Psalm 86:15

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Psalm 86:15  

“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” – Psalm 86:15 

This psalm addresses a situation where David was suffering because of ruthless and evil men.  “O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.” Psalm 86:14.  David is referring to a band of men who do not honor God, in fact they consider themselves to be above or more important than God, if they believe in Him at all.  They are terribly violent ones who breathe out nothing but cruelty and will slaughter as many as they have to. 

However, David is not alone.  He cries out to God for encouragement.  “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.” Psalm 86:15-17.  In our focus verse, He declares God is merciful and compassionate and tender hearted, as a parent is to his children being rich and plenteous in His mercy.  He also declares He is slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness. 

After this, David calls out to God for help.  “Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant.”  Psalm 86:16.  In these verses he is asking God to help him through all these troubles.  Help to be saved from these evil people who have caused him much trouble.  He asks God to be merciful and gracious to him and to give him the strength necessary to make it through these trying times.  And then he asks for a sign from God.  “Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.”  Psalm 86:17.  The sign was to bring shame on those who hate him because you have helped and comforted him.  This would probably cause them to doubt their ways and their ability to hurt David.  He desired that God would show them that they can do nothing harmful to him when God is involved.

So, I want to ask the following question.  When you find yourself in difficult situations, what do you do?  Do you spend time mourning and crying?  Do you cry out to God for help, or do you just cry out?  God does not change and neither do His mercies.  “So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:17-20.  When you find yourself in a situation where you do not see any good coming from it, go to God.  There is nothing impossible for Him and there nothing He does not foresee.  Trust Him in every way, for in Him we will be comforted and have victory.  “Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:31-33.

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

Romans 13:8

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Romans 13:8   

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” – Romans 13:8

Paul is very clear in this verse.  We are not to be indebted to anyone.  In earlier verses in this chapter, Paul tells them they are to be subject to the government.  “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.  Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” Romans 13:1-2.  And this includes the paying of taxes.  “For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.”  Romans 13:6.  Whatever is owed to someone, pay it to them.  If it is money pay them.  If it is property or goods, give it to them.  If it is respect, give that to them.  Basically, if we owe anything to anyone, pay it.  This is our responsibility to those who govern us or provide goods and services we need.  However, there is a different standard for all others.

In our focus verse we read, “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8.  In other words, pay all you owe to everyone, and let your only outstanding debt be the debt of love.   Jesus said this as recorded in the book of Matthew when in answer to a question from a Jewish lawyer said, “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40.  We are to show the same love to others as we show ourselves.  Thus, in loving our neighbor we fulfill the law. 

Now there are many ways in which we can fulfil this.  One of them is to help someone who is troubled.  “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2.  We are to have sympathy, feel for each other, and consider the case of a distressed brother or sister like this distress was our own.  Paul wrote to the Colossians the following, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14.  This verse fully explains how we are to love our neighbor.  We are to have compassion on our neighbors, being humble and meek with patience, helping others through their difficult times by helping them bear their burdens.  And we are to forgive them just as Christ forgave us, even if we feel they do not deserve it.

This verse says we are to love our neighbor and not cause them harm by holding back whatever is owed to them.  All debts are to be addressed and paid; however, we are to give them all the love we have.  This means treat them as Christ did us, whereby He sacrificed His life to save ours.  And this is the love we are to show others.  “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12. This is the type of love we are to have for our neighbor, even those who hate, despise, or want nothing to do with us.

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

1 Peter 2:24

Verse of the Day Devotion:  1 Peter 2:24  

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24

As Good Friday and Resurrection Day approaches, it is good to look at what this day means and the importance of it to our lives.  This day came because of the love God has for each and every one of us.  From the beginning of mankind to today, mankind has rebelled against God through sin.  Adam and Eve while in the garden, succumbed to the temptation of Satan and sinned.  God told them not to eat of a particular tree in the garden.  “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17.  However, they disobeyed Him which was sin.  “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” Genesis 3:6.  And from this time forward, there has been no one who has lived a completely sinless life.  Except one.

For our dilemma, God had a solution.  There was a need for one man to be born and live a perfect life, so that he could pay for the sins of everyone else.  This could not be a normal person, for no man has ever lived a life without sin. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.  So, He had a son who would be able to live a life without sin who could then pay the penalty for ours.  “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” He understands and sympathizes with us, because He was a born a man through Mary, a woman.  And He is able to address our sinfulness by providing a perfect sacrifice through Himself because He was sinless, being God in human flesh.  And this is the message of our focus verse.  “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24.

This shows the incredible love God has for us.  First, He knew we would sin against Him for He knows all things. “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,” Isaiah 46:8-10.  But He stilled loved us and therefore He provided a way to address the sins and cleanse us from them.  And all we need to do is confess them with repentance.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

Jesus came with the sole purpose of paying the penalty for our sins.  “But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:21-23. Jesus never sinned therefore He could pay the penalty for us all.  It was a horrible and cruel death, but He endured it all for us.  This is perfect love from a perfect God.  Give thanks to Him for without Jesus, we would all die in our sins and enter eternal punishment; but with Him we have eternal life with Him.  How beautiful is that.

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

Matthew 10:38

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Matthew 10:38  

“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” – Matthew 10:38

This verse speaks of trials that come upon us Christians because we are Christians.  He is letting His disciples know that this life whereby we are committed to Him will not be an easy one.  Jesus starts off with the following.  “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34.  This sounds like a strange thing for Jesus to say, but when we fully understand what is meant here.  It was not meant that the purpose of His coming was bring discord and contention.  What He is saying is that this is the effect of His coming. 

In the next verse, He is quoting the prophet Micah.  Jesus’ words are, “For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” Matthew 10:35-36.  Again, this will be the result, not the intention of His coming.  Micah words it this way.  “Do not trust in a neighbor; Do not have confidence in a friend. From her who lies in your bosom Guard your lips.  For son treats father contemptuously, Daughter rises up against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.” Micah 7:6. Jesus essentially said the same as Micah, however Micah also refers to neighbors and friends as well. 

 Jesus then makes three statements designating three situations where Christ says people are not worthy Him.  In verse 37 we read, “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.  The meaning here is clear.  If we do not love Him over and above anyone else, or we are not truly loving Him.  If we do not love Him above everyone else and everything, then we do not truly have a true love and attachment to Him. Jesus uses the phrase ‘not worthy of Him’.  What is alluded to is that we are not to be seen as a follower of Him if we do not love Him above everyone else. 

And now we come to our focus verse.  “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:38.  Lets look at this.  In first century Rom, when a person is condemned to die by crucifixion, a part of the sentence was that they would carry their cross to the place of execution.  To carry this incredible weight was exhausting and disgraceful and was hard to do mentally and emotionally as well.  Then after the torture of carrying the cross to the place of execution, they were hung on this same cross, either by ropes or nails until they died.  This was an extremely tortuous form of execution.  So, to carry the cross here is a figurative expression denoting we must endure whatever is burdensome, trying, considered disgraceful in following Christ.  It means to simply do what Christ requires regardless of what anyone says or thinks of us.  It does not mean doing things for the purpose of being opposed, but simply doing what Christ calls us to do and being opposed because of it.  Doing whatever is required in the scriptures and enduring whatever shame, disgrace or pain may come upon us.  This is what is required of all Christians.  Remember, Christ suffered much in order to pay the penalty for our sins.  We should be willing to suffer in the work we do for Him.

Are we willing to endure anything in order to do what He has called us to do?  I pray we all are.

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

Ephesians 5:15

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Ephesians 5:15 

“Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,” Ephesians 5:15 

Paul here is telling the Church in Ephesus that they need to be careful how they walk, how they conduct themselves.  The idea in the Greek is a double idea expressed in one sentence.  ‘Take heed how you walk’ and ‘see that you walk circumspectly.’   The word ‘circumspect’ has the idea of looking around about on all hands, being every way watchful, wary and cautious in order to avoid any danger, discern any enemies before they affect you in any way, and ensure that everything we do is possible and legal.  And the word this derives from signifies correctly, accurately, consistently and perfectly. 

Going back a few verses we read, “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.” Ephesians 5:11-12. He begins here warning them not to participate in sin, but on the contrary, expose them for what they are.   And the best way for us to do this is to live in the light, to live this Christian life in the open so that all may see it.  As Albert Barnes put it, ‘By your life, your conversation and all your influence.’  Our lives should be a standing rebuke of a sinful world, and by living this way we should be ready to express our disapproval of wickedness in every form.  And Paul continues with, “for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.” Ephesians 5:12-13.  Sometimes we cannot even talk about what is going on in this world, however, our lives lived as Christ calls can speak much more than any words could express.  Jesus called us the light of the world, and because we are the light, we expose the worldly ways for what they are, as sin.  And we, through the life we live should communicate to those in darkness, in sin that they should change their ways.  “For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:14.

Coming to our focus verse, Paul is letting the Church know that they need to be careful how they walk.  To avoid the foolish ways of this world and live wisely as Christ requires.  And this relates to us today.  We need to be careful how we live our lives.  It is essential that we do not give into the temptations that are abundantly found in this world.  It can be easy at times to lose our focus and find ourselves acting as the world does.  The Christian walk has two facets.  The inward and the outward.  Our inward walk is focuses on our relationship with Christ, and our outward on our relationship with our fellow man.  And how we live our inward lives will denote how we live our outward lives.  Therefore, we must always work to strengthen our relationship with Christ so that we can avert any temptations to sin and remain the light in the world we are called to be.

Therefore, we must be careful that our focus is on Christ and His ways.  In doing this, we will be ready for whatever comes our way and can show this world the reality of our walk in Christ and show that life in Christ is infinitely better than the ways of this world.  We need to be watchful in everything.  Matthew put it this way.  “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41.  

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

Luke 5:27

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Luke 5:27 

“After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, Follow Me.” – Luke 5:27

This verse speaks of Jesus’ call to Matthew, also known as Levi, to be one of His disciples.  Matthew was seen by Jesus sitting in the tax booth when He was called by Jesus to follow Him.  Matthew, having heard Jesus call him did not hesitate but left immediately.  “And he left everything behind and got up and began to follow Him.” Luke 5:28. Not long afterwards, he gives a big reception for Jesus at his home where many other tax collectors reclined at the table with them.  Now, tax collectors in probably every culture in every time in history are some of the most disliked of all people.  And in the New Testament, the occupation of tax collector, or publican was looked down upon by the general population because it was generally recognized they required more than the taxes due in order to keep the overage for themselves.  Also, they were Jews who worked for the hated Romans.

We then read that there were some present, mainly Pharisees, who did not approve of these publicans being there. So, they complained and asked Jesus and His disciples a question.   “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” Luke 5:30b.  To the Pharisee, a sinner was a Jew who did not follow the Law, which included the Pharisees’ own rules.  And a tax collector was someone who was considered absolutely dishonorable. 

Jesus understood how people viewed tax collectors and used it as an illustration of church discipline.  “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17.  He uses this simply as a means to explain the result of people who do not repent of a wrong done using wording they would understand.  Jesus’ then answers, making it clear why He chose Matthew.  “And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32. 

Jesus saw tax collectors as those who were spiritually sick to be healed.  The Jews saw them as enemies to be shunned by all.  Jesus was offering forgiveness and the expectation of a new life, where the Pharisees simply offered them the Law that was to be rigidly followed.  Jesus offered grace, where the Jews offered strict obedience to a set of rules.  It is obvious why tax collectors viewed Jesus favorably. 

Jesus has called us to tell everyone the good news of the gospel.  “And he said to them, Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15.  Too often, Christians choose not to go out and spend time with the unsaved for they do not wish to be seen as being associated with them. This is sad, for many times people will not listen to someone who they believe really do not care about them but only do it because they have to.  But what did Jesus do?  He fellowshipped with them and went out to those who did not know Him and shared the truth.  And we are to do the same.  John put it this way, “whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:6.  As Jesus was willing to fellowship with unbelievers in order to present the gospel to them, we should also be willing to do the same. 

I want to encourage us all to take whatever opportunities come our way to be a light in the world, shining it upon the unsaved, sharing the gospel with them so they can accept Christ as savior.  And also let your life show the reality of your walk.  “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.  God desires all should repent and be saved.  Let us be those who help make this happen as we are able.  It is our calling in this world.

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

1 Peter 4:12

Verse of the Day Devotion:  1 Peter 4:12 

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” – 1 Peter 4:12

Throughout the years, many Christians have suffered for the cause of Christ.  We see it all over the world today, especially in Islamic countries, China, North Korea and various countries in Africa and Asia.  In the first century, the Jewish leadership hated Christians because they were leading many Jews away from the Jewish faith to Christ and His teachings.  Throughout centuries following the death and resurrection of Christ, Christians have been put to death simply for believing in and following Jesus’ teachings.  And now, in the United States, there is a movement to punish churches if they do not follow some of the evil ways being accepted by our leadership and many who reject the teachings of Christ.

What Peter is writing about here is that we, as Christians, should expect hard times because of out faith.  As we read in our focus verse, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” 1 Peter 4:12.  He is saying this should not be a surprise, for our beliefs and teachings go radically against what many leaderships throughout the centuries.  In Jesus’ time, the Jews hated Christ and hated them who follows Him. 

In ancient Rome, when they took over a city or nation, they would allow the current religions in that land to continue being followed and their gods to be worshipped as long as Caesar was put first.  However, if a new religion were introduced then this was a violation of the law and Rome would require them to remove this religion.  This was the main reason Rome went against Christianity for it was considered a new religion in a land they already ruled. 

Peter then takes this to another level.  Not only are we to not be surprised , but we are to rejoice.  “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:13. The idea here is not that we should want to suffer, but that in our suffering we are identified with Christ in His suffering.  Paul put it this way in his letter to the Philippians.  “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11.  In suffering for the cause of Christ, we can become like Him, even to the point of dying for your faith.  To the church at Colossae Paul wrote, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.” Colossians 1:24-26. 

Here in the United States we are starting to see many Christian principles and beliefs being looked at as hate speech and there are many hints that, though we are Christians, we may need to reject various beliefs to avoid punishment by the government.  Currently, this is something that is coming, but there is no specifics at this time.  However, it is prophesied in scripture that Christians will go through trials and tribulations because of our faith, so we know these days are coming.  And when we are persecuted now for what we believe, and in the future as the day of His return moves closer. We must understand that we will be persecuted.  However, Luke speaks of a great day coming, and in this we can rejoice in our suffering.  “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:25-28. 

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

1 John 2:6

Verse of the Day Devotion:  1 John 2:6 

“The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” – 1 John 2:6

What does John mean here when he says, ‘ the one who abides in Him’, namely Jesus.  This phrase means to lives and to  continue and remain in Him.  When a person is truly saved, they are described as being in Christ.  “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Romans 8:1-2.  And we read also in 1 Corinthians, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 1 Corinthians 5:17.

The idea of abiding in Him pictures an intimate, close relationship and not just a superficial knowing or acquaintance.  Jesus spoke of abiding in Him as the means of bearing fruit for the kingdom. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:4-7.  Jesus is telling the disciples that drawing life from Him is necessary in order to bear fruit.  Using this analogy of branches united to the vine, He says ‘abide in me and I in you’.  The picture is of a branch attached to (abiding in) the vine.  As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can we unless we abide in Him. And through the life we derive from the vine, we are able to bear much fruit.  However, if we do not abide in Christ (attached to the vine), then we will not bear fruit.  Now note verse 7.  “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7.  Because when we are in Him and He is in us, which denotes an intimate and close relationship, this provides the synchrony needed to work as one together in bearing fruit.

Now to our focus verse, “the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” 1 John 2:6.  If we not only profess to abide in Christ but also spend time with Him and are in communion with Him, the proof of this is that we walk in the same way He did when here on earth.  And that is living a life of true and pure devotion to God, as well as having true love for our neighbor.  Jesus said this to the rich young ruler.  “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 12:30-31. Jesus lived these two commandments out during His time here.  And He is calling us, as those who abide in Him, to live also as such.

However, we must also look at verse 4.  “Whoever says I know him but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”  1 John 2:4.  This is clearly stated in the gospel of John when Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”  John 14:15.  If we truly love Him, we will abide in Him and He in us.  Keeping His commandments does not provide us salvation but proves we have salvation, and this shows our relationship with Christ is strong.  And this is the relationship we have when we are in Him and He in us. 

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

Mark 8:34

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Mark 8:34  

“And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, if anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” – Mark 8:34

Jesus here is speaking to the disciples and the crowd that was there with them about what was going to take place.  “And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” Mark 8:31.  He told them the Jewish leadership would get Him killed, however He would rise from the grave in three days.  After He clearly states this, Peter pulls Him aside and literally rebukes Him.  What is interesting is that, knowing who He was, he felt it necessary to rebuke the Son of God.  “But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” Mark 8:33.  The reason for this rebuke is that Peter was minimizing the will of the God and usurping it with his own will.  This shows Peter still did not fully understand Jesus’ purpose here. 

So, in our focus verse, Jesus summoned them all together and told them what He required from His followers.  “And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” Mark 8:34.  Now, these words of Jesus were similar to the principal qualities required of a proselyte to Judaism. 

The first principal being that proselytes must embrace the Jewish religion voluntarily, and that neither force or influence has anything to do with this decision (if anyone wishes to come after me). 

Second, they must completely renounce and separate themselves from  their former religion and its beliefs and ways (he must deny himself).  He must deny his former life and be reborn.  “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Third, he must submit to the yoke of the Jewish law (he must take up his cross).  However, instead of the yolk of the law.  Jesus speaks of the yoke of His teachings.  “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30.  His teachings are less burdensome and onerous then the Jewish yoke of the Law of Moses. 

And lastly, he must solemnly and honestly engage to continue in the Jewish faith (and follow me).  This condition Christ also requires; and it is comprised in this word, ‘let him Follow me’.  In following Him, they agree to adopt the teachings and ways of Christ. 

One other idea within this verse is that they are putting their lives on the line by following Him.  Note here the phrase, ‘he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.’  No matter any danger that may come as a result of them following Christ, they must continue with Him.  He must put Christ ahead of himself and if required, take up the cross and sacrifice himself.  Following Jesus requires continuing and non-stop determination to stick to the chosen path. 

To follow Christ can be a difficult task, but it is following the truth.  In the first century it was a dangerous decision due to the Jewish leadership and the Roman government.  And we are beginning to see similar situations in our world today.  There is definitely movement to seriously restrict Christians in their beliefs and even in their speech.  So, as Jesus spoke to the crown around Him, so He speaks to us today.  “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.  For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”  Mark 8:35-38.    

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

1 Thessalonians 4:17

Verse of the Day Devotion:  1 Thessalonians 4:17  

“Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:17

This verse addresses the coming of the Lord for His people.  Starting back in an earlier verse  we read, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 4:14.  When He comes He will not come alone but will bring with Him  those who have died as Christians.  In other words, at His coming, those who have died in Christ will be resurrected just as Christ was.  We will not precede those who have died first but we will join them.

Next we see a clear picture of this coming.  “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16.  Jesus will not come quietly but will descend from heaven with a great shout, which will be accompanied by the voice of the archangel.  This could be Michael the archangel.  In Jude we read of Him, “But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke you!” Jude 1:9.  We also see him mentioned in Revelation.  “And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war.” Revelation 12:7.  There is no indication what He will shout, but it will be such that all will hear it.  There is the possibility that He will call out to the dead in Christ to rise from the grave and to join Him. 

Then we come to our focus verse.  “Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air,” 1 Thessalonians 4:17a.  Then, probably being called upon, we who are alive at His coming will be caught up in the air to join Christ and those in Christ who were resurrected.  Think about this a moment.  All people who died in Christ will be together in the air with Christ and those followers who did not die.  Millions and millions of people who have died in the faith, from the beginning of mankind to His coming, will be with Him at His return in the air.  This will be an amazing sight. And this verse ends with a beautiful statement.  “and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17b.  From this point forward, we will be with the Lord forever, for all eternity in the new heaven and earth. 

The times are difficult now and will only become harder leading up to the return of Christ.  The tribulations and trials we endure here will one day end, either we will die in Christ or we will live till He returns, at which both groups will join Him upon His return.  We shall then be with Him forever.  John, in telling of the words given to the church in Philadelphia, gives us a picture of our future.  “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.” Revelation 3:12.  We shall never leave our new home where we reside with God.  We shall be in His presence with no end; for death will not exist in the new Jerusalem. 

Matthew puts it this way.  “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:34. 

Christ’s return will be like nothing we have ever experienced.  When He comes back, all His people will join Him in the air, first those who have died, then those who are still alive.  And where we ail spend eternity, the new heaven and earth will be far more wonderful then we can imagine.  “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9. It shall be far more wonderful than we can imagine, and there is no chance that it will be thwarted.  What He has promised will also come to pass.  So, as the last verse in this chapter states, “Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:18.

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