Banquet With The King

Friday, March 24, 2023

Resurrection Power

Prayer – Lord Jesus, it won’t be long and we will again be celebrating Your Resurrection. It is amazing that every one will one day be resurrected just as You were. Still a lot of questions…what will out bodies be like? What is Heaven like? Those who don’t choose to believe in You, will they have resurrected bodies that will be cast into the Lake of Fire? I trust in You, Lord, to keep Your promises—and I look forward to serving You forever in Heaven. Help me to understand Your scriptures and to know the power of God—our living God.

That same day Jesus was approached by some Sadducees—religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. They posed this question: "Teacher, Moses said, 'If a man dies without children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother's name.' Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children, so his brother married the widow. But the second brother also died, and the third brother married her. This continued with all seven of them. Last of all, the woman also died. So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her." Jesus replied, "Your mistake is that you don't know the Scriptures, and you don't know the power of God. For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven. "But now, as to whether there will be a resurrection of the dead—haven't you ever read about this in the Scriptures? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' So he is the God of the living, not the dead." When the crowds heard him, they were astounded at his teaching. Matthew 22:23-33

Meditate. Consider what Resurrection means to you.

Jesus discusses Resurrection.
This passage amazes me because the Sadducees didn’t even believe in Resurrection—yet they were trying to trip Jesus up with this topic. He turns the tables on them. “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God.” Could He say the same thing to you…or me? Oh yes! Those very words cut into my heart! Sure, I’ve read through the Bible…but do I KNOW it all…or truly know the power of God? Do you?

Jesus goes on to teach about resurrection and that God is the God if the living not the dead. You may wonder “How does a person become part of the living group?” The short answer is “Believe and you will be saved.” It is as simple as that!

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Have you called on the name of the Lord? Have you been saved? Saved from what, you might ask? Sin that results in eternal spiritual death. All have sinned and will never see the glory of God (Romans 3:23) —unless they repent of their sin. So, the choice is yours. Everyone has to make their own choice. That choice may rely on how well someone understands the Bible, the power of God, and their own relationship with Him. What is your option? Resurrection to life eternal with God or life forever without God, most likely in a lake of fire? God’s authority is involved in the result of each person’s decision. He welcomes believers into heaven or has His angels cast the non-believers into the fire. Either way it is resurrection power.

Verse of Salvation ~ If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced. (Isaiah 28:16)" Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." Romans 10:9-13

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Fire up a hot flame for your grill.

Spiritually, choose Jesus
...so that your life is not eternally in a Lake of Fire.

Isaac’s birthday was this week and his favorite food now is Fried Rice cooked on a huge flat grill. So fire up your grill, add chopped meat of your choice, like chicken, shrimp, cooked roast beef, ham, or white fish; chopped veggies—also of your choice, like peas, carrots, onions, asparagus, mushrooms, or even green beans; scramble up an egg or two on that grill, add some pre-cooked brown or white rice. Chop-chop. You can add hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, a splash of fish oil, or sesame oil to the mixture. Fry it all together. Sprinkle on some sesame seeds and chopped chives to garnish and serve steaming hot.

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

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Banquet Days Ahead…A Long Way Ahead

Prayer – Lord, You’ve told us what to expect…now, we just have to wait for it to happen.

Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder: "Praise the LORD! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear." For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God's holy people. And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb." And he added, "These are true words that come from God." Revelation 19:6-9

Meditate. Pray. Read God’s word. Listen to what He is saying.

The Wedding Feast of the Lamb. It happens at the end of Revelation. After all the other things—wars, rumors of wars, famines, wars on earth and in heaven. Well—almost everything. Note that verse nine in Revelation 19 it only refers to those “invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb” not that the wedding feast happen then. Continue reading. Armageddon and the thousand years of Christ reign, known as the Millennium, also occurs apparently before this great banquet that we are all anticipating. Don’t stop reading yet. There is more to come, such as a war involving the famous Gog and Magog that ends with fire consuming the area of the war as well as the beloved city of Jerusalem. At that time also, the devil is cast into the Lake of Fire where he will be tormented forever and ever. The Great White Throne event, when sinners are judged according to their deeds, occurs with those whose names are not written into the Book of Life cast into the Lake of Fire. It will be a fiery time. Then the New Heaven and New Earth appear with the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven. What a magnificent sight! Glory! Glory! Glory! Is that the bride of Christ? Read the last couple chapters of Revelation for yourself and see what you think. An angel takes John to a great mountain to show him the bride as the New Jerusalem emerges from Heaven. There is so much about that for which we can speculate. I think our time for now is best spent focusing on the things we can understand and helping others to see Jesus for who He is—the Son of God who came to take away the sins of the world. We can almost taste the amazing foods that God will serve at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb—but we still have to wait…using that time to serve as we are needed. Are you preparing for that event? Jesus told us to be ready since no one knows when He will return. A thousand years is as a day in God’s timing…so we need to take note and be prepared for we want to take lots of folks with us to that great banquet whether is tomorrow or a long time away from now.

Verse of Salvation ~ After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting, "Praise the LORD! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God. Revelation 19:1

Happy Birthday Blessings, Bette M

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

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Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Birthday Blessings

Prayer – Lord Jesus, did You ever celebrate Your birthday?

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

Meditate. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

Birthdays were celebrated in both the Old and New Testaments.

Pharaoh's birthday came three days later, and he prepared a banquet for all his officials and staff. He summoned his chief cup-bearer and chief baker to join the other officials. Genesis 40:20

But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias's daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him….Matthew 14:6

Most of the celebrations throughout the Bible are associated with festival—not so much personal individuals. Jesus had a special day when He was dedicated to God when He was eight days old. Birthday celebrations are a fun way to focus on just one person—to recognize their birth, the day they became a Christian or their baptism. People like to be remembered. Recall that one of the thieves on the cross with Jesus asked Him to remember him when Jesus came into His Kingdom. Read it for yourself in Luke 23. Paul thought fondly of others as he traveled, recognizing that they thought of him, too.

I am so glad that you always keep me in your thoughts, and that you are following the teachings I passed on to you. 1 Corinthians 11:2

Culturally in the United State, celebrating birthdays is important for children, teens and adults—even if it is just a favorite meal or a special dessert. Cake or pie, anyone? There are religious groups that do not recognize individual’s special days, national or religious holidays. That’s OK for them—and we should respect their choice. But as for me and my family, we will celebrate unto the Lord, for this is the day that the Lord has created and we will rejoice in it!

Verse of Salvation ~ Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Happy Birthday, Isaac

May God Continue to Bless You…

Giving you insight into His Word and inspiration to serve Him.

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

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Where is Your Heart?

Prayer – Lord, You see my every move—You hear my thoughts and know what I’m going to say even before I say it.

O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. Psalm 139:1-8

It seems to me that You, Lord, know me better than myself. Thanks for loving me anyway! I long to worship You—in spirit and in truth.

All the future events in this vision are like a sealed book to them. When you give it to those who can read, they will say, "We can't read it because it is sealed." When you give it to those who cannot read, they will say, "We don't know how to read." And so the Lord says, "These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote. Because of this, I will once again astound these hypocrites with amazing wonders. The wisdom of the wise will pass away, and the intelligence of the intelligent will disappear." What sorrow awaits those who try to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their evil deeds in the dark! "The LORD can't see us," they say. "He doesn't know what's going on!" How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay! Should the created thing say of the one who made it, "He didn't make me"? Does a jar ever say, "The potter who made me is stupid"? Isaiah 29:11-16

Meditate. Where is your heart?

God knows us. He made us—just like a potter make a cup or bowl—forming the shape and then putting it through the fire to harden it. Decorations afterwards? Sure, paint on some color and bake it again. Pretty as can be…or not. The finished product has a lot to do with chance for the young artist—but not for God. He is all powerful and so very creative. Then He gives us a choice to do with our lives whatever we want. Yet, He knows where our heart is—what is important to us. We are still under His watchful eye. We can never escape—just as David wrote is Psalm 119. He knows our thoughts and see us whether we are at home or traveling—even if it is just going to the store or walking for our daily exercise. He knows our name…and as a recent song says…He knows our every move. So, are you moving closer to God today? Where is your heart?

Lydia throws a pot!
Good job for this young artist.
God knows her heart--and guides her hands.

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

What are you doing today to draw closer to God?

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, March 20, 2023

Be Quick to Listen

Prayer – Lord, over and over I’m hearing You say that I need to listen. To listen more than speak. That is hard for me. I always have an opinion and assumedly speak it right out…if I know anything about the topic of discussion—or can make a quick judgment on the action in some show I’m watching with my husband. With this recent study, I’m convicted that I need to apply Your word, God, to my life and not be so quick to judge others. I’ve been pretty self-righteous…as I’m getting older and have been blessed with some wisdom and understanding. I see myself sometimes as a wise old lady…but as I look around me, I can see that I am neither old nor wise. Show me, Lord, what I need to do as You had James point out about caring for the orphans and widows and refusing to let the world corrupt me. I’m listening to You, Lord; speak to me.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. ... If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 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 1:19-22; 26-27

Meditate, then look in the mirror. What do you see?

Anger is ugly—especially when it foolish. Did you see any of that when you looked in the mirror this morning? I guess the important thing is to notice that you do have ears. Ears to hear. Ears with which to listen. God is faithful about listening to you. Are you faithful about listening to Him? The key to James’ message is not to just listen and hear, but to put God’s words into action. To be doers of the word. Being compassionate towards others is important. Consider that if you were in the shoes of those who need care—the widows and orphans—you would want to be cared for. Treat others the way you want to be treated—the great Golden Rule. Could that include listening, too?

Keep listening. There is a reward for listening to God, especially to the Holy Spirit. Do you have a hunger for fruit—particularly from the Tree of Life?

Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7

Are you ready to be victorious for the Lord? It has to start with listening so that you hear. Me, too. I’m listening! Now with this lesson from the Lord, I am quick to listen.

Sandhill Cranes
Listen for their distinctive honking.
Migrating North near West Richland, WA
Are you listening for the Lord, too?

Verse of Salvation ~ I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I (Paul) want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:9-11

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

God is our parent.

Listen to Him as you read His word daily.

This daily devotional helps illustrate the character of Jesus.

God wants us to be like His Son.

Are you listening?

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Sunday, March 19, 2023

Where is Your Heart Today?

Prayer – Purify my heart, Lord, just like Isaiah wrote. I know that to come into Your presence, God, my heart must be pure—so, I repent of my sins, counting on the blood of Jesus to wash away them away. Do you see my heart white as snow? "Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 My treasure is a pure heart—and time with You, Lord.

Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:19-21

Meditate. Consider what you value…treasure.

Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount where He was teaching thousands of people seated on the hillside above the Sea of Galilee, as recorded in both Matthew and Luke. Both Paul and David also wrote about a pure heart and our hearts desire.

Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good. Titus 1:15-16

Really?
...is a cup of coffee your heart's desire?

Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:3-5

Life—and even what I am called to write about in this blog—is not about me. Life is about Jesus—who has called us through the Holy Spirit to worship the Father God. That should be the focus of our life. God. Nothing else can ever be as important as Him. Just as David wrote in Psalm 37…take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart's desires. The very thought of the Lord being my heart’s desire brings tears of joy to my heart and eyes. He is worthy of all my love and adoration.

Look in the mirror. Do you see purity or corruption? Each person is responsible for their own life—we make choices every day. I’m choosing to be as obedient as I can be to the Lord. I’m not perfect, just a sinner saved by grace. What is your choice? Where is your heart today?

Happy Anniversary, Michelle & Jacob

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, March 18, 2023

When Does Deception Start?

Prayer – Lord, You told Your disciples and us not to be deceived in the end times…but when does that deception start? People can so easily be led astray, even by their own lusts…down the wrong path. I recall a verse about wide and narrow paths. That narrow path leads to You. Is that’s the one I’m on right now? Guide me in the way—Your way—of righteousness—right living that pleases You.

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. James 1:12-16

Meditate. Consider God’s intentions—His will. Know God by knowing His scripture.

So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Don’t be misled…don’t be deceived. Deception is a sneaky thing—like any evil. It begins in a harmless way and then multiplies. Once it has gotten hold of you it digs in its ugly claws and hangs on getting deeper under your skin and penetrating into your heart and mind. Be careful little eyes what your see. What you let into your body—whether it goes into your eyes, ears or mouth—it becomes part of you. You can see it in the sugary foods you eat that become fat on your hips—but do you see it in subtle iniquitousness of the movies you watch or the books you read? How about the people who are your friends? Do their words influence you?

Did you ever have your mouth washed out with soap when you were a kid for saying “bad” words? I did. I didn’t want that to happen again—so I was careful about the words I choose to speak. That was hard for a mouthy kid like me! It was even harder as a teenager when I had a friend who had a truckdriver mouth. It took me years of repeating the Ten Commandments and verses in James about taming the tongue to get my mouth—and thus my mind and heart—focused on bringing glory to the Lord, not taking His name in vain. I had allowed myself to be misled—deceived—just to be liked by someone I admired. When I broke free, I took a turn off that wide road of acceptance by my friend and onto a narrow road of walking with the Lord.

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. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:13-14

The Narrow Gate leading into the
Garden of Gethsemane
Jerusalem, Israel

Have you found that narrow gate…the narrow road? Keep looking and ask the Lord to help you. Don’t be deceived…even just a little bit…God won’t tempt you. Only Satan and those defrauded by him will try to pull you out onto that wide path—the easy life. You’ll be tempted even more there…and it leads to a great and everlasting destruction. That’s not just me saying that. Read your Bible. That is what God has been telling people for thousands of years. Listen up. Don’t be misinformed. Keep your eyes and ears open so you know what pleases the Lord, as you build a good relationship with Him. He won’t mislead you. Be careful. When does deception start?

Verse of Salvation ~ So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness. 1 Peter 2:1-3

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