Banquet With The King

Thursday, July 24, 2025

God Shows HIs Anger Against All Sinful, Wicked People

God sent fire to destroy the wicked.
Do you feel any heat near you?
Be safe - Be righteous.

God shows his anger against all sinful, wicked people. God is all powerful and I don’t particularly want to make Him angry. God can wipe out people in an instant—causing the earth to swallow them up or fire to devour them, just as He did to the men and their families when they rebelled against Moses and against God. Read about that in Numbers 16 when Moses spoke to the Israelites. It is also mentioned in Numbers 26:10 where it provides a warning to the entire nation of Israel.

"But if the LORD does something entirely new and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them and all their belongings, and they go down alive into the grave, then you will know that these men have shown contempt for the LORD." He had hardly finished speaking the words when the ground suddenly split open beneath them. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed the men, along with their households and all their followers who were standing with them, and everything they owned. So they went down alive into the grave, along with all their belongings. The earth closed over them, and they all vanished from among the people of Israel. All the people around them fled when they heard their screams. "The earth will swallow us, too!" they cried. Then fire blazed forth from the LORD and burned up the 250 men who were offering incense. Numbers 16:30-35

God doesn’t mess around. He knows if someone is evil and throughout the Bible there are examples of the wicked being destroyed. God has promised that the wicked will be abolished. Does that make the wicked want to change their ways? Each person has choices to make.

For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land. Psalm 37:9

The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish. Proverbs 14:11

Who or what we worship—the ever-living God or idols—is a daily option. Who will you trust to be your Lord and Savior? Will your actions give God a reason to show His righteous anger?

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. Romans 1:18-23

Prayer – Lord Jesus, guide our thoughts and actions that all that we think and do would be pleasing in Your sight and bring glory and honor to You and to our Heavenly Father.

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

Verse of Salvation ~ Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God's marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude 1:3-4

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

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Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Are You Ashamed?

Paul declared that he was not ashamed of Christ and believed in Him. Paul knew of the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He was crucified for the sins of mankind, died, buried, rose from the dead, and is seated at the right hand of God in heaven. That is the Good News. Paul had faith. He wrote about his faith in this letter to the Philippians.

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! Philippians 3:7-11

Sculpture of Jesus on the Cross.
Holy Family Shrine
Gretna, Nebraska

He took your sins to the cross. Paid your debt.
He was not ashamed of you.

Do you consider yourself righteous? Righteousness is right living in a way that is acceptable to God. Faith is the evidence of things hoped for. Our faith is in Jesus Christ—our Lord and Savior. He is our hope for eternal life that begins the instant we believe in Jesus as our Lord. He wasn’t ashamed to take your sins to the cross to pay the debt for your sins.

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior? If so, are you reverently proud and honored to belong to God’s family? Are you ashamed to speak up and tell others the Good News about Christ?

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life." Romans 1:16-17

Prayer – Lord Jesus Christ, give me courage and boldness to speak up for You…for I am not ashamed of the Good News about You.

Meditate. Consider faith and righteousness.

Verse of Salvation ~ But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8

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

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Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Are You an Encourager or Do You Need Encouragement?

Encourage others.
Thanksgiving for faith and safety.
Love the Lord.

Are you an encourager or do you need encouragement? As Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. Yes. All over the world. It is a small world. We are only six degrees of separation from knowing everyone in the United State…and theoretically seven steps from being connected to everyone in the world. When you consider that, we are close to telling the whole world about Jesus! That is something for which to be thankful.

Giving “thanks” for everything that God provides for us is essential—and that includes the friends, family, and associates that God brings into our lives. Paul encouraged the value of giving thanks to the churches he visited on his missionary journeys and those, like Timothy, whom he mentored.

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 1 Timothy 2:1

Giving thanks and acknowledging to God and yourself how important these people are in your life is a good step towards encouraging them. In order to encourage others, you have to value or appreciate them. Encouragement comes naturally after that. You just want the best for them. Some people are easier than others to nurture, help, assist, or inspire—all part of encouraging. Teens in particular are challenging, but if you’ve been part of their lives since they were very small and have a good relationship with them, it will be easier.

Do you need encouragement? We all do at some point in our lives. Some of that encouragement can come directly from reading our Bibles. God want us to have a relationship with Him…and the best way to develop that is to hear what He has to say…by reading His very words. Are you reading scripture every day? What is your favorite translation? A few people I know still stick with the King James Version, but others prefer the English Standard Version (ESV), the New International Version (NIV), the Message (MSG) which is really a modern paraphrase, or the New American Standard Bible (NASB). There are a multitude of translations out there, including a Jewish Translation. No matter the translation, if one prays as they begin reading God’s word, the Holy Spirit will reveal the meaning of the scripture and help each of us apply it to our lives. That’s encouraging. Prayer is so important. It is our communication with our Lord and Savior. That strengthens our relationship and our faith.

Are you an encourager or do you need encouragement? We need both. Pray. Choose wisely.

Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son. One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Romans 1:8-12

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for Your encouraging words…and for the opportunity to meet with You every day in scripture. Give us wisdom and understanding that Your words would come alive in us and that our relationship with You would grow deeper day by day—encouraging us as we encourage others.

Meditate. Are you encouraging others and being encouraged?

Verse of Salvation ~ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting comfort and encouragement and the good [well-founded] hope [of salvation] by His grace, comfort and encourage and strengthen your hearts [keeping them steadfast and on course] in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 AMP

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

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

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

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Monday, July 21, 2025

Are You Called?

Paul writes to the Gentiles in Rome… who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. Called to be His people. Are you called? Are you holy? What a privilege to not only be holy, but called to be part of God’s family. My brother reminds me occasionally that God has everything already decided. Predestined.

Ladies at the Wailing Wall - Jerusalem
Called to hear God...and to speak to Him.
Are they adopted into God's family?

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ--everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. Ephesians 1:5-11 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Some translations use “predestined” in verses 5 & 11. Predestined—determined in advance by a divine will or fate. According to Paul…those in Rome…and we can assume others throughout history…are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. Is the future so set that although we think we are having choices…are we really or is the future predetermined by God? We know God has a plan for eternity and He knows what is going to happen. Do we know what will happen? We can guess…or read the prophecies in the Bible. Predestined or not…we can make choices. If or when we are called, we have the choice to respond. Choose wisely.

And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Romans 1:6-7

Prayer – Lord, as fire causes wood to burn and water to boil, your coming would make the nations tremble. Then your enemies would learn the reason for your fame! When you came down long ago, you did awesome deeds beyond our highest expectations. And oh, how the mountains quaked! For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! Isaiah 64:2-4

Meditate on God’s plan.

Verse of Salvation ~ So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. 2 Timothy 2:10

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

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Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Sunday, July 20, 2025

What is the Good News?

The Empty Tomb.
Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.
Can you share that message?

Paul, begins his letter to the Christians at Rome by noting who he was preaching to and what he was telling them. He wrote to Gentile, not Jewish, people who lived in Rome about the “Good News” which Paul specifically tells us about God’s Son. Jesus was born into King David’s family lineage. He proved that He was God’s son when He was raised from the dead. At this point, Paul doesn’t say that Jesus was crucified for our sins…but he gets into that later. Why is it a big deal to be raised from the dead? Jesus also raised at least three people from death: A little girl, a young man who was an only child and Jesus took pity on his mother, and of course the famous friend, Lazareth.

As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. "My daughter has just died," he said, "but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her." ... When Jesus arrived at the official's home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. "Get out!" he told them. "The girl isn't dead; she's only asleep." But the crowd laughed at him. After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! Matthew 9:18, 23-25

A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow's only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. "Don't cry!" he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. "Young man," he said, "I tell you, get up." Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother. Luke 7:12-15

When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. ... Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. ... So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me." Then Jesus shouted, "Lazarus, come out!" And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, "Unwrap him and let him go!" John 11:32-33, 38, 41-44

Jesus gave His life for all people throughout the history of mankind so that they might be spiritually saved. He had and still has great power. He is God. He is the only person, and the only god, who was resurrected from the dead and never died again.

Paul was tasked with telling the Gentiles about Jesus—and we have that same opportunity or responsibility. God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. Are you ready, willing, and able to tell others about Jesus? If not, now is the time to get prepared. With other Christian friends or family, you may need or want to practice telling others what God has done for you. It can be small things like little answered prayers for safety, big things like health issue healing, or strength and comfort after loosing a loved one. God is with us always. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. What have you promised the Lord God that will bring Him glory? The choice is yours.

This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David's family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. Romans 1:1-5

Prayer – Lord God, one day we will sing in a mighty chorus: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing." from Revelation 5:12. May You receive glory and praise every day now…from everyone. One day every knee will bow and recognize You as King of kings and Lord of lords. You are my Lord and Savior.

Meditate. Consider the privilege you have to share the Good News about Jesus.

Verse of Salvation ~ And this is God's plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God's children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God's grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. Though I am the least deserving of all God's people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. Ephesians 3:6-8

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

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Saturday, July 19, 2025

Can You Keep A Secret?

Be careful not to tell any secrets.

It is a sign of integrity to keep a secret.

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Titus 2:7

When it comes to friendly chats, sometimes people are specific…“Don’t tell anyone…or so and so” and sometimes they just tell you something that is going on and you may assume that it is OK to talk about it. But it is NOT! I’ve learned the hard way. Don’t repeat ANY conversations…or bits of conversations with anyone. Zip your lips. As the World War II slogan said, “Loose lips sink ships” which indicated that careless talk could aid the enemy.

My mistake came about when I thought I’d be encouraging to someone…and yet it was a secret. Oops! So much for “encouraging” others. I hope this doesn’t cost me a friendship…but there is now a lack of trust in me. I’ve apologized and asked for forgiveness…so we’ll see. Good works must be approached cautiously, with careful planning, and a deep desire for serving others, as if serving the Lord Himself. Spontaneity doesn’t always serve the moment, even if it is done with good intentions. Paul encouraged Titus to be an example of doing good works for others. Where do you draw the line? It’s always best to ask if you can do something for someone, rather than just boldly doing something—maybe even something just as simple as sharing some fresh fruit when it isn’t expected. Think before you act.

Wise people think before they act; fools don't—and even brag about their foolishness. Proverbs 13:16

We are to confess our sins to one another as James wrote.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16

So, learn by my example. Keep a secret a secret.

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Titus 2:7

Prayer – Lord, You grant wisdom! From Your mouth come knowledge and understanding. You grant a treasure of common sense to the honest. You are a shield to those who walk with integrity (Proverbs 2:6-7). Please grant me the wisdom to know when to use common sense to keep my mouth shut as well as when to be helpful and encouraging to others. Thank You, Lord, for Your compassion for others and the example of how to live and care for our Christian brothers and sisters.

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture.

Verse of Salvation ~ One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: "Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" The man answered, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Luke 10:25-27

Let me know what you think about "secrets" in the Post a Comment below. I'll look forward to hearing from you.

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

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Friday, July 18, 2025

Why Do You Rejoice?

Hurrah! Those disciples whom Jesus sent out to the towns He was going to visit were impressed that the evil spirits obey them when they used Jesus’ name. Jesus gave them power over the enemy. We see a similar occurrence of this in the book of Acts.

A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, "I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!" Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, "I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?" Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered. Acts 19:13-16

People must be careful in casting out evil spirits. Those spirits recognize Jesus—but they don’t worship Him. The disciples had the power of Jesus when they used His name—but those Jews who tried to use Jesus’ name in Ephesus didn’t have the authority. It didn’t turn out so well for them.

Nothing even alligators...like snakes...
won't injure you.
Is your name written in the Book of Life?

Jesus gives His disciple a fantastic promise. Nothing will injure you. But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven. Likewise, we can claim those promises, if our names are registered in Heaven. What does it take to get your name “registered” in heaven? Believe and you will be saved (see Romans 10:9-13).

You have come to the assembly of God's firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! Hebrews 12:23-25

It's simple. Believe in Jesus as your Savior. He’s already done the work by being sacrificed on the cross for your sins—for all of mankind’s sins. Those who believe will have their names written in the Book of Life.

Nothing evil will be allowed to enter (the New Jerusalem), nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Revelation 21:27

Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? If yes, then that is a good reason to rejoice!

When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, "Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!" "Yes," he told them, "I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven." Luke 10:17-20

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for the provision of Your Book of Life. I believe in You as my Savior and trust that my name is inscribed in that Book. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

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

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." 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

How do you eat chia seeds? Last Friday we took a brief look at the nutritional value of chia seeds. But just how do you use them?

Try mixing chia seeds with water, juice or milk to make a drink or a pudding. Healthline.com has an article about 35 ways to eat chia seeds. Wow! That is a lot of ways to utilize these little power house nutritional seeds.

Personally, I mix them with oat milk, walnuts, and cinnamon for an after-supper snack or dessert. They are also great in smoothies, as a topping for yogurt, ice cream, or fruit. They can be added to salads, salad dressing, or even used as an egg substitute. Great for those who are allergic to eggs. Try baking them into breads, muffins, crackers, cakes, cookies, tortillas, granola, or pancakes. I’ve read about, but not tried yet, using chia seeds instead of pectin when making fruit jams. Chia seeds are very versatile, add a significant amount of nutrition, and since they are high in fiber you’ll feel full when eating them so they can help with weight loss. Give them a try.

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