Exodus 20:7

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Exodus 20:7

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” – Exodus 20:7  

Our focus verse this week speaks of the third commandment. This is a verse that many do not understand in the fullness meant.  Many believe this means using the Lord’s name as a swear word, and this is included in the meaning.  However, there is much more that is intended by this phrase.  First, let us look at the Lord’s names based on what scripture says.  His name plays an essential role in the scriptures. 

Let us look at several verses that show His glory is exhibited through His name.  “O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!” Psalm 8:1.  And this one, “He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name.”   Psalm 111:9. In both of these verses, God’s name is exalted.  It is holy and awesome because of who He is.  His name is who He is; exalted, holy and awesome.  However, many times it is used in a less than a positive manner, and unfortunately, this shows how those who speak this way see Him.

In the Lord’s prayer, we are taught the manner we are to  address God.  “Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9b-10.  His name and majesty should be one of the foremost thoughts in our prayers.  But as I read recently, too often we barge into God’s presence with presumptuous ‘to-do lists’ for Him, without being mindful of His holiness, awesomeness and the vast chasm that separates our nature from His.  We must be careful when we go to Him in prayer that we remember who He is and our love for Him. 

Another way we take His name in vain is via hypocrisy.  By hypocrisy is meant making profession of God’s name, but not living up to that profession. If we call ourselves followers of God, then we should live as such.  This include making promises to God and not keeping them.  Also, when we make rash swearing in vows such as  “I swear to God I will do it.”  The scripture are clear about this.  “But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.” Matthew 5:37.  The idea is that we should not make a vow anytime, except when required in civic matters.  For if we do not follow through, then we break our vow.  This leads to using the name of God lightly and carelessly.  Examples of this are “Oh my God” or the name Jesus Christ in a form not referring to Him. 

There is so much that can be said here.  However, what is important is that we understand any reference to the name of God in a way that does not refer to His greatness, holiness, exaltedness should never be done.  He is the almighty  God who has no beginning or end, created everything that is and loved us so much that He provided forgiveness of all our sins through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son Jesus.  Knowing this, we should see Him for who He is, the Almighty One, and at no time should we use His name in any way that does not bring Him glory, honor, and praise. And if we do we will suffer the consequences of this act however God chooses.  “for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7b.  As Paul wrote “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8.  And as we think in this way so we should speak this way as well.

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

Exodus 20:4

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Exodus 20:4

“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.” – Exodus 20:4

In the first commandment, God declared He was the true God, and everything else was not.  He commanded that He alone should be worshipped and here He makes clear what is unlawful worship.  In the next two verses He states, “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”  Exodus 20:5-6. 

In these three verses God shows that He is the one to be worshipped and non-other. We are not to make for ourselves idols.  We are not to make anything from any material into any image for the purpose of worship.  Under the leadership of Moses himself, figures of cherubim, brazen serpents, oxen, and many other things in the earth beneath, were made and never condemned.   What was condemned was making anything for the purpose of worshipping it.  And you see from our focus verse there is no exception for any image.  He states that we are not to make any likeness of things in the heavens, or on the earth, or in the seas.  This includes everything.  The things in heaven include but not limited to stars, planets, the sun and moon.  This can also include angels since they are in the heavens. In regard to the things of the earth again include but not limited to oxen, sheep, goats, dogs, cats, calves, etc.  Many animals were made idols/false gods in Egypt.  And of the water fish and crocodiles which were also gods of Egypt, along with anything else in the waters. 

They were told not to bow down to anything that they make and thus make it an idol.  They were not to serve them in a capacity or perform any religious activities to them.  For if they did, they were dishonoring the true God.   And He tells them He is a jealous God.  This shows in a most expressive manner the love of God to this people. He felt for them as the most affectionate husband could do for his spouse; and was jealous for their fidelity, because he willed their invariable happiness.  And if they did create an idol, their sons and remote descendants inherit the consequences of their fathers’ sin in disease, poverty, captivity, with all the influences of bad example and evil communications.  We see this idea from the writer of Lamentations where he said, “Our fathers sinned, and are no more; It is we who have borne their iniquities.” 

Now to those who love God and keep His commandments not because works provided anything, but because of their love for Him, He shows mercy and kindness.  He performs acts of grace and helps them by showing mercy to them.   And those who love Him will worship Him alone, and not creating anything else to worship instead of Him.  Remember the words of Jesus where He says, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”. 

And we are called to do the same.  We are not to make anything that we will worship aside from the true God.  There are many religions today who create images of things to worship aside from God.  And we must be careful that we do not fall into this practice.  What can anything we create do to deliver us from our troubles, provide for our needs, or love us beyond what our God does?  We are called to worship the true God only, the one who created all things, including ourselves.  Can these idols do this?  If we choose to create an idol to worship, what we are saying to God is  we do not love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.  (See Mark 22:30).  And if we do not, then do we really love Him?

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

Exodus 20:3

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Exodus 20:3

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” – Exodus 20:3

For the next ten weekdays, including today, we will be looking at the Ten commandments.  These were given to Moses by God on Mt. Sinai.  God is saying more in these than just stating rules, and we shall look at them from this perspective.  Our focus verse today is the first one, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:3.  What God is essentially saying is because of what is stated in verse two, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”  Exodus 20:2.  He asserts He is the one we must look at as the only God, not just one of several or many gods. We must love Him and have supreme affection, worship, trust, self-surrender, aspiration, towards Him alone.  And the reason was that He was the one that delivered them from the cruelty of Egypt, where they had been afflicted for many years.  They suffered under great distress where they worked extremely hard in the bonds of slavery. 

Now, note the last two words in the focus verse: before Me.  This presents the idea of continuing to see Him as God, but in a secondary position where another so-called god would be looked at as greater.  He should be seen as the only God, for none other had or could have done anything for them as He had, delivering them from their captivity in Egypt which they could not do for themselves.  And He did it through a series of miracles that proved His preeminence over the Egyptians, their gods and any other people.  These miracles include but not limited to the pillars that led them out of captivity, the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.  The destruction of the armies of Egypt that came after them, and ultimately the parting of the Red Sea which brought them to safety through the water on dry land.

And He must be seen as “The Lord God” and not “A Lord God”.  He is not one of several, but He is one, the only true God.  Thus, He was the only one they should go to, and not place something else as god to seek something from it.  This was a common practice with the gentile races who practiced polytheism by having many gods for different times and purposes.  And in their many years in Egypt, some of them may have picked up on this practice, for the ancient Egyptians had over 2,000 deities in their pantheon.  So this may have been a call to forget all these false gods and see Him as the only true God who was Lord. 

Today, just as in Moses’ day, we have countless gods that are followed in our world.  We are called not to get involved in these other religions but to stay true to God and His Son, Jesus the Christ.  However, we do not have to embrace another religion in order to have another god.  If we hold anything as so important that we place it above the true God, then we are falling into this error.  It may be a practice we know is sinful, however we choose not to give it up even knowing it displeases God.  It may be something you own that you cannot give up even if God asked you too.  In either case, these things or practices are put before our devotion to God. 

I challenge everyone to examine their lives and see if there is anything that you place ahead of your devotion to our Lord God.  If so, make the decision to truly ask forgiveness and see God as infinitely greater than that thing or activity and place Him in front of them, and be willing to give them up if God tells you to.  He is the God who sacrificed His Son Jesus in order to pay the penalty we incurred because of our sin and has provided the way to eternal life with Himself.  Is there anything more important than that?   

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

Philippians 1:6

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Philippians 1:6

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6

Paul is with Timothy when he writes this letter to the Church of Philippi.  He starts by telling them how thankful he is for them.  “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:3-5.  He tells them that every time they come to his mind, he gives thanks to God for them.  That he prays for them when he does, with much joy and happiness for the help he has received in spreading the gospel to those in Philippi.

Then we come to our focus verse.  “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6.  When he says he is confident, this is  strong language meaning to be fully and firmly persuaded or convinced.  It means here that Paul is entirely convinced of the truth of what he said. It is the language of a man who had no doubt on the subject referred to.  In essence, Paul is telling them that God will continue to work in them in this work until the end comes and Jesus Christ returns and makes all things right.  This day is often referred to as “The Day of the Lord” or “His Day” because it will be the day of his triumph and glory. It refers here to the day when the Lord Jesus will appear to receive his people to himself – the day of judgment.  And this is a day Paul and probably the Church in Philippi were looking forward to. 

Now, there are two ways to look at this.  One way is that the work God in started within the Church of Philippi He was doing an amazing work through them to help Paul and the body of Christ.  It was their role to edify the body and help them grow and become a strong force in the area in which they had oversight. And I believe this is valid and true, for they provided much material assistance to Paul and those who were with him.   However, I believe there is another view which I believe is more relevant and still strengthens the Church there in Philippi.  And that is that Paul is speaking of the individual Christians in the Church. 

The wording Paul uses in this verse makes it clear that it is the individual Christians that he is referring to.  Note the wording “in you” rather than “through you”.  This places the emphasis on what God is doing in them or among them, and not what He is doing through them.  The work referred to speaks of their growth in Christ.  Therefore, this term refers to their salvation in Christ, and in this case another way of speaking about their participation in the gospel, not so much about their sharing it but in experiencing it and living it out.  Therefore, Paul is thankful for how God is strengthening them and helping them grow in the Spirit. 

And Paul is confident that because of how God has started this good work in them, He will continue it until Christ returns.  And this refers to the present as well.  In all of us who have believed and become disciples of Christ, He will continue this good work He has started in us.  We are called to give ourselves to Christ in totality.  When we do this, then God will do His work in helping us grow in our faith in Him.  But He can do this only if we are serious in allowing Him to do this work in us.  He will not abandon us, on the contrary, He is always with us.  He will never leave us, but we must be careful we do not walk away or allow our faith to grow cold.  “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU, so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?” Hebrews 13:5-6.

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

2 Corinthians 6:14

Verse of the Day Devotion:  2 Corinthians 6:14

“Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” – 2 Corinthians 6:14

Paul here is telling the Church in Corinth they need to ensure they do not become bound to unbelievers.  This term, “bound together” is a military term which has the idea of keeping in your own ranks.  In other words, do not leave the Christian community to join in that of the heathens.  The verb ‘together’ signifies to leave one’s own rank, place, or order, and go into another; and here it must signify not only that they should not associate with the Gentiles in their idolatrous feasts, but that they should not apostatize from Christianity. 

This thought is found in the Old Testament.  In Leviticus we read, “You are to keep My statutes. You shall not breed together two kinds of your cattle; you shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor wear a garment upon you of two kinds of material mixed together.” Leviticus 19:19.  And in Deuteronomy we read,  “You shall not sow your vineyard with two kinds of seed, or all the produce of the seed which you have sown and the increase of the vineyard will become defiled. You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together. You shall not wear a material mixed of wool and linen together.” Deuteronomy 22:9-11.  The idea here is that there should be no mixing of different animals, seeds or fabrics, that it is important that purity is maintained.  We see in our focus verse that the purity suggested is true Christians with non-Christians involving activities and lifestyles of the non-believer.  Now, it is important that we understand what is meant by unbeliever.  It is not someone who is a Christian that struggles with belief in certain areas.  In this event, we need to teach him and help him understand that they may grow as a Christian.  In our focus verse, unbelievers are non-Christians and this makes things clearer. 

Now, Paul is not saying we are to ban social interactions with unbelievers.  For how can we be a light in the darkness if we choose not to let unbelievers see our light.  What he is saying is that we must not  participate with them in activities that are sinful.  We should not worship false gods if they do or speak evil of Christ if they do.  However, we can interact with them in such a way that the light of Christ shines forth from us and the unbeliever sees it.  In this, we are showing them what our life is all about and it may open a door to present the gospel message to them.

In the last part of our focus verse he asks two important questions. “for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?”  2 Corinthians 6:14b.  The answer to both of these rhetorical questions is ‘none’.  In the next verse he asks, “Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?” 2 Corinthians 6:15.  Again, the answer to both are none.  But again, this does not negate any opportunity to share the gospel.  They are referring to the different beliefs and practices which do not mix or there is no unity between.  But that does not say that we should never associate with them for they need to hear the truth.

Paul in his letter to the church at Rome says, “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED. How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” Romans 10:12-15.  It is important that we preach the gospel to those who do not know Him, for how can they know if no one tells them.  Therefore, Paul is not saying we should ostracize them, but we are not to engage in their sinful practices.  We can fellowship with them without sharing in their sinful activities.  They need to hear the truth and we are the ones called to tell them. “And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”  Mark 16:15

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

2 Timothy 4:3-4

Verse of the Day Devotion:  2 Timothy 4:3-4

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Paul is writing here to Timothy at the end of his letter charging him in the presence of God and of Jesus Christ to be diligent in discipling those under his care.  This is very important to him because he was then imprisoned in Rome for a second time and shortly before his death.  Paul had worked extremely hard in teaching the truth to the church and He wanted this to continue after his death.  And Paul did not just suggest this or tell him, he charged him.  “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2.  Note all that Timothy was being called to do.  To preach the word in season and out of season.  In other words. be urgent whether the times are prosperous or not, whenever there is an opportunity and when there is none, strive to make one. The Judge is at the door and to every man eternity is at hand!  Wherever  you meet one in  sin speak to him the word of reconciliation. Do not be content with stated times and accustomed places for all times and places belong to God and are proper for his work.  Wherever it can be done, there it should be done. Satan will omit neither time nor place where he can destroy. Omit nothing where you may be the instrument of salvation to someone.

And why is this important?  Paul states his reason in our focus verses.  “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”  2 Timothy 4:3-4.  He is to press home the truth of the word of God on every occasion whether it is convenient of not for the urgency of the message overrides any other circumstance whether or not the situation is favorable or not.  Because there is a time coming to the Church when people will not hear the practical truth of the gospel when they prefer something else.  They will interpret the word in a way that agrees with their lusts and will go out and find teachers that agrees with them.  And he encourages Timothy to stand firm to the truth.  “But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5. 

Unfortunately, we live in a day where this has become true.  Many still stand firm in believing the truth, however, there are many who look for a church that teaches things that are absolutely sinful and encourages the people to follow these teachings.  There are various places that are called churches that teach homosexuality is ok to the point that many of their leadership practice this lifestyle, even though the scriptures condemn it.  Now, to make this clear, we are to reach out to the homosexual to help them see the truth that the activity is sin, but we must never allow this to be in the church.  One other issue that can be brought up is abortion, which many church goers declare to be acceptable.  However, murder is never acceptable, no matter who it is.

We as leaders in the church must preach what the scriptures say and not what it does not say  We must understand what God says is sin and teach it as such and not accept it simply because our society says so.  And there are preachers out there that will teach what is socially acceptable in order to be accepted themselves.  Whatever God has declared as sin is sin and must be preached accordingly, and what He has declared as righteous must be preached accordingly.  To do anything else is to lead people away from the truth and cause many to be condemned at Jesus’s coming if they do not hear and follow God’s word as stated.  We should desire that all be saved and none condemned.  Therefore, as Paul said to Timothy he says to us.  “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2.  Let us shower the world with God’s truth everywhere we go and do all we can to help everyone understand and follow it.  If that requires reproof, then reprove them.  If correction, then rebuke. If exhortation, then encourage them in the truth.  Our goal is to lead as many as we can to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Let all we do accomplish that goal and not lead them astray simply because they want to hear a different word.

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

Revelation 2:4

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Revelation 2:4 

“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” – Revelation 2:4

In Revelation chapters two and three we see letters to seven churches in Asia, those being Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.  The apostle John is writing to these seven churches regarding their current situation. Our focus verse refers to the Church of Ephesus.  He starts by describing their positive attributes.  “I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake and have not grown weary.”  Revelation 2:2-3.  He knows the works they do and how they toil long and hard.  The idea here is excessive labor where they work incredibly hard to do the work they are called to do.  They also do not tolerate evil people who attempt to cause trouble within the church and when anyone claims to be an apostle, they test them to see if they are truly apostles. 

He speaks highly of them in regards to their works,  However, there is one thing that he has an issue with which is laid out in our focus verse, “‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Revelation 2:4.  Now, this statement can be looked at in several ways, and in my studies I see two that stand out.  One is their love for the Savior/God and the other is their love for each other.  I believe he is speaking of both.  They had lessoned the love they had at first for God and His people.. It was less glowing and ardent then when they started.  They were not as passionate and enthusiastic as they had been before and thus was seen in how they conducted themselves. 

When Jesus was asked which commandment was the most important, he said this.  “Jesus answered, The most important is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31.  To Him, love is the most important attribute to show.  And this love is to be exhibited to all, God and our fellow man.  But to the Ephesians, it was the work they did that was most important.

I have met many who work very hard in service to the church and they endure much pain and suffering in the process.  However, they do not love God as they used to and neither their fellow man.  Too many times I have seen very knowledgeable Christians who are very learned in the scriptures and Christian concepts; however this is their major focus.  They spend more time on learning and showing everybody what they know, and not enough time in the concepts of love.  And this is what John was showing the Ephesians. 

Let everyone of us examine ourselves deeply and see if we have fallen into this error.  There is nothing wrong with doing good works.  We are called not to give credence to evil deeds.  However, if we do these things while our love decreases for God and His people, we need to look at what has gone wrong and make some adjustments in our lives.  If we truly love God and our neighbor as ourselves, then good deeds will follow.  However, if we do things because we have to and not because we get to, then love begins to lessen.  Focus on love first, and all the other things will happen naturally.

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

Luke 14:27

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Luke 14:27  

“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” – Luke 14:27

This is a very difficult verse, and being tied to the verse prior to it, even more so. Jesus here is walking and a large crowd was following Him.  After a time He turns to them and says. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26.  This seems rather harsh, but when we look into it, we see what He means by this.  This same account is recorded by Matthew but the wording is slightly different.  “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:37.  

‘Hate’ as meant in verse 26 should not be understood in terms of emotion or malice, but rather in its Hebraic sense, signifying the thing rejected in a choice between two important claims. He was not saying that if we want to be a disciple, we must abhor our family.  What He was saying is that we are to reject the family if we must make a choice between the two.  So, what He is essentially saying is  if given a choice between Jesus and our family or our very life, and if we choose our family or our life over Him we are rejecting Him and we cannot be His disciple.  Nothing or no one can take precedence over our relationship with Christ.  For if it does, then we are not worthy to be His disciple for it was absolutely necessary they should prefer his service to everything in the world, and by their conduct show they hated father, and mother, and wife, and children, that is to say, loved the dearest objects of their affections less than him.   

Now, to our focus verse.  “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:17.  The meaning of this here is that if we are not willing to suffer for His cause, then we cannot be His disciple.  We must be willing to suffer all reproach, affliction, persecution and even death itself, cheerfully and patiently.  This does not mean that we are to be happy about it, but rather that we will not choose any other course if that means we deny our relation with Him, for this would show we see comfort preferable to suffering for the cause of Christ, and that there is no question regarding it.  We must be willing to bear that which is extremely heavy.  We must be willing to suffer whatever comes upon us because of our love for Christ and all that may entail. 

So, are we willing to do all this for Christ?  It is important that we periodically examine our  hearts to ensure that we have placed Christ and the work and life He has called us to over anything else.  The Christian life is far more than making a decision to accept Christ yet continuing on in the same way and life.  We must be willing to sacrifice everything we have for Him.  I pray we are all there, or as I have said many times, All In.  Halfway in or 99% in is not enough.  Either we are all in, or we are not in at all.  Think about this, and if necessary, make any adjustments necessary to be a solid disciple of Jesus Christ.  He gave everything for us, is it not reasonable that we give everything also for Him?

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

Luke 14:11

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Luke 14:11  

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 14:11

This is the concluding verse of Jesus’ Parable of the Wedding Feast.  The parable was given to some invited guests who came together on the Sabbath to break bread. Jesus started this story after He noticed  each of them was choosing the places of honor at the table.  “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you.” Luke 14:7-10. 

Jesus, in this parable uses the occasion of a wedding feast as an example.  This fit perfectly based on what He had observed.  He is laying out the idea that we should be humble in any situation we find ourselves in.  He starts off by saying when we are invited somewhere, the example being a wedding feast, we are not to take any place of honor when we seat ourselves at the table.  In fact, we are to take the least honorable seat.  For it is better that we be invited to take a higher seat of honor, then to be told to take a lesser place of honor. 

Now, what is interesting here is that the place He was invited to would be the home of one of the leaders of the Pharisees. Not just a Pharisee, but one of their leaders. It was an honor to be invited to break bread with Jewish leaders, and all those who came were seeking out the best seats in order to feel a degree of importance.  This is a universal principle.  Men will always endeavor to bring down those who attempt to exalt themselves above what they believe they deserve.  God also works in a similar way.  In Matthew we read, “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:12.  God will exalt or honor those who are truly humble and that seeks a less honorable position among people.  This is how we, as Christians, should act.  We are all equal in the sight of God, and we should see ourselves in the same way.  And the term ‘leaders’ was claimed by Jewish leaders who saw themselves in a higher order who should go before others and claim the  right to control them.

We as Christians are never to exalt ourselves above others, thinking that we are better than anyone else.  We may occasionally need to correct someone who is in error, but never in a way that pushes them down and ultimately tries to make us superior.  Humility can be a difficult thing to show, but it is imperative that we do.  Paul worded this well when he said, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:12-14.  We are to be in unity with all Christians, not trying to show how much more exalted or important we are.  And no matter what position we hold in our work environment or in the church, we must not see ourselves as better or more important then anyone else.  For remember the words of Jesus, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”  Mark 9:35.

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

Matthew 24:14

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Matthew 24:14  

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” – Matthew 24:14

Jesus, who when He came out of the temple, pointed out to the disciples the temple buildings and told them these would be totally destroyed to the point that not one stone shall be upon another.  Then when Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:3b.

Jesus then refers to several issues in His answer, for instance false Christs, wars and rumors of war and nations rising against other nations.  He mentions famines and great tribulation against Christians.  He goes on to say, “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” Matthew 24:10-13.  In other words, many Christians will fall away from the faith, however, whoever fights through the deception and remains true to the faith, those will be saved and receive eternal life.  However, He ends this section with the following as found in our focus verse, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14. 

If there is any work that is absolutely necessary today and in the times to come, this is it.  The world needs to hear the truth of the gospel in a way that they can receive it.  And it must be preached in all four corners of the world.  Jesus said there will not be a place where it is not taught and defended.  In fact, this is commanded to the disciples.  Mark puts it this way.  “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15. Jesus told His disciples, aside from Judas who left, to go everywhere.  Matthew goes even farther in declaring what He said.  “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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 28:18-20.  Jesus said the disciples were to make disciples in all nations.  And guess what.  We are His disciples and we became a disciple because of another Christian, who became a disciple because of another Christian, who also became a disciple because of another Christian.  And we can keep going back.  And what are we called to do, make disciples.

And one last thing.  We do not have to go to a foreign country to be a missionary.  We are called simply to make disciples.  If God calls us to go to Peru or Pakistan or any other county other than where we live, ­then we are to go.  However, if not then our mission field is where we are.  We must never think just because we are not going to a foreign county to share the gospel that our mission on earth is less valid.  There are people in every continent, country, city, town and neighborhood  that are lost and need to hear the gospel so they can be saved.  If we are not called to go somewhere else, then we are called to preach where we are.  We Christians are the church, and therefore we are the ones called to make disciples everywhere.  Note, the church is.  And since where we live is part of the world, then we are called to do His work either where we are or where He sends us.  So, I want to encourage everyone to go out to that place in the world you are and present the gospel through every means you can.  The lost need to be found, and the only we that is possible is if we tell them how to be saved and help them take this step.  And after this, help them to find a church body where they can grow in the faith and become another disciple who makes disciples for Christ.

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