Banquet With The King

Monday, November 13, 2023

How To…Give Up Your Selfish Ways

Prayer – Lord, I know that my own selfish attitude—putting my own needs before others—keeps me from having a good relationship with You and with them. You told Your disciples and us that we needed to turn away from our selfish ways. Give it up! Help me to do just that.

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture. What does your cross look like?

This same scripture passage in Mark 8:34 is in Luke 9:23, with the additional words of “daily” which specifies that this willingness to carry a cross is not a one-time event—but something we need to do every day. How do we “take up our cross?” Is it the same as giving up our selfishness? The “cross” represents the trouble and trials in our lives. Although Jesus has taken our sins upon Himself—to His very death on the cross—we still must take responsibility for the trials that come our way. Is our decision to be “selfish” giving into or even causing a turbulent time for us? I tried to think of a time I’d been selfish—just wanting my way—and except for maybe choosing a restaurant to go to I couldn’t think of any really selfish times…but did that cause troubles? Maybe some hurt feelings. I think I gave up “selfishness” so long ago that I’ve just forgotten that part of my character…my personality. I’m a people pleaser—generally trying to make or keep others happy and I’ll willingly give up my own time, talents and resources—including my own preferences—just to keep peace. Do you do that?

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

So, James gives us guidance from God that we shouldn’t cover up the facts with boasting. Pray for insight. First step in getting rid of selfishness from our lives is to be aware of selfish desires and behavior. Consider if you are really willing to changes. Once again—decision time. Then go forward in a positive way focusing on others and their needs. If you were in their shoes…how would you feel? Reach out to others, volunteering where and when you can to help them. Be grateful—which is stressed so much during November—thanking the Lord for the awareness that He has brought into your life and the opportunity to change. Change is never easy, but where the Lord is involved, it is worth it.

Some of the benefits of giving up selfishness and helping others include reducing your own loneliness, combatting depression, increasing resilience to stress, making new friends, creating higher self-esteem, and increasing happiness. All of these will help build better relationships with God and with others.

Verse of Salvation ~ "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 10:37-39

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

Sunday, November 12, 2023

How To…Improve Your Relationship With Others – Part 3

Prayer – Lord, I am listening to You. Help me to process what You are saying and use it to improve my listening skills so that I may hear others and help them to hear You, too.

Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. Proverbs 12:15

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

Listen. Can you stop talking long enough to hear what someone else is saying?

Are you like a stubborn ole goat?
You just won't listen?

Listening is an important communication skill. One of the best ways to “listen” is to begin with putting aside everything physical…phone, books, TV remote…that may distract you from hearing just exactly what the other person is saying. Below is a good description of skill I learned in a Parenting of Teens class—when I had teenagers. Active listening is a good skill to use with anyone—children to the ancients. As always, the internet has a wealth of information. Be careful what you choose. This is from verywellmind.com.

Active listening is a communication skill that involves going beyond simply hearing the words that another person speaks but also seeking to understand the meaning and intent behind them. It requires being an active participant in the communication process.

Active listening techniques include:

· Being fully present in the conversation

· Showing interest by practicing good eye contact

· Noticing (and using) non-verbal cues

· Asking open-ended questions to encourage further responses

· Paraphrasing and reflecting back what has been said

· Listening to understand rather than to respond

· Withholding judgment and advice

In communication, active listening is important because it keeps you engaged with your conversation partner in a positive way. It also makes the other person feel heard and valued. This skill is the foundation of a successful conversation in any setting—whether at work, at home, or in social situations.

Listen. In Proverbs 12:15 Solomon tells us that fools don’t listen—they are so caught up in themselves and they think their way is the only way. How many times have you encountered that? Does it help you in communicating with others…or even in listening to them? Be like the wise man and listen to others. That may take putting aside your own wants and desires so that you can just hear what they have to say. Will it be worth it? More than likely, Yes. Yes, because that person will feel like they matter to you since you were willing to listen to them. Would they be as willing to listen to you? That may be another matter, but what is important is that you had the integrity to put others first.

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. 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. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:1-5

Can you listen to others without interjecting your own opinion or thoughts? Will you listen without interrupting them? The choice is yours. Once again, we have choices to make that will show our true character—are we following God or our own selfish interests?

Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7

Verse of Salvation ~ I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:24

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

Saturday, November 11, 2023

How To…Improve Your Relationship With Others – Part 2

Prayer – Lord, are we ever in total communion with You or with others? When I lose focus on myself…and just focus on You, I feel Your very presence and a level of joy that is encouraging and uplifting. You can put a smile on my face—which in turn allows me to smile on others. That smile of acceptance is sometimes all that is needed to break the ice in an otherwise icy relationship.

Are you crowing like a rooster?
,,,or are you communicating
with kindness?

Rooster at home in Joppa, Israel.

Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:29-32

Meditate. Focus on that word…kind.

How would you rate yourself on…patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? How well do you actually communicate with others?

Communication is so important to any relationship. No communication results in no exchanging ideas, no encouraging others, no expressing love or showing acceptance. What do patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control have to do with communication? Well, I think they are the foundation to a healthy connection with others. Throw in honesty, integrity, forgiveness, and compromise and a stable relationship is sure to develop. Paul forthrightly declared that the church at Ephesus should...get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Imagine yourself, your family, friends and colleges without any of those evil characteristics—but renewed and refilled with the Holy Spirit, exhibiting totally kind actions and feelings towards everyone. Is that what heaven will be like? Forgiveness will be necessary before anyone gets to heaven. Then we can focus on kindness. Sounds good to me.

In the meantime, making every effort to communicate in an intentionally kind way is a good attitude to have towards others. Isn’t that how you want to be treated, too? Back to that Golden Rule…treat others the way you want to be treated. Don’t be critical of others—but humble yourself and put others needs ahead of your own (Philippians 2:3-4).

For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? Matthew 7:2-3

Make every effort to improve your relationships through good communication.

Verse of Salvation ~ Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance. Hebrews 6:11-12

Thank a Veteran Today

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, November 10, 2023

How to Improve Your Relationship with Others

Prayer – Lord, You told us to ‘love God” and to “love others as ourselves.” Help us to do just that—that we would please You in everything we think, say, and do.

The Spirit lives in us.
May the Holy Spirit bless your relationships.

And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. Those who obey God's commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us. 1 John 3:23-24 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Consider the intricacies of relationships.

How are your relationships with others? Do you treat others the way you want to be treated? Do you love others as you love yourself? Do you love yourself? Do you love God? Do you obey Him?

Good questions to ask yourself periodically. God wants us to love Him…and to love others. He commanded it—but He allows us to choose. We have choices day by day—free will. We choose.

Paul taught in his letter to the Philippians that we are to consider others ahead of ourselves.

There’s the key point. Take an interest in others. Don’t be selfish. God doesn’t leave us hanging. He offers us teaching, training and options for life. He tells people what He knows we need to do to get along in life—how to live. From food safety to personal relationships—God has got it covered. He has people’s needs at heart. But, He gives mankind a choice. We can choose how we treat others—how we treat ourselves—if we love God or even believe in Him as the Almighty God.

Love God. Love others. Ask God and trust Him to guide your thoughts, words and actions as you restore the connections you have with Him and with others. That’s the best way to improve our relationships.

Verse of Salvation ~ Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Sadly, life can end very abruptly and tragically. Grief can be overwhelming when death of a loved one is sudden, unexpected and brought on by catastrophic effects. We just heard that a cousin of mine, Donald, died in a house fire. We know that as a believer he will be in heaven—but it still doesn’t take away the loss and pain that his family is dealing with right now. Praying that God will give them strength and peace.

Here’s a recipe that Don submitted to his family recipe book. I present this here in honor of him.

TACO SALAD

1 head lettuce

3 green onions, chopped

1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 pkg taco chips, crushed

1 lb hamburger, browned and cooled

2 tomatoes, chopped

1 can olives, sliced

½ cup cheese, grated

Mix all ingredients just before serving. Serve with Thousand Island dressing and salsa.

Optional additions: chopped avocado or guacamole, sour cream, finely chopped jalapenos, tabasco sauce.

Happy Birthday, Joeske

May God Continue to Bless You and Guide You in All You Think, Say & Do

Love You Much, Dear Brother

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

Thursday, November 9, 2023

How To Improve Your Relationship with God

Prayer – Lord God, I just want to please You in all that I think, say, and do…but like Paul wrote to the church in Rome…“part of me is still a slave to sin…I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. ... I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. ... I have discovered this principle of life--that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. ... But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. Romans 7:15-16, 19, 21, 23-25

Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward. Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son. 2 John 1:6-9

Meditate. Consider your relationship to God.

First of all…God want to be our one and only God. He commanded in the Ten Commandments that we should have no other gods before Him. It is a reoccurring theme that He repeats several times in the Bible.

You must worship no other gods, for the LORD, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you. Exodus 34:14

Jesus shares some wise advice in one of the many parables that He told:

"Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God." Luke 12:21

No one wants to be a fool! But like Paul wrote to the Romans, we just are enslaved to sin. Seek God with all of your heart and you will find Him…then ask Him to teach you to be pure and obey Him.

Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death. Psalm 86:11-13

What does God expect of us? How can we restore or improve our relationship with Him. Humble obedience, communicating and communing with Him via prayer, and repenting from our dreadful, sinful ways.

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Brass cross from Korea.
Christ died for all mankind.
Our relationship to God
is restored by Christ on the cross
.

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

God wants us to be obedient—like His Son, Jesus. There is coming a time when a blessing from God may directly correlate to our obedience.

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

Can we truly be obedient? What will that blessing be? It will certainly be God’s unmerited favor, His grace, towards us in spite of feeble attempts to win His favor.

Verse of Salvation ~ Won't you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. Psalm 85:6-7

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, November 8, 2023

How To…Put Jesus First in Your Life

Prayer – Lord, I am looking to You for ways that I can serve and please You—for You are worthy of all praise, glory and honor. In life You provide security, hope, help and necessities. In death…You provide an eternal home and fulfill that forever hope that You have instilled in us. Thank You.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

Meditate. Consider what you need and what God provides.

Remember when Jesus fed the five thousand men and their families and then those people followed Jesus wanting to be fed again?

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval." They replied, "We want to perform God's works, too. What should we do?" Jesus told them, "This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent." John 6:26-29

Jesus told those “followers” that the only work God wants us to do is to believe. We need to go beyond that to serve God…not for rewards, but because we love Him. Paul taught Timothy that we are to live a holy life. That is our “service” to the Lord. As we live that life of holiness, we will ultimately seek to serve God first—not seeking to please ourselves, but Him.

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time--to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:9

Like the sunflower...
Keep facing the Light--Jesus.

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:30-34

He has promised to give us everything we need…not necessarily everything we want. But no worries. He does want us to give us the desires of our hearts. Note again the command not to worry.

Don't worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:1-5 (Underlined for emphasis.)

David wrote that we are to…Commit everything you do to the Lord. We are to do everything for Him. Dedicate, devote, entrust, confide and give. That about covers it. We are to live for the Lord—to please and honor Him…above ourselves and others. Put God first. Live righteously. Turn away from any evil. Can you do that?

Verse of Salvation ~ For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. Titus 2:11

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