kefir or yogurt. You can add just about anything you like in the way of dried fruits or nuts.

Hearty Granola

· 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (use certified gluten-free oats for gluten-free granola)

· 1 ½ cup raw nuts and/or seeds (I used 1 cup chopped pecans/walnuts/almonds and ½ cup pepitas)

· 1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt (if you’re using standard table salt, scale back to ¾ teaspoon)

· ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

· ½ cup melted coconut oil or olive oil

· ½ cup maple syrup or honey

· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

· ⅔ cup dried fruit, chopped if large (I used dried cranberries, raisins, and mangos)

· Totally optional additional mix-ins: ½ cup chocolate chips or ¾ cup coconut flakes

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. (Alternatively, if you've lots of time, pre-heat to 250 degrees to bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.)

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend.

3. Pour in the oil, maple syrup and/or honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer.

4. Bake at 350 degrees until lightly golden, about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway (for extra-clumpy granola, press the stirred granola down with your spatula to create a more even layer). The granola will further crisp up as it cools.

5. Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed (at least 45 minutes). Top with the dried fruit (and optional chocolate chips, if using). Break the granola into pieces with your hands if you want to retain big chunks, or stir it around with a spoon if you don’t want extra-clumpy granola.

6. Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, or in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. The dried fruit can freeze solid, so let it warm to room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

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

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Thursday, August 10, 2023

Look Around You

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You are my refuge and my strength...always ready to help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). I claim the promise that You will always be with me. I am overjoyed that I’ll be living with You forever—for You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Life everlasting. Thank you.

I will bless the LORD who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I know the LORD is always with me.

Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. I said to the LORD, "You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you." The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them! Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods. LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance! I will bless the LORD who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalm 16:1-11

Meditate. Consider the pleasures of living with the Lord God…forever.

What a great Psalm of promise. Every good thing comes from God. Troubles may multiply for those who follow false gods—but the Lord is my inheritance and my cup of blessing. He is always with me—right beside me…always. My heart is overflowing with joy—yes, I am actually rejoicing. There may seem like times of distress, disappointment, dissatisfaction, and frustration with life especially in the last few years with Covid and stressful life for everyone around the world…but the Lord is always with me—with us. When I focus on Him…and claim His promises, my heart and life are filled with joy. He's promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. This promise here in the Psalm above…You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever…is wonderful. Don’t be deceived and chase after false gods.

Look around you. Jesus will show you the way of life—giving you joy. If He is your Savior—your God—you can enjoy His presence forever.

Verse of Salvation ~ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5

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

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Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Are You Singing?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I am singing to You in my heart—and with all my soul—night and day. Joy. Praise. Honor. You are worthy.

Praise the Lord!
Dance and Sing!
In the streets of Jerusalem.

Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful. O Israel, rejoice in your Maker. O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King. Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp. For the LORD delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them. Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds. Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands—to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with shackles and their leaders with iron chains, to execute the judgment written against them. This is the glorious privilege of his faithful ones. Praise the LORD! Psalm 149:1-9

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

God’s faithful ones will execute judgment, even punishment on nations and people who are against God. Is that an honor—a way that God will have His faithful followers—to be His judges? When His devoted ones gather together they will sing a new song…and praise the Lord. In Revelation it mentions that the 144,000, who are redeemed Jews, will sing a new song.

This great choir sang a wonderful new song in front of the throne of God and before the four living beings and the twenty-four elders. No one could learn this song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. Revelation 14:3

I long to hear that wonderful new song. I imagine that there will be lots of music, praises and songs from every nation and tribe reverberating in heaven. People who have had near death experiences often report about the awesome music they experienced in their short encounter with the heavenly realm.

Sing a new song to the LORD, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power! The LORD has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation! He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Shout to the LORD, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! Psalm 98:1-4

Are you singing and praising the Lord today?

Verse of Salvation ~ Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods. Psalm 95:1-3

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

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Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Obedience

Prayer – Lord Jesus, help us to be obedient to You—as well as to our Father God and the Holy Spirit—for You are one God. I praise Your holy name. I worship You. I love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength…and I love my neighbor as myself—or I certainly try to! I can only do that with Your help.

Wildflowers - Phlox
They bloom and die.
The wind blows, and we are gone.
As if we'd never been here.
May we never forget the good things...
God has done.

Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle's! The LORD gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone--as though we had never been here. But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children's children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! The LORD has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything. Praise the LORD, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. Yes, praise the LORD, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will! Praise the LORD, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the LORD. Psalm 103:1-22 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Consider God’s love emanating from His throne. Praise the Lord.

Let all that I am praise the Lord. That pretty much says it all. Obedience is the key. We are told over and over in both the Old and New Testaments the importance of obeying God. To be faithful to God, we must obey His commandments. Moses told the Israelites that they must obey God’s commandments…and that goes for us, too.

Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. But he does not hesitate to punish and destroy those who reject him. Therefore, you must obey all these commands, decrees, and regulations I am giving you today. "If you listen to these regulations and faithfully obey them, the LORD your God will keep his covenant of unfailing love with you, as he promised with an oath to your ancestors. Deuteronomy 7:9-12

Even Jesus stressed that obedience, but He graciously summarized all the commandments into just two.

"Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" Jesus replied, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40

Can we be faithfully obedient even to just these two commandments?

Verse of Salvation ~ His salvation extends to the children's children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! Psalm 103:17-18

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories