Banquet With The King

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Are You Thankful?

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. Colossians 3:15-16 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate on thankfulness.

Budapest at night.
Royal beauty.
Do you honor Christ
as if He were in the palace--
or the throne of your heart?

Rule. What does that mean to you? With our democratic republic type of government and freedom here in the United States we don't have as strong a concept of kingship. Although we should show respect to our elected government officials, we don't bow down to a king. Does that make the idea of honoring Jesus as KING of kings in our hearts more difficult? We all have the choice to make. Who is on the "throne" of your heart? Are we in charge...or is Jesus? Do we want to do things our way or the way that Jesus taught, which is basically to love the Lord or God with all our heart...and to love our neighbor as ourselves? The choice is ours.

Soon it will be THANKSGIVING Day. For what are you thankful? There are many passages of scripture that encourage us to be thankful.

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. Hebrews 12:28

Worship God—respectfully. I think that includes letting Him rule in our hearts...and minds. Thankfully.

Prayer – Thank You Jesus...for life and Your love that permeates our hearts and minds. May all that we that we think, say, and do bring glory and honor to You and to our Heavenly Father. Personally, today I am singing with a thankful heart.

Verse of Salvation ~ Cry out, "Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you." 1 Chronicles 16:35

Reused from November 23, 2017, Banquet With The King, blog.

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

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

How Can You Show Kindness?

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

Rooster 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 the words, be 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, where 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.

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.

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

Veterans Day

Be Kind…Thank a Vet today.

Recycled from November 11, 2023, Banquet With The King blog.

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

Monday, November 10, 2025

How’s Your Thankfulness?

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Meditate on Thankfulness.

In what circumstances are you thankful…and what situations challenge that response?

Several times over the past ten or twenty years I’ve had discussions with other Christians about God’s will. Knowing God’s will for your life is essential.

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

God's will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 1 Thessalonians 4:3

For God's will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. Hebrews 10:10

Cross from Medjugorje
Illustrating Jesus' obedience.

Jesus was even concerned about His Father’s will…wanting to please the Father and knowing that He was doing just what was expected of Him. He was obedient.

For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day. John 6:40

I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will. John 5:30

"Abba, Father," he cried out, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." Mark 14:36

Paul advised the church at Thessalonica that they should be thankful in all circumstances. We should have that same attitude. Be thankful in all circumstances. Does that include the circumstances in which we find ourselves today? Still watchfully masking and distancing when necessary to prevent COVID-19, some other influenza, or respiratory disease. Can we give thanks for that? Can we give thanks for the wind, dust, and eventual snow flurries? The key here is IN ALL circumstances. Are you thankful IN or FOR all circumstances? The choice is yours.

Prayer – Lord God, I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help. Psalm 56:12

Verse of Salvation ~ 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 50:23

Happy Birthday, Joeske!

May God continue to bless and guide you in His mercy and grace with thankfulness.

With much love and prayers.

Revised and reused from November 28, 2024, Banquet With The King blog.

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 9, 2025

You Can Do It!

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Meditate on the strength God has given you.

You can do it. Have confidence in yourself…and assurance in the promise and power of the Lord. You can do it—everything through Christ, who gives you strength. See the confidence in God that you can have and seek that confidence in yourself, in the Lord. Ask Him to help you remember this verse, to hide it in your heart. You can do it!

The Cross is Empty
I can do everything through Christ,
who gives me strength.
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord.

Doesn't your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn't your life of integrity give you hope? Job 4:6

But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. Jeremiah 17:7

So we can say with confidence, "The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?" Hebrews 13

Yes. Have confidence in the Lord for He is the source of all wisdom and understanding, power and grace, and most of all…love. He loved you enough to die for you, so He loves you enough to help you know that you can do everything through Christ, who gives you strength. Philippians 4:13. Do you desire and love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength?

Blessing on you today, as you bask in His love and grace.

Prayer – May the Lord our God show us His approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful! Psalm 90:17. Successful—because we can do everything through Christ, who gives us strength.

Verse of Salvation ~ We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus." Acts 15:11. Believe in Jesus as your Savior, confess your sin, and receive forgiveness.

Revised from August 25, 2019, Banquet With The King blog.

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

Saturday, November 8, 2025

It’s Not Thanksgiving Yet…Are You Thankful Anyway?

Teach the little ones to "Give Thanks" for everything.
Granddaughter Julia learned.
Be Thankful.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:16-17

Meditate on thankfulness.

How do you express your thankfulness? Give thanks. Be thankful. God repeated this directive numerous times throughout the Bible.

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. Hebrews 12:28

Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8

Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

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."f Revelation 11:17

Singing praises. Giving thanks. Teaching others. That is what God wants us to do to honor Him. Can we do anything less? The choice is up to each of us. What do you choose to do today?

Prayer – Lord God, You told us over and over to be thankful. I am thankful—for You, for everything You provide and do for me, my family, friends, community, country…and the whole world. I praise You as my Lord, my Savior, my Creator, my Father, my guide, and my friend. You are an awesome God.

Verse of Salvation ~ (God says) 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 50:23

Revised from September 27, 2024, Banquet With The King blog.

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 7, 2025

Thankfulness – Today and Forever

I give you thanks, O LORD, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. Psalm 138:1-3

Meditate on Thankfulness.

This is November when most people’s thoughts turn to Thanksgiving. For what are you thankful? Jesus taught His disciples a prayer, known today as The Lord’s Prayer, which encourages us to live focusing on God, honoring Him. I think that by concentrating on our Heavenly Father we honor Him, providing a thankful heart experience.

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

May your Kingdom come soon.

May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us today the food we need,

and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

Matthew 6:9-13

Can you honor God first thing in the morning?

May God’s name be honored and kept holy. I think that I need to go beyond just honoring God’s name…honor Him. One of the first songs I sang and memorized in Junior Choir when I was a kid was “Holy, Holy, Holy” and I can still sing the alto part to most of that song. It encourages us to recognize that God is Holy—and to remember Him early in the morning. That is best time of the day to stop and focus on God…on who He is, what He has done in your life…and to offer yourself to Him. What do You want me to do today, Lord?

Prayer – Lord God—You are holy and I praise Your name. May all that I think, say, and do today bring You glory and honor. Show me what You want me to do today…just for You.

Verse of Salvation ~ Cry out, "Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you." 1 Chronicles 16:35

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Only about three weeks until Thanksgiving. One of my favorite dishes to enjoy at any Thanksgiving Day celebration—even if it is an early one—is a fresh cranberry relish or sauce. Something about that tangy cranberry is satisfying with turkey. I'll be savoring this soon with an early family thanksgiving feast!

Fresh Cranberry Sauce

1 bag - 12 ounce fresh cranberries
2 finely chopped apples—any variety
½ cup fresh squeezed orange juice, plus ½ orange, coarsely chopped and the zest of one orange
1 cup sugar, or less to taste (depending on the sweetness of the apples)
1 tablespoon minced crystallized ginger (candied ginger)
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Cover and bring to a gentle boil over a medium-low heat. Cook about 15-20 minutes. Uncover. Mash with a potato masher, if it is too lumpy for you. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook about 5 minutes until sauce thickens.

Transfer the sauce to a heatproof serving dish and cool 10 minutes. Serve warm or you may cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or more before serving. Makes 3 cups.

Serve with turkey, and then on turkey sandwiches the next day. To create cranberry scones swirl ½ cup of sauce into scones batter before baking. Enjoy anytime of the year by using frozen cranberries.

Revised from January 7, 2019, and November 27, 2015, Banquet With The King blog.

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