Banquet With The King

Sunday, June 23, 2024

Blameless?

Grace and Peace
On the wings of a pelican
Columbia River near Hanford, Washington
Reflecting on God's gifts.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, please pour out Your grace and peace to me, keeping me strong to the end of time here on earth—so I will be blameless when You call me home. I am eagerly waiting for Your return.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Meditate. Consider God’s grace and peace in your life.

These were Paul’s words to the church at Corinth, encouraging them after he had met them during his second missionary journey. Grace and peace were a common greeting from Paul—and probably among the Christians of that era. Do we greet each other with such a warm and precious greeting? “Hi! How’s it going—how are you doing?” Is that the same as grace and peace?

Through knowing Jesus, the Son of God, God has given us such great opportunities and enriched our lives with spiritual gifts that He knows we need. It is exciting to be in this time that waits for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Everyone for over the last two thousand years has watched and waited for Him…but with the condition of things in the world today…it is not likely that it will be another thousand years or even a hundred years before Christ calls His followers to Heaven! I like what Paul wrote… He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says. Things are a bit scary in the world, but we don’t need to have fear. We will be strong because God is equipping us and we will be blameless because of what Jesus did for us. In His sacrificial gift He took all our sins to the cross, so we are blameless! No guilt, no shame. Blameless. Innocent. Righteous. Irreproachable. Virtuous. Honorable. Pure. Undefiled. God is faithful and keeps His promises. With pure hearts, souls, and minds, believing in Jesus as our Savior, we become part of God’s family. Could life be better?

It is your choice…as always. Choose to have Jesus take away your sins…repent and become blameless. God will do this for you…He has promised.

Verses for Salvation ~ Repent, all of you who forget me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you. 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 50:22-23

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

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Saturday, June 22, 2024

How To Explain…?

Prayer – Lord - I recognize that You are more powerful than I can imagine. Your strength is sufficient. How can I explain to others Your power, strength, knowledge, creativity, and most of all…Your love? Please give me guidance, wisdom, and knowledge to honor You.

Pray--as a sign posted in Jerusalem
Is peace for Israel part of God's plan?

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God's mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. Ephesians 6:18-19

Meditate. Consider God’s plan.

Have you ever wondered how to explain God’s plan? Do you confidently know what God’s plan is for us all? He has hidden a plan within the Bible that in order to fully understand Him, we must search and seek His wisdom and His word. How can we understand God’s mystery unless He explains it to us? I think that is why it is important to study His word—to dig as deeply into the Bible as possible.

Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother's womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. Ecclesiastes 11:5

Paul wrote to the church at Corith about God’s mystery.

No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets. No one can know a person's thoughts except that person's own spirit, and no one can know God's thoughts except God's own Spirit. And we have received God's Spirit (not the world's spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. 1 Corinthians 2:7-12

The mystery is the Gospel—the Good News—that Jesus Christ was the sacrificed for the sin of all mankind. This sacrifice by Jesus allows us not only to be reconciled with God, but to become part of His holy and eternal family. What an awesome privilege to be allowed to be part of God’s family. Pray in the spirit about that. The day is coming when God’s plan will come to fruition. The Book of Revelation give more details about the implementation of God’s plan. I’m sure there are plenty of things that will happen that we won’t understand until the time comes. Just know that God loves us and has an intentional purpose for our lives.

When the seventh angel blows his trumpet, God's mysterious plan will be fulfilled. It will happen just as he announced it to his servants the prophets." Revelation 10:7

The crucial point is within each person that God has created. Will he or she accept what God has prepared for them? Are they willing to repent and turn from their selfish ways? He does require that. I’ve taken that step and have been spiritual awakened. I’m ready to hear that trumpet call and head home to Heaven whenever God is ready for me! How about you?

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. 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

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

Friday, June 21, 2024

Wake Up--Now!

Prayer – Lord, wake me up! I’m feeling a little spiritual drowsy and it’s time to get back to You—to dig deeper into Your word—and to wake up others, too. Thank you for not giving up on me—and for continually having unconditional love.

Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief. Revelation 3:2-3

Meditate. Wake up.

We are told that we need to be prepared and to be watchful. I’m not sure I even understand what The Day of the Lord is…but I’ve done some searching. According to the Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Strongs G2250, The Day of the Lord is described as the last day of this present age. We can be sure that only God the Father knows the exact day and time, so that seems to be what I’ve been taught as the time after the thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ. No matter if it is the day of Christ’s return at the Rapture, or at His return after the Millenium, it will happen suddenly. If it is after the Millenium, then this is written for those who become Christians during those thousand years as we earlier Christians will already be in Heaven. God has told us all this—but it is like a puzzle, and you have to find the pieces and put them together to see the whole story. I like puzzles, but I don’t often do jigsaw puzzles—just occasionally read novels that have a mystery to them that has to be unraveled and put together to understand. Intriguing. That is just how I see God’s story of the end times. Fascinating. Enthralling. Mysterious. Intriguing.

Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don't really need to write you. For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, "Everything is peaceful and secure," then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman's labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. But you aren't in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won't be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 (Underlined for emphasis.)

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God's righteousness. 2 Peter 3:8-13 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Be prepared. Watch. Look at what is happening in the world today. Is it any different from ten or twenty years ago, or a couple thousand years ago?

"Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed." Revelation 16:15

Are you expecting Jesus to return or to be raptured in your lifetime? Are you choosing to be prepared and to watch for Him?

Verse of Salvation ~ The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent." So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world's brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 NLT

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

It’s summer. What would Jesus be eating in Israel? Time for plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Figs and lychees are ripe now in Israel. Remember the story of Jesus cursing the baren fig tree. No one would be eating from that tree again!

Fresh figs from California are available soon in July and October here in the United States. They are so good to just wash, bite into, and eat. They are a little crunchy as the flower is on the inside of the plant. Yes, you can eat the skin. Another way to eat figs is chopped and added to some feta cheese on crisp whole grain crackers. Figs can be incorporated into a salad or found in the great American cookie—fig bars. There are lots of ways to use and enjoy them—Jesus did. Will we be eating figs in heaven some day? Only God knows.

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

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Thursday, June 20, 2024

Worship our God…Part 2

Prayer – Lord God, You are awesome and I worship and adore You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. You are worthy of all the praise from heavenly beings…and all of creation. Is my worship pleasing to You? Open my eyes and my heart to see how to give You more glory.

Rise Above.
Worship the Lord...in Spirit and in Truth.
Hot Air Balloon Festival - Prosser, WA

For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:24 NLT

Meditate in spirit and in truth.

Worship is a spiritual thing. Jesus spoke to the Samaritan women at the well about worshipping in Spirit and in Truth.

“But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24.

Jesus also repeated the Old Testament teaching that one must love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5 (NLT)

And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. Mark 12:30 (NLT)

Heart. Soul. Mind. Strength. Powerfully linked together. That is the essence of spirit. We all have a spiritual component. When we are “born again” and believe in Jesus, the Son of God, as our personal Lord and Savior, this spiritual part of us is activated to become part of a spiritual family of God—which will rule, reign, and live eternally with Him in the New Jerusalem.

All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God--the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name. Revelation 3:12 (NLT)

Maybe it is time for you to wake up spiritually, either to begin a spiritual relationship with God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—or to renew and refresh that relationship. Has it gotten cold or stale? Wake up. The time is coming when you will want to have a close relationship with the Lord God.

Don’t wait until it is too late. Choose now to hit the Reset button in your spirit.

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 NLT

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, June 19, 2024

Worship the Lord

Prayer – Lord God, I worship You—in my spirit—with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. You are all powerful, all knowing, eternal—and ultimately, You are love. Help me to know You more completely, to live and obey Your words and Your ways.

How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you—don't let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I praise you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word. Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. Psalm 119:9-18 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Contemplate your praise and worshipping of our Lord.

Revisiting David’s list on what to do to please God and stay holy—like He is. In our focus scripture of today David is telling God, and us, that he has been searching for the Lord and does not want to sin against Him. The points that David makes to staying pure include:

- Obedience

- Memorizing God’s word

- Worship and Praising God

- Reciting God’s commandment aloud

- Studying God’s commandments or all of His word

- Contemplate God’s requirements

- Being kind to other Christians who are serving the Lord

A few days ago, we looked at studying God’s word—including His commandments. Today, we’ll explore Worship and Praising God. Of course, the basis of this is just to know God’s word. See the pointers on studying God’s word in the June 13^th post on this blog site.

The Ten Commandments
Exodus 20:1-17
Love God - Love Others

As you prepare to worship God, contemplate His requirement. Consider the Ten Commandments and other instructions that God has given us…like to walk humbly (Micah 6:8). The greatest ones are to love God and love others. How do you worship God? Do you demonstrate your love for Him? Is it only on Sunday at church with others? Do you praise Him daily? What about singing praise songs…along with a radio program, DVD, or even YouTube video?

We don’t worship God to obtain His favor, but to honor and praise Him. It is a heartfelt thing—it begins in your heart…for me, in my heart and then takes over my very soul. Singing, praising, confessing, prayer, reading His word and listening for that still small voice—feeling peace, love, and joy. That is my worship. It doesn’t take but a few minutes—or can last for hours. The joy of the Lord is my strength. We all have some sort of escape or exodus from the “Egypt” captivity in our lives. The Lord gives us the strength and courage—just like He did for the Israelites. There are other ways to worship through our service to Him, giving and caring for others, and our obedience to Him—moment by moment. Life can be worship.

But worship only the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt with great strength and a powerful arm. Bow down to him alone, and offer sacrifices only to him. 2 Kings 17:36 NLT

Over the years I’ve learned that God likes us to pray back His scripture to Him. In the same way, He wants us to worship and adore Him as He taught His followers through the ages—from Adam in Genesis to John in Revelation. There is a pattern like in prayer. Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. I’d like to think that He revels in our worship. He created us to worship Him. Do you choose to worship and adore God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

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 NLT

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

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Tuesday, June 18, 2024

How to Memorize Scripture

Prayer – Lord, as I get older it seems that I’m having more trouble memorizing Your word—scripture. Actually, any memorization isn’t really easy—like passwords! Memorizing scripture is of upmost importance to me, so renew a right spirit in me…and help me to remember.

Meditate. Consider remembering.

- Obedience

- Memorizing God’s word

- Worship and praising God

- Reciting God’s commandment aloud

- Studying God’s commandments or all of His word

- Contemplate God’s requirements

- Being kind to other Christians who are serving the Lord

A few days ago we looked at studying God’s word—including His commandments. Today, we’ll explore Memorizing God’s word—hiding it in our hearts. Of course, you need to read and study just to know God’s word. See the pointers on studying God’s word in the June 13^th post on this blog site.

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:7-9 NLT

The New English Translation uses the word “memorize” in part of this scripture above. God was commanding Joshua to memorize the scripture.

This law scroll must not leave your lips! You must memorize it day and night so you can carefully obey all that is written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful. Joshua 1:8 NET (Underlined for emphasis.)

The New Living Translation use the words “study” and “meditate” to describe “memorizing.” Memorizing is also simply recalling or remembering. Hold that in your memory. That is just what God wants us to do. Hold onto His words, in our memory. There may come a day when we don’t have access to the written word—but no one can take away the words in our memory. For me, that is good motivation to memorize God’s word.

Railroad Bridge Crossing the Columbia River
Pasco - Kennewick
Memorization is like a bridge...
built in sections.
Reflect upon remembering.

There are memory systems or methods available as references online, but here is a method that is straight forward, tried and useful. Modified from the Navigators.

Read the verse in context in several different translations, choosing the translation that you want to memorize. Read the paragraphs before and after the memory verse. This should help give a clear understanding of what the verse means.
Discuss the verse with God; ask Him to help you memorize it.
Think of ways the verse applies to your life.
Read the verse aloud several times.
Say the topic, reference, verse, and the reference again each time you read the verse.
Write out the verse several times. I find that using a separate line for each phrase or sentence is a good way to break up the verse. Posting it around your house, office or even in your car may be helpful. Of course, do not allow the verse to distract you from traffic or safety issues.
Learn the topic and reference, then learn the first phrase of the verse.
Add additional phrases, memorizing each before adding another phrase--like building a bridge.
Review. Review. Review.
Ask a friend or family member to memorize the verse with you. Hold each other accountable by meeting for 10 minutes or so each week and reciting the memorized scripture to each other. That covers David’s “Reciting the scripture aloud” aspect of this study.

Topics to memorize include things like Christ the Center, Obedience to Christ, The Word, Prayer, Fellowship, and Worship. Choose verses for yourself or look online for suggested verses.

Christ the Center 2 Corinthians 5:17 Galatians 2:20

Obedience to Christ Romans 12:1 John 14:21

The Word 2 Timothy 3:16 Joshua 1:8

Prayer John 15:7 Philippians 4:6,7

Fellowship Matthew 18:20 Hebrews 10:24,25

Witnessing Matthew 4:19 Romans 1:16

Memorization. Yes! We can do this. Are you choosing to memorize a verse this week?

Verse of Salvation ~ But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God's righteousness. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him…. 2 Peter 3:13-15 NLT

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