R U Complacent?

For simpletons turn away from me (wisdom)—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. Proverbs 1:32

Are you complacent? Complacent. Unworried, content and satisfied. Such a person could be considered lazy—but they are not. If you’ve had a child who is overactive then having one who is complacent is wonderful. Laid back—could be a deep thinker—but not demanding. Nice kid. Yes. I have one of each. Fools can be destroyed by their own complacency. We have to gather knowledge and acquire wisdom. Just because a person is complacent doesn’t mean he is a fool. Get knowledge…facts. Then think before you act. I believe that thinking is what sparks wisdom into action. Think.

Prayer ~ Lord God—Source of all Wisdom, give us eyes to ourselves as You see us—so that we would never be foolish. Help us not to be complacent—but always aware or searching for ways we can serve You.

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Get Ready—The Season of Lent is on the way. Time to consider just how you are going to…get that FAT out of your house on Shrove Tuesday. The typical way is with a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. My niece, Michelle, is hosting a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper to raise money for the Junior Achievement program—a worthy project. My family has used Krutz pancake mix for years…but going more gluten free we sometimes use our own “mix.”

Pancakes for Everyone

3 cups flour – use gluten free or all-purpose

2 Tbsp + 1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

2 scant Tbsp sugar

2 ½ cups buttermilk

2 eggs (add another and cut back on the milk if you want more protein)

¼ cup + 2 Tbsp melted butter or oil (Get the Fat Out!)

Mix all the dry ingredients. Then make a well in the center. Add the wet ingredients and whisk it all together. Pour about ¼ cup per pancake onto a pre-heated griddle (~350). Wait until bubbles just stop forming—then flip. Brown on the other side. You only get to flip once.

If using whole wheat flour, add an additional 1 tsp baking powder and 1 Tbsp milk.

For 50% whole wheat flour, add ½ tsp baking powder.

Add nuts or berries with no changes necessary.  Enjoy!

Plan ahead. Frequently during Lent people “give up” or abstain from something—like desserts, favorite foods, coffee, sodas, a meal each day, sleeping in a comfortable bed, or favorite television programs. Are they doing this in devotion to Jesus? If you abstain from those, or other, things will that help you focus on Jesus, His life, ministry and His death?  What will you “lay down” for Jesus?  Is there something you need “to give up” to Him right now?

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

Don’t Laugh—Have Some Respect for the Lord

February 4 – Don’t Laugh—Have Some Respect for the Lord

So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you-- when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you. When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. Proverbs 1:26-30

Oh my! Don’t laugh. I’m in trouble here—so sick that I haven’t been out of bed in two days. I totally lost Wednesday. This wasn’t a cyclone or a tornado—although I feel like I’ve been through one. Wiped out—blown away.  The time to respect the Lord is…NOW.  CONSTANTLY…ALWAYS AND FOREVER. Don’t wait until you have a disaster in your life to start praying and relying on the Lord. Start today—whether in rainy or sunny wherever you are. Solomon wrote great words of advice—we need to take them to heart.

Prayer ~Lord God, I have the utmost of respect for You and want to honor You in all that I think, say and do. You are worthy of praise. I treasure Your knowledge and wisdom.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

Listen to Wisdom

February 3 – Listen to Wisdom

Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. ...How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? Come and listen to my counsel. I'll share my heart with you and make you wise. I called you so often, but you wouldn't come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. Proverbs 1:20, 22-25

Here WISDOM has taken on a personification. She is the ultimate wise person—wanting others to be wise also. But those foolish, simple people just ignore her.

Have you ever been so sick that your face just hurt? Where is the wisdom in that, you may ask? If I had been really wise I would not have ridden in a car with a sick person for three hours. I would have demanded to let me go back, when I discovered that someone was sick, and get my own car to make the trip. Wise advice: TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF—NO ONE ELSE WILL. Wisdom continues to shout in our streets—don’t hate knowledge. Gather knowledge and apply wisdom. Accept correction that Wisdom offers.

Prayer ~ Lord God—Source of All Wisdom, open our ears to hear Your Truth, Your Knowledge, and Your Wisdom. Heal us from colds and flu that burden our lives. Give us grace to carry on…one day at a time…paying attention to Your advise.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

Grasp the Idea…Wisdom – Knowledge – Understanding

Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7

I blogged this verse earlier—on January 28 when I was having problems with my computer and was only able to post from my phone. So consider this verse again. It is so worthy of our study and reflection. Contemplate how you “fear the Lord” and how you apply this verse to your life. Of course, “fear” is actually another way of saying respect—having reverence for God. How do you show your “respect” for the Lord? Is obedience the key to showing respect? Is that just trying to keep the Ten Commandments—with the key word “trying”? We can’t do any of that on our own. We can “try” but without God’s help eventually we will fail.  So respecting the Lord is like the cornerstone to true knowledge—knowledge of truth—knowledge of God. What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? Knowledge appears to be just facts, whereas wisdom is applying those facts. Solomon goes on to write…The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 NASB. This verse links wisdom, knowledge and understanding—like three legs on a tripod. All are necessary. Having a lot of knowledge can just make a person arrogant. Think about some know-it-all that you know. In addition a person can’t have wisdom without some knowledge and the application of that wisdom and knowledge is understanding in regards to God. The really wise part of the Proverbs 1:7 verse is that fools despise wisdom and discipline—so don’t be foolish and arrogant with the knowledge you’ve been given.

Prayer ~ Lord God, show me any errors in my life so that I wouldn’t not be foolish in applying the knowledge that You have given me. Provide me with wisdom that I would apply that knowledge wisely and thus gain understanding of You.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

The Purpose of Proverbs

When we think about WISDOM we often think of the Book of Proverbs that focuses on WISDOM. What is the purpose of Proverbs?

Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. Proverbs 1:2-6.

Can people be taught wisdom? The Lord God designed the Book of Proverbs to do just that. The Holy Spirit inspired Solomon and others to write down these Proverbs and they have been preserved throughout the ages just so that we can be taught wisdom and discipline. So that we can live disciplined and successful lives…and do what is right, just and fair. Oh that everyone on earth would read and follow the advice given in that book! So let’s start an adventure…for at least the next month or two looking at the WISDOM of Solomon and others…actually the wisdom of the Lord written down for us. We’d be wise to follow the advice written there…but first we have to read and study it. Once we understand it…then we can “obey” it. I think that is the key to living a life pleasing to the Lord. Obedience. Watch for that in the coming days and weeks. OBEDIENCE.

Prayer ~ Lord God, open my eyes to Your words of WISDOM in the Book of Proverbs. Show me…as well as my family, friends, neighbors and blog associates…the value in Your wisdom and how we can apply it to our lives. May we be obedient to Your word…and live in a way that is pleasing to You—honoring You in all that we think, do and say.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Do You Question God’s Wisdom?

Who is this that questions My wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Job 38:2-4

How could anyone question God’s wisdom and use such ignorant words…words without knowledge?   God was asking this of Job. Have you ever questioned God…or His wisdom? It doesn’t seem like a very wise thing to do—sort of insulting to God. We certainly were not around when He created the world.  Actually Job’s friends questioned Job’s holiness or righteousness more than Job questioned God’s wisdom. Job just wanted to know why he was being given such awful trials—having his family and livestock taken from him and being stricken with painful boils. He wanted someone to mediate between God and himself. Here is what Job said earlier…God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with Him or take Him to trial. If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of His punishment. Then I could speak to Him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength.  Job 9:32-35. Jesus became that mediator…and still arbitrates for us with the Father.

Prayer ~ Thank You Jesus for going to the Father on our behalf. Please continue to guide and direct our thoughts, words, and actions. May we be blessed with wisdom…as well as stamina, trust, humility, and joy as we seek to serve You. May we always have the utmost respect for God and His wise words.

Weekly Wisdom Quote…

Six essential qualities that are the key to success: Sincerity, personal integrity, humility, courtesy, wisdom, charity.                                          William Claire Menninger, Psychiatrist

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

God Rescues

"Yes, God does these things again and again for people. He rescues them from the grave so they may enjoy the light of life. Mark this well, Job. Listen to me, for I have more to say. But if you have anything to say, go ahead. Speak, for I am anxious to see you justified. But if not, then listen to me. Keep silent and I will teach you wisdom!" Job 33:29-33

Elihu was giving Job more advice…listen to me. He thinks he has something to say. He wants to teach Job about wisdom. He goes on to say…Now listen to me if you are wise. Pay attention to what I say.  Job 34:16. If you are wise…listen. Listen…if you are wise. It goes in a circle. Listening is the key. LISTEN. We can’t learn about wisdom without listening to others…nor can we impart wisdom without listening. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. Proverbs 1:5-6.

More wisdom from Elihu….

Listen to me, you who have understanding. Everyone knows that God doesn't sin! The Almighty can do no wrong. He repays people according to their deeds. He treats people as they deserve. Truly, God will not do wrong. The Almighty will not twist justice. Did someone else put the world in His care? Who set the whole world in place? If God were to take back His spirit and withdraw His breath, all life would cease, and humanity would turn again to dust.  Job 34:10-15.

Humanity would turn to dust…if…we don’t listen to God.

Prayer ~ Lord, open my ears that I would hear You…and those wise people that You send my way to instruct me with wisdom. In turn, may I listen to those around me and hear what they are saying…and may I be prepared to give them any wise words that You would have me share.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Do You Have to be Old to Be Wise?

Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said, "I am young and you are old, so I held back from telling you what I think. I thought, 'Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.' But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice. So listen to me, and let me tell you what I think.” Job 32:6-10

Elihu was a young man who spoke to Job after his older friend. He said… So listen to me, and let me tell you what I think. He didn’t think much of what Job’s friends had told Job and Elihu was angry with Job because he justified himself before God. This young man acknowledged that not all older people, Job’s three friends in particular, are wise just because they are old. I agree, but I will admit that I know several people who are 85 or older who are very wise folks. My wonderful Aunt Mercedes who is turning 90 today is a prime example of walking wisdom! She still walks a mile or two every day, weather permitting. She is active in her retirement community, attends a weekly Bible study…and actually reads her Bible every day. Can we all say that? Another over 90 couple in our family back in Michigan, Aunt Carole and Uncle Auddie, are 91 and 95 respectively…and respectfully, and they are both sharp as a tack and still sharing their wonderful sense of humor and wisdom with us all. Loving, caring, wise family members.

Not all people over 85 or 90 have the mental capacity to share their wisdom…so listen up to some of the elders in your life before they approach the senile, absent-minded years. Gain the wisdom that you can. Of course there are those young folks, like Elihu, in our lives who boast of their wisdom and don’t hesitate to tell you what they “think.” Listen closely to everyone who speaks and then judge for yourself if they are imparting wisdom or just being foolish. Can you discern their motives for speaking up and speaking out on some matter? Are they following God’s will and His plan for their lives? Are they encouraging? God want us to encourage others and to show our love…His love…for those around us. Are you showing and sharing God’s love and wisdom?

Prayer ~ Lord God, may I hold my tongue and not always let others know what I think so that when I do speak I will have Your words and Your wisdom on my lips—encouraging others and guiding them in Your ways.

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Wisdom from Aunt Mercedes.

Use 1 tablespoon of coconut oil every morning in your coffee, or tea, to get rid of the belly fat!

It works.

Happy 90^th Birthday, Auntie Merc!

May our Lord continue to bless you! Be Still and Know that He IS God!

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Looking for Wisdom

The fear of The Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

Read Proverbs. Gain wisdom and understanding. Desire it. Ask The Lord to give you wisdom. Don't be foolish. 

Prayer - Lord please give me wisdom and understanding that I would be able to apply your  knowledge to my life--my attitudes and actions/reactions. May all that I think, say and do bring you glory. Glory, Glory, Glory. 

The Way to Wisdom

God alone understands the way to wisdom; He knows where it can be found, for He looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens. He decided how hard the winds should blow and how much rain should fall. He made the laws for the rain and laid out a path for the lightning. Then He saw wisdom and evaluated it. He set it in place and examined it thoroughly. And this is what He says to all humanity: 'The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.' Job 28:23-28

Job continues his lengthy response to his friends concerning wisdom. He recognized that the fear of the Lord…which is actually holy RESPECT and reverence…is really the source of true wisdom. Without respect for God there would be no wisdom or understanding. He is in control—all powerful and wise. He’s got the roadmap…the GPS…for the way to wisdom. GPS – Global Positioning System or God’s Placing Scheme. God has a plan for our lives—He knows where we’re going—even if we don’t follow the GPS—or she wants to “recalculate” our trip. God know all about wisdom—true wisdom. He desires our attention and respect. Worship the Lord with reverence, and rejoice with trembling. Psalm 2:11. He created us to worship Him. To worship Him in spirit and in truth. He knows the way to Wisdom. Jesus told us that He is the Way, the TRUTH, and the life. John 14:6—and no one gets to the Father without first going to Jesus. He is the Way to wisdom. Mystery solved.

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, we respect and adore You. Thank You for the rain…and for Your wisdom, understanding, and above all…for Your love. Please bless and guide all those reading this, and may their families feel your presence and rejoice in knowing You.                            

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

An Encounter with Wisdom

But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living. ... It cannot be bought with gold. It cannot be purchased with silver. ... Wisdom is more valuable than gold and crystal. It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold. Coral and jasper are worthless in trying to get it. The price of wisdom is far above rubies. ... But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all humanity. Even the sharp-eyed birds in the sky cannot discover it. Destruction and Death say, 'We've heard only rumors of where wisdom can be found.' Job 28:12-13, 15, 17-18, 20-22

What is wisdom? Wisdom is the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight. If people could buy wisdom they’d be lined up in an endless row like they are when the lotto jackpot is high. Wisdom is not for sale. Nothing can buy wisdom. Not in Job’s time…and not today. Wisdom is only available as a gift from God…or through a process of aging and hard knocks. Knowledge can come from books and can be taught by others…but using that knowledge with insight and application to our life situations takes wisdom that is only available directly from God or by trial and error in previous situations. People rarely gain wisdom from other people’s situations unless they have discernment from God. How have you encountered wisdom in your life?      

Prayer ~ Lord God, we acknowledge that wisdom only comes from You. You are the source and supplier of wisdom. May You bless us with Your wisdom so that we would be able to make wise choices—discerning and rightly dividing what is true and right from the foolish things of the world. Help us to live lives that are pleasing and honoring to You. May we not be arrogant or self-righteous about any blessing of wisdom that we receive.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

God is Wisdom and Power – God is Love

Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old. But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are His. What He destroys cannot be rebuilt. When He puts someone in prison, there is no escape. If He holds back the rain, the earth becomes a desert. If He releases the waters, they flood the earth. Yes, strength and wisdom are His; deceivers and deceived are both in His power. Job 12:12-16

God is amazing—all powerful and all wisdom. We all desire wisdom—does that make us wanting to be like God? You probably know someone who wants to be POWERFUL! There is one in every group, classroom, family, club or organization and work place. Power is their goal. Do they seek wisdom with that power desire? If only that were the case.

One of my earliest lessons on God I remember from my Mom saying that God is love…that the Bible tells us that. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:8. There is a kid’s song based on that same scripture passage that my daughter learned for a Psalty musical when she was six years old. This song has stuck with us for years now. It is a catchy tune and the words are worth not only memorizing…but living.

Beloved

Beloved, let us love one another
For love is of God
And anyone that loveth is born of God
And knoweth God.
He that loveth not (clap, clap, clap)
Knoweth not God for God is love.
Beloved, let us love one another.
First John, four: seven and eight.

Wisdom is important…but love is essential in life. Which do you seek more…wisdom or love? Which do you give more…wisdom or love?

Prayer ~ Dear God, You are Love. Give us not only the desire to love You and ourselves, but also our neighbors, family and friends with whom You have so richly blessed us. Wisdom is desirable, but love is greater than everything. Thank You for that revelation today.

Weekly Wisdom Quote…

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, & the world around us.                                                                         Socrates

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

You Are No Better Than Me

You people really know everything, don't you? And when you die, wisdom will die with you! Well, I know a few things myself—and  you're no better than I am. Who doesn't know these things you've been saying? Yet my friends laugh at me, for I call on God and expect an answer. I am a just and blameless man, yet they laugh at me. People who are at ease mock those in trouble. They give a push to people who are stumbling. Job 12:2-5

Job’s know-it-all friends, mocked him during his trials and tribulations. In this passage he was answering Zophar and his other friends. They felt like they knew everything…like they were the wise ones giving Job advice on how he should have been living his life to please God. But that wasn’t the way it was since Job really lived his life righteously. God allowed Satan to attack Job—to destroy his family and fortune. In addition, Satan wanted to try to disgrace God. Although there were moments during Job’s trials when he was discouraged, Job was faithful to God and continued to trust Him. He knew his friends were no better than him--especially in the eyes of the Lord. There was no disgracing our God. Job called on God and expected an answer. Do you do that—pray and expect an answer from God?

Prayer ~ Lord God, hear our prayers. We praise You—for You are worthy of our praise and adoration. Please forgive us for any mistakes we have made…yesterday or today already…and guide us in living in such a way that pleases and honors You. There are many around us that need Your healing touch…physically, emotionally and spiritually. Meet their needs and give them the grace to not only give You the glory for your healing touch, but may their lives be a tribute to You—a living witness. Thank You for all You are and do. We love You and serve You, in Jesus name. Amen.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

True Wisdom is Not a Simple Matter

Should I remain silent while you babble on? When you mock God, shouldn't someone make you ashamed? You claim, 'My beliefs are pure,' and 'I am clean in the sight of God.' If only God would speak; if only He would tell you what He thinks! If only He would tell you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom is not a simple matter. Listen! God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve! Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty? Such knowledge is higher than the heavens—and who are you? It is deeper than the underworld—what do you know? It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea. Job 11:3-9

Another of Job’s friends, Zophar, speaks to Job, assuming that Job’s condition and loss is due to sin. He even suggests that God is punishing him—at a level that should be greater. That would just give Job even greater troubles. At least Zophar recognizes that God’s knowledge and wisdom are vast.  True wisdom is not something simple. God is complex—His wisdom is beyond measure. His knowledge is above what we can fathom. The problem is that Zophar doesn’t really know  Job. We know Job…and that he is a righteous man. Why can’t his “friend” see that? Do you see your friends and family as they really are in God’s eyes? Do you condemn them if they have problems, thinking that they just aren’t right with God? Wise up. Can you see them as God sees them and have mercy on them?  

Prayer ~ Lord God, open our eyes that we would see others and even ourselves as You see us. Give us wisdom and help us apply it so that we can understand You and those around us.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

Wise Words From Job’s Friend

But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, and if you are pure and live with integrity, He will surely rise up and restore your happy home. And though you started with little, you will end with much. Just ask the previous generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors. For we were born but yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow. But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you the wisdom of old.  Job 8:5-10

When someone else is suffering it is easy to give advice, just like Job’s friends did. Here in this passage his friend Bildad assumes that Job must have sinned…not lived a pure life with integrity. But sin wasn’t the source of Job’s suffering. He was a righteous man. Bildad is telling him to pay attention to his ancestors…that they can teach him some wisdom. That in itself may be good advice for any of us, although like us, our ancestors are humans and may not have all the right answers either. Only God has the pure wisdom. We need to seek that from Him—perhaps not from well-meaning friends or family.

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father—give us the grace to trust You like Job did because You did restore his happy home and family.  

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

I recently read a recipe for toast with goat cheese and candied nuts. Since I’ve been limiting my sugars and starches in an effort to maintain my recent weight loss, I tried some goat cheese on WASA rye crackers with chopped walnuts. It was good. No sugar is necessary. Simple enough—no real recipe is necessary, just spread the goat cheese on the cracker and top with chopped nuts. Any chopped nuts would probably be good. Most nuts also provide a MUFA – monounsaturated fatty acid which are good fats that are heart healthy and fight disease. We should include a MUFA with every meal. They aren’t just nuts. Explore the variety of MUFAs like olives, olive oil, avocado, pesto sauce, soybeans, peanut butter, tahini, and semisweet chocolate chips. Nuts can vary in calorie count and walnuts have even less calories than peanuts or pecans, if you care about calories. Enjoy some goat cheese and nuts on toast or crackers as a snack or along with a hot bowl of soup on one of these cold days soon.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Gifts All Year Around

God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him….. Ecclesiastes 2:26

God gives Wisdom, Knowledge and Joy…what great gifts! I’ll take those any time of the year…not just for my birthday or Christmas. Wisdom and knowledge are what I long for…what we all search for…and what we gradually get when we study and in life situations as we live through experiences and hopefully gain something from those experiences. Some people seem to gain more than others. Why is that? Do they just learn from their mistakes and successes…or is God giving them a special gift? Either way…we need to be attuned to our lives in ways that we don’t repeat our mistakes. I’m preaching to the choir…myself…here. I have found that I continually need to surrender my anger to the Lord…otherwise it gets me into trouble. Have you ever found yourself in that situation? I’d rather have joy than anger! The key here is to please God.

Prayer ~ Lord God, I give You my anger and ask that once again as You cleanse my heart that You would fill me with Your joy…and give me wisdom, knowledge and understanding that I wouldn’t take back that anger…that I would learn from this experience.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Eat, Drink and Enjoy Life

I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race. I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind. Ecclesiastes 1:13-14

And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless! So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun. In my search for wisdom and in my observation of people's burdens here on earth, I discovered that there is ceaseless activity, day and night. I realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim. Ecclesiastes 8:14-17

Where is your search for Wisdom taking you? Are you even looking for it—or are you trying to discover everything? Do you think you can live without wisdom? Think about that today…and in the meantime…eat, drink and enjoy life.

Prayer ~ Lord God, help me as I search for Wisdom to not get so bogged down with searching that I forget to live life to its fullest here and now—giving You the glory and honor that You deserve. You are the source not only of Wisdom, but of life itself. Help me to remember that moment by moment…day by day…year by year.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

Apply God’s Wisdom

And you, Ezra, are to use the wisdom your God has given you to appoint magistrates and judges who know your God's laws to govern all the people in the province west of the Euphrates River.

Teach the law to anyone who does not know it. Ezra 7:25

The Israelites had been in captivity in Babylon for seventy years and now it was time for them to go back to Israel, to Jerusalem and to rebuild the Temple. Ezra was a priest and scribe that wrote the book of Ezra and was tasked with copying the Law given to Moses and teaching it to other Israelites. This verse above also tells us that Ezra appointed magistrates and judges over the Jewish people residing in the Babylonian Kingdom, west of the Euphrates River. That is a lot of territory. Now the Jews were headed home to Israel and for them to know God’s Laws was important. Those were the rules to live by that they had originally ignored. That ignorance is what caused them to be exiled to Babylon. Now they needed to know the Law so that they could live by it. God gave Ezra wisdom to teach the Israelites how He wanted them to live…to treat each other and how to rebuild the Temple.

If you or people close to you have been away from the Lord for a while—like the Israelites when they were in Babylon—then it may be time to consider God’s will for your life. Blessing on you as you apply His Word to your life.

Prayer ~Lord Jesus…bless my family and friends with wisdom that they would seek and serve You with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength.  

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Wisdom from a Father...and a Mother

David spoke to his son, Solomon. 

"My son, I wanted to build a Temple to honor the name of the LORD my God," David told him. "But the LORD said to me, 'You have killed many men in the battles you have fought. And since you have shed so much blood in my sight, you will not be the one to build a Temple to honor my name. But you will have a son who will be a man of peace. I will give him peace with his enemies in all the surrounding lands. His name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign. He is the one who will build a Temple to honor my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will secure the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.'

"Now, my son, may the LORD be with you and give you success as you follow his directions in building the Temple of the LORD your God. And may the LORD give you wisdom and understanding, that you may obey the Law of the LORD your God as you rule over Israel. For you will be successful if you carefully obey the decrees and regulations that the LORD gave to Israel through Moses. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart! 1 Chronicles 22:7-13

Model of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem

Be strong and courageous. The same message that was given to Joshua when he became the leader of the Israelites. Here David is telling Solomon that IF he obeys the Law of the Lord, the Lord may give him wisdom and understanding. It is no wonder that Solomon asked God for wisdom and understanding—David had advised him to be obedient and he would be rewarded. Great wisdom in itself. The concordance doesn’t give us any specific references to David having great wisdom, but it is obvious that he was a smart guy…one who used his wisdom and understanding to please the Lord as much as he could. David is known as a man after God’s own heart.  

Prayer ~Lord God, may You be with my son and give him success as he follows Your directions in building the Temple of the LORD God within his heart. He will be successful IF he continues to carefully obey You—placing himself under Your grace. May he be strong and courageous, remembering that You, God, will never leave him or forsake him. You are an awesome God—going before, behind and beside him…as he seeks and serves You.

Happy Birthday, Mike!

May God continue to bless and guide you…

…as our son, as a husband, a father, and as His son and worker for Him.

Love & Prayers…today and always.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Read and Listen for Wisdom

God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore. In fact, his wisdom exceeded that of all the wise men of the East and the wise men of Egypt. ... He composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds, small creatures, and fish. And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon. 1 Kings 4:29-30, 32-34

Starfish on South Carolina beach

The world was in awe of Solomon’s wisdom. We would probably be the same today—amazed. Now we have much of the world’s wisdom and knowledge available to us at our fingertips on the internet—but that doesn’t mean that we understand or remember it all. Additionally, we need to question some of the information we access. We can’t trust everything that we hear or see. 

The sand on the seashore is varied—rocky and fine. Even it reveals creatures of the sea that we must carefully observe to discover. 

How do you get your wisdom…your understanding? How do you use it?

Prayer ~ Lord God, thank you for the vast amount of information we have available to us. Help us to use that information wisely to honor You.

Weekly Wisdom…Whoever would be wise should read the Proverbs; whoever would be holy should read the Psalms. —Richard Steele (1629-1692)

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.