Banquet With The King

Monday, January 5, 2026

Another Praise for God and Jesus

Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38

Meditate on worshipping God with fasting and prayer.

Waiting. Watching. Wondering. Anna spent her time day and night at the Temple. It must have felt like home to her. Did she have a mat on which to sleep, and what about cooking her food when she wasn’t fasting? Was her lifestyle like that of a homeless person? It doesn’t matter because now she has seen the Savior. Did she get to hold Him as Simeon had? Was she like a grandmother whispering sweet things to the new baby? Precious little one. She praised God.

Asher was one of the sons of Jacob by Leah’s maid Zilpah. Life is complicated. As Jacob was dying and blessing his sons, the tribe of Asher was predicted to produce food fit for a king (Genesis 49:20), indicating that they were farmers. It is also noted that this tribe, along with many others, was a group of strong warriors, fighting as needed for Israel. Anna herself was a prophet. She had been on the lookout for the Messiah for decades—and here He was. She was overjoyed! Do we have that same feeling when we are in the presence of Jesus, whether it is private or public worship? This was another instance of worshipping the Lord Jesus…and God who had fulfilled His promise in sending a Messiah to His people—to all of mankind. Praise God and Jesus!

Prayer – Lord God, You had a perfect plan, and some people just didn’t see it. Anna was faithful to You. Help me be like Anna—always looking for opportunities to praise You and to tell others about Jesus.

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.

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, January 4, 2026

After Jesus’ Birth….

Model of the Temple.
Jerusalem, Israel
This was where Simeon held baby Jesus...
...and praised the Lord!

Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. ... At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, "Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!" Luke 2:21-22, 25-32

Meditate. Consider Jesus’ birth and life as a baby.

Joseph and Mary followed the Jewish ritual with the baby Jesus. Circumcision. That ritual was initiated by God with Abraham as a sign of keeping God’s covenant (see Genesis 17), but it seems to have been a custom even before that time. It is a procedure that has continued in many places in the world, being considered medically healthy for men.

Obedience to the word of God brought Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus from Bethlehem to the Temple in Jerusalem. There, Simeon waited for the Savior. Can you imagine his devotion to the Lord to have waited for the Savior most of his adult life? Is that the same as the passion some people have today as they wait on the Lord to rapture His believers or return? Simeon praised the Lord for keeping His promise by providing salvation for all people. Amazing that he recognized that Jesus was the light of the world, just as Jesus later declared.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 8:12

What can we learn from the obedience of Joseph, Mary, and Simeon? Are you praising God for the promise of His salvation? Is it dark or light in the world of your life?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you that even as a baby, You were seen as the light of the world providing salvation to all mankind. I praise You.

Verse of Salvation ~ I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. Luke 2:30-31

What are you doing today to unclutter your life…physically, mentally, and spiritually?

Are you listening to God?

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, January 3, 2026

What Did Jesus Say, Do, Teach?

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! Isaiah 9:6-7

Meditate. Consider Jesus in scripture.

We have a record of Jesus’ ministry in the Gospels…Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We’ll focus on Jesus in those Gospels this year. What did Jesus teach? Where did Jesus walk during His life on Earth? Where did His story begin?

His birth. God with us. Emmanuel. We just celebrated His birth, although it was likely in March or April, not December 25th. Google that for yourself. The Luke account of Jesus’ birth in a stable gives us a picture of the birth and the background of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus getting to Bethlehem. God worked miracles through angels who visited Mary and Joseph to let them know God’s plan. This young couple was obedient. Can you imagine the ridicule and rejection they felt in Nazareth? The census decree got them to Bethlehem, so that Jesus would be born in the city of David in Judea, as predicted.

When we visited Israel several years ago, we went to the City of David, but it is an area near the Temple in Jerusalem where David built his palace. Of course, it is in ruins now and is being rebuilt. At one time, it must have been a dramatically beautiful building.

In Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary sought shelter, and God provided a perfect place for the Lamb of God to be born. It was just where the sacrificial lambs for the Temple were born and raised.

What can we learn from this account of Jesus’ birth? God had a plan that included giving up His one and only Son, Jesus, as a sacrificial lamb for the sins of mankind. God keeps His promises. Even though it meant allowing His precious Son to become human and knowing that both He and Jesus would suffer, God kept His promise to redeem mankind. It happened as predicted, but people didn’t see the significance or put together the puzzle pieces. What is happening now that people aren’t connecting the predictions that God has provided?

Prayer – Lord God, open our eyes to the truth of Jesus’ birth and help us to see the truth of the predictions about Your return, Jesus. So many people have a fear of the symbolism in the book of Revelation, but personally, I claim the promise that You will never leave us or forsake us. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Verse of Salvation ~ This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. Romans 13:11-14 (Underlined for emphasis.)

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, January 2, 2026

Word of the Year?

"As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world [giving guidance through My word and works]." John 9:5 AMP

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture.

Word of the year? What word will spiritually guide your heart, soul, mind, and actions during 2026?

I’ve not used AI-generated text before—but here are some ideas to consider.

Choosing a word for the year involves reflecting on your past year, identifying your core needs and desired feelings, brainstorming potential words (using lists or thesauruses), and then selecting the one that most deeply resonates as a guiding theme for growth and intention, rather than a rigid goal.

There's no single official spiritual "word of the year." Still, it's a popular personal practice where individuals choose a guiding word (like Listen, Presence, Grace, Hope, Peace, Rest, Joy) to focus their faith, intentions, and spiritual growth for the year, often inspired by scripture to deepen their relationship with God. For 2026, some suggest "Listen", while common themes for recent years included Devotion, Intentional, Freedom, Gratitude, Courage, and Serve.

Do butterflies listen?
Yes, but not to other butterflies.
They listen for their predators!
For what or whom are you listening?

Common Spiritual Words & Meanings

Listen: To hear God's voice, be present, and notice His guidance.
Presence: To focus on God's presence and being fully present in life.
Grace: To receive and live in God's unmerited favor.
Hope: To trust in God's promises and future.
Peace: To find calm and stillness amidst chaos, rooted in God's presence.
Gratitude/Joy: To appreciate blessings and cultivate thankfulness, as seen in Nehemiah 8:10.
Serve: To follow Christ's example by putting others first.
Rest: To find spiritual renewal and trust in God's provision.

How to Choose Your Word

Reflect & Notice: Pay attention to words, themes, or scriptures that keep coming to you.
Pray: Ask God to guide you to the word He has for you.
Look for Threads: Review your year's thoughts; common themes might emerge.
Choose: Select a word that feels transformative, challenging, or guiding, aligning your heart with God's.

Why is it powerful? A spiritual word acts as a personal anchor, offering clarity, purpose, and a reminder to live intentionally under God's guidance, shifting focus from worldly distractions to heavenly realities.

AI - From Google

Personally, even before I read the AI description, I had chosen my word to be “Listen” as in listening to God and others. Love by listening. We are to love God and others. Listening is love. Love by listening. This is my focus. I want to hear God and to hear what others are saying. It makes me smile—now if I can just do it!

Prayer – Lord Jesus, help me to LISTEN to You. I love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Verse of Salvation ~ Brothers and sisters beloved by God, we know that He has chosen you; for our good news [regarding salvation] came to you not only in word, but also in [its inherent] power and in the Holy Spirit and with great conviction [on our part]. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your benefit. 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 AMP

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

I was hungry…have you ever been truly hungry? Jesus discussed hunger and thirst with His disciples, among the other topics He taught when they asked about the end times.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' ... "And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' Matthew 25:34-36, 40

A few times when fasting, I’ve felt what I thought was real hunger…but I’ve never been homeless or without food in my home. I occasionally see homeless people on the street, and I know that they are feeling the extreme cold, as the bone-chilling rain is miserable. The opposite occurs in the summertime. Too much heat! For now, they must endure the cold, while I sit in my cozy home with a warm cup of Golden Milk and contemplate my next meal.

Several times a day, particularly at mealtime, I think about the homeless, and I am especially thankful that God has provided a warm home with a good roof and furnace to keep us comfortable. God is so good to each of us. Electricity and water—hot and cold—are at our fingertips and instantly available. Clean, pure water. We don’t have to worry about contamination or wonder where our next meal is coming from. Praise the Lord—for His goodness, kindness, and generosity. God is so good. Thank Him today for the food—both physical and spiritual—that He so generously provides for us.

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

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP),

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, January 1, 2026

Happy New Year!

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I'll say it again--it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" The disciples were astounded. "Then who in the world can be saved?" they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God, everything is possible." Matthew 19:23-26

Meditate. Consider your view of God and His capabilities.

With God...
All things are possible.
Rise Above.
Prosser Hot Air Balloon Festival.
End of September annually.

With God, everything is possible. Jesus Himself said that. It is a good way to begin the New Year. Think positive. The angel that came to Mary to tell her that God was impressed with her and chose her to be the mother of Jesus, the savior of the world, said the same thing.

For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37

God is powerful. Things have not changed, so it is still “nothing is impossible with God.” We can trust Him to use His power and might to rule the spiritual world with His mighty hand. God has a plan for the future, and He is in control. We just have to wait on Him and watch His revelation unfold before our very eyes. God’s timing is not our timing—remember…

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. 2 Peter 3:8-10

God is patient. He is kind. God is love. He doesn’t want anyone to perish, but to be saved. Everything is possible with Him.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for continually having a positive attitude. Instill that positive thinking each minute of each day, within my heart, that I can face the day and encourage others to seek and serve You.

Verse of Salvation ~ So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don't give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:31-33

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 31, 2025

Are You Blessed to be a Blessing?

Blessed with full silos
after the grain harvest.
Eastern Washington state.

If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the LORD your God: Your towns and your fields will be blessed. Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed. Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed. The LORD will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven! The LORD will guarantee a blessing on everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. Deuteronomy 28:1-8

Meditate. Count your blessings.

Blessed. Blessed. Blessed. That’s me.

I am blessed to know God and to be known by Him.

I am blessed to live in a country with such freedoms—although with freedom comes responsibility.

I am blessed to live in a community that is clean, safe, friendly, and compassionate.

I am blessed to have a loving and nurturing family that shares my values, love, and concerns.

I am blessed to have friends who truly care about each other.

I am blessed to have a good husband and a home where we are comfortable and content.

Above all—blessed is the name of the Lord, for He is worthy of our praise and adoration.

Are you blessed to be a blessing? Blessed is an expression of good wishes, as in showing favor, providing for, endowing, rejoicing, hoping, giving God thanks for what He has done, or asking for God’s mercy. What is a blessing to you?

As we look back at this past year of 2025, may we see all the ways that God has worked in our lives--blessing us. As we look ahead, let us look forward to the feasts we’ll have at the Lord’s table with each other, savoring His word. My hope is that your joys be overflowing and your love abound in God’s grace. May He have mercy on us as we live to obey His commandments, to seek and serve Him. This year 2025 is over…and I have reached my goal of blogging this devotional for another year. I will continue blogging—so please do keep reading. Blessings and love to you all.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You are the best blessing we can ever have. Thank you for all the ways…small and enormous that have blessed us. Please continue to have mercy on us…to forgive our sins daily, and to stand before the throne of our Heavenly Father, interceding for us. You are awesome. We praise Your name.

Verse of Salvation ~ But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.' Matthew 25:31-34

Goodbye 2025 – Hello 2026

Just finished 14 years of blogging Banquet With The King.

Happy New Year!

Reused portions of December 31, 2012, 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