Banquet With The King

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Are You Accountable to Anyone?

Prayer – Lord, I feel like I’m accountable to You. I know that one day You’ll ask me about what I’ve done with my life—and to explain how I’ve served You. At that point no doubt—I’ll wish I’d done more. That’s motivation for me now—step up and do what You expect me to do…not shrink back and say, “I’ll get around to it someday.” You expect more of those who are given much…and life here is so abundant that there are times I am overwhelmed! Please give me wisdom, Lord, to apply Your word to my life—and to live up to Your expectations. You are an awesome God—such a great example and definitely worthy of praise. Make me that new creation in You.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Meditate. Memorize.

Are you memorizing…or trying to memorize a verse every week…or at least one passage a month? This is a good verse to add to your memory repertoire. It is actually on a list of Inspirational Bible Verses to Start the Week and Top 52 Bible Verses for Kids, Children, Youth, Teens & Adults. That about covers any and every one who could or should be memorizing scripture. This particular verse was on my list when I took a Navigator’s Bible Study forty years ago—so it is somewhere in my memory. The study included the Topical Memory System with just that—memory verses on little cards based on specific topics related to Christian living. Good system and in our study each person had someone to whom they were accountable. That was the key to that part of the program. Accountability! You only hold those accountable that you care about—so that invested us in each other’s lives.

Are you accountable to Jesus Christ? Are you accountable to anyone else…or is someone accountable to you? As the verse tells us, if we are in Christ…believing in Him…then we are new creatures. The prophet Ezekiel declared God’s word to the Israelites:

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Ezekiel 36:26-27 NKJV

Don't be a greedy, selfish pig!
Renew your spirit--in your heart and mind.

Pig created by Liberty!

A new heart—that is what Paul was talking about to the Corinthians and then to the Ephesians. The old selfish heart will be removed and replaced by a fresh new, loving one—like Christ’s. Thus, the person is “renewed.”

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:17-24 NKJV (Underlined for emphasis.)

Do have a renewed mind…a new heart?

Verse of Salvation ~ For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:3-7 NKJV (Underlined for emphasis.)

Memory verse of the week: 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwisithe noted. Are

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Tuesday, January 23, 2024

What Kind of Creation are You?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You are the vine…I am a branch. I can do nothing without You. Fill me with Your wisdom that I would be renewed spiritually and fruitful creation for You.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Meditate. Consider new things in this new week, new month, new year.

Are you a new creation in Christ?

If…. That is a powerful word. It is related to “when” and we could rephrase this verse as…when a person is in Christ, he becomes a new person—his old nature goes away and he is reborn. Remember how Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about being reborn—a spiritual birth. The kingdom of God is a spiritual realm that is only entered with a spiritual birth. Read Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus in John 3.

Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3 NKJV

The Amplified version of our focus verse today in Corinthians gives some great words…grafted in. We become part of Christ as our old human sinful nature goes away.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. 2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP

Would you want to be grafted in an old olive tree?
Garden of Gethsemane
Jerusalem, Israel

Just like in an orchard…new branches are grafted into the main tree and will produce fruit. Jesus spoke of Himself being the vine and His followers are the branches. It is important to be part of Jesus…to live, remain, or abide in Him so that your life will produce fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:4-8 NKJV

Are you…or do you want to be…a new creation—grafted into Christ?

Verses of Salvation ~ But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24 NKJV

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted.

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP),

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Monday, January 22, 2024

How Many Generations of Rejection of God in Your Family?

Prayer – Lord God, I want to honor You with my life…along with my whole family and all my friends and neighbors. There was a problem though with my father and possibly my grandfather…and even great grandfather not honoring You. Now does that mean that my grandchildren—being the third or fourth generation since someone in the family rejected You—will suffer? Lord, please have mercy! Have mercy on the health situations of my granddaughters. Open our eyes and hearts to understand Your word and claim Your promises.

You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. Exodus 20:3-6 NLT

Meditate. Consider God’s commands in scripture.

Do you have people in your family who have rejected God?

This is right out of the Ten Commandments. God told the Israelites that He was the one true God and gave them a motivation—their sins would go onto their family to the third and fourth generation, but for those who obey Him there will be love—unfailing love. Time hasn’t changed this commandment we are still expected to obey God’s word.

The old family sod house.
Did the sin of rejection start here?

I woke up the other day thinking about this scripture…and how I’d heard stories of unfaithfulness of my Dad’s cousins. Was my Dad doing the same…and I just didn’t see it? Did they “learn” that from their fathers or grandfather? Is that, as well as the refusal to go to church and worship the Lord our God, the sin that would be put on their families—to the third and fourth generations? Dad rejected God for most of his life. His parents—I assume his Mom—required him to go to church with the family every time the doors were open. So, as an adult, he never wanted to go to church. He said, “I had enough church as a kid to last a lifetime.” I remember him only going to church a couple of times when I was growing up. He would drop us kids off for Sunday School and we’d meet Mom in the sanctuary for the regular service. Since Dad “rejected” God, did that put his sins on my grandchildren—the third generation? Did his deathbed acceptance of Jesus as his Savior erase his earlier “rejection” sin? Was that a true repentance? A true repentance should have erased those sins. All sins are forgiven when one accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior. Were those sins passed on to the later generations? We can only plead with God for mercy…and trust Him that His plan for forgiveness and the blood of Jesus covers those sins. We can claim God's promise of the lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. I trust that God is good, but like others, I still wonder why bad things happen to good people—especially children.

For you, how many generations of rejection of God in your family? Comments?

Verse of Salvation ~ For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted.

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Sunday, January 21, 2024

How Long is Long Life?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, Your life was cut short—only 33 years. The average life expectance may have only been about 35 years during that first century AD, but now it is much longer now for people in Israel—your home on earth. It is almost 84 years. The length of life isn’t what matters so much as the quality of life—and You certainly gave all of Yourself to making life the best for those You encountered. Thank you for Your obedient example—and for helping so many people while You were here. Give us wisdom to understand and apply Your word.

My son do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:1-4 NKJV

Meditate. Consider how Jesus gave of Himself during His life on earth.

How are you contributing to value of life with the life you are living? The quality of life is what matters. Do you agree with that?

Moses encouraged the Israelites to obey God, then they’d have a long life.

Rays of light from Heaven above.
Folly Beach near Charleston, SC.

"Therefore, know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the LORD Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. You shall therefore keep His statutes and His commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which the LORD your God is giving you for all time." Deuteronomy 4:39-40 NKJV

As Solomon wrote about enjoying life—the good life that is enjoyed by the obedient.

Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. Ecclesiastes 5:18 NKJV

We can enjoy a good life—a long life—or at least one that has a value, day by day, to inherit God’s blessing.

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For He who would love life and see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil. (from Psalm 34:12-16)" 1 Peter 3:8-12 NKJV

Consider the possibility that the ultimate purpose of our life is a spiritual one focused on God.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV

As Jesus taught His disciples…Seek first the Kingdom of God and all His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Look daily for Jesus…and His right way of living. The Kingdom of God is a spiritual one. Will seeking God’s Kingdom give you a long life…or a good one? An eternal life that draws others to Christ? The choice is yours.

Verse of Salvation ~ Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, "The LORD be magnified!" Psalm 40:16 NKJV

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted.

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Saturday, January 20, 2024

Celebrate Life

Prayer – Lord, I choose to celebrate life today. To celebrate Your life…and that of others.

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Romans 15:5-7 NKJV

Meditate. Celebrate.

Celebrate...not just the 4th of July...but every day.
Celebrate life!

Every day can be a day of celebration of life…if you choose it! Celebrate the good times…and even the times when you’ve had to change direction—to go for a new goal. As long as God is with you, life can be good. But that is just my own opinion and I have a great value in my God and our relationship. Do you have a relationship with God…are you seeking Him daily? I celebrate not only life—the life of Christ, but also the hope of the future and the joy of a long life for those who have lived 80, 90, 98, or 103 years! A table of celebration with loved ones—like minded—gathered together is the best way to joyously give praise for life.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Psalm 23:5-6 NKJV

To God be the glory…as you celebrate life!

Verse of Salvation ~ With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation. Psalm 91:16 NKJV

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted.

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Friday, January 19, 2024

What is Your Choice?

Prayer – Lord, every day I have to make choices…everyone does, but where is my choice? Other people make decisions that impact my life—I want You as my Shepherd. I want You to guide me and provide for me as You have promised. Thank you.

Is this a path of righteousness?
It leads to the chapel at the Holy Family Shrine.
Summertime view - all snow covered now!
Gretna, Nebraska

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Psalm 23:1-6 NKJV

Meditate. What is your choice today?

Are you choosing who influences your life?

Like a lot of other people, I continually find myself going back to Psalm 23. It restores my hope—and as I pray each verse, it calms my anxiety. I choose. I choose the Lord to be MY shepherd. I want Him to be the Lord of my life…and to lead me. Where He leads me, I will follow.

I recently started reading a book, “Breath as Prayer” by Jennifer Tucker. Breath in…The Lord is my Shepherd. Breath out…I shall not want (or her example, I have all that I need.) Do you feel the release of the stress? I did. I know that the Lord is going to take care of me—and this once again was like feeling the Lord put His arms around me and saying, “I’ve got you. I’ll take care of this—no worries.” Ahhh. What a great promise and such reassurance. Jennifer uses verses common to us all and puts together the science of breathing and praying scripture. I am looking forward to breathing more prayers in the coming days. For now…I’m visualizing the green pastures, the still waters, the path of righteousness, and a table overflowing with a bounty of food from the Lord, and the Lord with me, protecting me from harm and the tribulations of life…that appear as the Valley of the Shadow of death. Yes, God is good. I feel I can trust Him. Breath in... breath out. That is my choice today. What is your choice?

Verse of Salvation ~ And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls. Joel 2:32 NKJV

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Today would have been my parents 77^th wedding anniversary. In honor of them here’s my mother’s favorite dessert that she would frequently have us kids fix for dessert on the weekends. Just the smell of it brings back fond memories.

Pineapple Upside-down Cake

¼ cup butter or margarine

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

9 slices pineapple in juice (from 14-oz can), drained

9 maraschino cherries without stems, if desired

1 1/3 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup shortening

1½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

¾ cup milk

1 egg

Heat oven to 350°F. In 9-inch square pan, melt butter in oven, or microwave if it is a glass pan. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over melted butter. Arrange pineapple slices over brown sugar. Place cherry in center of each pineapple slice.

In medium bowl, beat remaining ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour batter over pineapple and cherries.

Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately place heatproof serving plate upside down over pan; turn plate and pan over. Leave pan over cake a few minutes so brown sugar mixture can drizzle over cake; remove pan. Serve warm, with sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Store cake loosely covered, if there are any leftovers.

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted.

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