Banquet With The King

Saturday, December 6, 2025

Do You Hear God? Do You Hear Others?

You see and recognize what is right but refuse to act on it. You hear with your ears, but you don't really listen. Isaiah 42:20

Meditate. Are you listening or hearing?

Do you have ears to hear?
Are you stubbornly NOT listening?

Have you ever looked at something and just not seen it? Have you ever heard someone speak and just found yourself not processing what they said? Are you even listening? I thought it was maybe just a senior moment thing…but I’ve noticed that it happens with younger people…even teens or kids, too. Isaiah asks if people see and know what is right, but just don’t do it. That happens. Years ago I recall a step-mom who lived next door complained and shook her head at her new teenager step-kids who would walk right by a scrap piece of paper on the floor and just ignore it, several times. They didn’t even see it. She expected them to automatically pick it up. Is that what God expects of us? Are we ignoring what He has right before us? We can see or hear, but we’re not observing or listening. What would motivate us to engage with our surroundings—with the people that are around us—so that we see and hear and really act on those things—especially on the expectations of the Lord?

What does He expect of us? As the prophet Micah wrote:

…O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

So, what will you do? You know what is right. You love mercy shown to you…can you show mercy to others? Are you walking humbly with God? Are you staying close to the Lord in your relationship with Him? Consider what Solomon wrote in Proverbs.

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Wisdom is always good. Wisdom was with God at the beginning. Here are a few verses that we can read in a chapter that covers the qualities of wisdom.

Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. ... I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. ... The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. ... And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family! And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful. Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don't ignore it. Proverbs 8:6-9, 12, 22, 31-33

God has provided His wisdom for us to follow—and those who do are blessed. Life may not be easy, always fun, or exciting—but it is the wise thing to do. Seek wisdom. That is an easy thing for us to do when we have Bibles accessible, but not everyone does. Pray for those in countries that are persecuted. Cover them with blessings that they may have opportunities to share God’s words with others. Do you share Jesus’ teaching and encouraging scripture with others?

Prayer ~ Lord, give me wisdom to know when to speak up for You. Help me see opportunities to listen to others and really hear what they are saying…and share Your compassion and love.

Verse of Salvation ~ Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16

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, December 5, 2025

Are You Listening? Do You Understand?

Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. His disciples came and asked him, "Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?" He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables, for they look, but they don't really see. They hear, but they don't really listen or understand. This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, 'When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.' But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn't see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn't hear it." Matthew 13:9-17

Meditate. Consider Jesus’ teaching in scripture. Are you listening to what He is saying?

Are you playing around or digging into the Word?

Are you listening? Are you seeing what the Lord is teaching? …blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear…. How often do you listen to someone and not really hear what they are saying? Do you really hear what your spouse, children or grandchildren, friends or neighbors are saying? Are you so caught up in your own thoughts or chasing rabbits that you are looking right at someone and not listening to what they are saying? That’s what Jesus must have been experiencing. He spoke to people about things they knew about—sowing seeds among rocky and good soil, or stories about sheep and shepherds. Those were things that were part of their lives—their livelihood, but they still didn’t hear and make the analogy to what He was saying. Do we make that connection today and understand what Jesus is saying to us? Not many people today have anything to do with live animals—especially sheep. Oh, they may have a dog or cat—but not a lamb. Nor do many people really sow seeds—they get their plants starts from a local nursery—if they do garden. In my neighborhood only three of nine homes around us even have gardens. Everyone just goes to the grocery store for their food. How about spiritual food? How many people do you think really get into studying the Bible for themselves—not being spoon-fed by a minister on Sunday morning? How about you? Are you spoon-fed or are you digging into the word—searching for Biblical truths to apply to your life yourself?

Prayer ~ Lord, open our eyes and ears to hear what you are saying and help us to not only understand the deep meaning of Your teachings, but to apply them to our lives. As You taught Your disciples from Isaiah 6, I ask that…our hearts not be hardened, and please let our ears hear, and our eyes be opened—so that we understand, we turn to You, and You heal us. In Your mercy Lord—may we be attentive to Your every word.

Verse of Salvation ~ Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

What are you planning for the coming holidays?

Prime Rib Dinner – Pre-holiday Family Time

Gyro Feast – Quick Meal after Church Christmas Program

It is Time to Plan for the upcoming feast days. Our family shares Christmas with the in-laws, so we have an early Christmas every other year. This year it will be about ten days early—but it is perfect so that we have two Christmas celebrations. Whenever and whatever you do to celebrate this season of our Lord—may you be blessed and be a blessing to others.

From October 14, 2017 blog, Banquet With The King.

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, December 4, 2025

Are You Tired? Do You Need Rest?

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation." Psalm 91:1-16 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Rest in the Lord God’s guidance in scripture.

Shelter - Rest in the presence of the Most High.
Under the wings of the Holy Spirit.

Key words to this Scripture passage: Rest. Refuge. Rescue. Reward.

The Lord promises to Rescue those who love Him. Do you love the Lord? The Bible teaches us that we are to love the Lord.

One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: "Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" The man answered, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "Right!" Jesus told him. "Do this and you will live!" Luke 10:25-28

The Reward for that love will be eternal life. We will all live forever…just where is the big question. If we love God, then we will be with Him in Heaven…forever. If not, we are choosing Hell—a horrible place of eternal damnation—forever without God. I personally do not want to go there. Who would? I choose to love the Lord my God with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.

Take your Refuge in the Lord. During turbulent times we may have to stay put in our homes…or near our homes. During the COVID pandemic if we ventured out to walk or run in our neighborhood, we had to stay away from others. Even today, we don’t know who has a virus…but let’s not get paranoid…no fear…just use some wisdom. Wash your hands, stay a safe distance away from others, cover your own cough or sneeze. Be Practical. Use Common Sense.

Rest. We are certainly need to do that—rest—whether we want to or not, but this rest doesn’t have to be just physical rest…but a spiritual rest. Live in the shelter of the Most High—God Himself.

The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7

Take a break—from worry, stress, and anxiety. Relax and rest in the presence of the Lord. Look for Him in things that are happening around you…and find Him within your own heart and life. Restfully sleep knowing that as a child of God, He is in control, while the world is under the control of Satan.

We know that God's children do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life. Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts. 1 John 5:18-21.

Do NOT be afraid of disease or disaster. ...if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. Claim that promise for yourself, your family, friends and neighbors today. No evil will conquer you—it’s not a promise that there won’t be evil…just that God wins in the end.

Prayer ~ Lord God… So many of us are just tired. We need rest. We need rest in You.

But as for me, how good it is to be near you, God! I choose You, Sovereign LORD, to be my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do. Psalm 73:28 NLT. I take rest in You, and seek You as my refuge, knowing that You will rescue me from evil and reward me with eternal life with You. Thank You.

Verse of Salvation ~ This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it." Isaiah 30:15 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Recycled from September 5, 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

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Do You Hear God Speaking?

"Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your "Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.” Deuteronomy 6:4-6

Meditate. Listen to what God is saying in His word.

Torah at a Jewish synagogue
in Israel.
Love God with all your heart,
soul, mind, and strength.

Listen and respond to God’s word. Obey. How can you obey if you are not listening, hearing, and understanding what God is saying? In the Shema, a Jewish prayer which the Jews pray morning and evening, the elements come together and work collectively.

Note that as Moses wrote these words in Deuteronomy, he was pleading with the people of Israel to listen to God—to hear His words, to love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength, which obediently applies to what is read and studied in the Old and New Testaments. Hear it, understand it, and apply it to one’s life. Jesus mentioned it as recorded in Mark 12:28-30, when He was challenged by a teacher of the Law and answered with scripture from Deuteronomy.

How are you doing? Are you listening? Do you have ears to hear, understand, and obediently apply it to your life situation?

Prayer ~ Lord God, You are a mighty God. Forgive me for not reading Your Word consistently. Thank you for showing me the importance of spending time with You, reading Your Word and praying. Help me be an example to my children and grandchildren that they would come to love you even more deeply than I do—and I love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Verse of Salvation ~ And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: "The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet, 'Go and say to this people: When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.' So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it." Acts 28:25-28

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, December 2, 2025

Be Quick to Listen

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. James 1:19-22

Meditate. Quick to listen.

How often are we in a conversation with someone and we speak what is on our mind without even beginning to listen to the other person? The agenda is in my head…and this conversation is either about me or something about which I am passionate. In a recent “aha” moment, I realized that life is NOT about “me.” I’ve known that for years—but this was like a new revelation. It’s not about ME.

Did you know that an “Aha moment” is even in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary? Yes—it is! It is…a moment of sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition, or comprehension. That was just how I felt when I once again admitted that life is not about me. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. That is God’s directive through James. Getting mad about something…or someone…does not produce righteousness in our lives. Righteousness is just what God wants for us. A righteous person lives by God’s laws and is free from sin and guilt. That’s a good thing. James goes on to say that we need to get rid of filth and evil in our lives. The way to do that is to repent and choose to live the right way as God planned. He concludes this passage with wise advice—don’t just listen. But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. Put God’s word into action. Do it! Without actually following God’s way, you are only fooling yourself. You’ll be looking foolish by selfishly carrying on with your own plan—however good it may seem to you.

Listen up. Do what God says to do. Love God. Love Others. See the scripture referred to as the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4, which is traditionally recited by the Jewish people two or three times a day to focus on the Lord. Listen. Hear. Obey. That is what Shema means in Hebrew.

Prayer ~ "Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.” Deuteronomy 6:4-6

Verse of Salvation ~ As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced." Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!" Romans 10:11-15

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

Monday, December 1, 2025

Is Your Name in the Book of Life? Listen and Understand

Then I saw a beast rising up out of the sea. It had seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on its horns. And written on each head were names that blasphemed God. ... Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months. And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering his name and his dwelling—that is, those who dwell in heaven. And the beast was allowed to wage war against God's holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made—the Book that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword. This means that God's holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful. Revelation 13:1, 5-10 (Underlined for emphasis.)

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

Prickly cactus in Utah...scary?
Be prepared so you don't get hurt.

A lot of people are just put off by the symbolism in Revelation. They are scared of reading—and really studying it. But dig in. Note that the people who worship the beast are those names are not written in the Book of Life. Those whose names are written in that Book are Christians, believing in Jesus as their Savior. Could you reject Jesus and worship the Devil?

That vision of a seven-headed beast with ten horns is confusing—scary. It seems to be attributed to the power of nations represented by those creatures, similar to animals described in the book of Daniel. Nations make up the beast.

Note that people are going to prison…and that God’s holy people—those who truly worship Him—will be persecuted. I assume it will be worldwide—those in the United States will not escape it. Endure. Endure patiently. This is the point at which we need to listen up. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. Remain faithful.

In Jesus’ own words—be prepared. Be ready (Matthew 24:44). It doesn’t matter if there is some beast—we belong to Jesus. It doesn’t matter if we have to face persecution—we belong to Jesus. Just be ready. Listen and understand.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You are awesome—and I appreciate the warning…Be ready. Forgive me for my attitude…and the sins You know I have committed. That is my first step to “being ready.” Please continue to show me what You want me to do so that I can serve You…as I serve others for You. That is my second step to "being ready." Thank You.

Verse of Salvation ~ Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, "It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:10 (Read the verse in context of the chapter.)

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