Banquet With The King

Sunday, February 20, 2022

Understand What the Lord Wants You to Do

Prayer ~ Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Psalm 51:10. For all who are reading this…I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:15-20

Meditate. Listen to the Lord.

Understand what the Lord wants you to do. How do you know…you might ask? Everyone—even non-believers—has within them a conviction of right and wrong. Some people just don’t listen.

Read your Bible. Pray…develop your relationship with the Lord so that you understand what pleases Him. By believing in Jesus as your Savior…and being filled with the Spirit, a person is given the opportunity for a deeper understanding of what the Lord expects. Listen to the Lord.

Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Walk...or dance humbly...with the Lord.
On the streets of Jerusalem.
Israel

…the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

We just need to listen. Listen to the Lord. Understand what the Lord wants you to do.

Verse of Salvation ~ So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 1 Peter 1:13

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins of the Bible: New Testament Stories

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Saturday, February 19, 2022

He is Worthy of Praise

Prayer ~ Lord, I am looking to You in these times of conflict—times of trouble for people around the world. Bring spiritual peace to the hearts of those who are searching for You. May we all seek and find refuge and strength in You. I praise You for You are worthy of praise—and I feel safe in Your protection.

He (David) sang: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies. The waves of death overwhelmed me; floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I cried to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears." 2 Samuel 22:2-7

Rocks from the Valley of Elah...
where David fought Goliath.
Israel

Meditate. What is a “rock” to you?

Talk to God—let Him know that you need His help. Is He your Savior…your rock…your fortress? Are you turning to Him for protection and safety? David was just another person who lived about three thousand years ago—but he was just another human being. We consider him special because he was anointed by God to be a king over Israel, and he truly was a man after God’s own heart. But...he sinned. Then he repented—he sought God’s forgiveness. We can all be just like David. Repent and seek to please God in all that we do.

David cried out to God. He was feeling miserable. Have you reached that point of feeling like death has laid a trap for you? We’re all going to die sometime…unless the Lord raptures us first. But face it. Death is part of life and we will die. David wrote that waves of death overwhelmed me. Even though we know we’re going to die…it can be overwhelming to feel trapped by enemies. Those can be enemies of pain, sickness, loneliness, devastation, discouragement, depression—as well as the terror of a gun or knife in the hands of an assaulter. God hears our prayers—our calls for help. Jesus promised…that whatever we asked in His name, His Father would hear and answer.

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! John 14:12-14

Bring glory to God. He is worthy of praise.

Verse of Salvation ~ As for us, we can't help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

Test yourself or recite this verse to someone. Did you memorize it? Does it mean anything different to you than it did at the beginning of the week?

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins of the Bible: New Testament Stories

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Friday, February 18, 2022

When is the Time That is Least Expected?

Prayer ~ Lord, I’m ready…I think. Please show me if there is something I need to confess or do to “be ready” for Your return. Sometimes I get discouraged just waiting…and I know there are people out there who still need to know You as their Savior. Provide opportunities today…and in the coming days for me to tell them about You—before it is too late. When is the time that is least expected?

And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 1 Peter 1:5

Meditate. Faith in God. That is strong protection.

We don’t know what God looks like, but David depicted Him with wings. I love that thought that He will gather us under His wings.

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. Psalm 57:1

Boaz used a similar description of God when he was speaking to Ruth as she gleaned in his fields.

May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done. Ruth 2:12

Can you feel God’s wings of protection covering you? What a strong protection He provides as you have faith in Him. Consider the verses in Ephesians that tell us about putting on the armor of God for protection against satanic and evil forces. It is by His power that we are protected.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:10-18

Paul is encouraging us to put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Is that time now? I think that we can say that it has an “evil time” since the fall of mankind there in the Garden of Eden. Evil forces are just part of life—the spiritual dimension. God’s power is greater than any unseen force and we can trust Him to protect us. He has a plan…and it is playing out right before our very eyes.

Just as prophesied, now there are rumors of wars. Jesus told His disciples…and us…

You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Matthew 24:44

Are you ready? When is the time that is least expected?

Verse of Salvation ~ And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 1 Peter 1:5

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

We can’t live on bread alone. Our bodies need fresh, raw fruits and vegetables. Cooking foods destroys some of the nutrients. A short cooking time, preferably steaming, for things like spinach and broccoli makes them more digestible, but even short cooking times can reduce the vitamins and minerals available, according to healthline.com. Google eating fresh raw foods and see what you think.

We live to eat…and eat to live. That has been a family motto for years. Look at those around you…they are the same. Everyone eats to live…and frequently eats too much. American has become on obese nation—and we are suffering more COVID deaths because of poor health. Overfed and undernourished. Remember that gluttony is a sin.

My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course. Do not carouse with drunkards or feast with gluttons, for they are on their way to poverty, and too much sleep clothes them in rags. Proverbs 23:19-21

Soaking alfalfa sprouts.
Beginning of a fresh new diet.
God puts energy in those little seeds.
That energy can be in your body!

Another translation says not to be with gluttonous eaters of meat. What’s on your plate today? Is there any sugar, white flour, or processed food there? Make it a point to eat some raw fruits and vegetables today. Authors Elizabeth and Dr. Elton Baker wrote a book, The Uncook Book, back in 1980 and commented that the value of eating a raw diet is that it provides clearer thinking, a foundation for greater spiritual awareness, and more physical energy. No big meal sluggishness that we’ve all experienced after a heavy meal. No napping necessary. Energy to get up and go is available after a meal of raw fruits and vegetables. Consider adding some sprouts to your diet soon. It takes a few days to grow them—so pick up some seeds today and get started on the path to better health. An easy one to start is alfalfa seeds by soaking a couple of tablespoons overnight in one of those empty canning jars I’m sure you have at the back of some cupboard. Drain the seeds—saving the water to drink since it is full of vitamins. Rinse a couple of times a day and lay the jar on its side. When there are two leaves on the sprouts, eat them. Raw, juiced or combine with other foods into soup, salad, or sandwiches. Enjoy!

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins of the Bible: New Testament Stories

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Trust in the Lord for He is the True God.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, help me to understand You more fully and may our fellowship be sweet today, always, and forever.

And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life. 1 John 5:20

Meditate. Consider fellowship---with friends, with family…with God.

Fellowship with the Lord.
Reenactment of the Last Supper.

Fellowship. Essential to life. We don’t and cannot live in a vacuum—with no one. COVID has reduced the population around the world, but the imposed isolation has left some people totally alone, and normally that is not Normal! The isolation caused loss of employment and problems of loneliness, discouragement, and depression. That depression led to a rise in suicide cases. How devastating for those left behind. Loss of life is not the only thing we’ve lost as the world-wide economy is struggling. Will our nation and the world ever regain its strength…its dignity…the self-respect that we had not only for ourselves, our nation, but literally for the whole world?

We will never go back to what was considered “normal” but we will press on to a goal of sorts. Fellowship and companionship again with others. As some of the mandates are lifted, people will be able to unmask for more than just Zoom meetings and we will be able to see the joyful smiles of our friends and family. God is good. We have to trust Him that He has a plan and can use this for good and His glory.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

Seek God and your fellowship time with Him. Trust in the Lord for He is the true God.

Verses of Salvation ~ They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity--all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins of the Bible: New Testament Stories

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

What Path in Life Are You Taking?

Prayer ~ Lord, lead me down the path that leads to You. Continue to open my eyes and show me the way…that I may point others down that path that leads to You. I trust You with all of my heart.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

Meditate. What path in life are you taking?

Consider a path you’ve walked down in recent years. Was it wide or narrow…hilly, steep, or level…straight or curvy? If the path is not straight, you are probably looking down—not out or up. Solomon gives us a couple of verses of advice in Proverbs.

Which path to choose?
To the right or the left...narrow or wide path?
Hiking at Candy Mountain.
Near Richland, Washington.

Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Proverbs 4:26

The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road. Proverbs 21:8

By these verses, you want to choose the straight path. I’m trusting the Lord to show me the right path—the safe path. When I have a choice, I choose the straight one…or at least one that is obvious—not one I have to hack out with a machete.

Of course, we have to consider the scripture on the wide and narrow gate—which would reflect a wide and narrow path. We need to seek the narrow gate—the one that leads to God’s Kingdom. The easy way that many people inadvertently wander down or choose as the road of least resistance just leads them to destruction. Do they realize it?

You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. Matthew 7:13

Where are you headed? What path in life are you taking?

Verse of Salvation ~ But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins of the Bible: New Testament Stories

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

We Are God’s House

Start with Prayer ~ Lord, You are amazing and I so look forward to seeing You in Heaven along with brothers and sisters who You’ve already called to heaven.

And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God's messenger and High Priest. For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God's entire house. But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself. For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God. Moses was certainly faithful in God's house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God's entire house. And we are God's house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ. Hebrews 3:1-6

Meditate. Are you part of God’s house?

The author of Hebrews tells us that we need to be courageous and confident in our hope in Christ. Courageous…like Joshua.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Confident. Established. Ready. Prepared. Knowing that we know God—and that He is on our side.

Yet I am confident I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

Hope. That is good. Hope. We can’t live without it. God gives us hope in Christ.

The Empty Tomb
Jerusalem, Israel
Jesus was raised from the dead. He lives!

Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. 1 Peter 1:21

We can trust God because He doesn’t lie…and always keeps His promises.

For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The LORD always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. Psalm 145:13

All God expects is for His followers to love Him and others. Really, that’s it. Can that be so hard? Moses was a good example for the Israelites—serving God faithfully, yet Jesus, the Son of God, was even more faithful. Well, He is God—and He created and built everything. We are God’s house.

Verse of Salvation ~ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

God wants us to be like His Son.

Are you building your character to be

like that of Jesus?

Coins of the Bible: New Testament Stories

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Monday, February 14, 2022

How is Your Heart Today?

Begin with Prayer ~ Lord, I enter Your presence with a happy heart—filled with joy in knowing You.

No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. Romans 2:29

How's your heart today?
Quilted heart made by a dear friend.
A Pocket Prayer Quilt to remind me to pray...
for those God places on my heart.

Meditate. How is your heart today?

Like David, I want a clean and obedient heart…

Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice. Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:8-12

Has God changed your heart? He has changed mine…and continues to touch my heart and life as I seek Him and grow closer to Him.

You can see throughout Jewish history that God loves the nation of Israel. The end times focus on the Jews back in their Promised Land of Israel. It is all about them and their relationship with the Lord. In this scripture passage below Ezekiel was given a message from the Lord for Israel. What a great promise…I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you…that new spirit is the Holy Spirit that all Christians know and love as it lives within them. The Holy Spirit guides us…and

Therefore, give the people of Israel this message from the Sovereign LORD: I am bringing you back, but not because you deserve it. I am doing it to protect my holy name, on which you brought shame while you were scattered among the nations. I will show how holy my great name is--the name on which you brought shame among the nations. And when I reveal my holiness through you before their very eyes, says the Sovereign LORD, then the nations will know that I am the LORD. For I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. And you will live in Israel, the land I gave your ancestors long ago. You will be my people, and I will be your God. Ezekiel 36:22-28 (Underlined for emphasis,)

There is hope for Israel…just as there is hope for everyone who believes in their heart that Jesus is their Savior—the Messiah. How is your heart today?

Verse of Salvation ~ Because I love Zion, I will not keep still. Because my heart yearns for Jerusalem, I cannot remain silent. I will not stop praying for her until her righteousness shines like the dawn, and her salvation blazes like a burning torch. Isaiah 62:1

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

Happy Valentine’s Day

Happy Birthday to Kendall. Let me know if you read this.

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

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

"Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character"

"Coins of the Bible: New Testament Stories"

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. Matthew 6:24

Who or what do you love today?

God or money?

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com