A Choice - Exalt Your Messiah or Political Ruler?

Memory Verse of the Week ~

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Date Palm Trees
Israel

On the day that we commemorated as Palm Sunday, the followers of Jesus were spreading the palm branches and then their robes on the road before Jesus exalting Him as their Messiah when He entered Jerusalem. They were making a choice. They wanted Jesus as their ruler...their Messiah. We all make choices every day. Whom do you serve? For whom do you work enthusiastically? If Christ were to return today…what choices you have already made would influence you future?

Then (At the time of the Coming of the Son of Man) there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:40-42 NASB

When Christ calls the believers…where will you be? In the field, at work, in your home, sleeping? Will you be the one taken up or left behind? The decision is yours. You get to choose…but the choice has to be made BEFORE Christ returns. Once the Christians start rising…beginning with the dead first…it will be too late. Choose now with whom you will spend eternity. Jesus in Heaven…or into the pit of despair in Hell with Satan?

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 

Like Joshua…choose this day whom you will serve. I choose to serve the Lord…forever.

But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

Be alert. We don't know the hour or the day of Christ's return.

Prayer ~ Lord, help me to be strong and immovable, working enthusiastically for You. I choose to love and serve You, Jesus, because I know that nothing I do for You will ever be useless. I love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 17, 35, 54, 63  

© 2019 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.

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Don't Be Useless--Shine

Memory Verse of the Week ~

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Tawas Point Lighthouse on Lake Huron
Let your light shine. 

 Isaiah was given this message.

Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The LORD called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name. He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver. He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory." I replied, "But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the LORD's hand; I will trust God for my reward." And now the LORD speaks—the one who formed me in my mother's womb to be his servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him. The LORD has honored me, and my God has given me strength. He says, "You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." Isaiah 49:1-6

My work may seem useless…but Paul assures us that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. How reassuring. It is so easy to feel unworthy…unappreciated. Lighthouses provide such a useful purpose--saving ships from crashing into the shore. If we let our light shine, we can be guiding others so they don't crash. That would certainly be a useful activity. 

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus—reveal Yourself to me today in a new and greater depth as I seek You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. In my everyday activities I am working enthusiastically for You, Lord--and as You know nothing that is done for You is ever useless. Please use even my littlest actions for good for You as a light to to those who don't know You. 

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 25-27

© 2019 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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Work at Fellowship

Memory Verse of the Week ~

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. As he walked along, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him. Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus' followers.) But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?" When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." Mark 2:13-17

Fellowship along the Atlantic beach
South Carolina 

Sick or Healthy? Jesus was speaking to both…or was He? Are the Pharisees just as “sick” as those scum whom they were criticizing? I think Jesus was telling them that they were. He was likening Himself to a doctor—and as a phenomenal healer—He was one. But see what He said…Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. Those Pharisees needed Jesus as much as the tax collectors and disreputable sinners gathered around the table with Him. They needed to see Jesus as their Messiah—but they refused to acknowledge Him—to recognize that He had come to provide salvation. Spiritual salvation. The Jews as a whole were seeking a political king to save them from Roman oppression. Jesus was a spiritual King sent to rescue and save the Jews…and all of mankind from spiritual oppression—better known as sin—but the Pharisees couldn’t see that in Jesus. Their self-righteous holiness blinded them to forming a relationship with a nonconformist teacher they saw as rebellious and dangerous to the traditions of their religion.

How is Jesus viewed today? Is He considered the Messiah to the Jews or the Gentiles? Is He your Savior? It was noted last year that 60% of the people in the Tri-Cities where I live don’t identify with any religion. That is a lot of unchurched people. Are you “unchurched” or do you seek Jesus on your own time and space? I used to think that my relationship with Jesus was very private—just between Him and me, although I know well the scripture about the necessity of not forsaking fellowship.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together (fellowship), as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25

What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God. Psalm 55:14

Fellowship, meeting together for study, social events, meals, and encouragement, is essential for Christian growth—but just as important is fellowship with God. Spending time with God. Jesus was a good example of that. Consider all the times that He went off by Himself to pray. God has a special respect for those who seek Him and walk in fellowship with Him.

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Mark 1:35

Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. Genesis 6:9.

Do you think you are righteous or do you see yourself as a sinner? Do you seek God first in your life…and have you found Jesus as your Messiah? Are you working enthusiastically as you fellowship with God and with others?

Prayer ~ Trinity…Father, Son and Holy Spirit—awaken in me a deeper desire to know You more completely and to find opportunities to share You with others around me. We all need You as our spiritual doctor—for all have sinner and fallen short of the glory of God. Thank You for forgiveness of our sins and for being our Lord, Savior, Creator, Redeemer, Friend, Father, Counselor, King of Kings…and Almighty God.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 56, 120, 140-142

© 2019 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.

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Work Willingly and Enthusiastically

Memory Verse of the Week ~

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Read the verse in context:

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:56-58

Be strong and immovable.
It takes a lot of work to move a mill stone.
How willing are you to work?

Work enthusiastically. God was Himself a good worker. Look at the Creation story in Genesis. He didn’t rest until His work was done. Jesus worked tirelessly healing, teaching and counseling His followers. That was His way of showing love…until He ultimately died of the cross for all of us. Paul gives us some insight into loving others in his letter to the church at Rome.

Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13

Paul taught the church at Colossi that they should work willingly. That is the same way we should work at our jobs or homes. I distinctly remember as a young Christian and new wife that I learned a lesson in working for the Lord—in serving my husband as if he were the Lord. I was complaining about always having to starch and iron my husband’s work shirts every day and a precious lady in my Bible Study group advised me to iron those shirts and have them ready every morning…as if I was doing it for the Lord Himself. That changed my attitude. I rarely complained about that task again.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23

So work…not to get rewarded, but to sincerely help others. Your work is not going to get you into heaven. That is only as a gift from God. But your work might just help someone to make the right choice to follow Jesus. Work willingly and enthusiastically.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 7, 21, 31, 34, 52

Did you pay your taxes? Did you give to Caesar what is due to Caesar?

© 2019 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.

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Grateful for the Procrastinator

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God's voice thunders, and the earth melts! The LORD of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." The LORD of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.

Psalms 46:1-11

No fear. God is the one we can turn to with any problem--and He will give us what we need. Just like Jesus, the greatest Shepherd of all time--provides all we need.

 

Heavenly Sky
Calling us to be Grateful

Psalm 23

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

Even if we procrastinate--like our good friend Mel--the great procrastinator--still God will provide everything we need. Mel was known by family and friends to be a major procrastinator.  But when it came to knowing Jesus as his Savior he didn't put off that choice. And Mel lived an exemplary life--always encouraging others--never complaining--always loving and caring about others before himself. What a great example. No wonder everyone--especially his devoted wife and son were so grateful to have known him and been deeply loved by him. This great procrastinator has gone on to his heavenly home--but we are grateful to have known him.

Be quiet and learn from others. "If you do all the talking you can't learn from others." What a lesson Mel taught his employees. He intently and intentionally listened to them. Actually if you think about it--that was how he was with most everyone. He listened--and asked others how they were--and their family--and he paid attention to what each person said. So often people don't really LISTEN to others. When was the last time you really asked someone how they are--or about their family--and then listened to their response? God is always listening to you. Can you do that for others?

Prayer - Dear Jesus, thank you for providing all we need--not only food, clothes, and homes--but wonderful families and friends who love us like you do and listen to us. Even if we procrastinate.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 21-24

© 2019 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.

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Purpose…Not to Love Worldly Things

Memory Verse of the Week ~

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1 John 2:15

Find the path...and walk with me.
Don't love the things of this world.
Love God, His people and His creation.

A friend recently challenged me to think about what my purpose is in life? Do you know what your purpose is in life? When I retired several years ago my purpose was to focus on my grandchildren and to spend quality time with them. That has happened somewhat…but there were four grandkiddos then and seven now. But I still would like to be more devoted to them and their activities. With three of them living across the country that has become more difficult. I need to be a bit more creative in my interactions with them. 

My other purpose in life is just writing this blog—which on some days is challenging and other days is such a joy. It is my time with the Lord…and I totally enjoy every moment of it. Still…what is my purpose? Simply to seek and serve the Lord—by serving my family, friends, neighbors and those who God allows to cross my path. To intentionally care about others. To share God's purpose with them. To love God...not to love the world. 

David cried out to the Lord

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 57:1-3

Paul taught about our bodies being living and holy sacrifices for the Lord.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Maybe that is our purpose…to be living and holy sacrifices to the Lord transformed by Him. 

Prayer ~ Lord…show me Your purpose for my life as I love You more than life itself…certainly more than anything in the world. I trust that in Your grace and mercy, You will cover me with Your love and faithfulness as You reveal Your plan for me…for You have promised… For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 18-20; Psalms 11, 59

© 2019 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.

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Rest in Peace…Healed

Memory Verse of the Week ~

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1 John 2:15

This post is dedicated to Melvin Cerny—a dear friend who loved the Lord and was such a positive influence in so many peoples’ lives. I can hardly wait to see you dancing and running in heaven after spending twenty years rolling about in your metal chariot. Blessings on all your family and friends as they remember you and celebrate your kind and generous life.

We had a friend, Mel, who was a paraplegic—with no feeling below his waist due to an auto accident about twenty years ago. He got around—even drove his big van—with little if any help. If lowering him through the roof would have cured him of his paralysis—we certainly would have cut a big hole in our roof. But we know that Jesus isn’t sitting in our living room crowded by people so that Mel can’t get to Him. Prayer is powerful—but it didn’t bring Mel the use of his legs again…and he was OK with that. He had such a positive attitude…and that was by choice. He made the choice to be happy—to be pleasant and even encouraging to others. What a lesson to all of us who have the use of our legs—as well as our arms, hands, fingers and toes. Did the paralyzed man in this scripture below complain to his friends about his inability to walk? We don’t know…but we do know that his friends had FAITH. Faith in Jesus to heal their friend. Mel doesn’t need any help now. He is healed totally…as he has gone home to be with the Lord.

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God's word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My child, your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:1-5

He’s Home! The people of Capernaum claimed that their town was Jesus’ home. He was back home. Jesus Himself didn’t claim Capernaum as His home. When talking with a teacher of religious law He said…"Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head." Matthew 8:20. He had no home. Jesus apparently stayed at the home of Peter’s mother-in-law while He was in Capernaum and it was there that the roof was removed and a paralyzed man was lowered through the ceiling into the room where Jesus was preaching. That must have been amazing. Jesus was even impressed by the faith of the man’s friends. He pronounced forgiveness for the paralyzed man’s sin.

Do you have that kind of faith that Jesus would be able to see? How far would you go to help a friend—paralyzed physically or spiritually? Are you the one who needs a spiritual touch from our Lord? Is Jesus your Lord and Savior? If not, consider one of His many promises—“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. Maybe you are thinking you don’t want to go to the Father…but that is the key to Heaven and eternal life. Another promise that gives hope…“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17.

Prayer ~ Thank You Lord Jesus for giving us hope…for the love, encouragement, faith, healing touch, and spiritual insight You so richly and mercifully provide to us.

Rest in Peace for you are finally truly healed, dear Mel…until we see you again in Heaven.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 15-17

Lilacs will soon be blooming!
Have some with cream cheese on veggies.

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

It is time to plan and plant your garden. This year I plan to include some edible flowers like nasturtiums. I recall the first time I saw them in a salad, I thought they were just a garnish. Then someone reassured me that they were actually edible. Yum. The leaves and flowers have a sort of a peppery flavor similar to watercress. In researching their use I was very pleased to discover that the seeds can be made into capers. That will be a fun thing to try later in the summer.

For now…it is planning time…and time to get that soil ready. Where I live here in the Columbia Basin we can still expect a freaky spring frost, so it is best to wait a week or so before actually planting seeds outdoors. Below is a list of a few favorites with edible flowers that can be easily grown including some that we think of as herbs. Google and research for yourself a few edible flowers and pick up some seeds at your local nursery, hardware or big box home improvement store. Let me know what you think as they grow and you use them to add some flavor and color to your salads and other dishes.

Edible Flowers

Aylssum – add the flowers to salads, soups or omelets.

Basil – use the flowers as you would the leaves in salads, soups or pasta.

Borage – try freezing flowers in ice cubes. Consume in small quantities.

Lilac – mix flowers with cream cheese and serve on veggies, crackers or toast.
Mint - have you had mint jelly? Make it with flowers and leaves.

Nasturtium – use leaves and flowers in salads or to garnish casseroles. Pickle the seeds into capers.

Pansy – use flowers in salads, desserts or to garnish meat or vegetable dishes.

Peony – use flowers in salads or cook for a treat. Use in water or to garnish punch.

Plumeria – use flowers in salads or steep as a tea.

Primrose – garnish salads, cakes or other desserts.

Squash & Pumpkin – use flowers in salads, pastas, soups, or egg dishes. Can be fried and filled with cream cheese.

Rose – if petals smell good, they will taste good. Also use rose hips in jellies. Use only if organic—no chemical sprays.

Rosemary – use with pork and beef dishes. Flowers are also good in breads.

Enjoy a feast of lovely flowers created just for you by the King of Kings. Good eating. Someday it will be a joy to have edible flowers at the Banquet with the King of Kings in Heaven.

© 2019 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.

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Does the World Offer Healing?

Memory Verse of the Week ~

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1 John 2:15

If you don’t have the love of the Father in you, I think that life would be pretty bleak. Oh sure, you may be making some good money at a job…or not. You may be having a great time in some areas of your life…but do you feel like something is missing…or that you want more from life? Is it possible that you are craving the love of God—that higher power in the spiritual world?

The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. John 15:19 

Jesus had power over disease and illness. Here is just one example of Jesus healing someone who must have been dear to Him. He doesn’t heal everyone…but we won’t understand the whys of that until we get to heaven. So just be grateful for the times and the ways that He does heal.

After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew's home. Now Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them. That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. The whole town gathered at the door to watch. So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak. Mark 1:29-34    

When was the last time you ran a fever? I had a low grade one last winter…and it just zapped my energy. Even without a fever that is what being sick usually does—takes away my energy. I’m sure it was the same for Peter’s mother-in-law. There was no way she could have gotten up and fixed supper for Peter, Jesus and all His new friends, until Jesus healed her. He took her by the hand and suddenly there she was—full of energy. Up and ready to fix a big meal for the guests—so grateful to have her health restored. Then all kinds of people showed up at Peter’s home—with lots of different ailments—and even demon possession. Jesus healed them. He had power over disease and demons—the whole city came out to see Him in action. The healings possibly drained a bit of energy from Him. Spiritual energy which His Father would renew in their next prayer time.

Holy Family Shrine - Gretna, Nebraska
Peaceful place to rest, to find the Lord and get recharged.

Where do you get your spiritual energy? The relationships that I have with Jesus and with our Heavenly Father are my source of spiritual energy…and when I’m spiritually healthy, I find that I have more physical energy, too. My body has to be balanced and is healthiest when I am following God’s guidance…and relying on Him for strength, peace…and even joy in my life. For me attitude is a big controlling factor. What have you found that gives you spiritual energy in your life?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your love for the people of Capernaum and for each of us. It does not seem apparent that there was such healing or intervention in the Old Testament…but like this example in Peter’s mother-in-law’s home, You had mercy on her and on many people with afflictions there in that city. Mercy. Love. Compassion. You are always worthy of our praise. Our mere “Thanks” hardly seems enough—but that is part of Your love and compassion. You don’t expect us to be able to “do” anything to deserve Your gift of healing or of eternal life. There is no action—except just belief that is necessary on our part.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 13-14

© 2019 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.

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A Song for All Seasons

Memory Verse of the Week ~

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1 John 2:15

Jesus Loves Me This I Know

Jesus loves me this I know

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong,

They are weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes, Jesus loves me.

The Bible tells me so.

This is a song that all little children who go to Sunday School…or have loving grandmothers…learn when they are three or four years old. They may even learn the hand motions or sign language with the words. Deep within their hearts is planted the knowledge and conviction that they are loved. Being loved is the greatest emotion that a human experiences.

Even the dogwood cries out, "The Lord is Risen"
Jesus Loves Me...and You

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? Romans 8:35

Do you feel loved by God even in times of distress or trouble?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, Thank you for loving us enough to die for us on the cross and for not only the song…but also the very words of the Bible that promise Your love for us.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 9-12

© 2019 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.

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Heavenly Kingdom

Memory Verse of the Week ~

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1 John 2:15

Jesus encouraged people to look for the Kingdom of God…not for worldly pleasures.

Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God's Good News. "The time promised by God has come at last!" he announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"  Mark 1:14-15 NLT

The Kingdom of God is near! That is a phrase that has been heard around the world…for thousands of years. Old Testament references to God’s Kingdom include a couple found in 2 Chronicles and in the book of Daniel.

Praise the LORD your God, who delights in you and has placed you on the throne as king to rule for him. Because God loves Israel and desires this kingdom to last forever, he has made you king over them so you can rule with justice and righteousness. 2 Chronicles 9:8

During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever. Daniel 2:44

Beyond our sky...Heaven. Forever.

God’s Kingdom will last forever—as foretold in Daniel—and described by Jesus.

Then Jesus said, "What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? Luke 13:18

So what is the Kingdom of God like? Heaven is a wonderful place—depicted in Revelation.

And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ... It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone--like jasper as clear as crystal. The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. There were three gates on each side--east, north, south, and west. The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles. Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel). The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. Revelation 21:2, 11-21

Worshiping God forever and walking on streets of gold. Can you imagine anything more glorious? It all begins with repent and believe.

Prayer ~ Lord God, as we worship You forever heaven’s gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Revelation 21:25-27. Glory. Glory. Glory.

Daily Bible Reading:1 Samuel 4-8

© 2019 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.

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What Does the World Love? What Do You Love?

Memory Verse of the Week ~

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1 John 2:15

What does the world love? Who is the world? Are all the people outside of the “church” or those who don’t love God considered to be “the world”? Aren’t we supposed to love those who are not part of the church so that they can experience the love of God…and then seek to know God themselves? Love your neighbor as yourself?

I think what John was writing about…Do not love this world nor the things it offers you…is saying not to put other things before God. Don’t love money, fame, fancy cars, clothes, food, sports, movies and other entertainment more than you love God. If you love the things that the world tries to entice you with, instead of putting God first in your life then it really shows that you don’t love God the Father…or have His love in you. Pretty straight-forward. That is just how God is. He has made it simple. Love Him. Love others. Love yourself. In speaking with the Pharisee…

Love God...Love Others.
Live in harmony like these daisies and echinacea.

Jesus replied, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40.

In teaching more about God’s plan, Paul wrote, from prison.

So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. 2 Timothy 1:8-10

There is nothing we can do or say that entitles us to anything that God offers mankind. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, or eternal life. None of those are ours. They are a gift from God. What a wonderful gift! All wrapped up—like a precious birthday present. Open it. It is God’s gift of love to you…and you alone. Are you going to accept God’s gift…or are you going to love the world and the things it offers you instead?

Prayer ~ Jesus, I do not love this world nor the things it offers me because I chose to have the love of the Father in me…from 1 John 2:15.

Daily Bible Reading:1 Samuel 1-3

© 2019 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.

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God is Love

Memory Verse of the Week ~

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1 John 2:15

Read the verse in context:

New York City
Are you seeking fame and fortune...or God?

I am writing to you who are God's children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus. I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one. I have written to you who are God's children because you know the Father. I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God's word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one. Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. 1 John 2:12-17

God is love. My Mother taught me that. God is love. I just took her word for it…and then one day I read it for myself in the Bible. Oh. That was where she got that. She didn’t make it up. It was from God Himself. Actually, John wrote about it in a couple of different verses.

But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:8

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. - 1 John 4:16

When my daughter was in about the first grade, Lisa was in a “Psalty” musical at the Sheppard AFB Chapel and sang a song that comes from 1 John 4:7-8, in the King James Version. It has a catchy tune that I still remember…so does Lisa, who has taught it to her own kiddos.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 KJV

When we love the world as well as the fame and fortune it offers instead of God…then we lose out on the love of God the Father. We can’t serve both.

"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Luke 16:13

You choose. Which will it be…money or God?

Prayer ~ Thank You, God, for the lesson…You are love. I choose You.

Daily Bible Reading: Ruth

© 2019 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.

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Are You Looking for the Key to the Kingdom?

Memory Verse of the Week ~

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

Jesus often spoke in parables to describe the Kingdom of God.

Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant. He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: 'When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.'" Mark 4:10-12

The secret of the Kingdom of God was hidden in the parables. To only those who understood the parables, something about the Kingdom of God was revealed. Jesus didn’t just open the door to the Kingdom for everyone. They had to search for it…to seek it with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.  The keys to the Kingdom were right there in the stories that He told His followers.

Here is another story Jesus told: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field." Matthew 13:24

Here is another illustration Jesus used: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field." Matthew 13:31

Jesus also used this illustration: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough." Matthew 13:33

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field." Matthew 13: 44

"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls." Matthew 13:45

"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind." Matthew 13: 47

Then he added, "Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old." Matthew 13:52

Jesus is the key to the Kingdom.

Which of these parables speaks to you? Are you a farmer, a baker or a fisherman? Jesus aimed His parables at particular people so that they could identify with His stories. Where do you look for keys to understanding Jesus’ parables…to seek His Kingdom?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, please continue to reveal more of Yourself to us. You said to Thomas…”Blessed and happy and to be envied are those who have never seen Me and yet have believed and adhered to and trusted and relied on Me (Amplified Bible, John 20:29).” We do believe in You and rely on You Jesus…for Your blessings in our lives, daily. You are the key to the Kingdom. Knowing You and loving You is the way that we seek the Kingdom of God above everything else in our lives.

Daily Bible Reading: Judges 19-21

© 2019 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.

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