Hosea 6:6

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Hosea 6:6  

“For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” – Hosea 6:6  

The prophet Hosea sees both Israel and Judah operating in sin and He tells them at the end of chapter 5 that they will soon experience God’s punishment.  “For I will be like a lion to Ephraim And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear to pieces and go away, I will carry away, and there will be none to deliver. I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” Hosea 5:14-15.  And the major sin they committed was idolatry, which they had chosen over the true God..  “Hear this, O priests! Give heed, O house of Israel! Listen, O house of the king! For the judgment applies to you, for you have been a snare at Mizpah And a net spread out on Tabor. The revolters have gone deep in depravity, But I will chastise all of them.  I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you have played the harlot, Israel has defiled itself. Their deeds will not allow them To return to their God. For a spirit of harlotry is within them, And they do not know the LORD.”  Hosea 5:1-4.  Therefore, the prophet is calling them to return to the Lord.  The prophet trying to encourage them that if they return to God, He will retore them, thus giving them a motive to return because things will be made good again.

However, in chapter six, we see that this was not acceptable, for more was required of them.  “What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning cloud And like the dew which goes away early.” Hosea 6:4. The problem stated here by the Lord was that they may put forth a form of loyalty, but it would not be true and thus would not last.  This did seem to be the pattern of Israel through history.  He declares to them this loyalty would not last. It would be temporary as it always was.  He used the picture of the morning clouds which disappear when the sun rises, and like the due that falls in the night which quickly dries up when the heat of the morning sun comes. 

And because of this, He has sharply reproved them through the prophets.  “Therefore, I have hewn them in pieces by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And the judgments on you are like the light that goes forth.” Hosea 6:5. This is similar to wording used with Jeremiah where God tells him, “Is not My word like fire?” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?” Jeremiah 23:29. The idea is that God’s word rouses and strengthens the conscience yet crushes within the heart everything that is evil.  His word is used to shape and mold us, while destroying the evil that resides in us.  And this judgement is as the light going forth, that others may see it and tremble.  This is similar to what Matthew wrote when he said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;” Matthew 5:14.

Then we come to our focus verse.  “For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”  Hosea 6:6. God desires loyalty, love and a relationship with them above sacrifice and tradition.  He desires them to learn about Him and know Him better, then to simply present burnt offerings.  

And He desires the same from us today.  He wants a loving relationship with us, where we seek Him with all we are, not just one where we simply follow the rules and when we do wrong, we perform some ritual that we believe will make all things right.   Christianity is all about a relationship with God, and not simply rituals we perform.  This is what God was telling Hosea in our focus verse.  Rituals and customs are not bad in and of themselves, but if not done out of love or without giving God our all is simply works.  Let us always focus on our relationship with Him, for this is what He desires.

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

Luke 15:10

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Luke 15:10

“In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” – Luke 15:10

This verse is a beautiful picture of how God reacts when anyone repents and becomes saved.  He starts this with a short story of a woman who loses a coin.  “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?  When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!” Luke 15:8-9.  Now, this is not much money, even at the time of this writing.  The conversion of these ten silver coins were around thirty-seven cents in today’s dollars.  This was not much but it was all she had.  So it was that she lost one-tenth of the money she had, and so she spent time lighting a lamp and searching for it.  When she found it she rejoiced greatly because this was a great portion of what money she had.  This was such a joyous time she invited her friends to celebrate with her. 

This story is very familiar to what is found in a similar set of passages just above this story.  “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!” Luke 15:4-6. 

Now in both stories, we find the same basic statement telling us what this means in our focus verse.  “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  Luke 15:10.  When we truly gave our lives to Christ, there was a great celebration in heaven.  Just as the man who found the lost sheep, and the woman who found the lost coin, there is a great celebration in heaven over a lost soul that has been found. 

It is a principle of human nature that the “recovery” of an object in danger of being lost, affords much more intense joy than the quiet “possession” of many that are safe. This our Savior illustrated by the case of the lost sheep and of the piece of silver. It might also be illustrated by many other things. Thus we rejoice most in our health when we recover from a dangerous disease; we rejoice over a child rescued from danger or disease more than over those who are in health or safety. We rejoice that property is saved from destruction by fire or the tempest more than over much more that has not been in danger. This feeling our Lord represents as existing in heaven. “Likewise,” in like manner, or on the same principle, there is joy.

And this is a result of the great love God has for all of us. He wants us to come to Him, and will go after us to make it happen, but ultimately it is our choice. When we turn from our wicked ways and life by giving it to God because the penalty of our sins is paid for by the death of Christ on the cross, this is a time of great celebration in heaven.  We do not celebrate when something that we find is not loved; often we are glad to lose it.  So it is in heaven, when our soul was saved by our accepting this new life, the celebration is because a life that God loves came to salvation and now will live forever with Him.  This is how much we mean to God.

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

Acts 21:13

Verse of the Day Devotion: Acts 21:13 

“Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” – Acts 21:13

Paul, along with some of his disciples went to visit Philip the evangelist in Caesarea and stayed with him for a time.  An interesting point here is that Philip had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses.  This falls in line with what the prophet Joel prophesized when he said, “It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” Joel 2:28. 

Now, while they were there, a prophet by the name of Agabus came down from Judea.  “And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.” Acts 21:11. This was troubling to all those there, but not so much to Paul for He had heard this before.  In speaking to the elders of the Church in Ephesus he said, “And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.” Acts 20:22-23. 

Upon hearing this prophecy from Agabus everyone there, including the local residents who were there, began to beg Paul not to go to Jerusalem.  This was very much a sign of weakness in them though also an expression of their great love for Paul.  They were concerned for his safety, no doubt knowing how much the Jews hated him.  Also, in turning him over to Rome, the gentiles referred to in verse eleven above, they knew this could very well mean he could be killed.  Paul, answering in a traditional Pauline style said in our focus verse, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 21:13. The people around him were crying and begging him to not go to Jerusalem.  He states here they were breaking his heart for though he had already decided to go to Jerusalem. and nothing could move him for he was resolute in his decision, yet their tears and what was to come greatly afflicted him, and the more because he could by no means comply with their request.  The Holy Spirit made it very clear on several occasions this is what would happen, and he was ready to die for the cause of Christ. 

When he was before the Ephesian elders where the Holy Spirit told him that bonds and afflictions await him, Paul told them, “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24. Paul considered his work for the Lord far more important then anything else, even his very life.  And he showed this through what happened later in chapter 21.  This raises the question, are we willing to do the same if we encountered the same situation?  Would we continue to do the work of God knowing we could be arrested and possibly killed?  I know this is a difficult question to answer, but as time progresses, this may become more and more possible.  And if it happens, we must remember that just as Paul was never alone, neither will we be. God will always be with us no matter what.  His work and His ways are far more important than anything else we may have.  Remembering this and focusing on God’s love will make it more than possible, but also desirable.

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

Mark 11:25

Verse of the Day Devotion: Mark 11:25 

“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” – Mark 11:25

This idea is found in various places in the New Testament.  We are called to forgive others if we have anything against someone else so that we can be forgiven.  Jesus mentioned it also in the Lord’s prayer, where He spoke of asking God to forgive, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6:12.  He attached our forgiveness to how we forgive.  And then a couple verses down He leaves no question of what is intended.  “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” Matthew 6:14-15. 

The main reason Jesus came here was so He could pay the penalty we incurred because of sin.  And the only way this could have been done was to have someone who is without sin pay that penalty.  For we read in Romans the following, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.  We all deserve death for we all sinned.  However, one who has never sinned came here and paid our debt by dying on our behalf.  His love was so great for all of us He suffered through the most terrible and humiliating form of death imaginable, crucifixion.  This form of death was designed to cause the most pain possible over the longest period of time.  Many people endured this torture for over a week, while being humiliated due to their nakedness.  Peter put it this way, “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth, and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:22-24. 

So, as we can see, Jesus paid the penalty we could never pay.  He did what was necessary by dying for us so that we may be forgiven of our sins.  Therefore, this is why we are called to forgive the sins of others.  We should love others as He loves us.  “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:12-14.  And just as we see with Jesus, no one can carry his love for his friend farther than when he gives up his life.  In other words, he gives up everything that he has.  And forgiveness of wrongs is the greatest gift He gave us, and He commands us to do the same.  

And note what our focus verse says.  “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” Mark 11:25.  It is not just to forgive those who ask, but to forgive anyone of any wrong done to us.  And Jesus exhibited this in the greatest way possible when he said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:36.  They had not asked for forgiveness, for He was still on the cross.  But He asked for His Father to forgive them anyway.  And this is the greatest example of what our focus verse says, when you are praying, forgive anyone who has done you wrong.

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

James 2:17

Verse of the Day Devotion:  James 2:17  

“Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” – James 2:17 

This is a very important verse that we all need to ensure we apply to our lives.  The idea put forth here is that if we only profess faith but do not live it out, then this faith is basically worthless.  In verse fourteen, James says, “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?”  James 2:14.  In essence, we are simply attempting to convince people through simple words that we are true Christians.  In the next two verses, James gives an example of what he is speaking of.  “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?”  James 2:15-16.  What good is telling them to be blessed our brother if we do not do what is necessary to bless them?  If someone is hungry and we do not provide them a way to have food, how can we say we care for them?  And if someone is without suitable clothing and we do not give them clothing to keep them warm and cover their nakedness, how can we say we love them?  Two words, ‘We Cannot’.

And this is the idea regarding faith without works.  If we say we love Jesus yet do nothing that shows this to be true, then is it really true?  Put another way, if we say we love Jesus yet continue in the ways of the world through sinful ways and activities, then do we really love Jesus?  These are valid questions we need to use in examining our walk to ensure the validity of it. And this is the basis that James uses to prove his statement in our focus verse.  “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” James 2:17. 

In the next verse, he challenges his readers to show their faith.  “But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:18. Works is the proof of our statement regarding faith.  Lets look at an example.  Two people go to a job interview for a computer programming job.  The first one goes to the interview and talks about how he understands all about programming and he will do a good job.  Unfortunately, he has never worked in the field and because of this he has shown himself unqualified.  The second person brought examples of the work they have done for previous employers and therefore was hired because of the work she had and was doing. 

What we say we believe proves very little if anything.  “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.  But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?”  James 2:19-20.  Many people claim to be followers of God and yet live lives that are totally contrary to what they say they believe.  He then ends this with an example.  “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.”. And this last part is found in Genesis 15:6. 

It is important that our deeds or works match what we say we believe, for if they do not, it puts into question what we say we believe.  We are not saved by works, but it shows the validity of our faith.  “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” James 2:26. 

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

Luke 6:27-28

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Luke 6:27-28

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” – Luke 6:27-28

This is probably one of the most difficult requirements Jesus gave to His disciples, and ultimately us who are His modern-day disciples.  He tells us in many places to love others, but here He specifically says to love our enemies.  Matthew records it in his gospel as follows, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44. It is so easy for us to hate those who hate us or those who do us harm or steal from us.  Or we may not hate them but will have no desire to do any good to and for them.  However, He requires us to do much more.  He says we are to bless those who curse us and pray for those who mistreat us.  We are not to think badly of them, but to pray that God will turn their hearts to Himself and be willing to be used by Him for this purpose.   

The attitude we are to have is not one of anger or hatred.  God loves everyone and desires all 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.  And this is the main reason He desires us to love our enemies.  Both to bring salvation to the lost and to bring correction to the saved who struggle in sin and think badly of others.  In fact, in the next verse he goes further.  “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.” Luke 6:29.  We are to be patient under injuries that are being put upon us and benevolent toward the unthankful.  Matthew adds the following in his version.  “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.” Matthew 5:40-41. The basic idea here is that we are not to return evil for evil, but if possible, show your love by going beyond their demands. 

He then again takes it a step further.  “Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.” Luke 6:30.  Whatever sense we put on the Lord’s precepts, not by force, but by consent, having either lent them, or sold them to him: for if they were taken away by force, the person so taking them was to be deemed a thief and a robber, and to be treated as such; but one that takes them by agreement, and is not able to make a return of them, or to give a valuable consideration for them, of such an one ask them not again: do not exact or demand them, but give him a release, as the law requires.  This law is found in Deuteronomy 15:1-2, “At the end of every seven years you shall grant a remission of debts. This is the manner of remission: every creditor shall release what he has loaned to his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother, because the LORD’S remission has been proclaimed.” Deuteronomy 15:1-2.  I know this is a part of the Jewish Law, however the idea has also been told by Jesus to His disciples.

Jesus then continues this idea with the following.  “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.  If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.” Luke 6:32-34.  Jesus is saying here if we only love those who love us, do good to those who do us good, or only lend to those we expect to have it returned, how different are we from what the world does.  Our love for others should go far beyond what the world expresses. 

He then concludes as follows.  “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35-36. He lays it out clearly.  We are to be merciful to all just as God the Father is merciful.  We are to be kind to ungrateful and evil people just as He is.  What is more important, getting our way or letting God have His way?  He desires us to be a light in the darkness,  shining out to the world the truth of the gospel and the love and salvation God has for them.  We may be wronged or taken advantage of but look what lies ahead in the new heaven and earth.  Really, there is no comparison.

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

1 Corinthians 9:17

Verse of the Day Devotion:  1 Corinthians 9:17 

“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.” – 1 Corinthians 9:17

Paul here in our focus verse is laying out the idea that he is willing to submit himself as a slave to all men so that he can reach as many people as possible for the gospel.  He states in this focus verse “For though I am free from all men,” 1 Corinthians 9:17a.  He is under no obligation to anyone, he is free from their requirements in regards to religious practices.  Although he submits to their practices when it is beneficial to them.  “I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.: 1 Corinthians 9:19b.

So, how does he submit to them?  He explains this is the next several verses.  “To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.” 1 Corinthians 9:20-21.  In these two verses he is explaining what he means by this.  For Jews he acted as Jews, complying with their rites, customs and prejudices as far as he could with a good conscience.  He did not attack or oppose their views when there was a possibility his conduct would be taken incorrectly.  He did nothing that would insult their beliefs or customs. 

Next, he refers to the gentiles who did not have or follow the law of Moses.  He acted as though he were not under the law of Moses, but the law of Christ.  He did not practice the special rites and ceremonies around them, nor did he insist that they practice them, but showing that the obligation to those rites had been done away; and that they were not binding, though when among the Jews he might still continue to observe them.  Theologian Adam Clarke puts it this way.  “It is not likely that the apostle could conform himself to the Sadducees; for what success could he expect among a people who denied the resurrection, and consequently a future world, a day of judgment, and all rewards and punishments?  He might among the heathen appear as if he were not a Jew, and discourse with them on the great principles of that eternal law, the outlines of which had been written in their hearts, in order to show them the necessity of embracing that Gospel which was the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believed.”

And finally, he states “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak.” 1 Corinthians 9:22.  This refers to weak and inexperienced Christians.  He did not want to be a stumbling block to them.  Paul gives us an example of how to address them.  “Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:1-4.  Paul ends this statement with, “Who are you to judge the servant of another?” Romans 14:4a.  It is not our place to condemn the actions of Christian if it is not in and of itself sin.  “To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4b   It is up to God do decide what is good or bad, right or wrong. 

And in the next verse, he says why he does it this way.  “I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.” 1 Corinthians 9:23.  The whole purpose of this is to bring salvation to as many as possible.  Note the end of verse 22.  “I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22b.  Paul’s purpose was to present the gospel in such a way that they would not cause any offense but would lead them to Christ.  He would not endorse any sinful acts but would help them understand what the path to salvation was.  And to offend people may actually close their hearts to the truth rather than open them to the way of Christ and the grace He provides.  Let us all work to do the same and bring as many lost souls as possible to Christ.  Let us do all things for the sake of the gospel so that our lives will be pleasing to Christ and our fellow man.  

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

Acts 16:14

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Acts 16:14 

“A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.” – Acts 16:14

Many people who read this verse simply see a woman of Thyatira who was a seller of purple.  As a side item, purple was the most valuable color, which was obtained from shellfish.  It was chiefly worn by princes and the rich, and the traffic in it would be very profitable.  So based on this, we can assume she was well off regarding her financial situation.  Yes, Lydia is the focus of this verse, but not her profession or her income.  The most important idea in this story is her religious fervor.

As we read further in our focus verse we see she was a worshipper of God.  It is probable that she was a proselyte to the Jewish religion.  She worshipped the true God, the God of Israel and not the many gods of the gentiles.  She was listening to what Paul was saying about Christ, “and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.” Acts 16:14b.  She was so desirous of knowing the truth, God opened her heart to understand and ultimately respond to the truth of the gospel.  Then in the next verse we read, “And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.” Acts 16:15. Her and her household were saved and baptized.  Paul himself believed she was being faithful to God and accepted her invitation to stay with them. 

Now, Paul did not go directly to her and preach the gospel.  She was simply one of several who had gathered together where Paul and several others had gone to a place to pray.  “And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.” Acts 16:13.  However, in his speaking to the women there, God used Paul to help Lydia understand the truth of the gospel. 

Now I have a similar story regarding a young man who had left the church and his home, thus turning away from God.  I was at a Howard Johnson’s restaurant around 2:00 AM buying breakfast and speaking with a man who was hitchhiking and I had picked up to take him home.  As we were eating, I was presenting the gospel to him, and when I mentioned the church I attended, The Rock Church in Homestead FL, a young man came over to me and asked me if I was a member.  I told him I was and he told me he had gone to the Rock Church in Virginia Beach, VA but when his family moved here, he went to church for a time but then had a falling out with his dad and he left the church and moved in with a drug user and began using them himself.  He then asked me to take him home, so we all left, dropped off the other man who was not interested in hearing about God, and then this young man and I walked along the beach behind his apartment for a couple of hours discussing his situation.  To make a long story short, his dad had nothing to do with him after He left and the only friends he had left were those who took drugs with him.  I convinced him to call his dad and ask him if he could move back home.  I told him he had to move out of there and give up all drugs and go back to church.  After we prayed for a while, I left and he assured me he would follow through. 

I had no contact information and thus lost contact with him.  One evening, about a year after meeting with him, God placed him on my heart and I asked God to show me that he had done as was promised.  Well, that weekend the Christian band I worked with as the sound and lights person was performing in a park in North Miami.  When we were setting up, a young man ran up to me, and it turned out to be the person I met at Howard Johnson’s and spoke to about going back home.  He said he did what he promised.  He made amends with his father and started going back to church, leaving the drug life behind.  He was attending a church in the area with a leader who used to attend the Rock Church but was now a leader in the church the young man was currently going to.  I was so thankful and praised God that this young man came back to God.

It is important that we take every opportunity to be a light in dark places, showing the truth of the gospel to as many as possible.  And as with Lydia and Paul, and this young man and myself, you never know how God will use these opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others through us.  So even though you are speaking with one or several people, be open to who God is speaking to through you, and ensure you are open to helping them to develop a strong and joyous relationship with Christ.  There is no greater joy you will ever experience in this life.

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

Acts 2:42

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Acts 2:42  

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” – Acts 2:42

One of the more important aspects of our Christian walk is the idea of fellowship and supporting each other.  First, I want to present a quote from the Book of Ecclesiastes which points this out so clearly.  “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?  And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.  Solomon, whom many scholars believe is the writer of Ecclesiastes points out the importance of not separating ourselves from others.  Simply put, if you are alone who will help you when you fall, who will help you in times of need, and who will fight for you when danger is imminent?

These ideas are found in our focus verse from Acts.  What Luke is pointing out is that Christians need to be in fellowship with each other in order keep each other accountable, encouraged and strong in the truth.  Back in the first century there was much persecution upon the church.  The Jewish leadership hated them for they considered Christianity as an attempt to usurp their position and the Romans were against them because they considered Christianity as a new religion and this was forbidden in the areas they were in control over.

The first part of our focus verse says, “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” Act 2:42a.  They were to be always devoted to learning all they could about their new life in Christ.  What did it entail?  What did it not?  This was especially critical for the Jews who were always taught that obedience to the Law of Moses was the critical factor in obeying God, and they needed to understand that it went far beyond that.  Also, as they grew in the faith they would be less likely to walk away and more able to train others they come across.   They would also come together in fellowship, often times in sharing a meal.  This was important in developing strong and Godly relationships which created bonds that were not easily broken.  And lastly, with equal if not more importance with the others, they met to pray together.  They came to God regularly to pray that their faith may be strengthened and increase as they grow in God, and for the extension of the kingdom of Christ via the salvation of more and more people. 

And note the accomplishments that were seen in the first century church.  They were built up on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, of which Jesus Christ and His teachings were the cornerstone.  And not only were they built up in the faith, but they steadfastly continued in this doctrine received through the leaders from Christ, learning more so as to grow in their relationship with Him.  Thirdly, they were separated from the world and instead lived in holy Christian fellowship and building all up who were with them.  They frequently spent time speaking of those things that God, through Christ, did for them through His sacrifice.  And they continued in prayers, knowing it was through this communion with God that they were now His children and they looked to Him for all things, including the beautiful relationship they had with Him.

 These things were done in order that the church would grow, not only in numbers but in devotion and strength and love for God almighty.  And this is the type of lifestyle we need to live as well.  As the times get more difficult and as the world begins to persecute Christians even more harshly, we need to come together to encourage each other, supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ, and together helping those who do not know Christ to accept the sacrifice He made for them through His death on the cross.  This is why we are here, and through the Holy Spirit, we have the means to live this life.  Let us all make the decision to make the Acts 2 lifestyle ours and show the world the reality of who we are and this life we have taken hold of.  The church in the first century grew incredibly.  Wouldn’t it be great to see the true church grow in the same way in this generation?

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

Psalm 37:18

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Psalm 37:18  

“The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their inheritance will be forever.” – Psalm 37:18

I do not believe many will question the idea that these are difficult times.  There has been a terrible pandemic that has effected practically everyone in this world.  And because of this many are suffering physically because of the virus.  And a side affect has been the financial upheaval what with the shutting down of small businesses and the fear that is held by many such that they stay home and have few interactions with family and friends.  No one knows how long this will last, and it seems like it will be years before things start coming back to normal.  And based on what we hear on the news and read in the newspapers this may be a completely new normal.

But we as Christians can have hope for the present and the future.  In our focus verse we read, “The LORD knows the days of the blameless,” Psalm 38:18a.  The third word translated ‘knows’ is the Hebrew word yaw-dah’ which has a variety of rich meanings, however the idea here is that God knows the number of our days here and all that will happen to us.  As the theologian Albert Barnes puts it, “He sees their whole course of life; he sees the end. It is implied here that his eyes are on all the allotted days of their life; on all that has been ordained for them in the whole course of their life; and that nothing can shorten the days appointed to them.”  There is also the idea that God cares for our life and takes an interest in it. This shows the love God has for us that He will direct our steps.  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6.  He will ensure that nothing will happen that we are unable to cope with.

And because of the above, we can be certain that we are taken care of, for God is watching over us.  However, the last part of this verse is very important as well.  “And their inheritance will be forever.” Psalm 37:18b.  We are promised an unbelievably wonderful future, and this future will be unending for we, as Christians, are children of God.  “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,” John 1:12.  And as Children we will live forever in His presence.  And because of this, we can be assured there will be no troubles or trials for all eternity. 

So, as believers when we look at our lives we see nothing but positives.  First, God knows everything about our lives, every moment of every day.  There is nothing that can happen that surprises Him.  And everything that occurs is for our good.  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; ” Romans 8:28-29.  And everything about our life and calling are already determined.  “and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”  Romans 8:30.  And therefore, we can be at peace in everything now and going forward, for there is nothing but good ahead.  Praise God!!!

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