Daniel 2:19

Verse of the Day Devotion.  Daniel 2:19

“Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.” – Daniel 2:19   

The key event here is that King Nebuchadnezzar had a series of dreams one night that disturbed him to the point he was unable to sleep anymore. They were so troubling that he called in all the magicians, conjurers, sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to help him understand what this dream meant. Along with the magicians, conjurers and sorcerers, there appeared to be a class of soothsayers to the king which were labeled Chaldeans, or there is also the idea that the Chaldeans considered themselves a superior race which Babylon no doubt accepted.

Now God uses dreams to communicate to people, including those who do not follow Him. We see this here as well as in Genesis where He gives two dreams to Pharoah (See Genesis 41). The first spoke of seven good and seven gaunt cows, then another about seven good and seven thin and scorched ears of grain. The difference between these two sets of dreams is that Pharoah told all the magicians and wise men his dreams whereas Nebuchadnezzar would not tell his wise men the dreams but ordered them to tell him what the dream was, and after this tell him what it meant.

Now in both of these events, the king in each case brought together all the magicians and wise men in order to explain the dream. And in both cases they were unable to do so. However, when they listened to God fearing men, with the Egyptians Joseph and the Babylonians Daniel, they were able to receive the answer they were looking for. Joseph brought the correct translation to Pharoah, and Daniel gave, not only the interpretation but the dream as well, to Nebuchadnezzar.

How was both Daniel and Joseph able to give each king what he wanted? They heard from God. In the case of Daniel, “Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter, in order that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.” Daniel 2:17-18. They did not attempt to give their own interpretation of the dream, but they allowed God to give them what He meant by these dreams. In the case of Daniel, “Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision.” Daniel 2:19.  And it was revealed to him because he, along with his three friends, went to God for the answer.

And after God revealed it to Him, they acknowledged His work in this. “Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; Daniel answered and said, Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, And knowledge to men of understanding. It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him. To Thee, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For Thou hast given me wisdom and power; Even now Thou hast made known to me what we requested of Thee, For Thou hast made known to us the king’s matter.” Daniel 2:19b-23. Daniel never endeavored to figure this out on his own. He understood he did not have the wisdom to determine the meaning of the dreams, just as Joseph did. They laid it in God’s hands to guide them to the truth. And when He provided that meaning to Daniel,  he and his friends gave all thanks and the glory to God almighty.

And this is a great picture of how we are to live our lives. God has promised He will be there for us, no matter what need we may have, be that in things, trials, tribulations, or anything else. “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19. We can trust Him in everything, even those things that seem impossible, such as telling someone a dream that person had along with an accurate interpretation. There is nothing He will not do, unless He has a better way. This is the God we serve, the one who will always do what is best for us. And in this, we can rest and be at peace.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Daniel 1:8

Verse of the Day Devotion.  Daniel 1:8

“But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.” – Daniel 1:8   

There are going to be times that we are commanded to do something wrong, that does not please the Lord. This is what we see in the Book of Daniel. At this time, Babylon had grown in power to a level that no other kingdom could overtake them, however, they could take over anyone they wanted. Thus, in the third year of Jehoiakim as king of Judah, Babylon besieged Jerusalem and appointed a king to be put in Jehoiakim’s place.  We read in verse two this takeover was a work of God. “And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his god.” Daniel 1:2.  And then in the next verse, we see that King Nebuchadnezzar ordered young men from Israel to be brought to Babylon. “Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, youths in whom was no defect, who were good-looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding, and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the king’s court; and he ordered him to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.” Daniel 1:3-4. And among these were four young men from Judah; Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah whose names were changed to, in the same order, Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

Then we read in verse five that they were to be trained and given a daily ration of food. “And the king appointed for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be educated three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king’s personal service.” Daniel 1:5.  However, the food they were assigned would defile them; be a sin for them to eat. The we see in our focus verse, “But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.” Daniel 1:8. Now Daniel had made the decision he was not going to defile himself with this, but he did not demand anything else, but simply asked permission from the commander of the officials not to require him to eat food that was defiling to him but to give him food acceptable to him and his God. This could cause Daniel problems, but he was trusting God to protect him.

Notice what happened. “Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials, and the commander of the officials said to Daniel, I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king.” Daniel 1:10-11. It appears here that the commander was OK with what Daniel requested, but he feared what the king would do to him if he started looking like a starving, malnourished man. Daniel then asked “Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be observed in your presence, and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.” Daniel 1:12-13.  

What was the result of this test? “And at the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food. So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink and kept giving them vegetables.” Daniel 1:15-16. And the king liked what he saw. “And the king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s personal service. And as for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers who were in all his realm.” Daniel 1:19-20.

We see in these verses Daniel’s faith in God and how he trusted Him to stay true to what was right, even when it could have cost him his life. And I believe God worked through the overseer and the commander of the officials to allow them to turn aside from the food that went against what God had told Israel not to eat. We see this same faith exhibited by Peter and the Apostles when they were in front of the Jewish leadership when they said, “We must obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29b. And this should be our response when we are ordered to do something that God has declared as unacceptable or is outright sin. Let us trust God in all things and declare as Peter did, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

 

2 Peter 2:1

Verse of the Day Devotion.  2 Peter 2:1

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.” – 2 Peter 2:1 

At the end of 2 Peter 1, Peter ends with the following. “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 2 Peter 1:20-21. This describes the difference between true and false prophesies, and ultimately true and false prophets. True prophesies come from God alone, but false prophesies come from the thoughts and hearts of men.

Therefore, he begins this chapter by warning his readers that just as there were false prophets spoken of in the Old Testament, there were also false prophets in their current time. He tells them ‘who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.” Peter is pointing out that they are ‘secretly’ bringing these false teachings in. And this is sad when we see what was happening within the Church. But they would ask, ‘What is all this fuss about? We have not departed from the truth, we are as sound in the faith as any of you are,’ when they know, the traitors that they are, they are undermining the foundations of the faith, trying to take away the very cornerstone of the Church, Jesus Christ. These false teachers will strive to deceive everyone they can to build up their own reputations, going as far as denying the Son of God.

And because of this, “And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” 2 Peter 2:2-3. Errors, particularly those which give free reign to the flesh, are very contagious. But God, throughout history, did not allow false teachings to prevail. “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned   the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day with their lawless deeds, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment.” 2 Peter 2:4-9. Those who taught these false teachings and did not repent of them and begin teaching the truth will be punished for their false doctrines.

And we see false teaching today all over the place. One major false teaching is called ‘antinomianism’, the idea that Christians are released by grace from the obligation of observing the moral law, thus allowing them to continue in sin with no consequences. However, Paul said, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” Romans 6:1-2.   Another is the Word Faith movement, that states if you have enough faith, you can ask for anything you want and it will be given to us. However James countered this with “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” James 4:3. There are many others, but these are two major ones I used as examples.

We must spend time reading the scriptures to understand what it is saying, and not what others say or what we want it to say. Paul, writing to his disciple Timothy wrote, ”Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. And one way we can do this is to be as the Bereans whom Paul preached to. “And the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea; and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.” Acts 17:10-11. We must become knowledgeable about what the scriptures say. And if we question what anyone says, we must be ready to, like the Bereans, check what the scriptures really say and obey only that. We must be careful, for there is a lot being taught in churches and elsewhere which are not biblical and could be sinful. Knowing His Word is the only way to protect ourselves and others from errors that could seriously affect our spiritual growth, and ultimately our eternity.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

2 Peter 1:15

Verse of the Day Devotion.  2 Peter 1:15

“And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind.” – 2 Peter 1:15 

Our focus verse shows us the concern Peter had for those whom he had taught the truth. Looking back a couple of verses, we see he did all he could to help them remember. “Therefore, I shall always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. And I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind.” 2 Peter 1:12-15. He wanted his followers to stay true to God’s Word, and so he ‘stirs them up’. This phrase has the idea of stirring up this knowledge in their minds. You do not want to stir up dirty water, but you may stir that which is pure and sweet as much as ever you like. And a good fire sometimes becomes a better one by a little stirring up. He knows his death is eminent and the Lord had told Peter how he was to die, which would be by crucifixion. “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself, and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go. Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, Follow Me!” John 21:18-19.  Therefore, he wanted his followers to remain diligent in thinking about what he taught them, so as not to forget.

He then tells them that what he presented to them was absolute truth. “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16. In his teaching he had nothing to retract;  Peter held fast to what he had previously preached because he knew that it was the very truth of God. He was with Jesus along with James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration when he heard a voice from heaven. “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” Matthew 17:5.

Then Peter tells them that they have a prophetic word from God. “And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19. Peter and the other disciples saw the great works of Christ, and this was the first testimony. The second is the prophecies of the Old Testament. The testimony of the prophets is declared to be more sure than that of the Apostles concerning the voice of the Father in heaven and the transfiguration of Christ; for the Jews held high the prophecies of their fathers.

And the reason that prophecies were important is seen in the last two verses. “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 2 Peter 1:20-21. We can trust the prophets because their words were not derived from men, but from God spoken to men.

It is absolutely essential that we do the same for the people we minister to and with just as Peter did for those he ministered to. We need to encourage all our brothers and sisters in Christ to be diligent regarding their faith in Christ, encouraging themselves to always remind them themselves of what they know. Help them to stir up the truth so that they will always be ready for anything that may come to distract them from the truth. This is so important, for the enemy wants to take us in another direction, therefore it is necessary to help them stay focused in the truth. And also be willing for others to stir us up, to encourage us to remind ourselves what the truth actually is. This is one way we can be there for each other, supporting one another in the faith. We all have times of trials. So let us be there for each other and help one another be firm in our Christian walk. We all need it at times. Let’s be there when anyone needs us.  

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

2 Peter 1:3

Verse of the Day Devotion.  2 Peter 1:3

“Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” – 2 Peter 1:3

This is powerful verse. What Peter is saying is that we, every Christian, has been given the ability through God’s divine power of life and godliness. It is through knowing God that we realize His divine power has given us all things necessary for true life and godliness, for all these things are in Him; and as we know Him, trust Him, love Him, and become like Him, we also come to possess all these precious things in and through Him. As an example I read recently. Suppose we see a dead body in front of a man. It would be absolutely wrong if he were to boast that it was in his power to restore this man back to life! However, it would be even a greater pretense if anyone should say that he could give to himself or to another the divine life, the spiritual life by which a man is made a Christian. We, in and of ourselves do not have the power to raise anyone from the dead. It is the power of God through and within us that we would be able to raise this person. And it is in the same way that Christians are granted, by God, everything pertaining to life and godliness. As it says in our focus verse, ‘through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”

Then we read, “For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” 2 Peter 1:4. The words ‘Great’ and ‘precious’ are two words that are not often used together. Many things are great that are not precious, such as great rocks, which are of little value. On the other hand, many things are precious that are not great, such as diamonds and other jewels, which cannot be very great if they are very precious. But here we have promises that are so great that they are not less than infinite, and so precious that they are not less than divine. They do indeed exceed all things which they can be compared to. No one has ever promised as God has. Kings have promised even to half their kingdoms; but how does that come close to God’s promise to give His own Son, and even His own self, to His people, Which He has done. Princes draw a line somewhere, but the Lord sets no bounds to the gifts He has promised to His people.

Then in the next three verses, we see the path of growth in our faith. “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7. With all diligence, we are to show through our lives, moral excellence. The phrase ‘for this very reason’ links verses 3-4 to 5-7. Peter exhorted his readers to a godly life because Christ has given them everything they need for a godly life, and they possess magnificent promises of future perfection. It would be a serious mistake, therefore, to dismiss the call to virtue as legalism or moralism. The exhortation to holiness is grounded in God’s work of salvation as it has been accomplished in Jesus Christ. As is typical in the New Testament, grace precedes demand. The priority of grace, however, does not cancel out strenuous moral effort. Believers are to make every effort in carrying out Peter’s commands. A godly character does not emerge from passivity. As Luther says, “They should prove their faith by their good works.”

Then this is followed by, “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.” 2 Peter 1:8-9. These holy things must not only be in us, but abound in us, or we shall be barren. Fruit is the overflow of life, and we must be full before we can overflow. There are many men who have lots of opportunities but never succeeded in doing true good in the conversion of souls. Unfortunately they lacked certain graces that are absolutely essential to fruit-bearing. For real useful graces are better than gifts. As the man is, so is his work. If we would do better, we must be better. Remember, we are a light in this world.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Jude 17

Verse of the Day Devotion.  Jude 17

“But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,” – Jude 17

Jude finishes up his letter by reminding his readers of the warning given by Jesus’ apostles regarding the time of the end. “But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, In the last time there shall be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts. These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.” Jude 17-19. Jude gives an ugly picture of what will happen in the last days. He describes people who renounce their religious/Christian beliefs or principles, and he describes them in the darkest sense, informing them there will come in the last time mockers, and with them separatists and sensualists, all of whom will assail the church of the living God. And we see in verse nineteen they will be the ones who bring division into the ‘true’ Church, who they leave behind because they believe they have a superior wisdom regarding how the Church should be. These are not spiritually, but worldly minded, devoid of the Holy Spirit.

But instead, we should live as Christ wants us to live. “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.” Jude 20-21. It is important that we build ourselves up in the truths of the faith as a whole. The primary reference in most holy faith is the opposite to those unholy scoffers and deceivers. Jude thus addresses the saints just because it is a faith of the sanctified in the Holy One, in whom they are and become holy. We are to spend time in prayer, building up our faith and the knowledge of the truth. By building up ourselves in the most holy faith, and praying in the Holy Spirit, we will do much to keep ourselves in the love of God, and thus waiting with great desire for the eternal life that is in our future.

Then Jude finishes up this thought with the following. “And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” Jude 22-23. Some professing Christians are not living consistently with their profession, in whom you can see signs of some sin. Yet there may traces of repentance, which is a  reason to hope that they will forsake the evil when they see it to be evil. These we should have mercy and compassion on. We must understand that those who are in error are not all equally guilty. Some are true deceivers and their intent is to fool us, while others have been duped into believing the sin they are doing is OK. We must restore all we can, but their error must be severely dealt with so that they understand their error. They must know their wrong activity is absolutely wrong and must repent of and completely stop doing it. As Charles Spurgeon puts it, “charity to error is cruelty to souls.”

Peter wrote the following regarding who God desires to be saved. “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. God does not want any to perish, therefore we should do all we can to help those in sin, professing or pretending Christians. If they refuse to listen, then there is nothing we can do. But we must tell everyone where they are in error and that God requires us to stop all activities not pleasing to Him. I fell into error early in my Christian walk and I was absolutely grateful that someone loved me enough to take the time to correct me. This is our calling per Jude’s words in his letter. Let us all look to make a difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ where, in love, we help them to understand where they are wrong and guide them to the truth of God’s word.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Jude 4

Verse of the Day Devotion.  Jude 4

“For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” – Jude 4

This particular verse is critical because we are seeing a rise in false teachings in our churches and ministries today. And because Jude wrote this, it is something we need to give some credence to. Jude was a half-brother of Jesus and brother of James, leader of the first Jerusalem church. This Jude was the son of Mary and Joseph and would have been raised as a brother to Jesus Christ. And while Jesus was teaching in the Synagogue in His hometown, those listening to Him said, “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him.” Mark 6:3. In fact, His brothers did not believe He was who He declared Himself to be. “His brothers therefore said to Him, Depart from here, and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may behold Your works which You are doing. For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world. For not even His brothers were believing in Him.” John 7:3-5.

However, Jude eventually believed and became a strong teacher regarding Christ. “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 3. And the areas he taught passionately about were those who proclaimed a false gospel of Jesus.  In our focus verse we read, “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jude 4. The basic idea of the Greek word for licentiousness is understood in what Mark declared in his gospel, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.” Mark 7:21-22. They did not boldly avow their heresy when they came in for they would not have been allowed to enter if they had. But they sneaked in. They climbed into the Church, professing to be preachers of the gospel when they knew all the while they intended to undermine it. Those who act this way are basest of all men. We can see here the faith Jude had developed regarding his half brother for he understood what Jesus taught and what He did not.

He then gives three examples of what he insinuates these false preachers were doing. “Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day. Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example, in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.” Jude 5-7. Each one of these examples are regarding not believing what is true.

  1. Having delivered them out of Egypt, the Israelites who did not believe died in the wilderness and were not allowed to enter the promised land.
  2. Angels who chose to give up their allegiance to God were cast out of Heaven because they did not believe God was truly God.
  3. The people of Sodom and Gomorrah who would indulge in gross immorality were destroyed.

What Jude means to say is that these false teachers and their followers were as unbelieving and disobedient as the Israelites in the wilderness, as rebellious against the authority of God as the fallen angels, and as impure and unholy as the Sodomites; and that consequently they must expect similar punishment. And because of this, they like Cain corrupt the beliefs of God by way of their false doctrines, and as Balaam whereby they corrupt the Word of God and change it’s meaning for their own gain.

These are harsh examples, but this shows just how God sees false Christian doctrine, and the ones who present it. We must study His word so that when we hear false doctrine we will know it is false and not accept it. And if there is a person who continually teaches falsely we will know it and reject what they are saying. We must study His word so that we will teach it correctly while rejecting what is wrong. Jude made it clear how God views false teachers and the teachings they give. We are to go out and spread the truth. Just be careful that what are spreading is the truth.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

1 Peter 4:1

Verse of the Day Devotion.  1 Peter 4:1

“Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,” – 1 Peter 4:1

The ‘therefore’ at the beginning of this verse refers back to the end of chapter eight, which is summed up here, “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;” 1 Peter 3:18. What our focus verse is alluding to is that since Christ suffered in the flesh for our sins, the readers are now to apply that insight to strengthen their own resolve to maintain the kind of behavior that is pleasing to God, whatever negative reaction may be ignited in their nonbelieving contemporaries. He paid the penalty we could not pay for the sins we committed. It took a sinless, perfect man to pay the penalty for sins. This could not be us, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23. But Jesus was perfect and did not deserve what happened, but He did it for us.

Therefore, all of us who are believers should regard ourselves as having been put to death on account of our sin, as though having paid the penalty which Jesus did for us as a substitute. And now, as someone who has been executed is clear of all guilt, so are we. As someone who has been executed should not return to his old life, should he live again, neither should we.

Due to Christ’s sacrifice we have died to sin. “Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:11. And now that we live, we live in newness of life, and we live unto God. We have died to sin and passed into a new state and condition by virtue of our union with Jesus Christ our Lord. But while this is true, there is something we need to experience within our own spirits; hence the apostle says, “since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,” As He has died to sin, we are to die to sin also. This takes place, the beginning of it, at the time of conversion. The person who formerly loved sin should begin to hate it and no longer live in sin; “so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.” 1 Peter 4:2-3.

Now, unfortunately we are probably not going to live a perfect life. But still, as far as our heart is concerned, we are done with sin and desire it no more. There is no sin we should willingly do; none that we should wish to hold on to, for any sin we choose to keep and continue in will, if not done away with, cause us to fall away for we will desire it more than a relationship with Christ. Therefore, sweep them all out and live the life He has called us to.

When we give our lives to Christ and accept the loving work He did on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, we must look at our former life as gone, no longer a part of who we are. We must always look forward, knowing that we have an amazing eternal future to look forward to, if we do not look away and go back to that old life. Spend time in prayer, reading and studying His word, and giving Him the praise and adoration He deserves from us. Give yourself totally to Him. There is no better way to live,

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

1 Peter 3:15

Verse of the Day Devotion.  1 Peter 3:15

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” – 1 Peter 3:15 

In Romans, Paul says the following that gives me, and I am sure many others, comfort during difficult times. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28. We must always understand this whenever tough times come. We may not see what is happening as good, but we can be assured that during times of difficulty, the ultimate end will be good, for He is always watching over the righteous. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12. So, I ask the following question. If the above statements are true, how can anything work for our detriment if we are truly the Lord’s?  Can anyone bring about ultimate harm to us whom God loves and blesses? Peter puts it this way. “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?” 1 Peter 3:13.

Then we read in the next verse, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed.” 1 Peter 3:14a. There may be times when we could suffer by the hands of wicked men. The world hates the message of Christ, and ultimately those who profess it. God may have a purpose in allowing it. But at the end of this verse, he states “you will be blessed.” Matthew writes the words of Christ where he wrote, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10. We do not always understand why God permits us to suffer, but He would not allow it except for a specific reason. Someone may be turned from unbelief to salvation by seeing what we endure. Or maybe it is for our good. God knows. But we must understand there is a reason for everything we face and must trust God that this is for our good and/or the good of another. The question here is, do we trust Him in all things? And then looking at the last part of this verse, “Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,” 1 Peter 3:14b. We are not to fear what man can do to us for we belong to God. “So we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6.

Now we come to our focus verse. “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” 1 Peter 3:15-16. If we are convinced from the depth of our soul that the promised help of God is all-sufficient, we shall be most effectually armed against all fear. And through this, we must always be ready not only to profess our faith but be ready to defend what we believe. As Christians, we must become not just readers, but students of the Bible who not only believe the truth but have good reasons for believing it. We must become ones who can meet error with the argument, ‘It is written,’ and maintain the truth in all situations, using weapons taken from, as Charles Spurgeon puts it ‘the armory of God’s inspired Book’.

The idea here is that we do not just read the scriptures, but we study them, do whatever is necessary to understand what is being said. There are many in this world who question the reality of what we believe and need us to explain it to them in a fashion they can accept. We are called by Christ to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20. We can only do this if we truly understand what the scriptures are saying and can present it to anyone who asks us ‘why’ regarding our beliefs.  

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

1 Peter 3:8

Verse of the Day Devotion.  1 Peter 3:8

“To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit.” –  1 Peter 3:8

This verse gives us serious instructions on how we are to treat others, not just our brothers and sisters in Christ, but all people everywhere. Let’s look at the following characteristics that should be consistent in our lives as Christians. First we have harmonious. This has the meaning of being in unity with our brothers and sisters. We should not, in any way, quarrel over things that are meaningless which will cause dissension within the Church. We are to be united as one, with the purpose of glorifying God and not arguing over useless ideas. To live in harmony does not mean to have the same opinion on every subject. God is not advocating a meaningless uniformity for his church. Rather, harmony has to do with oneness of attitude. Harmony is created when the various parts of an organization are properly related to one another in the pursuit of a common goal. Unity is the necessary result of all members of the church living in obedience with the one Spirit who indwells all believers, in contrast to pride.

Next we are to have compassion for others, willing to help bear each other’s burdens. We are to be willing to suffer with another in order to help them through their difficulties. And with this, we are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to have compassion and be tender hearted with them, as well as those who are not yet Christians. And finally, we are to be humble in spirit. This does not just refer to our ideas but also to attitudes, our general mental outlook. Proverbs says the following, “A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.” Proverbs 29:23. Too many times, we find ourselves not loving a brother or sister because they differ with us or will not do what we want them to do.

Then Peter moves on to say we must never repay evil with our own evil. “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep 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.” 1 Peter 3:9-11. To do so is to act like the world; it is certainly not the way of Christians. Good for evil is Godlike. It is what God did for us undeserving people. You, who are the children of God, should seek to act as He does: not repaying evil for evil. And this should be practiced to unbelievers also, so that the light of Christ can be reflected by us to a dark world. And this is the only way we can be at peace with all men. “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;” Hebrews 12:14-15. It is essential that we show the love of God, through our exhibition of His love, to a world who desperately needs to see it. This is to the lost, as well as Christians who have not experienced life as Christ desired for us. Too many people have seen too much evil done against them, and it is our job to show them what Christianity is truly about: the acceptance of everyone who have given themselves completely to Christ, and those who have not as of yet with the light of Christ shining upon them.

In closing, Peter ends this idea by showing those who follow the above have God’s favor upon them. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12. There is not a righteous man on earth whom God does not see. They may not be seen by others here, they may be in poverty, they may not be famous. But so long as they are righteous, God delights to look upon them. He looks upon them to take care of them. Therefore, let us live our lives with the righteousness of Christ as much as possible, and be willing to humble ourselves before God, confessing our sins when we falter.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.