Trumpet Call to Love

So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder. Exodus 19:16-19 NASB   

Where there is smoke,
there is fire.

This is the first passage of scripture that mentions “a trumpet” and it seems that God is using the trumpet to call His chosen people together. He has something important to tell them through Moses. At least the trumpet is calling Moses to speak with God. No one else gets to go up the mountain and have an audience with God Himself. They are left standing at the bottom of the mountain quaking in their sandals. It is smoky and there is an earthquake. It’s no wonder that the Israelites were scared. It wasn’t a common occurrence to hear a loud trumpet—and where did that sound come from?

The fire and earthquake scenario sounds a lot like conditions in the Pacific Northwest lately. We’ve had a couple of months of smoke from nearby forest fires with the smoke so thick that visibility is reduced to a couple of miles and you can taste the smoke in the air. People have been told to stay indoors whenever possible. Football and soccer games have been rescheduled or canceled completely. That is rare to cancel a soccer match. Rain, snow, wind and the games aren’t canceled. Smoky air conditions cancel a lot of things. It is just not healthy to be out in that low quality air. Was the air quality in question at the foot of Mt. Sinai? The trumpet sound didn’t alert the people to earthquakes or poor air quality, but called to them to meet God. Well—only Moses got to go up the mountain and really meet God. That was when he was given the Ten Commandments. God was calling His people to obedience. Letting them know what He really expected of them and of us—how He wants mankind to live. It’s all about love. Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.

Do you hear God calling you to love? To love Him and to love others?

Prayer ~ Lord God, I submit myself to You. I want to live to please You…to show my love for You and for others. Give me the wisdom to see my own motives in my actions and to respond to Your love.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 46-48

© 2017 Text and photos 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 for the Shofar

Now Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew the trumpets; and the armed men went before them and the rear guard came after the ark of the LORD, while they continued to blow the trumpets. Thus the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp; they did so for six days. Then on the seventh day they rose early at the dawning of the day and marched around the city in the same manner seven times; only on that day they marched around the city seven times. At the seventh time, when the priests blew the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, "Shout! For the LORD has given you the city. Joshua 6:12-16 NASB 

The trumpets that the priests used after they marched around Jericho sounding were not the brass trumpets we think of today. Those trumpets were actually ram’s horns—known as shofar. The shofar has a piercing sound…and as I understand, they are not easy to blow. Things worth doing are not always easy…but they are worth doing right—doing it God’s way. When God told Joshua to march around the city of Jericho…for six days and then seven times on the seventh day, Joshua was obedient. He was a good leader and example for the Israelites. They started off in the Promised Land as obedient to God. What happened? Rebellion. 

Those Israelites really needed to follow God’s laws, teachings and feasts or Holy Days. One of those Feasts occurs at the Jewish New Year is called the Feast of Trumpets—where the blowing of the shofar is essential in calling the people to repentance. God gives the Jews a chance to repent and that repentance sets them right with God and with others. Relationship is what life is all about. Relationship to each other and relationship to God. Like those Israelites, we need God's guidance, too.

How are you doing with that? Look closely inside yourself. How are your relationships to others and to God? Look and then listen for the shofar—calling everyone to repentance. 

Prayer ~ Lord, help me to see myself and others the way that You see me…and see my relationship to other people. I want to do things right…to live in a way that pleases You. I can only do that when I surrender my own will to You. I can do all things through You, Christ, as You give me strength (Philippians 4:13).

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 43-45

© 2017 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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A New Year is Coming

The LORD said to Moses, "Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. On the first day of the appointed month in early autumn, you are to observe a day of complete rest. It will be an official day for holy assembly, a day commemorated with loud blasts of a trumpet. You must do no ordinary work on that day. Instead, you are to present special gifts to the LORD." Leviticus 23:23-25 

Stop what you are doing!
Rest - Reflect - Repent - Rejoice

This day is known as the Feast of the Trumpets. It is the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, literally meaning the head of the New Year. There are four “New Year” celebrations in the Jewish calendar. This one marks the actual beginning of the year. It may have commemorated the creation of the world and focuses on God and worship in the Synagogue. God created man and is the ultimate judge of man, so as this festival begins the Jews use this time to look inward and consider all the actions that occurred in the last year for which they need to repent. This year Rosh Hashanah occurs on September 21-22. The holy day actually begins at sunset on Wednesday, September 20^th. It is celebrated on two days because in ancient times people in remote villages couldn’t determine the actual day of the new moon, which began the New Year of years, so they celebrated two days. The custom just continued and goes on with a two day celebration today everywhere. It is one of the holiest days of the Jewish year.

The sounding of the trumpet was associated with war throughout the Old Testament history. In the prophetic book of Ezekiel God gives a message to the people of Israel.

Son of man, speak to the sons of your people and say to them, 'If I bring a sword upon a land, and the people of the land take one man from among them and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows on the trumpet and warns the people, then he who hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, and a sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head.’ Ezekiel 33:2-4 NASB  

Paul uses an interesting phrase about the last trumpet in his first letter to the church at Corinth.

What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:50-53 

In synagogues during the Feast of Trumpets the trumpet, or shofar, is sounded 100 times, using three different patterns of sounds. Is that last trumpet sound of any significance to us today? Search your Bible yourself for the times and reasons for the sounding of the trumpet. 

How will you celebrate this Jewish New Year in a couple of weeks?  

Prayer ~ Lord, give us wisdom to understand Your feasts and holidays. Show us how we can honor You in celebrating those holy days.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 40-42

Happy Anniversary, Lisa & Kim.

© 2017 Text and photos 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.

Grief or Joy

Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. John 16:22 NASB

Morning Glory

Joy is such a wonderful thing. You can have it even in a time of grief. There can be a glimmer of hope deep in your soul that is a spark of joy—a comfort knowing that tomorrow…or even just a minute away…is a better day…a better moment. God cares about us and even when things…LIFE…aren’t going so well—God has not abandoned us. He feels our grief with us—and promised that no one will take our joy away.
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Prayer ~ Lord, we realize that You went through deep agony, grief, and horrific pain for our sins.
You tell us the truth, that we will weep and mourn over what happened to you, but the world will rejoice. We  grieve, but our grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. John 16:20. We gratefully rejoice in what You did for us…and in Your resurrection. Our mourning has turned to joy.
Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 37-39

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

What foods do you mourn over? If you are doing a low carb diet—or have found like me that sugar and refined carbs are like poison in your body—then you may be sad, craving and have a deep longing for some of those foods. Ahhh. For a nice cinnamon roll…or luscious deep chocolate brownie with extra chocolate chips and nuts mixed inside topped with a scoop of rich, smooth chocolate-chocolate ice cream. Dream on. Gone are the days of those sweets and hopefully soon…gone is the fat on my hips! With what can I replace those tempting foods?  In her book Made to Crave, Lysa TerKeurst gave some excellent suggestions. One of my favorites is that God gives me power over my food choices—the food does not have power over me. His grace is sufficient. 

Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Spinach and Strawberry Salad for Four

4 cups baby spinach leaves - washed

2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

2 Tbsp chopped red onion

Toss together spinach, onion and strawberries. Combine ingredients for dressing below and pour over salad right before serving.

            ½ cup vegetable oil

            ¼ cup red wine vinegar

            ¼ cup honey (or ½ cup organic cane sugar)

            ¼ cup paprika

            2 Tbsp sesame seeds

            1 Tbsp poppy seeds

Garnish salad with crumbled feta or goat cheese and slivered raw almonds.

© 2017 Text and photos 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.

Finding Peace

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:27 NASB

Peaceful Sunset

What gives you peace? For that matter…what is peace to you? Is it the absence of war, absence of fear, or a state of tranquility? Yes, for me peace is a calmness—even in the midst of chaos. God’s peace is all surpassing. It doesn’t depend on political or social stability. It depends on my relationship with Him—on my trusting Him with my whole heart, soul and mind. That is the peace that Jesus is telling His disciples during His Last Supper with them in this passage recorded in John 14. Don’t be troubled, upset or afraid. I’m going to give you peace—my special kind of peace that no one else can provide—certainly not the world. Consider the political unrest during that time in history. Could anyone find peace provided by the Roman government? No, they lived in fear. Jesus provided His disciples peace as He taught them about life and how to live it, honoring and trusting God as they traipsed across the Galilean providence and the Judean hillside. He calmed the stormy Sea of Galilee—so He could certainly calm their heart…and ours. Will you let Jesus give you His peace?

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, bless me…and all who read this…with Your peace. Help us not to be troubled with situations around us…fires, smoke fill air, hurricanes, earthquakes, political disturbances and health issues, but give us strength and peace with hope for the future.  

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 34-36

© 2017 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Are You Teachable?

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26 NASB

Scripture at a Jewish Synagogue

Israel

He will teach you. Are you teachable…open and willing to learn? School has just started again and there are a variety of students out there. Those who are eager to learn and those who only go to school because they have to. Do we sit at Jesus feet—eager to learn or reluctantly sitting there because someone else wants us to…go to church or Bible Study? In his teaching on That the World May Know series Ray Vander Laan has described Jewish customs and history in Jesus time. Both boys and girls at about age five began going to elementary school, the Beth Safer, at the synagogue. They learned to read, write and memorize large portions of scripture—like the whole first five books of the Old Testament—the Torah. After that level of school was completed girls no longer attended school and the boys went on to learn their family’s trade. Some of the boys continued to study with the rabbi, learning the prophets and studying interpretations of the Torah. Students who continued to study with the rabbi, wanting to be like the rabbi—wanting to be a rabbi—would often leave home and travel with the rabbi for extended periods of time. That is how it should be for us…to want to be like Jesus—that we would spend time with Him…learning scripture and applying it to our lives. Jesus is encouraging us in this passage from John 14 to trust the Holy Spirit to teach us all things and to bring God’s Word to our memory. What has He taught you today?

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit—teach me and give me wisdom to understand more about Jesus that I can become more like Him every day. Help me to be compassionate, loving, understanding, forgiving, honorable, obedient, and even a good teacher. Bring to my remembrance all of Jesus’ teachings that I can share them with others and apply them to my life.  

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 31-33

© 2017 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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No Orphans Here

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him." John 14:18-21 NASB

Orphans. All alone. Imagine how they feel…or maybe you’ve experienced it? Unloved, rejected, unwanted, and abandoned. But that is not how Jesus will treat anyone. He promised to not leave us as orphans—but He will come back and we’ll live with Him. That is IF we love Him and keep His commandments, He will love us and His Father will love us. What a promise! Imagine yourself wrapped in the loving arms of Jesus and our Heavenly Father. This is not a new promise. Look at Psalms 82. Justice and rescue. Those are comforting promises. 

Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.  Psalm 82:3-4

Being adopted into God’s family is one of the best things about knowing God—about being able to call Him, “Abba, Father.” This is described in Galatians. 

But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children. And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father." Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are His child, God has made you His heir. Galatians 4:4-7.

A passage in Ephesians should make you feel wanted by the Heavenly Father. Imagine God’s arms wrapping around you…

God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:5.

Adopting us gave Him pleasure—made Him happy! If that could fill Him with joy—how should it make us feel? Overwhelmed by the love of the Father? I feel privileged to be part of His family…forever. Jesus is telling us we are not orphans. We may have felt abandoned at some time in our lives…but we aren’t abandoned or forsaken. God want us to be part of His family. How will you respond to this message today?

Prayer~ Jesus…my brother, my Savior, my friend, my creator, my sustainer…You are my everything. You are everlasting, King of Kings, Lord of Lords. I continually praise Your name and humbly bow before You and the Heavenly Father. My Abba Father.  

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 28-30

© 2017 Text and photos 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.

If You Love

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17 NASB

Have you ever needed help? Spiritual help? Or even just help finding your keys? The Holy Spirit is good about being that “Rememberer” for me. He helps me not only find my keys, but find scripture that is appropriate for particular prayers or just calms my very soul when I’m distressed. He prompts me to do things…call, visit, send notes, take food, say a word or two, and help others…when I listen and respond. Obedience starts with listening to the Holy Spirit. If…if…if. If you love Jesus, you will keep God’s commandments. That is what I live to do…how about you? Do you live with a purpose? Is that your purpose to glorify God…to keep His commandments? Does the Holy Spirit live within you…and do you listen and obey? If you love….

Young Grapes on the Vine - Israel

If you carefully obey all the commands I am giving you today, and if you love the LORD your God and serve him with all your heart and soul, then he will send the rains in their proper seasons—the early and late rains—so you can bring in your harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil. Deuteronomy 11:13-14.

Prayer ~ Lord, I love You…and I want to show that love by keeping Your commandment…in all that I think, say and do. May my life bring You glory. Thank you for the Holy Spirit—who gives me guidance, strength and hope.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 25-27

© 2017 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Ask…Simply Ask

Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:13-14 NASB

Turn to Jesus where you are. Ask.

WHATEVER! ASK!

What would you ask Jesus for…to help you with…to give you peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, wisdom, knowledge, joy…love? He’s a big God. There is no limit. Don’t put Him in a box. Don’t tie His hands—let Him help you…provide you with what you need. You don't have to be in church...just pray, ask where you are.

What do you need? 

Ask.

Jesus has promised. 

Take Him up on His promise. 

Ask.

Whatever. 

Prayer ~ Jesus…You chose me. I didn’t choose you. You appointed me to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give me whatever I ask for, using Your name. John 15:16. I praise You and thank you.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 23-24

© 2017 Text and photos 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 Carpenter is Building a Bigger House

In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:2-3 NASB

In the marriage customs of the Hebrew people after the betrothal or engagement of the couple, the bridegroom must build their home, adding onto his father’s existing home. When it was ready, the father of the groom would invite people to the wedding, sometimes providing special wedding clothes for them. The bride would be taken by her guests from her family’s home in a procession in the middle of the night through the streets to the bridegroom’s home. The bridegroom would not be at home when she arrived, giving her time to have her hair done by her maids in waiting. He would be having dinner at another relative’s home and his wedding guests would accompany him back to his own home where his bride waited for him. People along his procession route would call out “There he is. He is coming!” The bride’s maids in waiting would come out with oil lamps to light up the entrance as the groom and his guests arrived. After the bridegroom procession entered, the doors were shut and no other guests were received. Then the bride and groom would be seated under a colorful canopy and for the next three to five days the father of the groom hosted an elaborate and elegant banquet.

Busy Angels in Heaven

Jesus is that bridegroom—for His bride, the Church. He’s gone to heaven to prepare a place—a magnificent home for us. It is so exciting. I’ve only lived in a brand-new house once in my life. When I was eight years old my parents built a new house—and it was so beautiful to us. It was really lovely three bedroom home with pastel plastered walls, lots of windows, and a full unfinished basement that gave us kids lots of play room when the weather was too hot or too cold to be outdoors. What will our home in heaven be like? Jesus was a carpenter—so He probably has some really good design ideas and is keeping those angels busy creating just the perfectly exquisite domicile for each of us. I like to imagine that those who are creative here on earth—will probably continue that in heaven and that Jesus will provide a space for people to do artistic projects to glorify the Father. Perhaps there will be elaborate kitchens for all the chefs, bakers and cooks to resourcefully prepare daily feasts. What could be better? The book of Revelation tells us that we will be singing around the thrones where God the Father and Jesus Christ are seated. Knowing that we’ll have a wonderful home and lots of singing does make heaven appealing to me. How about you? Do you want to go there? Where do you stand in your faith in Jesus Christ? He said that the only way to the Father, i.e. heaven, is through Him. So those who believe in Him can be assured that He is building a home attached to our Heavenly Father’s home. Hope to see you there!

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, I am so anxious to see what my new home in heaven is going to be like, but I am forcing myself to be patient. Help me to be prepared for Jesus’ return. Give me wisdom to know what to do as I wait. I joyfully look forward to sitting at Your banquet table, feasting with You, singing praises to You at Your throne, and living in the home that Jesus promised to prepare for me.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 21-22

© 2017 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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

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Thirst No More

Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw." John 4:13-15 NASB 

What a promise! A well that provides living water—eternal life. What more could anyone ask? People have been searching for centuries for a fountain of youth—a way to live forever. They just missed the boat…and should have been looking for a person who could provide eternal life. They should have been looking for Jesus. Of course, the eternal life He has to offer doesn’t mean that we won’t get wrinkles or gray hair…but if we believe in Jesus as God and the Son of God, we will spend eternity in His Heavenly home—actually in a home that He has gone to heaven to build just for us.

That woman at the well is nameless—but Jesus her, knew her heart and her past. He knows us just the same—better than we know ourselves. Read her encounter with Jesus, John 4:1-42. She was shunned by society for her lifestyle. Five husbands. No one wanted to be around her for fear that she would steal their husband. So off to the well she trudged in the heat of the day at noon when no one else was there to draw water. With Jesus eternal water she would never have to draw any water again! In the day of having to haul every drop of water used in the home that would be a big thing. Then she discovered He was the Messiah. She left her water jug behind and ran to tell everyone in the town that the Messiah was there—well not in so many words, but she did want them to come and meet Jesus, the Man with the Living Water.   

Prayer ~ Jesus… Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty...  Like that woman at the well I long to hear Your voice and continue to drink Your water that provides eternal life. Your words are everlasting and satisfy my thirst.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 18-20

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table
You’ve often heard…You are what you eat. Have you ever considered…You are what you read?
Think about it…Fill your mind with good things. That is the benefit of reading God’s word. Feasting on His goodness.  Do you make it a daily habit?
Have you read any good cookbook lately? One of my favorite authors of memoirs with recipes is Ruth Reichl. Her books include:
           Mmmmm: A Feastiary

            Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table

            Comfort Me with Apples: More Adventures at the Table

            Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise

            For You, Mom. Finally

            My Kitchen Year
She also wrote Delicious! A Novel, which includes some tasty recipes. She started cooking when she was about seven as I recall. That is about the same age I was when I baked oatmeal cookies for the first time without help from anyone. My Mom and sister were gone someplace and I asked Dad if I could make oatmeal cookies. “Can you read the recipe…do you know how to do it?” he asked. “Sure,” I confidently replied and set about measuring all the ingredients into a bowl. I didn’t really follow the recipe directions. You are supposed to cream the butter and sugar together, add the eggs, and then stir in the dry ingredients. I had everything in the bowl and then mixed like crazy with a big wooden spoon. They turned out OK. From then on, I followed the directions.

What recipe would you include if you were to write your memoirs? I would have to include the Quaker Oats Oatmeal Cookies recipe from the Quaker Oats website and as printed on the Oatmeal Box. It looks like the recipe hasn’t changed in 60 years since my first adventure in solo baking.

Vanishing Oatmeal Cookies  

Ingredients

½ cup (1 stick) plus 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

2        eggs

1        tsp vanilla

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp salt (optional)

3 cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)

1 cup raisins or chocolate chips 

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add oats and raisins (or chips); mix well. Drop dough by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.
Enjoy with a tall cool glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

© 2017 Text and photos 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 What is Right…Now

"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. For I was hungry, and you fed me. 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.' Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?' 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!' Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn't feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn't give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn't invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn't give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me.' Then they will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?' "And He will answer, 'I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life." Matthew 25:31-46

Judgement…Jesus is seated on His throne. Listen in to what this parable tells us that Jesus will say.  We need to treat everyone as if they were Jesus. I see part of Jesus mission on earth was just to teach us how we should live and treat others. Good thing that those lessons were recorded in the Bible—because mankind just needs those lessons over and over…I do.

This parable is similar to what we read in Psalm… There is joy for those who deal justly with others and always do what is right. Psalm 106:3. 

Feed One Another

Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. Matthew 7:12. Jesus was just giving basic human kindness lesson that every two year old must learn.

      Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB. Simply…do what is right and what is right is probably how you want others to treat you. Can you follow Jesus example and teachings? His promise for the righteous is eternal life. That is worth trying to mold our lives by Jesus’ principles.

And one of my favorite verses echoes the same thought…

Prayer ~ Lord, help me to do whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, and if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, may my thoughts dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 16-17

© 2017 Text and photos 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.

Joy in Heaven

If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away! Luke 15:4-7

Celebrate 

One-two-three-four-five-----96-97-98-99…where is number 100? It was the custom for the shepherd to count his sheep as the flock came into the sheepfold for the evening. Where is 100? The shepherd goes to search for that lost one—it is just as important as each of the other sheep. It seems to me that he is very trusting to leave the other 99 sheep just in the wilderness—but remember they are in the sheepfold. Did he leave his sheepdog to guard them? No worries—they’ll stick together. It is for that one out there by itself that he is concerned. Is it stuck in a ravine somewhere…or carried away by swift water in a wadi? Sometimes sheep can’t turn themselves over if their fleece gets soaking wet and they fall onto their back. That is a lot of “ifs” and those are the thoughts going through the shepherd’s mind as he sets out to find his lost sheep. There are wolves and lions out there in the wilderness so that shepherd need to find its sweet lamb before anything else does. Out he goes into the twilight…calling his lamb by name, whistling loudly. What’s that? He hears a familiar bleating. His lost lamb—caught in some spiny bushes. He pulls it free and places it around his neck, racing back to his sheepfold and to his family and neighbors. He announces he has found his lost sheep and it is time to celebrate! Jesus tells us in this parable that there is even more joy in heaven when a sinner repents. Celebrating is a good thing to do—so help someone find Jesus The lost one is found…and joyously celebrate with them.

Prayer ~ Jesus…like the father of the prodigal son—we celebrate those who turn to You—those who learn to trust and rely on You—for You are the way, the truth, and the life. It is time to celebrate.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 13-15

© 2017 Text and photos 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.

Loved by the Good Shepherd

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don't belong to him and he isn't their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he's working only for the money and doesn't really care about the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded." John 10:11-18  

Have you ever felt abandoned, rejected, totally alone? Did the person you were counting on just give up, disappear or shake their head and walked away? With Jesus as your shepherd you’ll never have to feel abandoned. He promised. He is not just a hired hand who will run away when you face troubles. He’s there to uphold you…fight for you…give your protection and strength against the wolves. He’s already made the ultimate sacrifice for you…and me. He gave His life—obediently—following His Father’s plan. Savior—that is just what He is. The one who came to save. But He is more than that. He is our original Creator (John 1:1), our brother (Romans 8:15), our friend (Psalm 25:14). In the Holy Spirit we have our Comforter, our Helper and Sustainer—as promised by Jesus.

In this passage Jesus repeats that He is the good shepherd. Can we assume that He is telling us that He is good as opposed to a “bad” shepherd? What is a “bad” shepherd? One who doesn’t care for his sheep…who doesn’t provide good pasture, safe water, protection from wild animals, or shelter in a storm. The book of Hebrews 13:20-21 identifies Jesus as the resurrected “great shepherd” and Peter confirms again that Jesus died for our sins—and is the Guardian of our souls. I like that…guardian. That is what a shepherd is and does…guards his flock. So we can be assured that Jesus is guarding us. By His wounds we are healed. He is keeping us safe from evil forces as well as providing physical protection and healing. Think about that shepherd finding a lost lamb with a hurt leg putting some ointment on that sore spot. In that same way Jesus brings us back to Himself when we stray and cares for us.

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:24-25 NASB

Can you rely on Jesus to be your shepherd to guard your very soul?   

Prayer ~ Lord, I have… continually strayed like sheep, but now I return to You as my Shepherd and Guardian of my soul. 1 Peter 2:25 NASB. I feel loved and protected in Your presence. Thank you for  being the ultimate sacrifice.

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 9-12

© 2017 Text and photos 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.

Standards of Measure

And He was saying to them, Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides. Mark 4:24 

In the scripture passage right before this verse, Jesus was teaching about the sower who scattered his seeds on a road, on rocky ground, in thorns, and in good soil. The seeds by the road got eaten up by birds, the seeds in the rocky ground didn’t have enough depth of soil to survive, the thorns choked out the crop, and only the seeds in the good soil produced good produce. Jesus promises that more will be given you besides…that is if you measure up well—spiritually. Jesus challenges those who are there to listen—as He said…He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Mark 4:9. That same challenge is for us today.

 

Family Activity – Kids love to measure things—using cups, teaspoons or measuring tapes. Let them measure something, grain or dried beans would go with this passage. Talk with them about how there is a standard of measurement—a cup should always be a cup; a meter should always be a meter. God’s Word is a measurement standard, too. We have to obey His commandments. We have to listen to obey. We need to make our own standards the same as God’s standards. Can you illustrate that for your children? Make a chart of their standards. How do they measure up? You may want to make a video about the sower scripture passage (Mark 4:3-29) using a cam recorder, digital camera or cell phone with someone in your family reading. The video will illustrate how good “soil” in our hearts will produce good fruit if we listen and obey. 

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, grant that my children and grandchildren learn to listen to Your Word and obey. May Your standards be their standards.

(Recycled from Banquet With The King blog, August 28, 2013)

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 5-8

© 2017 Text and photos 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.

Listening and Loving God’s Sweet Word

And all the people would get up early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him. Luke 21:38

Imagine the promises that those people who went to the Temple to hear Jesus must have heard. All the parables that He told brought meaning to their lives. Would you get up early to hear Jesus speak—how early? Five or six o’clock? The brother of a friend of mine lives in South Korea and he leaves his home some mornings at five AM to travel in heavy traffic for a couple of hours to his church and get a parking place before the service starts. We have no idea what kind of sacrifice that must be. We take for granted that we can get to church in seven minutes—and there are always plenty of empty parking spots—the lot isn’t even half full.

Mezuzah

If a person is living and walking according to God’s commandments and scripture, then listen closely and let them teach you something from God’s Word that is new, fresh and alive. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12. Be sure you listen and follow God’s teachings.

Family Activity – Get your family up early today…or next Saturday or Sunday morning…and take an early morning walk. Talk to them about how people got up early to go hear Jesus teach. In the Old Testament it gives teaching about teaching your family (sons—but this includes daughters, too) God’s Word… You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates…. Deuteronomy 11:18-20. The Jewish people have a great custom of putting scripture in little metal or ceramic vial by their door—a mezuzah. Write out some scripture and place it by your door—as a remembrance for what the Lord has done for you. As you attach the scripture to your wall, praise the Lord and thank Him for who His is, and for the home and family He has provided for you.

Lord Jesus, may my children and grandchildren grow to love Your Word and find it more precious than gold and sweeter than honey as it says in Psalm 19:10.

(Recycled from August 27, 2013)

Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 1-4

© 2017 Text and photos 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.

Who is the Gatekeeper?

"I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't know his voice."

Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn't understand what He meant, so He explained it to them: "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." John 10:1-10

Imagine a wall made of rough stones piled together about three feet high creating an enclosure with about one opening about three to five feet wide. That enclosure would be the sheepfold that Jesus was telling about in this parable. The shepherd would usher or herd his sheep into their pen for the night to keep them safe from lions, wolves, bears or robbers and he himself would lie down and sleep in that doorway—the opening in the sheepfold. No one or nothing could get by him to harm his sheep. In some cases many shepherds might be pasturing their sheep together during the day and sharing the sheepfold at night, the shepherds would take turns being the gatekeeper, allowing the sheep to go in and out of the sheepfold as their shepherd called them. What do you suppose the sheep would be named? Wooly, Bright One, Blacky, Spot, Stubborn, Claudio, Marie, Ivey, Isaac or Shaun? No matter what their names—they knew their shepherd’s voice and obediently came to him when he called.

Sheep in Israel

Now imagine that Jesus is the shepherd—being the gatekeeper of the sheepfold…and we are His sheep. If Jesus is our shepherd, do we know His voice and obediently follow Him when He calls us? He will provide us with good green pastures, safe drinking water and protection from wild animals and thieves. Just like that shepherd in the classic Psalm 23, Jesus provides, protects, comforts, restores and gives His “sheep” hope.

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:1-6

How could those hearing Jesus tell this parable not understand it? When I looked at it in context I saw that He was speaking with Pharisees who spent their time in the Temple—not out on the hillsides with sheep, but it wasn’t far from the Temple to the pastures. The verses just prior to this parable tell us…Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, "We are not blind too, are we?" John 9:40 NASB. Are we? What do you think? Jesus may have laughed…but not out loud. Those Pharisee were blind. Their Messiah was standing right before them and they couldn’t see who He was. Do we do any better? Even if we see Jesus as our Lord and Savior, do we rely on Him moment by moment? Please share in the comments section below a way that you’ve seen Jesus work in your life…providing just what you need.

Prayer ~ Jesus, Like a shepherd lead us…providing us with the spiritual food we need every day, renewing our strength, guiding us along Your righteous pathways, protecting us and showing us Your abundant and enduring love that will guide us to our Heavenly home to be with You, forever. You provide all we need.

Daily Bible Reading: Lamentations 3-5

© 2017 Text and photos 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.

Can You Learn from the Fig Tree?

And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send out His angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather His chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know His return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. Matthew 24:30-35 

The very words of Jesus—of course, spoken originally in Hebrew or Aramaic.  In this parable Jesus points us to the fig tree—a common tree known as one of the seven healing fruits of the Israelites. Figs are mentioned 45 times in the New Living Translation, beginning with Adam and Eve’s episode in the Garden. They tried to cover their bodies with fig leaves. Just how did they do that? I have a small fig tree and those leaves are not very big. I’ve wondered just how Eve managed to weave the stems together...or maybe she used a vine to wrap them securely. But then the leaves would dry out and she’d have to start again. Of course, about then God intervened and killed an animal to provide skins for Adam and Eve to wear. What lesson do we learn from the fig tree? Jesus was responding to His disciples questions about the end of the age and the sign of His coming. People today ask the same question…and Jesus has given us the answer. Watch. When we see things happening, the time is near. Things happening…not the fig tree getting leaves and fruit, but things that Jesus had told them which are recorded just before this parable. 

Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah.' They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come." Matthew 24:4-14

The end will come. Are you watching? Are you ready? Are you listening for that trumpet blast?

Prayer ~ Jesus, You promised that Your words will never disappear. Open our eyes to see Your words in action around us that we would not be deceived. Prepare our hearts to endure the persecution that we may have to face and give us the strength to proclaim You as our Lord, our King and our Messiah. May Your will be done…on earth as it is in Heaven.  

Daily Bible Reading: Lamentations 1-2

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Have you ever eaten a fresh fig? Ahhhh. As a kid I always like Fig Newton Cookies…and like Brian Regan, a serving is a sleeve of cookies…not just two. Those cookies are probably made with dried figs and dried figs are good at Christmas time on those dried fruit trays that we often get and give over the holidays. But fresh figs are the best. Figs produce fruit twice a year, in the spring and in the late summer. My family and I have enjoyed several fresh figs off our new fig tree this year—and we look forward to many more years of fresh figs. One day we’ll have enough to enjoy at a family feast as we sing…Oh bring us some figgy pudding.

Fresh Figs

The figs turn a nice dark brown and are soft when they are ripe. You merely have to give them a little twist or pull—and there you have a fresh fig in the palm of your hand. Slice and serve fresh. There are so many nutrients packed in those little figs, like potassium, calcium and iron and well as lots of fiber. They are sodium, cholesterol and fat free. Figs are known to be good for infections in the stomach, intestines and urinary tract, as well as removing excess mucus from the nose and throat. Lots of other health benefits—so what are you waiting for? Go get some figs! Eat them fresh while they are available.

© 2017 Text and photos 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.