A Strong Rock Foundation

So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock.  And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.  And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a stupid (foolish) man who built his house upon the sand.  And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great and complete was the fall of it. Matthew 7: 24-27 Amplified

What an example of “listen and obey!” Who wants their house to fall down?  Build your house on the rock—literally and figuratively. Jesus IS the rock that He was referring to in this illustration. Obey His words—not just suggestions—but commands and you’ll have a strong house. That house is the temple of the Holy Spirit in your heart. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19. Be strong. Build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a song with actions that kids sing that tells this same story.

The Wise Man Built His House

The wise man built his house upon the rock
The wise man built his house upon the rock
The wise man built his house upon the rock
And the rain came tumbling down

Oh, the rain came down

And the floods came up
The rain came down
And the floods came up
The rain came down
And the floods came up
And the wise man's house stood firm.

The foolish man built his house upon the sand

The foolish man built his house upon the sand
The foolish man built his house upon the sand
And the rain came tumbling down

Oh, the rain came down

And the floods came up
The rain came down
And the floods came up
The rain came down
And the floods came up
And the foolish man's house went "splat!" [clap hands once]
 
So, build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ
Build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ
Build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ
And the blessings will come down

Oh, the blessings come down

As your prayers go up

The blessings come down

As your prayers go up

The blessings come down

As your prayer go up

So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ. 

RSVP: Jesus is offering us an invitation today to build our house—our life—on Him. He provides a strong, sure foundation. How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, I want my life, as well as that of my children, grandchildren, family, friends and neighbors, to be built on Your teachings, values and love. A firm foundation to guide us all in the way we should live and treat others. Thank you Jesus for this practical lesson that will help us to grow more like You every day.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Does Jesus Know You?

Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name?  And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. Matthew 7:22-23 Amplified

I think this passage shows us that we should not use Jesus’ name lightly. People doing works and prophesying in His name will NOT necessarily and automatically get into heaven. This is especially true for those who don’t follow His commandments and act unlawfully. Jesus knows people’s hearts and motives—no matter what they say and do. Actions may speak louder than words, but motives and attitudes direct those actions. Then the Lord said, "Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote….” Isaiah 29:13. Be careful what you say. 

RSVP: Jesus is warning those listening to Him speak…including us…that we need to not use His name lightly. How will you respond to His warning? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, help me to always keep Your commandments…and to use Your name wisely.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Lisa.

May God continue to guide and bless you—

as you seek, serve, and honor Him

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

The Will of My Father

Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.  Matthew 7:21 Amplified  

Here it is again…doing the will of My Father. You may be wondering …what is the “will” of God? A lot of people struggle with that. The “will of God” or “will of My Father” is used 29 times in the NASB version of the Bible. Here are a few:

-     For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day. John 6:40

-     And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

-     For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

-     For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, ... For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4,7

So to be in God’s will we need to be repentant and accept Jesus as the Son of God—as our Savior—and to maintain a pure life—sanctified. God expects holiness. 

Will you call out “Lord, Lord” and expect to get into heaven? Expect—but not make it in. How disappointing that will be. Jesus won’t know you unless you know Him. So Jesus says…Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46. Doing what Jesus says is the same as doing the will of God the Father. Jesus listens so closely to His Father—our Father—that He says just what the Father says. Repent, accept, live a holy life.  

RSVP: Jesus is inviting you to follow Him—to live a life pleasing to His Father. How will you respond to Him today?

Prayer ~ Jesus—I hear that Heaven is a wonderful place and I look forward to having a banquet there with You. I want to do just what You say…and live a life pleasing to You…and to our Heavenly Father—to do His will. Guide my heart, mind and thoughts—continue to sanctify me that I would live a life of holiness unto the Lord. 

Now may You, our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord, direct our way; and may You, Lord, cause us to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for You; so that You may establish our hearts without blame in holiness before You, our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13.  

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

What’s for supper? How many times a day or a week do you hear this?

Menu planning is the key to less stress and better budget control. You only buy what you need…and with no waste you’ll save money.  

Years ago when I took a Chinese cooking class I learned that every meal should have a crunchy, a soft, a spicy and a bland component. Consider dishes that meet nutritional needs, dishes that you enjoy preparing and your family’s favorites.  Start planning for the next seven days.

1.      Check ads to see what is on sale and use those as the basic items for evening meals. Plan your menu using variety: Slow cooker, grill, stir-fry, soup, ethnic, pasta, casserole, salad, quick and easy, pizza, left-overs, and new dish. Check recipes to see that you have all the ingredients necessary—either on your list or on your pantry shelf.

2.      Shop—and be flexible if you find better bargains than were listed in the ads. Use seasonal items. Be sure to pick up staples that you have on your shopping list.

3.      Put food away when you get home. Do your final menu plan considering the items you bought when you shopped and your family’s schedule, i.e. sports practices or games, church events or weekly Bible studies.

4.      Post your menu on your refrigerator so that everyone knows “What’s for Supper.”

5.      As the week progresses, cook up things that can be planned ahead—especially things that can be used for two meals, like roasted chicken and then chicken enchiladas or chicken salad.

6.      Focus on quick and easy meals for the days when you are extra busy.

7.      Once a week use a new recipe…and if it is a hit with your family then add it to your favorites list.

8.      Happy menu planning…and eating!

Happy Okinawa B-day, Lisa-Chan.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Healthy Trees Bear Good Fruit

A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration]. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:18-20 Amplified

This is the harvest time of the year and we’ve seen several semi-trucks of apples being hauled down the highway on their way to the apple storage or processing plants nearby. The orchard trees are laden with fruit and we’ve already picked the apples on the tree in our backyard. Nothing like good fresh fruit, but it does take some work to get perfect fruit. Everyone just takes for granted that those apples in the store—perfect and shiny are how all the apples on the trees look. Not so. The trees have to be healthy to produce good blossoms and then develop into good fruit. It takes some effort on the part of the orchardist to protect the blossoms from freezing, then thinning and culling out the small apples as they begin to grow, and then pest management so that they aren’t eaten up by bugs. A lot of prayer helps to so that the fruit isn’t damaged by wind or heavy rain. The orchardist cuts down the trees that are diseased or don’t produce fruit. He can’t afford to have a rotten tree jeopardize his whole orchard. His orchard is known by the quality of the fruit that is produced there. That’s just as it is in God’s kingdom. People are known by the quality of their fruit—the productivity in their lives. Are you productively working for the Lord?  

RSVP: Jesus is warning us that people are known by their fruits—their efforts for the Lord. How will you respond to His call today?

Prayer ~ Jesus, You have led us to a life of productivity for You. Help us to produce good fruit for You, encouraging others to seek and serve You.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

What Kind of Fruit Do You Bear?

You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit. Matthew 7:16-17 Amplified 

Fruit. What does it mean to bear fruit? Bearing fruit is what we do…is it pleasing to God? That is what He wants us to do.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. ... My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. John 15:2, 8. In John 15:7, Jesus talks about asking in prayer for what we want. So if we want to be fruitful—we need to ask. If we want to bring others to an understanding of who Jesus Christ is…then we need to ask. In doing that we bear fruit. We can expect to be pruned…so that we are more pleasing to God and so that we can draw more people to Christ. That is what our life—or spiritual life—is all about. We need to tell others about God, about Christ, about the Holy Spirit, and about their love for us. Bear fruit and glorify our Heavenly Father. Not only be Jesus’ disciple, but bring others to Him so that they can be His disciples. That’s bearing fruit.  

RSVP: Jesus is inviting you to be a healthy tree and bear food fruit. Will you make that choice today as you respond to His invitation? 

Prayer ~ Thank you Jesus for Your love and for Your guidance in our lives that we would seek to be fruitful, bearing good fruit that is pleasing to You and to our Heavenly Father. 

Thank you to those who prayed after my September 26^th blog post. A miracle did happen! The ultrasound of our grandchild who is to be born in February showed a cyst on the brain and possible heart abnormalities. Several days later after much prayer—during a visit to a pre-natal specialist an ultrasound showed NO CYST and a normal heart. Praise the Lord! He is merciful and powerful!

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Don’t Trust Wolves Who Look Like Sheep

Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves. Matthew 7:15 Amplified 

False prophets were around during Jesus’ time…and they are here now.

o   When His disciples ask about the end times, Jesus told them…Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. ... Matthew 24:11 and …For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Matthew 24:24

o   Peter wrote to Christians dispersed throughout the known world…But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Peter 2:1

Wolves aren’t to be trusted—nor are sheep that are really wolves in disguise. False prophets aren’t to be trusted. Their silver tongues speak words that sound good, true and excellent—but beware of those smooth talkers. Test anything prophetic against the Word of God. Does it match up with the Truth? 

RSVP: Jesus is telling us to beware of false prophets. Will you listen and respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, … false prophets also will arise among us, just as there will also be false teachers among us, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying You as the Master who bought us, bringing swift destruction upon themselves…from 2 Peter 2:1. Open our eyes to see Your Truth and to identify false prophets in our midst. We give you the praise, honor and the glory—for You are the Truth, the Way and the Life.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Wide or Narrow?

Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.  But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it. Matthew 7:13-14 Amplified 

Destruction is an easy way—anyone can find it—or come upon it by chance. Just meander down a wide street. The narrow way is not easy to find…look for it—seek to find it. It mostly likely will not happen just by chance. God will draw you to Himself, but will you be willing to seek Him and His straight, pure and holy way? 

RSVP: Jesus is inviting you to seek the narrow gate and walk into His straight path. How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, Thank you for showing me the narrow way…the path that leads to life. Continue to guide me that I may show others the pathway to the narrow gate and the truth of Your way and Your love.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

The Golden Rule Rules

So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, for this is (sums up) the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12 Amplified 

Treat others the way you want them to treat you. The Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Be holy, like God is holy. When we have holiness in our life…we will treat others in a holy manner…just like we would treat God. That would make life golden—pure and ideal. We can only hope for something so wonderful. How have you been treating others lately…how have they treated you?  

RSVP: Jesus is inviting you treat others as the way you want to treat others. How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~  Jesus, help me to treat others the way You would treat them.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

 

Toss Me a Snake?

Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent?  If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him! Matthew 7:9-11 Amplified 

Hey, Dad may I have some bread and fish, please? Toss him a rock and a snake –eek! Especially horrible if it is a viper snake, like a rattlesnake. We have that type of snakes here in the Pacific Northwest…but they are to be avoided so as not to be bitten. The young ones in the spring are the most dangerous since they cannot control the amount of deadly venom that they pump into their victim. No father would give one of those snakes to his child.  

The perfect, holy and pure Heavenly Father loves us more than we can comprehend and will give us whatever we ask for, as we keep on asking. Father, will you give us some bread and fish? Will You answer our unspoken prayers?   

RSVP: Jesus is reminding us to keep on asking our Heavenly Father for whatever it is that we need. Will you respond to His invitation today?

Prayer ~ Dear Heavenly Father, I admit that I have an evil nature. Purify my heart, soul and mind that I may be more holy like You. I will give my children and grandchildren a good gift by teaching them about You and Your Holiness.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

 

 

Persistent Prayer

Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.  For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.  Matthew 7:7-8 Amplified

Persistent prayer…but not repetitious. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Matthew 6:7-8. We’re supposed to be persistent…but not meaningless repetition. Something happened that needs prayer—so I have an unspoken prayer request of you. God knows what we need. We just have to trust. Trust God. That didn’t seem so hard last week…but today I just want a miracle—a healing touch in this situation. Trust God. Pray persistently. Trust God. I’m asking, seeking, and knocking…and trusting. How about you?  

RSVP: Jesus is inviting us today to pray persistently. Ask and you’ll receive; seek and you’ll find; knock and the door will be opened. How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, I come before You humbly seeking Your grace and healing in this situation. You know all about it—even before I ask. Thank you for hearing my prayer.   

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

This recipe came highly recommended. It is also a good use of seasonal vegetables. Enjoy. 

Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup         Serves: 6

1 lb ground beef

1/2 medium onion, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

1 green pepper, diced

2 garlic cloves, chopped

2 cups or 1 (16 ounce) can diced, crushed or stewed tomatoes
2 cups water or 2 cups broth
1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
1 tsp fresh oregano, chopped
salt and pepper

rice ~ 2 cups or more of cooked rice

Brown ground beef until fully cooked. Drain fat from beef and set aside, do not discard the fat. Saute the vegetables and herbs in the same pan. Add water or broth, ground beef and rendered fat, let simmer for at least 15 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. The longer this soup simmers the better the flavor. Stir in desired amount of rice.  

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Would Pigs Wear Pearls?

Do not give that which is holy (the sacred thing) to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls before hogs, lest they trample upon them with their feet and turn and tear you in pieces. Matthew 7:6 Amplified 

It is a comical vision—pigs wearing pearls. Swine were detestable to the Jews to whom Jesus was speaking. Moses had been given instruction on permissible and forbidden foods. … and the pig, for though it divides the hoof, thus making a split hoof, it does not chew cud, it is unclean to you. Leviticus 11:7.  So the Jews still do not eat pork. Pigs can be mean animals. I raised a couple of pigs as a 4-H project when I was a teenager…they were cute when they were little and although they knew me and looked forward to seeing me bring them food every day, as they got older and bigger, they were a little intimidating. I certainly wouldn’t throw pearls to them…they only looked for food…and more food. Tasty grain was their favorite. Nothing beautiful or sacred about that. We need to be careful about how we treat holy things. That would include our attitude and actions. Do you cast a bad attitude or seek out unholy places? Don’t let your attitude go to the dogs.   

RSVP: Jesus is calling us to treat holy things in a holy way…including our own attitudes. How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Dear Jesus, help me to live up to Your holy standards…and to seek to please You in all my thoughts, words and actions.

Happy 5^th Birthday,

Liberty!

Love and Hugs

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Take the Log Out of Your Eye

Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you. Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother’s eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam of timber in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother’s eye.  Matthew 7:1-5 Amplified 

Some translations use “log” instead of “beam”…but whatever—get your act together before you try to tell someone else what to do. I grew up hearing people in our community criticized…for not paying their bills, for not raising their kids right or treating their neighbors kindly, or…whatever. Judgmental attitudes. Years ago I did puppet skits at a church we went to and one of my favorites was a sketch where the father is reading a newspaper and criticizing someone. When he puts the paper down it shows that he had a huge log sticking out of his eye. Get the log out of your eye…get your act together…straighten up and follow God’s way before you try to take a speck out of someone else’s eye to set them straight and encourage them in the Lord’s way. Can you see a speck or a log in your own eye?  

RSVP: Jesus is challenging us today to look at our own attitudes and actions. Are we judging, criticizing or condemning others? How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, we may feel like we love You more than others…and be critical of them—like my five year old grandson—but we need to get the log out of our eye and see ourselves as You see us. Forgive us for our critical spirit. Create within us a clean heart, soul and eye that we may live in such a way that pleases and honors You. 

This is blog post #1,000. One thousand consecutive days of sitting at a Banquet With The King.

May God bless you as you read this blog…

and as you seek and serve our Lord and risen Savior, Jesus Christ.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Look for—Seek God’s Kingdom First Everyday

Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear?  For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.  So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.  Matthew 6:31-34 Amplified 

Again…don’t worry. Seek God and His Kingdom and He will provide what you need…food, drink and clothes. His Kingdom is the royal power and dignity that belongs to God…a spiritual empire or dominion. In Romans Paul writes about food and righteousness.

I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Romans 14:14-19.

Seek and ask God for that righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit in your own life…and Jesus promises that God will give you not only that, but the material things you need as well. It is hard to understand why we don’t always immediately get what we ask for…why there are troubles…why some people struggle more than others…and why some prayers seem to go unanswered, but for now all we can do is trust that God hears our prayer—He knows them before we pray. Don’t worry…just trust and obey. Can you do that?  

RSVP: Jesus is reminding us that we don’t need to worry about the physical things of life—it is the spiritual things that matter. How will you respond to Him today?

Prayer ~ Jesus, cover me, my family, friends, and neighbors with Your righteousness, peace and joy—that we may be filled to overflowing and encourage others to seek You first in their lives.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Will Anxiety or Worry Add to Your Life?

Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life? And why should you be anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field and learn thoroughly how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his magnificence (excellence, dignity, and grace) was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith?  Matthew 6:25-30 Amplified

Oh, you of little faith. Don’t worry and fret. Jesus tells us this several times in this passage. Webster’s defines worry as…to think about problems or fears: to feel or show fear and concern because you think that something bad has happened or could happen. …to make (someone) anxious or upset. God wants us to TRUST Him rather than worry. He cares about us and provides for us, as well as for plants and animals. We just need to trust Him. This “perpetually uneasy” condition is not one that just lasts a few minutes…a little fretting over small stuff like a sliver in a finger. But “perpetual” going on and on…. No trust there. Will it add to anyone’s quality or quantity of life? That is your life. 

RSVP: Jesus is asking you today to stop worrying…to trust in our Heavenly Father. How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, I give You my worries, my concerns, the uncertainties of life for me, for my family, friends, and neighbors. Please take these worries and give us the certainly of Your love and care. Thank you.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Two Masters?

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in).  Matthew 6:24 Amplified 

Two masters. Two people telling you what to do. Has that ever happened to you before? Two bosses, two parents, or two teachers…each wanting you to do something different. I imagine that it is just like Jesus said…you would be devoted to one and despise the other. If one of the masters is God…and the other is money then what a predicament. We know that God is the provider…but money…buys—everything. Yet money can’t buy eternal life…or contentment, peace, joy or love. Money doesn’t provide grace or security. No love comes with the love of money. Food only fills the stomach momentarily…and only the love of God can nourish the soil.  Love God…love money. Which will it be? 

RSVP: Jesus is inviting you today to love God…not money. How will you respond to Him today?

Prayer ~ Jesus, lead me, show me how to totally trust You to provide for me, for my family, friends, and neighbors in a way that we serve only God, and not money. Our society today is so dependent on money—but we need to serve God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Light Casting Shadows?

The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is sound, your entire body will be full of light. But if your eye is unsound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the very light in you [your conscience] is darkened, how dense is that darkness!  Matthew 6:22-23 Amplified 

Eyes glimmer, glow or sparkle…or not. Without light there is no shadow. If a person is unhappy, discontented with their life, or depressed, then their eyes are dull. No light shining from them. Casting no shadow. Just darkness engulfing the very breath and life out of a person and those around them. I’ve been there. Sad. No light from my eyes. And then there are other days, other weeks, months…years when joy has filled my heart and light shines brightly from my eyes. Sparkling eyes don’t cast dark shadows…but dancing lights that chase away darkness. Or lights so bright that the shadows are like that in the middle of the day when the sun is high in the sky. Short shadows. What kind of shadow do you cast? 

RSVP: Jesus is asking you today to look into your own eyes and evaluate the light shining from them. What do you see…and how will you respond to Him today?  

Prayer ~ Jesus, You are the Light of the world; anyone, including me, who follows You will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life. (John 8:12). Let Your light shine through me.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

What Do You Treasure?

Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal. But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal;  for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21 Amplified

Treasures on earth—not only do they rust and rot…you can’t take them with you when you die. On the other hand, we can store up those precious and good treasures like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, hope, trust, happiness, truth, righteousness, affection, acceptance by God, and our names written in God’s Book of Life. Those things cannot be taken away or stolen from us and we can look forward to them in Heaven. Things that are eternal, not physical, can be valued and treasured now and for eternity. The focus of our hearts and minds is where our treasure is…on earth—rusting away…or in heaven—bountifully glowing. Where is your treasure…where is your heart?

RSVP: Jesus is inviting you to examine your heart…and whatever it is that you value…treasure. Is it something that will rust away…or that you’ll have to leave behind when you die? How will you respond to Jesus today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, open my eyes that I may see my treasure as You see it. Show me it’s true value. Help me to value the things that You value…and live for Heaven sent treasures. 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

It’s a great time to enjoy fresh garden and Farmer’s Market produce. I haven’t grown eggplant…but it looks so good at the Farmer’s Market that I can’t resist. That purple color is so regal. Not everyone in my family loves sweet peppers, so that’s optional. I love them, so I’ve included them. Here’s a recipe adapted from my friend Marianne N. that uses fresh eggplant, sweet peppers, basil and tomatoes. Enjoy! 

Scalloped Eggplant

1 medium eggplant, peeled and cubed

2 large fresh tomatoes, peeled and sliced

1 large fresh sweet pepper, sliced, optional

1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced

1 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped

¼ cup unsalted melted butter, divided

½ tsp salt

½ pound mozzarella cheese, sliced

½ cup dried bread crumbs

2 Tbsp parmesan cheese, grated 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In an ovenproof casserole, arrange eggplant cubes, tomato slices, sweet peppers if desired, and then onions. Drizzle with 1/8 cup melted butter. Sprinkle with salt and basil. Bake covered for 20 minutes. Top with mozzarella cheese. Stir together bread crumbs and 1/8 cup melted butter. Sprinkle on top, then sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake 10 minutes uncovered or until cheese is bubbly. Enjoy on a hot summer day with a fresh tossed salad and cold meats.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Fast for….

And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy and sour and dreary like the hypocrites, for they put on a dismal countenance, that their fasting may be apparent to and seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full already. But when you fast, perfume your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may not be noticed by men but by your Father, Who sees in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open.  Matthew 6:16-18 Amplified 

Give in secret…fast in secret. God really likes to keep things private. WHEN you fast…not IF you fast, no one should know that you are fasting. Fasting is generally considered to be giving up a meal…or several meals. It could be giving up other things…dessert, soda, even television, sports or other entertainment. Fasting should be done to focus on the Lord…not to focus on what we’re giving up. Jesus Himself fasted, eating nothing, for 40 days at the beginning of His ministry. At this point in His ministry when Jesus is speaking to His followers in the Sermon on the Mount He had just taught on prayer. Now He is adding in the dimension of fasting. Fasting makes prayer more powerful. It should be done with a humble, obedient and focused heart. Consider the fasting that Paul wrote about in 2 Corinthians 11. Should we fast now? Yes. When faced with faced with serious predicaments, illness, or when sending out missionaries, it is warranted to fast. The time should be used to remember the reason for the fast and to privately focus on the Lord in prayer.    

RSVP: Jesus is inviting you today to consider fasting in a private, secretive way. How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Lord, I return to You with all my heart, and with fasting, weeping and mourning (Joel 2:12). You have my heart, my soul and my attention—bathed in the perfume of Your love. Thank you for this lesson on fasting--privately.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

 

Forgive and Be Forgiven

For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.  Matthew 6:14-15 Amplified

Forgiveness. Forgiveness is the cancelation of debt or obligations. It’s an important concept in Christianity. God has forgiven us…we must forgive others.  Paul taught the church at Colossians… So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Colossians 3:12-14. This was also emphasized to the church at Ephesus… Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32. That “giving up resentment” is so freeing. 

Moses pleaded with God to forgive…to take away the sins of the Hebrew people after they made and worshiped the golden calf (Exodus 32:32). Jesus Himself when He was on the cross pleaded with God the Father to forgive… When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. Luke 23:33-34. 

Forgive-forgive-forgive. Peter asked Jesus a very important question …"Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22. Seventy times seven is to be a countless number—you can’t keep track of that many offenses—of all those resentments. That is countless forgiveness. Is there anyone you need to forgive…or to ask for their forgiveness?  

RSVP: Jesus is inviting you to look into your heart today…and seek forgiveness…for others, so that God the Father will forgive you. How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Psalms 51:2. I thank you for taking my sin to the cross—and for teaching me to humble myself and forgive others…that I, too, would be forgiven.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

Prayer to Our Heavenly Father

Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name.  Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors. And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.  Matthew 6:9-13 Amplified

This is a classic prayer that Jesus taught His disciples when they asked Him to teach them to pray. Look at the parts of it…honor the Heavenly Father whose will be done here on earth, just like in heaven. Ask for daily food—physical and spiritual. Jesus also stressed the need for forgiveness of mistakes made against us…and for us to forgive others. He knows that we can be tempted—so He asks that not fall into temptation—but that we be delivered from Satan’s influence. The Heavenly Father’s kingdom, power and glory will last forever. That is it in a nutshell. If you don’t know what to pray—use Jesus’ format as an example.  

RSVP: Jesus is offering us a plan, a guideline for prayer. He just wants us to honor our Heavenly Father. How will you respond to Him today?

 

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, You are holy above all other gods and I honor You. Thank you for providing for my physical and spiritual needs. Forgive me for the way I have treated some other people and for my selfish  attitude. Protect my heart and mind and keep me from falling into evil ways. May my life bring you glory and honor—for Your kingdom will be forever.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.