Banquet With The King

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Which Side of God Are You On?

Prayer – Lord God, I am continually aware that I have sinned and fallen short of Your glory, but as I confess my sins I am grateful that You have forgiven me of those sins and cleansed me from all unrighteousness. Thank You for hearing my prayers…and forgiving me.

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. 1 John 1:8-10

O God, pagan nations have conquered your land, your special possession. They have defiled your holy Temple and made Jerusalem a heap of ruins. They have left the bodies of your servants as food for the birds of heaven. The flesh of your godly ones has become food for the wild animals. Blood has flowed like water all around Jerusalem; no one is left to bury the dead. We are mocked by our neighbors, an object of scorn and derision to those around us. O LORD, how long will you be angry with us? Forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out your wrath on the nations that refuse to acknowledge you—on kingdoms that do not call upon your name. For they have devoured your people Israel, making the land a desolate wilderness. Do not hold us guilty for the sins of our ancestors! Let your compassion quickly meet our needs, for we are on the brink of despair. Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name. Why should pagan nations be allowed to scoff, asking, "Where is their God?" Show us your vengeance against the nations, for they have spilled the blood of your servants. Listen to the moaning of the prisoners. Demonstrate your great power by saving those condemned to die. O Lord, pay back our neighbors seven times for the scorn they have hurled at you. Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will thank you forever and ever, praising your greatness from generation to generation. Psalm 79:1-13

Meditate. Consider the Psalmist’s pleas for forgiven and salvation.

Those of us reading this probably already know the Lord our God—and we have asked Him…and continue to ask Him…to forgive us for our sins. There are people and nations that not only don’t recognize our God as their God, but they literally “scoff” at Him. God will repay them one day for their rebellious attitude towards Him. Which side of God are you on? The group seeking to live to please God—for we are His and made in His image. Or are you part of the scoffers who turn their faces away from God, mocking Him and abusing His chosen people?

We make choices every day as to how we react to life. Personally, I chose today to love and serve God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength…and as Jesus taught, to love others as I love myself. I will thank Jesus forever and praise Him for the greatest gift ever…His sacrificial life…that has given me eternal life. How about you? Which side of God are you on?

What is the Right Time for Salvation?

Verse of Salvation ~ For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, the "right time" is now. Today is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

Memory Verse of the Week ~ I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

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

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Monday, October 24, 2022

How are You Responding to God’s Love?

Prayer – Lord, my ears are open and I love to study Your word…and learn more about You. Reveal Yourself to me through Your stories—for they are life, truth, and love.

O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders. Psalm 78:1-4 (Read all of Psalm 78.)

Meditate. Look for hidden lessons.

Jesus taught in parables and one time His disciples asked Him about that teaching technique.

He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don't really see. They hear, but they don't really listen or understand. Matthew 13:11-13

Our Psalmist today tells us that these parables are stories from the past that we will hand down to our children…and probably to our grandchildren. Those stories that teach us about God’s power and almighty miracles. I think it is good to have those stories…and to hear them retold. As we see God working in our lives, we can relate what we are experiencing with accounts of God’s influence in previous generations.

This scripture printed above in only a few verses from seventy-two verses that describe people either searching for, finding, or rejecting God from the time of Jacob to David. It’s a good review of God’s power and majesty—and mostly about the people’s rebellion and rejection of God. Read the whole chapter…and then reflect on the details of God’s desires for those He knows and loves. What does He want for you…and how are you responding to His love?

Verses 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. He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

Memory Verse of the Week ~ I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

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

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Sunday, October 23, 2022

Remember Our God of Wonder!

Prayer – Lord God, thank you foe all You have done for me, for my family, friends, and neighbors. You are awesome. Thank you for bringing wonderful people into my life that are filled with the Holy Spirit and bring joy, love, encouragement, truth and knowledge to me…and others!

I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help.

Interlude You don't let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray! I think of the good old days, long since ended, when my nights were filled with joyful songs. I search my soul and ponder the difference now. Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion?

Interlude And I said, "This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me." But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. By your strong arm, you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

Isaac's Lego creatin of Crossing the Red Sea

Interlude When the Red Sea saw you, O God, its waters looked and trembled! The sea quaked to its very depths. The clouds poured down rain; the thunder rumbled in the sky. Your arrows of lightning flashed. Your thunder roared from the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world! The earth trembled and shook. Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there! You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep, with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds. Psalm 77:1-20

Meditate. How can you stop thinking about God’s mighty works? Begin by considering how God guided the Israelites through trials and tribulations from Egypt back to the Promised Land. Won’t He do the same for you?

Yesterday I went to a memorial service for a truly wonderful Christian lady who loved God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength…and she loved everyone—just as if they were Jesus Himself. We all want to be loved. Reminiscing through the testimonies of family and friends of our sweet Dorothy, I could see the twinkle in her eyes—so full of fun, truth, and pure love…and I could hear that laugh and giggle of hers. Precious! God blessed so many people through her. She was a great prayer warrior—so I’m sure there will be some in heaven who would not have been there without her pleading to the Lord. Our God is a wonderful, merciful God. Although Dorothy is not with us anymore, we know that she is in the very presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…whispering her prayers directly into His ear. What a lovely thought. Giggle! She carried each family member, friend, acquaintance—even waitresses, bankers, and clerks—in her heart. Actually, she was continually in the presence of the Lord…and took all of us along with her, bringing heaven into every moment of life. Her favorite verse…like several others that I know…was Psalm 118:24.

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Rejoice! Every day is the day that the Lord created to bring honor to our Heavenly Father. Can’t you just imagine how Jesus welcomed her into heaven? Open arms and a big smile on His face. If you believe in Him as your Savior, trust Him with your life, and willingly serve Him for the rest of your life, you will get that same hearty welcome when your life here in your earthly body ends. Heaven is a wonderful place. Keep smiling—keep laughing—keep serving—keep praying. I’ll see you in Heaven one day, too. Blessings—dear ones, wherever you are. Remember our God of Wonder!

I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! Psalm 77:11-14

Verses of Salvation ~ We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. All of this is for your benefit. And as God's grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:14-18

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

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Saturday, October 22, 2022

Have You Made a Vow?

Prayer – Lord, the earth may be shaking—but this is not an earthquake warning—it is You trying to get the attention of those who claim to be Your followers. Show me what You want me to do to please and honor You.

God is honored in Judah; his name is great in Israel. Jerusalem is where he lives; Mount Zion is his home. There he has broken the fiery arrows of the enemy, the shields and swords and weapons of war. Interlude You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains. Our boldest enemies have been plundered. They lie before us in the sleep of death. No warrior could lift a hand against us. At the blast of your breath, O God of Jacob, their horses and chariots lay still. No wonder you are greatly feared! Who can stand before you when your anger explodes? From heaven you sentenced your enemies; the earth trembled and stood silent before you. You stand up to judge those who do evil, O God, and to rescue the oppressed of the earth. Interlude Human defiance only enhances your glory, for you use it as a weapon. Make vows to the LORD your God, and keep them. Let everyone bring tribute to the Awesome One. For he breaks the pride of princes, and the kings of the earth fear him. Psalm 76:1-12

Meditate. Consider what you vow to God—and what God has promised to you.

Make vows to the LORD your God, and keep them. Let everyone bring tribute to the Awesome One. For he breaks the pride of princes, and the kings of the earth fear him. Psalm 76:11-12. When I think of “vows,” I think of wedding promises, but we make vows to others besides our spouses. We vow to God that we will obediently do as He asks. Often work ethics take the form of a promise to the company. Certainly, if you have joined a church or other organization, there is a promise that is made to uphold the standards of the association. What have you promised God that you will do for Him, or for others in keeping with what He expects us to do?

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27

What have you done this week, this month, or this year towards helping the orphans or widows? Do orphans include those children who are in a family, but who aren’t properly cared for—or even given three meals a day? There are many children in the United States…and around the world who don’t even have one meal a day, unless their school has a free school lunch program. Taking care of the widows—who are truly widows and have no one to care for them is a great blessing—and hopefully those widows who do have family, have caring families who have the resources to take care of them.

When you make a vow to the LORD your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised him. For the LORD your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows, or you will be guilty of sin. Deuteronomy 23:21

Just as this Psalmist wrote… Let everyone bring tribute to the Awesome One. God is worthy of our praise, honor, and glory. Let us vow to Him—and bring Him a sacrifice.

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalm 51:17

This is my vow to our Lord God…to come to Him with a repentant heart, filled with joyful praise, honoring and serving Him.

Verse of Salvation ~ But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the LORD alone." - Jonah 2:9

Memory Verse of the Week ~ But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Do you feel like you are soaring like an eagle? Did you memorize this verse?

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

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Friday, October 21, 2022

It Is God Alone Who Judges

Prayer – Lord, I know You will judge not only me…but everyone who has ever lived. I humbly once again repent of my sins…and ask You for mercy. Thank You for hearing my prayers…and for Your promise that You will never leave me or forsake me.

We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds. God says, "At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked. When the earthquakes and its people live in turmoil, I am the one who keeps its foundations firm. I warned the proud, 'Stop your boasting!' I told the wicked, 'Don't raise your fists! Don't raise your fists in defiance at the heavens or speak with such arrogance.'" For no one on earth—from east or west, or even from the wilderness—should raise a defiant fist. It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall. For the LORD holds a cup in his hand that is full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours out the wine in judgment, and all the wicked must drink it, draining it to the dregs. But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. For God says, "I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly." Psalm 75:1-10

Meditate. Consider God’s presence in your life.

What’s on your plate today? Wine of judgment from God?

It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall. For the LORD holds a cup in his hand that is full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours out the wine in judgment, and all the wicked must drink it, draining it to the dregs. But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. For God says, "I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly." Psalm 75:7-10

God alone judges—not your parents, your spouse, your kids, your best friend, your worst enemy, your neighbor, your boss, your pastor, or your teacher. God alone judges. We may feel like others are judging us…and they may be…just like you judge others to some extent. We wrongfully judge others by the clothes they wear, the color of their hair, their car or house, who their friends are, what they do or don’t do, say, or write, but is that what Jesus taught His followers in the Sermon on the Mount?

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Matthew 7:1-2

God will judge—He will bring justice. Know that we can’t hide anything from God. He is always near—and that is a good thing. Just know that He judges—and you want to be on His good side. I choose to take God at His word…and my goal is to do things that please Him. My relationship with Him has shown me that being obedient is the most important thing—to love God and to love others. He created everyone…and everything. For that, and His presence in my life, I give Him thanks. God alone is the judge.

Verses of Salvation ~ 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. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. John 3:16-21

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Cooking with, but not drinking, wine is good. Alcohol just turns into sugar in our bodies…and that is just more poison. Searching on the web I found that the average American consumes 17 teaspoons of sugar a day. I’m not doing that, so someone else is eating my 17 teaspoon of that poison daily. It is not really poison, like rat poison, but it is harmful to our bodies as it has no nutritional value and the calories make a person gain weight and thus increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, tooth decay, inflammation, and acne among other things. Sugar is hidden in lots of processed foods, so learn the alternate names of sugar, like high fructose corn syrup, maltose, glucose, saccharose, maltodextrin, treacle, barley malt, mannose, molasses, malt syrup, honey, agave nectar…and the list goes on. Not all sugars are bad…just some are worse than others. Maybe your body can tolerate honey or agave nectar. You’ll just have to try it to see. Anyway, throw a splash of white wine into the next panful of mushrooms that you cook up and you’ll enjoy another flavor dimension. I do.

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

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Why Is Your Anger So Intense?

Prayer – Lord God, please don’t be angry with me—forgive me when I’ve wanted to do things my own way. I trust You Lord, to lead me in the path of righteousness for Your name’s sake. I trust You with all my heart—and now I don’t lean on my own understanding, acknowledging You in all that I do, so that You can lead me up the straight and narrow path—to eternal life with You.

O God, why have you rejected us so long? Why is your anger so intense against the sheep of your own pasture? Remember that we are the people you chose long ago, the tribe you redeemed as your own special possession! And remember Jerusalem, your home here on earth. Walk through the awful ruins of the city; see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary. There your enemies shouted their victorious battle cries; there they set up their battle standards. They swung their axes like woodcutters in a forest. With axes and picks, they smashed the carved paneling. They burned your sanctuary to the ground. They defiled the place that bears your name. Then they thought, "Let's destroy everything!" So they burned down all the places where God was worshiped. We no longer see your miraculous signs. All the prophets are gone, and no one can tell us when it will end. How long, O God, will you allow our enemies to insult you? Will you let them dishonor your name forever? Why do you hold back your strong right hand? Unleash your powerful fist and destroy them. You, O God, are my king from ages past, bringing salvation to the earth. You split the sea by your strength and smashed the heads of the sea monsters. You crushed the heads of Leviathan and let the desert animals eat him. You caused the springs and streams to gush forth, and you dried up rivers that never run dry. Both day and night belong to you; you made the starlight and the sun. You set the boundaries of the earth, and you made both summer and winter. See how these enemies insult you, LORD. A foolish nation has dishonored your name. Don't let these wild beasts destroy your turtledoves. Don't forget your suffering people forever. Remember your covenant promises, for the land is full of darkness and violence! Don't let the downtrodden be humiliated again. Instead, let the poor and needy praise your name. Arise, O God, and defend your cause. Remember how these fools insult you all day long. Don't overlook what your enemies have said or their growing uproar. Psalm 74:1-23

Meditate.

The Temple was destroyed. What a very sad, heartbreaking occurrence. This happened when the Babylonian army invaded Jerusalem and took the Jews into captivity. In addition to destroying the Temple the Babylonians took everything of value from the land of Israel. The nation was crying out to the Lord for help—but this captivity was actually punishment for them for not obeying the Lord earlier. They were God’s chosen people and they knew it, but they continued to be rebellious. Read First and Second Kings for a deeper understanding of the people of Israel and their relationship with the Lord. Particularly, read 2 Kings 24-25 for more details on the siege of Jerusalem.

Pray for Peace - as seen in Jerusalem
Pray for Salvation

In this Psalm, good questions were asked of the Lord… How long, O God, will you allow our enemies to insult you? Will you let them dishonor your name forever? Why do you hold back your strong right hand? It took seventy years for the people to return to God, to be forgiven, and to slowly be returned to their land from captivity in Babylon. Spiritually, do you ever rebel against God? Do you want to do things your own way? That is just how the Jews were treating God—wanting to do things their own way. Where did it get them? Seventy years in Babylon. Where will your rebellious attitude get you? The choice is yours. Either repent and turn back to the Lord, trusting Him to guide you down the right path, giving you new strength and energy, or continue in your rebellion and see that it will not take you where you ultimately want to go. Where do you want to go? If you are a believer, you will go to heaven. If you are faithful and true to the Lord, you will one day get to go into the New Jerusalem—the new home of God, a place for God’s chosen ones. My prayer to God: Please don’t be so intensely angry with the Jews—Your original chosen people. May they find salvation in You, Jesus Christ.

Verse of Salvation ~ But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:24

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

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

I Will Tell Everyone About the Wonderful Things You Do

Prayer – Lord, sometimes I get my eyes off of You…and envy the proud, just like David did. Open my eyes and help me to stay focused on You. I belong to You and my strength comes from You. I know it.

Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. Psalm 73:21-28 (Read all of Psalm 73.)

Meditate. Consider all that God does for you. Listen to what He is saying in His word.

I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. How can you do that…how can I do that unless I know what God has done? I am continually amazed by what God is doing in my life. Some are just little things, like clear traffic when I pull up to a STOP sign…or lots of green lights even when I’m not in a hurry. Other things include bringing together people, who have become new friends, for a wonderful writing group that brings God honor and glory. I continually offer praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for our home—where we are so comfortable—and for the bounty of food He provides for us. We eat foods from our garden, local farmers, and literally all over the world. Fresh, wild fish and colorful fruits and vegetables. God was so imaginative when He created this huge variety of foods that we now eat every day. Answered prayers…like truly taking my cares and anxieties on Himself. I know that He will never leave me…abandon me or my family or friends. What a great promise and assurance. We are not alone…even when we feel alone. Yes, God is good and He is at work in my life. I pray that more people will seek Jesus as their Savior…and will be able to tell others about the wonderful things that He does in their lives—beginning with the forgiveness of their sins, just like He did for me. I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

Verse of Salvation ~ For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, 'The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.' There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved." Acts 4:11-12

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

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories