Matthew 24:36

Verse of the Day Devotion: Matthew 24:36 

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” – Matthew 24:36 

This verse is part of what is known as the Olivet Discourse.  It is called this because it is an extended teaching by Jesus given on the Mount of Olives.  The basic subject is the end times and the return of Jesus Christ.   He started this by giving signs that will occur when the end of the age is imminent.  These include but are not limited to an increase in false prophets, famines, earthquakes, and lawlessness.  Next, He speaks of the Abomination of Desolations spoken of by the prophet Daniel who will wreak havoc and bring great tribulation.  “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”   Matthew 24:21-22. 

And immediately after this period, the Son of Man, the Christ, will return.  “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”  Matthew 24:29-31.  What a great time this will be for Christians.

Then we come to our focus verse.  “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”  Matthew 24:36.  The exact time of His coming is not clear.  However, the general signs are given so that we know it is close.  He uses the fig tree as an example of what He means.  “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.” Matthew 24:32-33.

Now we come to our focus verse.  “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Matthew 24:36.  There is no indication of exactly when His return will be.  Only the Father knows.  However, what we do know is it will happen.  So it is important that we live our lives accordingly.  We should not live in a casual Christian manner, one that is not deeply committed to Christ, figuring we will change as the time draws closer.  “For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:38-29.  They lived their lives as they wanted, figuring all would be well, even though they were told by Noah what was coming.  However, the flood came, and it was too late, for the doors were shut,  They figured when the rain began, they would enter the ark at that time.  It did not go well with them, and it will not go well for those who wait until the day of His coming to get serious.

It is important that, as Christians, we live our lives in a manner that is pleasing to God, and one where we are totally committed to Him.  We do not know when He will come back, or if we will die prior to that day.  Therefore, it is imperative that we be serious about our Christian walk, not living our life as we please that is opposed to His will.  We do not want to hear the words spoken to the rich man who built additional barns to store His harvest.  The context is slightly different, but the meaning is clear. “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you.” Luke 12:20a.

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

Luke 1:37

Verse of the Day Devotion: Luke 1:37 

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” – Luke 1:37

These words were spoken to Mary in answer to a question she posed to him.  The angel told her she would give birth to a son who would be the Son of God, the Most High, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.  Mary then asks the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Luke 1:34b.  He then explains to her that God will cause her to conceive the child, therefore He will be called the holy – The Son of God.  Then the angel tells her that Elizabeth, her relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, already in her sixth month.  After this, the angel speaks our focus verse, for nothing will be impossible with God.

Now, this is not the first time this idea was communicated in the scriptures.  We read in Genesis the following, “The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old? Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” Genesis 18:10-14. 

This idea is something we need to remind each other of on a regular basis.  Mary was told this when the angel said she would conceive and have a son even though she had never been with a man, and that Elizabeth would have a son in her old age, in fact she was already in her sixth month. And the Lord said the same thing to Abraham when Sarah questioned what the Lord told Abraham regarding her having a son in her old age.  Now, I ask the following.  How often do we question the Lord’s ability to take care of us?

If there is nothing God cannot do, and He loves us beyond our ability to comprehend, then we have nothing to fear.  God said He will be with us forever, and there is nothing that can prevent this.  “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39.  So, whatever happens to/for us, God allows it for His purpose.  And whatever does not happen to/for us, God does not allow it for His purpose.  If the enemy comes against us, the Lord allows it for His good purpose.  There is nothing in this world that occurs, no matter how good or bad it is, that surprises God and is not meant for good.  We must trust Him, that no matter what happens to us, God allowed it and therefore it is for our good, or someone else’s.

 Remember this when you find yourself in difficult times.  Trust Him in all things. Be at peace knowing your situation is not a surprise to God, and in fact will be used for some good.  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.  If He says everything will work toward our good, then it will and we can be at peace, for He can do anything, and we know all He does is good.

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

John 14:21

Verse of the Day Devotion: John 14:21 

“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” – John 14:21

This verse is the same idea found a couple of verses back.  “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15.    This is an extremely important concept that shows how true our relationship is with God.  In both this and our focus verse, Jesus declares with no apprehension what true love for Him really looks like.  It is, as an old rock song from 1990 says , it is more than a feeling. 

Love is not, in itself, a feeling.  However, there are feelings that are derived out of love.  Paul gives a fairly complete picture of love in his letter to the Church of Corinth.  “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.  If we look honestly at this list, love cannot be a feeling at all, but it must be a commitment.  Look at the list of what love is.  It is patient, kind, not envious nor boastful.  It is not arrogant, rude, irritable, or boastful.  It does not insist on doing things in our own way and it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but does rejoice in truth.  Does this sound like merely a feeling? 

John gives us a more succinct picture of love.  “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8.  True love is a sign that God is in us.  Again, not a feeling but a commitment.

Because love is not a feeling, let us go back to our focus verse and see what proves our love for God.  First, whoever loves God will keep His commandments.  Obedience to God’s word is the proof of our love for Him.  And not just some of His commandments but all of them.  Now, we will stumble sometimes and not obey Him completely.  “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9.  However, if we purposefully sin and go against what we know is His commands to us, then we show that we do not love Him as we should and think we do. 

In closing, I have seen many people in churches who will disobey God’s commands in order to do what they enjoy. If we find ourselves falling into this trap, then we need to examine our hearts and see if we genuinely love God as we believe we do.  It can be a difficult thing to look at ourselves and find we do not love Him as we should.  But it is essential we honestly examine ourselves and then repent of those things we know are wrong but do anyway.  Let us act out the love we profess and strengthen our relationship with God every day.  We will find peace and joy that passes all understanding because as it says at the end of our focus verse, “And he who loves me will be loved by my father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” John 14:21b.

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

John 16:33

Verse of the Day Devotion: John 16:33 

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 

Our country has been thrown into turmoil.  A man by the name of George Floyd died because a police officer suffocated him as He held him down on the ground.  The officer, as well as the other policemen involved with the death of George have been arrested, with the officer who actually pushed his knee into his throat was charged with 3rd degree murder.  This is such a sad moment in our history.  Yes, it was absolutely outrageous what happened to this man.  Was he engaged in an illegal activity?  Maybe, but this does not excuse the outcome of the police officer’s actions.  This has brought about major protests that have moved into extremely violent actions.  Many major cities finding retail establishments being destroyed and robbed of everything found within.  There are cars being destroyed by setting the inside on fire and churches are being set on fire in the same way.

It seems like every time we turn around, there are people who are attacking for almost any reason.  This happens to individuals and groups.  It is getting to the point where if we do not totally agree with someone, we stand the risk of paying the price as they take out their anger on us, just as we see people destroying property and attacking those who stand between them and what they desire.  What a sad season we find ourselves in.

 So, in these times, we need to find peace in our lives.  In John 16, we see Jesus speaking with His disciples about His departure.  “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.” John 16:28.  He again tells them that He is leaving to go back to the Father.  They now have a greater understanding than before.  “His disciples *said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. Now we know that You know all things and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.” John 16:29-30.  Jesus answers with, “Do you now believe?” John 16:31.  The idea here is, ‘ Do you finally understand and thereby believe? He then states, “Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” John 16:32.  Their lives will be changed in ways they cannot imagine.  They will no longer be with Jesus here on earth, but they will be scattered.  He will be alone when they scatter to their own places, however not entirely, for the Father will be with Him. 

And then He comforts them with these words, which is our focus verse.  “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.  These are powerful words spoken to them, letting them know that difficult times were coming; they would suffer trials and tribulations that go beyond anything they have experienced up to this point.  The world will be against them because of Him, but He tells them He has overcome the world.  And because of this, they  can have peace.

And these words are also spoken to us.  The world hates us and the closer we come to the end it will hate us even more.  And we must always remember this, so we are not surprised when it comes, and also to remember we are also not alone.  He is always with us.  We must stand strong against the world and what it throws at us.  And because He has warned us, we can have peace because, in todays vernacular, we are on the winning team.  So, be at peace, because if we experience incredibly difficult times as the end draws near, always focus on what He has promised us.  “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.  A beautiful unending future that far outweigh anything we ever experienced here.

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

Mark 3:4-5

Verse of the Day – Mark 3:4-5.

“Jesus asked them [the Pharisees], “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in Anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.” – Mark 3:4-5

To set the stage for this interaction, right after telling the Pharisees that he is Lord of the Sabbath in Mark 2, Jesus arrives at the synagogue and sees a man with a shriveled hand and the Pharisees who were lying in wait for Jesus to make a mistake. Jesus tells the man to stand up and then looks at the Pharisees, knowing their hearts, and asks them if it’s lawful to do good and save a life, or to do evil and kill.

They remain silent.

Jesus gets angry.

This story was originally told in the Greek, and the word Anger that was used is transliterated as, orgē which can be translated as; he was impulsively wrathful, or indignant. This wrath caused by injustice is in the “Aorist’” tense, which means it’s temporary, it exists and then goes away. Jesus has an emotional reaction to their silence – and it’s justified. And I think this shows us there’s nothing inherently wrong with anger, it’s what we do with it – how we respond to it, if we let it control us – that makes it right or wrong. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:26 (NLT), “Don’t sin by letting anger control you.”

Jesus takes this, orgē, this anger, mixed with disappointment, mixed with sadness at the hardness of the hearts of the Pharisees, and tells the man to stretch out his hand and Jesus restores the shriveled hand to the way it should have been.

Mark tells us that in response to Jesus healing the man, the Pharisees began plotting about how to, “do away with” Jesus. The phrase “do away with” doesn’t begin to describe the unfettered rage they felt. In the Greek the phrase is, “apollymi” which means “to utterly destroy,” “to bring to naught,” or “to be made void.”

These are two complete opposite responses.

Jesus’ response made the world a better place – it brought healing, life, and restoration. The Pharisees responded with a fierce vengeance whose result would be to completely destroy Jesus.

How we respond to anger, injustice, and evil in the world matters. We must follow Jesus’ example:

  1. Jesus acknowledged that which needed to be changed and shined a light on it in a non-condemnatory way when he asked the man to step forward.
  2. Jesus asked questions to cause the Pharisees and his enemies to question their beliefs – calling them out without being insulting or accusatory.
  3. When their response angered him, he channeled that anger into creative, restorative power that brought peace into the world and made it a better place.
    1. His anger wasn’t selfish. He didn’t lash out allow that righteous anger to control him.
  4. He continued to unapologetically live his life and walk in his calling, unafraid of the repercussions. He did not let the instance and the Pharisee’s continued response affect his ministry.

When you respond to your anger does it make the world better? Do you channel that anger, that sense of justice, that innate feeling in your spirit that tells you something is wrong, into restoration and peace like Jesus or do you take that and fuel feelings of rage and destruction like the Pharisees?

If you’re struggling with following Jesus’ example in this situation amidst these times, please send a prayer request to us through the contact page or to our prayer request e-mail. We keep these requests confidential unless you give us permission to share.

  • Christiaan Funkhouser

Matthew 6:12

Verse of the Day Devotion: Matthew 6:12 

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ” – Matthew 6:12    

Our focus verse today is part of what we call the Lord’s prayer.  It is in the Sermon on the Mount and speaks very clearly about forgiveness.  This part of the prayer asks for forgiveness of the sins we commit.  However, this part of the prayer contains a caveat; ‘as we have forgiven our debtors’.  In other words, the prayer is asking God to forgive us as we have forgiven those who have done us wrong. 

Later in Matthew, we see where Peter asked Jesus about forgiveness.  “Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22.  The idea of seventy times seven is as often as needed and asked for.  We are never to reach a point where we refuse to forgive when asked with sincerity.  Note these verses.  “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” Luke 17:2-4. 

Jesus then speaks a parable regarding this idea.  Note, Peter asks about forgiving and Jesus responds regarding debt, which again validates the translation to sin in the Lord’s prayer.  “For this reason, the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything. And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe. So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you. But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. Then summoning him, his lord *said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you? And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that had owed him.” Matthew 18:23-34.  The king forgave the man for a huge debt; however, this same man was unwilling to forgive a fellow slave of a small debt, therefore the king retracted his forgiveness. 

Jesus told His disciples the following.  “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” John 15:12.  We are to love our neighbor as Christ loves us.  He loves us so much that He is willing to forgive us for absolutely all of our sins.  This includes all sins in the past, present, and future.  He sent His Son to die a horrible death in order to make this happen.  In the above verse, we are called to love others as He loves us.  And this kind of love is one that forgives others as He forgave us.  And this includes our enemies.  “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:44.  Yes, we are to forgive our enemies.  Remember the words of Jesus while on the cross regarding His enemies.  “When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.” Luke 23:33-34. 

We are called to forgive those who do us wrong, those who are our friends, enemies, or those we do not even know.  I know this is difficult, but it is absolutely important that we truly forgive anyone who does us wrong.  And should it only be those who ask for forgiveness?  I will answer that with a question.  Did the soldiers who put Him on the cross as to be forgiven?  And lastly, at the end of Jesus’ talk on the Lord’s prayer, He ends with the follow grim words.  “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.  I know I need and desire forgiveness.

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

Ephesians 2:10

Verse of the Day Devotion: Ephesians 2:10 

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10     

This focus verse opens our eyes to the truth that we had little to do regarding our salvation.  However, the one part we played in this was our choice to be saved.  “Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38.  And, “But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Romans 10:8-10.  We need to repent of our sins, confess Him truthfully as Lord and believe Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead so that we may also rise to life being once dead in our sins, then we will be saved.  And this must be from our very heart, and not simply through actions. However, from this point forward, there is nothing else we can do, it is totally God’s work that changes us from dead to living. 

Let us look at the flow of the beginning of this chapter.  “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.  Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” Ephesians 2:1-3.  We were spiritually dead in our trespasses and sin, with no way of correcting our situation at all.  We were all destined for an eternity separated from God. 

However, by the incredible love and grace of God, we have the opportunity to repent and accept the forgiveness provided by the work of Christ.  “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7.  Because God loves us in a manner beyond our understanding, He provided a means by which we can be forgiven, making us no longer dead in our sins but alive in Christ.  And because of His incredible act of love, we have a future where we will be with Him for ages unending where we see His immense grace and love, in His amazing kindness through Christ. 

And all this is available to us only because of the work and grace of God.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.  Our salvation has nothing to do with any works we may do.  For anything we attempt on our own regarding our salvation is fruitless, for it required a perfect sacrifice, which we could never be for we had sinned.  It is completely the work of God, for if we could address our sins, we could then save ourselves by works and thereby have a reason to boast.  “Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” Romans 3:27-28. 

Therefore, with all that was said above, it is God who does everything.  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.  We are saved because of what Christ did, because He died to pay the penalty for our sins.  “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3-4.  We are His workmanship, for it was through His death we died to sin, and it is through His resurrection that we are raised up as a new creation in Christ.  Always remember, we needed salvation because of what we did, but are saved because of what He did.  “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.  And because we are new creatures, we are His workmanship created because of Christ.  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.  This new person was made, in love, to do the work of God which He prepared us to perform.  So let us step out and fulfill our calling which He prepared us to do for His glory.

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

John 14:27

Verse of the Day Devotion: John 14:27 

“Peace, I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” – John 14:27     

The words ‘peace I leave with you’ or various similar phrases, were used by the Jews to open and to close a letter, conversation, or any form of communication.  In this instance, it was used as a closing statement, however, not just regarding this conversation.  His time here was drawing to a close and He began preparing them for His departure.  Note the next few verses.  “You heard that I said to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe.” John 14:28-29.  However, in the next sentence, He becomes more clear regarding His leaving.  “I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;” John 14:30. 

Jesus here is preparing His disciples for His departure, and I am sure they understood this and thus were becoming anxious.  “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you.” John 14:25.  In this statement He is alluding to the idea that He is preparing to go.  Note ‘have spoken while abiding with you’.  However, the next phrase makes it clearer.  “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:26.  The Holy Spirit will come after He departs and will remind them of His words. 

Then He gives the customary salutation, ‘Peace I leave with you.’  He wants them not to be troubled by this, for this is what He has been preparing them for.  He then reiterates this by stating it is His peace He gives them.  Jesus wanted them to have the same peace He had, which came through His friendship and fellowship with the Father.  It is what He wanted to give them before He leaves.  He then adds, ‘not as the world gives do I give to you.’  Many times when the Jews either opened or closed a conversation, they would simply say it because it was customary and polite.  These would be empty words they did not actually mean.  However, He was telling them He meant what He said.  Therefore, He urged them not to let His leaving, and ultimately their ministry He called them to, trouble their hearts or make them afraid.  For the Holy Spirit will be sent to them to be with them.  Again, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” Paul urged His brothers and sisters in Christ also to remain at peace, and he also showed through living accordingly.  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.  Jesus would provide this peace to them for He never spoke empty promises.   

Jesus here was speaking directly to His disciples; however I have no doubt He is speaking to us as well.  He wants us to have peace in this life just as He had peace during His time on earth. Through His word He speaks to us just as clearly as He did to the twelve.  So, let us accept and live the peace He gives us.  And the way we do that is by not allowing ourselves to be anxious about anything, knowing He is with us.  “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.  Trust Him in everything.  There is nothing anyone can or say against us that God has not known from the beginning.  And He is already doing what is necessary to help us through.  If we genuinely believe this with everything we are, and live accordingly, then we have nothing to be concerned with.

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

1 Timothy 6:6

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Timothy 6:6 

“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.” – 1 Timothy 6:6    

Paul, who wrote this letter to Timothy, laid out what truly satisfies an individual.  And it is not what much of the world believes.  Many people who live their lives pursuing their desires, and even when they acquire them, suddenly realize that it is not enough, they will always want more.  People will observe what another has and begin to desire it to the point of purchasing it.  Once they get it, they become less satisfied after seeing  someone with something better and they purchase it, afterwards seeing someone with something even better, and on it goes.  This happens especially when they desire to be seen by others, and sometimes by themselves, as greater than they think they are.  However, for the most part, things do not truly satisfy.  For if a good car satisfies, a better car more so.  There will always be something that we believe will completely satisfy us.  But many find this satisfaction only lasts for a season. The pursuit of things will always lead to more dissatisfaction. 

Paul uses the same idea regarding different doctrines, arguing, and closed minds.  The desire to always be right.  “If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.” 1 Timothy 6:3-5.  Many will believe questionable doctrine purely because someone who is famous taught them, or simply because they want it to be true, not being a Berean and checking the truth or falsity of it.  And they will argue about it every chance they get.  Paul portrays them as conceited and lacking understanding, people filled with anger and strife. They believe that godliness is a means of gain. 

However, what they are believing is only partially true.  Their form of godliness does not bring gain or satisfaction because they are not content with their situation.  They want to be considered right in what they believe, however, part of godliness is studying His word searching for what the truth actually is,  and believing what God actually said and taught.  It is not to argue in favor of any doctrine, especially false doctrine, in order to be seen as intelligent.  Doing the right thing for the sake of God and the truth leads to contentment.  If we are doing it for financial gain, fame, or any other reason than doing the work of God, then there is a level of discontentment that causes us to do His work.  However, if you are content with what you have (what God has provided), with knowing the truth (rather than believing what you want), and with your position (rather than desiring fame and recognition), then you are content with the life God has given you and will find you gain more than you could ever imagine.

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

1 Peter 1:14

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Peter 1:14 

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,” – 1 Peter 1:14    

When we are saved, we are not the same person after as we were before.  Before giving our life to Christ, we did as we chose.  If we wanted to get drunk, we drank till we were intoxicated.  If we wanted to curse, we thought nothing of it.  We did not have the Holy Spirit in us, and we felt as long as we did not harm anyone or was not too illegal, it was OK.  But when we received Christ as our Savior, it is not just our thoughts that have changed, or our beliefs.  It was much more than that.  “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.  We are not the person we were prior to committing our life to Christ.  We are not just mended, having our broken areas fixed.  We have essentially been made new. 

When we become new creatures, this should mean that everything about us is new.  The first three words of our focus verse say’s ‘as obedient children’.  Peter is telling them that their life should be one that exemplifies obedience to God.  This is the way our lives should be.  Just reading the word is not enough.  We should also obey it.  “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:22. We are to do what His Word says, since we are now a new creature that does not live as our old self.  In fact, Jesus says we are wise in doing so.  “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24. So, Jesus and James tell us that we are to be obedience to God and His word. 

Peter goes on to say, because they are obedient children, they should not be conformed again to the former lusts in their old life of ignorance.  Paul says essentially the same thing when he writes, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2.  It can sometimes be too easy to go back to the old ways, becoming conformed to the world, and I do not say this loosely, as the newness of that life begins to fade.  We cannot go back to our old life and lustful ways and still live a life of obedience.  We are to live a holy life.  Again, our focus verse, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,” but then he continues, “but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, You shall be holy for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16. 

So, what can we do to help us live as the obedient children noted above?  By reading His word, fellowshipping with Him in prayer, and staying away from anything that could draw us into that old life again.  Also, if you are struggling, go to a fellow Christian and ask them to pray for you, asking God to take these old ways away.  It is important that we completely walk away from the old life and submerge ourselves in the new.  Life will be so much more beautiful when we do.

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