William
Luke 22:71
Verse of the Day Devotion. Luke 22:71
“And they said, what further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth. – Luke 22:71
This verse of the day speaks of Jesus before the Council of the Elders of the people. This group is also called the Sanhedrin. The elders were made up of both Chief Priests and Scribes. “And when it was day, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber, saying, If You are the Christ, tell us. But He said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe.” Luke 22:66-67. This particular meeting was not assembled to seek the truth but to seek a reason to condemn Him. Once the elders were gathered where the Sanhedrin normally met, they led Jesus into this room for questioning. Their first questions struck right at the heart of their search; how could they put Him to death?“ They brought in people to present testimonies, however, they were inconsistent. “For many were giving false testimony against Him, and yet their testimony was not consistent. And some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying, We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands. And not even in this respect was their testimony consistent.” Mark 14:56-59.
So, as we see, if they could not find a reason to kill Him, they would make a reason to kill Him. However, He was not answering their questions, for I believe He knew it would make no difference. Then, as we read in verse 67, they came right out and asked, “If You are the Christ, tell us. But He said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I ask a question, you will not answer.” Luke 22:67-68. However, He did not directly answer the question, for they would not believe Him anyway, and if He were to respond they would not address anything He said.
Then He responds to them but does not directly answer them. “But from now on THE SON OF MAN WILL BE SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND of the power OF GOD.” Luke 22:69. Now Jesus points back to what was said at His transfiguration. “And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” Luke 9:30-31. This departure mentioned in the previous verse regarding Moses and Elijah would soon come to pass. His work here to pay the penalty for the sins of all men would be accomplished in just a number of hours.
Now, Mark speaks the same words, but in a different order. Note how it is said. “But He kept silent and made no answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.” Mark 14:61-62. Mark says He tells them He is the Son of God and then they will see Him, whereas in Luke, He tells them they will see Him and then He answers them, telling them He is the Son of God. They both say the same thing but in a different way. However, what is significant is that when He does tell them who He is, as we read in Luke, “And they said, what further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.” Luke 22:71. As far as Jesus’ opponents were concerned, their purpose had now been achieved. This therefore is how the accusation was presented to Pilot, yet the Sanhedrin’s condemnation of Jesus is less political than religious, for Jesus was found guilty after accepting the title “Son of God.”
Jesus gave everything to provide a way of salvation for us. And because of this, we need to stand as firm in our belief in who He is as He did in providing the way of escape for us. We must be willing to endure whatever comes our way as a witness to the truth of the gospel. Being the light of Christ in a world that hates Him and us will be difficult, but it is the only way to fulfil His calling on our lives. He gave it all, and we should as well.
William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.
Deuteronomy 18:18
Verse of the Day Devotion Deuteronomy 18:18
“I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I commend him.” – Deuteronomy 18:18
Up to Christmas day, I will be looking at the different prophesies which foresee the coming of the promised Messiah, Jesus the Christ. He came here in order to offer the means of salvation for all. An important idea to remember is that God knows everything and forgets nothing. “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 46:9-10.
Prior to this verse, the Lord speaks to His people, through Moses, referring to the new land that He is leading them to. They were not to take on the practices of the people there which were against the Law of God. “When you enter the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritists, or one who calls up the dead.” Deuteronomy 18:9-11. And if anyone does, “For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD; and because of these detestable things the LORD your God will drive them out before you.” Deuteronomy 18:12.
Now, after this Moses says that God has promised another prophet, which is found in our focus verse. “I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.” Deuteronomy 18:18. This is similar to verse 15 above where he says, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15. Notice that in these two verses, this prophet is declared to be like Moses. And this was true throughout the Old Testament. Theologian Adam Clarke put it this way. ”Among all the succeeding prophets none was found so eminent in all respects nor so highly privileged as Moses; with him God spoke face to face – admitted him to the closest familiarity and greatest friendship with himself. Now all this continued true till the advent of Jesus Christ, of whom Moses said, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me; but how great was this person when compared with Moses! Moses desired to see God’s glory; this sight he could not bear; he saw his back parts, probably meaning God’s design relative to the latter days: but Jesus, the Almighty Savior, in whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, who lay in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared God to man.”
Moses never saw the full glory of God, but Jesus radiated God’s glory. “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high; having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:1-4.
So, as we see in our focus verse, God said “I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.” Deuteronomy 18:18. This is a prophesy of the coming Messiah, who will be born of a virgin and will declare the truth of God to all. Those who believed and followed were saved, but many Jews would not accept His message for it went against the traditions of the Jewish faith. And He ultimately came so that all who wanted to could accept the message of the truth and be saved. And this is the primary reason for Christmas, to provide a way of salvation to all who would accept Him.
William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.
Isaiah 55:11
Verse of the Day Devotion Isaiah 55:11
“So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:11
The beginning of this verse shows that what was stated previously was an example or a metaphor regarding what was coming next. In the prior verse we see the metaphor. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;” Isaiah 55:10. Now, verses 10-11, where the latter is our focus verse, gives a reason why we should seek the Lord and abandon our unrighteousness, which is the absolute dependability of God’s word. Whatever He says, will come about. In verse ten above, God speaks of the rain and the snow that fall from the sky. When it comes down to earth, it will do the work God called it to do. In the ancient Near East, rain was the difference between life and death. When the rain came at the appropriate time the farmer could hope for good crops, which meant enough food for the coming year. However, if the rain did not come, not only was the crop lost but also the seed that was planted. And what followed was famine and starvation. Isaiah here states that God’s word was just like the rain, and only returns when it has completed what it was sent to do. In particular, he compares the effectiveness of both. Now we know that the water eventually returns to the sky, but as these verses state, not until the rain and snow had accomplished the watering of the soil and the seeds. It will remain until this was accomplished.
And God’s preexistent purpose and the certainty of its accomplishment is a central theme throughout the scriptures. “Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, my purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure;” Isaiah 46:9-10. He knows the end of all things from the beginning of all things. He is never surprised and everything He declares absolutely will come to pass. And the main idea specifically meant here in this chapter is found in verse 7. “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:7.
Jesus said the following as recorded by John “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18. As Christians, if we truly believe in Him and turn away from our sins, we will be pardoned. Again, as Isaiah said, “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him; And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:7. God loves those who have turned their hearts to Him and abandon their former sinful life. God has spoken and His words are true. We who truly follow God and love Him with all our hearts are assured of our pardon because of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Whatever He has declared as our future is assured. Therefore, be confident that this will totally come to pass. For as our focus verse states, “So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11.
William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.
Matthew 15:11
Verse of the Day Devotion Matthew 15:11
“Not what enters into the mouth defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” – Matthew 15:11
Today we will look at the Parable of the Defilement of the Body. Here is this parable as found in Matthew’s gospel.
“Not what enters into the mouth defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man. Then the disciples came and said to Him, Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?” But He answered and said, Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Matthew 15:11-14.
Some Pharisees came to Jesus and asked Him, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” He then turns and answers their question with a question, exposing their hypocrisy. “And why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘ Honor your father and mother’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’ “But you say, ‘Whoever shall say to his father or mother, “Anything of mine you might have been helped by has been given to God,” he is not to honor his father or his mother.’ And thus you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.” Matthew 15:3b-6.
Now, these questions were no doubt asked in a public setting, with a crowd on the periphery. Then, Jesus addresses the crowd rather than the Jewish leadership. He called the people together and said, “Hear, and understand. Not what enters into the mouth defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” Matthew 15:10-11. The Lord presents the Levitical idea of impurity in a deeper moral light. The question is not to be seen by the physical mouth or the use of certain meats, but by the moral mouth, the language. What is here said concerning the going into and coming out of the mouth, applies to the whole series of Levitical and moral injunctions concerning purity. In other words, what enters the mouth, i.e., food and drink, does not defile men, but it is what comes out that may defile him.
Then the disciples came and asked Him if He knew that the Pharisees were offended when they heard His statement? Jesus answers with “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be rooted up.” Matthew 15:13. Jesus is telling them, essentially, that all those doctrines of which his Father was not the author of must be rooted up or corrected. The false doctrines of the Pharisees and scribes must be attacked and removed. Was it any wonder that they were indignant? It could not be helped. It was his duty to attack them. He was not surprised that they were enraged; but, notwithstanding their bad doctrine should be destroyed. This idea points to what is found in Isaiah, where he says of Israel, “Then all your people will be righteous; They will possess the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified.” Isaiah 60:21. This verse speaks positively about what He has planted. Jesus here is alluding that the Pharisees and Scribes were not planted by God, for their teachings and actions were not of God, and therefore must be uprooted in judgement.
Jesus then tells the crowd there to leave them alone, essentially, to have nothing to do with them. They are the blind who lead the blind. They were knowledgeable of the Law and what God desired, but they would not apply it as God had intended. It was Jesus’ counsel that the disciples ignore the Pharisees and Scribes or leave them alone. Jesus either regarded their opposition as so hardened that he could not spend time being concerned with it, or he was subtly alluding to the parable of the weeds, in which the weeds are to be left alone until harvest. As Jesus said earlier, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” Matthew 7:6.
Today we see similar ideas in the church. Traditions should never take precedent over what God has called us to do or be. Many times, imagery, habits, and patterns take priority over what He wants us to do. This was the problem of the Jewish leadership which caused Jesus to reprove them on various occasions. If God calls us to go somewhere, go for there is no doubt a work He has for us. If God tells us not to go, then we should not, for He has a good reason why not to. I have had opportunities to witness and encourage people in places that many Christians would never want to go. God does not want beliefs or fear of disapproval to prevent us from doing His work, wherever that may be. And in todays culture, we can reach many more younger people by putting aside traditions and instead meet them where they are which may not include the standard means within churches. God has called us to go into the highways and byways and compel the lost to come to the truth. And sometimes this can bring ridicule or chastisement. However, Jesus reached out to many the Jews would never be associated with. We should therefore be willing do the same in our world today.
William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.
Proverbs 27:2
Verse of the Day Devotion: Proverbs 27:2
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth, a stranger, and not your own lips.” – Proverbs 27:2
This verse deals with pride, arrogance and humility. Some people do things in order to be noticed and be honored for it. I have seen this many times, especially famous people who want to be remembered and lifted up. However, Solomon writes a much different concept, one where we just do something simply because it is needed. He says, in or focus verse, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.” Proverbs 27:2.
Now we are to do good things. “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8. We are called to do good works to both assist our brothers and sisters, our neighbor and to glorify and honor God. If someone needs help, offer it and give them assistance. If they are struggling because of trials that are besetting them, go to them and give them the help and encouragement they need. As the theologian Matthew Henry says, “We must do that which is commendable, for which even strangers may praise us. Our light must shine before men, and we must do good works that may be seen.” We are called to shine the light of Christ into the darkness. However, he finishes this thought in this way. “though we must not do them on purpose that they may be seen. Let our own works be such as will praise us, even in the gates,” The world needs to see us, as Christians, doing good things for the benefit of others.
But when we do these good things we must not do them for the purpose that they may be seen. Let our own works be such as will praise us, but we must not seek praise from others for these good works. There may be times where we may need to discuss what we did, but it does not become us to applaud ourselves in the process. Paul puts our calling this way. “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3.
Everything we do must not be to honor ourselves. “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17. It is important it be done for His purpose. Do everything because he requires and commands it, and with a desire to honor him. His authority should be our reason, his glory the aim of all our actions and words.
Lastly, Jesus tells His disciples not to exalt themselves for any reason. “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:12. The way to arrive at the highest degree of dignity, in the sight of God, is by being willing to become the servant of all. Nothing is more undesirable in the sight of God then pride and arrogance.
We will be lifted up by others at times because of their thankfulness for what we have done for them. However, we must accept this humbly, without building ourselves up in the process. If anyone is to be exalted, it is God who has given us the opportunities to do His work here on this earth, and the ability and knowledge to make it happen. If anyone deserves praise, it is Him. So, instead of focusing on ourselves we should focus on God in all matters. What joy will be derived by giving Him all the glory.
William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.
Acts 10:34
Verse of the Day Devotion: Acts 10:34
“Opening his mouth, Peter said: I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality.” – Acts 10:34
This devotion is about an event that changed Peter’s life. He has a vision from God that helped hi understand his calling more clearly. Peter became hungry and desired to eat, but while preparations were being made, he falls into a trance. “and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air. A voice came to him, Get up, Peter, kill and eat! But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.” Acts 10:11-14. God gives him a vision of a large sheet descending from heaven upon which there all kinds of unclean creature. He is then told to “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” Acts 10:13b.
Peter, probably thinking that God may be testing him, answers. “But Peter said, By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.” Acts 10:14. And then, “Again a voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” Acts 10:15. In total, this happened three times, and after the third time the sheet ascends back into the sky.
This was very confusing to Peter, and while he was contemplating, men sent by Cornelius arrive at the gate. The Spirit speaks again to him. “While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” Acts 10:20. So Peter goes down to the men and tells them he is the one they are looking for. And then asks them the reason for their coming to him? “They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well-spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you.” Acts 10:22. He then left the next day to go to Cornelius’ home.
When Peter arrives at his home, Cornelius bows before Peter and then take him to his home where many were assembled with Cornelius. Then Peter says, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask for what reason you have sent for me.” Acts 28-29. Cornelius then answers him. “Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments, and he said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Therefore, send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.” Acts 10:30-32. He then tells Peter that immediately after seeing this vision, he sent for him as he was told.
Then we come to our focus verse. “Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,” Acts 10:34. He then follows with, ”but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. “Acts 10:35. Peter learned from this event that God shows no partiality to Jews, that in fact, all are welcome to go to God if they fear Him and do what is right.
This is a very important lesson we also need to understand. There are many in this world who have yet to hear the message that God loves them and desires them to come to Him and be saved. Jesus told His disciples just prior to His ascension the following as recorded in the gospel of Mark. “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15. There are many people that we see who have not been given the message of Christ, or they have questions or struggle to believe. We must be willing to share the truth with anyone God leads us to. This is our purpose and what God has called us to. And no matter who they are, we should be willing to shine the light we have inside us so that anyone can see and share the truth of Christ to all. Whether they are rich, poor or even homeless. God is sending us out to share the gospel with everyone, for all need to hear it. Use wisdom, but do not shy away from anyone who needs to hear it. We must understand what Peter learned and take it to heart. “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,” Acts 10:34. And we should not show partiality either. Everyone needs to hear and accept the good news, and He has sent us out to make it happen.
William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.
Ephesians 4:29
Verse of the Day Devotion: Ephesians 4:29
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” – Ephesians 4:29
In this verse, we see another area that Paul is telling the Church to avoid. He calls them ‘unwholesome words.’ The word ‘unwholesome’ is the translation from the Greek word sapros which has the idea of words that are rotten, worthless (either literally or morally), bad, corrupt. (From Strong’s Greek Concordance.)
Some words that were acceptable in the past are not so now. We need to be careful how we use older words where the meaning has either changed or has another meaning added to it. As an example, think of the word “Tablet”. It used to mean a flat piece of stone, clay or wood that has writing on it. This definition still applies; however, a new meaning has been added to it, that being a general-purpose computer designed to be taken from place to place. Another classic example of a word where its meaning has changed is found in a classic Christmas song, “Don we now our gay apparel”. This word with its new definition will not have the same meaning to someone who is older.
We also must be careful that we do not speak in a way that can cause injury to a person’s name, fame, or the interest of another. This includes gossiping or running down other people. For instance, you see someone walking down the road and say things like, “Wow, he has no taste in clothing”, or “She is so ugly, no one would want her”.
Now, these are just a couple of examples. However, the general idea is we should not speak in any way that is obscene or anything that injures virtues, uplifts vices, or speaks negatively of anyone, including God. Our speech should be full of grace and positivity. “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Colossians 4:6.
Everything we say should always be said in a way the brings glory to God. Any negative or profane words that come out from us, who are Christians and seen as such by others, will be looked at as hypocritical. If we speak in an uplifting manner, never using words or phrases that can be interpreted as negative or profane, we can minister grace to those who hear us. They will be encouraged and open to hearing the truth we speak about.
If there is anything we are in the habit of saying that does not meet this criteria, then we need to pray that God will help us change the way we communicate with others. The main thing is, as stated above, that everything we say should glorify God the Father, Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit. This will go far in helping our brothers and sister in Christ grow in the faith, and lead those who are not to see the reality of our faith and be open to accepting it. Is this not our purpose here?
William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.