Romans 3:31

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Romans 3:31  

“Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.” – Romans 3:31

Paul here in Romans three is telling the Christians in Rome, which many were former Jews, that salvation comes not from the Law but by faith.  “But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:21-23.  God showed His grace by providing a means of salvation apart from man’s works, for no man is perfect, but all have sinned.  This salvation is not restricted to only some, but to all who believe, either Jew or non-Jew.  And because it was the Jews who believed in the strict adherence to the Law, the Jews would push this adherence as a necessity. 

However, salvation does not come through works, but through faith.  Paul addresses this is the following verses using boasting as an example.  “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.  There is to be no boasting because man has done nothing to bring about his cleanliness.  Adherence to the Law does not make us righteous, for then only Jews who are perfect in keeping the Law would be the only ones saved.  And he counters this idea in the next two verses.  “Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also?  Yes, of Gentiles also, since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.” Romans 3:29-30.  He provides salvation for all mankind, not just the Jews through the following of the Law.

Now, we get to the crux of this section in our focus verse.  “Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.” Romans 3:31.  First, the Law is not nullified for those who do not accept Christ for they will be judged according to the Law, for they have rejected the one who would pay for their sins.  And because all have sinned, the Law cannot save us because it cannot do away with sin, it can simply show us our sin.  “What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, You shall not covet.” Romans 7:7.  We cannot be saved by the law, but we can see where we are in sin by the law, and therefore repent and ask forgiveness.  Further on in Romans we read, “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 13:8-9.  Love fulfills the Law because if we truly love someone, we will never do them wrong.  And this includes Christ, and ultimately God.  Jesus put it this way, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15.  Showing love to another is the fulfillment of the Law.  “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? 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 22:36:40. 

By truly accepting the love God showed to us through Christ by accepting the work He did on the cross and devoting ourselves totally to Him, we show our love for God.  Through our love for Him, we choose to do all He commands of us; not in order to save us, but to show our love for Him.  Therefore, the Law was not nullified or done away with, it is fulfilled when we truly show our love for God and our fellow man.  Just as Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15.

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

Matthew 24:11

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Matthew 24:11  

“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.” – Matthew 24:11

Jesus, at the beginning of this chapter, said the following to His disciples regarding the Jewish Temple.  “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.” Matthew 24:2. He said this after He came out of the temple and the disciples came up to Him.  This probably was a surprise to them, so they asked Jesus a question. “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:4b.  “And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.” Matthew 24:4-5. I actually experienced this one time back in the late 1970’s.  I was walking in an avocado orchard in South Florida and this young lady came up to me and asked me if I wanted to meet Jesus. I saw him dressed as we would expect him to be, and he was leading a group of ladies as he did spoke to many he came across. I spoke with him for just a few minutes before they left the field.  He tried to convince me that he was The Christ, but since he could not convince me he left, followed by the several ladies that were with him.  There has been many claiming this. One well known person who claimed to be the last prophet, the son of God, the lamb was David Koresh back in 1983. 

However, there are many who claim to be a prophet of the living God, not necessarily the Messiah yet teaching a false message.  I remember when one of these false teachers were on television and declared that there were three God the Fathers, three God the Sons, and three Holy Spirits.  He then yelled out, “there were nine of them.”  When told by the host he had never heard that before, the false teacher said, and I am paraphrasing, “I do not come to tell you the same old stuff, but things you have not heard before”.  What a sad statement.  And because of this idea, many have been deceived and mislead. 

Jesus speaks of this using a tree and its fruit as an example.  “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Matthew 7:15-19.  Jesus tells the disciples that many will come looking like sheep but are actually only in a sheep costume and are actually wolves, seeking to destroy sheep.  And He finishes with the next verse, “So then, you will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:20. Prior to verse 20 Jesus tells them, “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.” Matthew 7:16-17.  A false prophet gives false teachings while a true prophet gives true teachings. 

Now, Paul gives us an answer as to how we can be sure we are not deceived.  He speaks of the believers in Berea who were careful about the teachings given them.  “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11. Notice what they did.  They checked out the teachings with the scriptures.  This, along with prayer, should be our focus if we hear anything possibly could be false teaching.  We should not accept a teaching just because it came from a well-known preacher and/or it is something we have never heard before.  We need to check these things out so we are not led astray.

And one more thing.  If a pastor preaches something and you check it out and find it questionable, bring it to their attention.  They may not know it is wrong, so by doing this you are assisting him in his teaching. I remember this happened to me once where I heard a weird teaching and I asked him about it and he realized his error, which he ultimately cleared up with the congregation.  Another time I found out I mis-understood him so it can go both ways.  However, the important thing to remember is that we must check out what we  and others are taught and ensure it is truth so we do not find ourselves deceived and going down a wrong path that does not lead to the truth. 

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

Galatians 6:1

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Galatians 6:1

“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted” – Galatians 6:1

Paul is laying out here how to address fellow brothers and sisters in Christ when they fall into sin.  Now this could be by surprise or ignorance, not realizing they were sinning, or out of the stress of temptation where they gave in to a sinful action.  Paul lays out how, as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to respond to those who find themselves in this predicament. 

He starts out by stating “we who are spiritual”. What is meant here are those who have not given in to these temptations but continued to live as they ought.  Theologian Joseph Benson says it like this.  “Who have received the Spirit of truth, grace, and wisdom, and who continue to live and walk by and in the Spirit.”  This is our responsibility while here on earth.  The more truly spiritual we are, the more we are to help our brothers and sisters in Christ to grow more in their walk, and in this instance, to help them understand the error of their ways and guide them back to where they ought to be.  And this is to be done in love and gentleness.  We are not to yell at them, embarrass or ridicule them, but we are to work to restore them in love and compassion.  We are to address the issue with them in an attitude of meekness and humility.  Yes, we are to correct them.  However, this must be done in love and not in arrogance and hurtfulness.  Our ultimate goal is not to shame them, but to bring them to repentance.

And taking this one step further, we must look at ourselves so that we will not be tempted.  We must be careful we do not allow ourselves to be tempted in the same manner or tempted to come across as other than gentle and loving.  This is a distinct warning that we look at ourselves as to carefully observe our own spirit and conduct, lest our eyes be fixed not on ourselves, but exclusively on those of their brother.  And Satan can and will work against us in order disrupt our work for God.  

Jesus said it like this, “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.  It is important that we do all we can to bring correction to a sinful brother or sister and bring them to repentance.  We cannot force the issue, but in love we must do what we can, being in prayer the whole time.

And finally, Paul wrote the following to the Church in Rome.  “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” Romans 15:1-3. Our focus as strong Christians are to take the responsibility to build up the weaker members of this body and not focus entirely on ourselves.  This is what Paul is saying in this focus verse, “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.” Galatians 6:1.  Just as Jesus did not please himself but accepted the roles of dying for us.  This, we also should die to ourselves for the sake of the body.  “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

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

Matthew 11:30

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Matthew 11:30  

“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” – Matthew 11:30

In Matthew 11, we read where Jesus presents His thanks to God , “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” Matthew 11:27.  The Father has placed all things under the authority of Christ.  “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:35-36.  Everything regarding our relationship with God is in the hands of Jesus.  If anyone does not believe in the Son of God does not have eternal life. But those who do believe have eternal life.  The “all things” of Matthew 11:27 and John 3:35-36 is referring to the kingdom of grace and on all things referring to the salvation of mankind.  Which also means over the church.  “And He put all things in subjection under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:22-23

And because all authority has been given to Him, He continues with, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.  This is the idea found in John 3 above.  “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36.  Note here the above highlighted words.  Salvation is based completely on Christ.  All this was given to Christ and was put under His authority.  Looking deeper in verse twenty-eight, we see the phrase “weary and heavy-laden”.  This metaphor is speaking of those who are bearing a great and heavy load on their backs.  And every step they take renders the load even more oppressive.  However, the person continues, using great exertions to get to the point where it can be laid down. 

Now, in order to bring clarification, lets look at the next verse. “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.” Matthew 11:29.  This speaks of two types of yokes.  The yoke we need to get rid of is the yoke placed on us by man, and in the case of the first century, the Pharisees and the Scribes.  These two types of teachers placed such a heavy burden upon their disciples that they were, as Jesus said, weary and heavy-laden.  They place such a burden upon them they became exhausted in trying to follow these rules and laws in all ways.  But Jesus told them to take His yoke upon them, His teachings and become His disciples.  And if they did, they would not become weary, but they would find rest for their souls.  And we find rest for our souls because we are not alone, but the Holy Spirit will help us.  “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17. 

And finally, because the Spirit of God lives in us, and we believe in Jesus and He is the reason for our salvation and Jesus is our teacher, we do not live under the yoke of man’s teachings or oppression, but we are to be taught and led by Christ, and His yoke is easy and the burden incumbent upon this yoke is light. As our focus verse states, “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:30.  His is a yoke that is comfortable and a light burden upon us.  The lightness of His yoke depends not only on His personal character as described in verse 29 (for I am gentle and humble in heart), but also on His new interpretation of the Torah, which, in contrast with the scribal concern for detailed regulation, enables a person to see beyond the surface levels of dos and don’ts to the true underlying purpose of God.  Which is loving God and your fellow man.  “Departing from there, He went into their synagogue. And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse Him. And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable than is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Matthew 12:9-12. 

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

1 John 3:17

Verse of the Day Devotion:  1 John 3:17  

“But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” – 1 John 3:17

This verse brings out in a clear way just what true love is.  The verse just prior to our focus verse shows us that love, as described here, is not an emotion but an action.  I am not saying emotion is not a part, for that is very true.  However, if it is only an emotion with no actions associated with it, then is it truly love?  James had this to say about it, focusing on faith.  “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and be filled, and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” James 2:15-16. 

In our focus verse, we see a similar idea, however, it is a stronger position taken here.  “But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1 John 3:17.  In James, he is saying that our faith is worthless, in fact it is dead.  However, in our focus verse, John’s statement is much stronger.  “But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1 John 3:17.  He is not just saying their faith is worthless, but that the love of God does not reside in them.  This is a very strong message. 

Let us look at the verse just prior to this.  “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16.  John is essentially saying that Jesus showed His love to us by meeting the major need we had in our lives.  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16.   This salvation was not a possibility without the work Christ did for us.  Jesus sacrificed His life for our good.  He gave everything for us.  He did not close His eyes, heart or mind against us.  He saw our need and met it completely.  This is a picture of what real love is. 

So, do we have this kind of love within us?  This is the idea found in this verse.  He did not have to come here, but He did because of His great love for us.  His death was horrible and without any legitimate reason but to meet our great need.  But because of His love He endured it all.  If we would not divide our bread with the hungry, then do we really have the love of Christ in us?  If we would not be willing to share our water with the thirsty, then does the love of Christ truly reside in us?  This is the heart of the matter.  He sacrificed everything for us.  Are we willing to make sacrifices for others? 

In closing, John writes in verse eighteen, “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.” 1 John 3:18.   If we only declare our love through words, and neglect showing people through our actions, then according to our focus verse, God’s love does not abide in us.  We are only doing what James says, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” James 2:16b.  They do not have the means to eat or stay warm,  but we tell them to anyway.  Does this really provide for their needs? 

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

Mark 12:24

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Mark 12:24 

“Jesus said to them, is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God?” – Mark 12:24

This verse was spoken by Jesus to the Sadducees because of their wrong understanding of the scriptures.  They asked Jesus a question regarding the resurrection.  The Sadducees denied there were angels and spirits, as well as the immortality of the soul.  They also believed when the body died the soul did as well.  They did not believe there was any future state of mankind or a resurrection.  Therefore, this was essentially a trick question to get Jesus to stumble in giving an answer, thus exposing a weakness in the doctrine. 

The Sadducees were an aristocratic class connected with everything going on in the temple in Jerusalem.  They tended to be wealthy and held powerful positions, including that of chief priests and high priest.  They also held the majority of the seats in the Sanhedrin.  Some of their wrong beliefs were  1. They were self-sufficient and therefore denied God’s involvement in everyday life. 2. Denied the resurrection and the afterlife as stated above, 3. They denied the existence of a spiritual world; angels, demons, etc.  They were essentially a political sect rather than a religious sect; however, they took this role as well and when  Jesus came, they feared He would create issues the among the Jewish people.

The question they asked was,  “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.’ Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother. So too the second and third, down to the seventh. After them all, the woman died. In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.” Mark 12:19-23.  Jesus responded in the words of our focus verse, essentially insinuating they did not know the scriptures.  He then goes on to say, “For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.” Mark 12:25-27.

They, as well as the Pharisees taught the people about God and what it meant to serve Him and do His will.  Unfortunately, they did not understand what the truth was, and because they were in a top position within Judaism, they taught what they believed and not necessarily what was reality.  They expected the people to just accept what they said with no questions.  And unfortunately, we see the same thing today, and I see it becoming more prevalent as time goes by.  Many preachers teach what they want to believe and ultimately what they want us to believe. 

Therefore, there are two things we need to do in order to ensure we understand what God is saying in His word.  First, we must study the word ourselves so that we can learn as much as we can about Him and what He expects.  Paul wrote this to Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”. As we pray and study, we will be prepared to help others who are working to understand what His word says.  And secondly, check what others teach and ensure it is truth.  Paul said it was a good thing to do this.  “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”  Acts 17:11.  If something seems odd or not quite right, check it out.  And if it is wrong, go to them who taught this and discuss it with them.  It is important that everything taught from the Word of God is accurate and helps us all grow in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

The Bible is far too important a document not to understood it as meant by the authors.  It helps us  to truly understand God and His great love for us and how we can show our love for Him.  Jesus told us “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.“ John 14:15.  And the best way for us to keep His commandments is to know what they are and how best to keep them.  That is why we need to spend concerted time in the study of His word, and also check out anything taught that seems off base.  And by doing this, we will be able to answer questions that may come up or defend the truth when it is questioned.  “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” 1 Peter 3:15-16.

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

Luke 1:1-2:21

Verses of the Day Devotion: Luke 1:1-2:21                

Merry Christmas to all who are reading this.  Every year, just prior to the opening of our gifts, I read the Christmas Story to all who are celebrating Christmas with us.  I pray you find this  encouraging and possibly choose to read it on Christmas every year as well, to tell the story of the coming of the promised Messiah. God Bless you all and I pray this day will be a trues blessing to you and your family and friends.

Luke 1:1  Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 

Luke 1:2  just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 

Luke 1:3  it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 

Luke 1:4  so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. 

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

Luke 1:5  In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 

Luke 1:6  They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. 

Luke 1:7  But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years. 

Luke 1:8  Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, 

Luke 1:9  according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 

Luke 1:10  And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. 

Luke 1:11  And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 

Luke 1:12  Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. 

Luke 1:13  But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. 

Luke 1:14  “You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 

Luke 1:15  “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb. 

Luke 1:16  “And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. 

Luke 1:17  “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 

Luke 1:18  Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” 

Luke 1:19  The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 

Luke 1:20  “And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.” 

Luke 1:21  The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple. 

Luke 1:22  But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute. 

Luke 1:23  When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home. 

Luke 1:24  After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, 

Luke 1:25  “This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.” 

Birth of Jesus Foretold

Luke 1:26  Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 

Luke 1:27  to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 

Luke 1:28  And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 

Luke 1:29  But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 

Luke 1:30  The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 

Luke 1:31  “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 

Luke 1:32  “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 

Luke 1:33  and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” 

Luke 1:34  Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 

Luke 1:35  The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. 

Luke 1:36  “And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 

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

Luke 1:38  And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 

Mary Visits Elizabeth

Luke 1:39  Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, 

Luke 1:40  and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 

Luke 1:41  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 

Luke 1:42  And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 

Luke 1:43  “And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 

Luke 1:44  “For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. 

Luke 1:45  “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” 

Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat

Luke 1:46  And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, 

Luke 1:47  And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 

Luke 1:48  “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. 

Luke 1:49  “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. 

Luke 1:50  “AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. 

Luke 1:51  “He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. 

Luke 1:52  “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. 

Luke 1:53  “HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent away the rich empty-handed. 

Luke 1:54  “He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, 

Luke 1:55  As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.” 

Luke 1:56  And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home. 

The Birth of John the Baptist

Luke 1:57  Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. 

Luke 1:58  Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her. 

Luke 1:59  And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father. 

Luke 1:60  But his mother answered and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.” 

Luke 1:61  And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.” 

Luke 1:62  And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. 

Luke 1:63  And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished. 

Luke 1:64  And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. 

Luke 1:65  Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea. 

Luke 1:66  All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him. 

Zechariah’s Prophecy

Luke 1:67  And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 

Luke 1:68  “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, 

Luke 1:69  And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant— 

Luke 1:70  As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old— 

Luke 1:71  Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; 

Luke 1:72  To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant, 

Luke 1:73  The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, 

Luke 1:74  To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 

Luke 1:75  In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. 

Luke 1:76  “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS; 

Luke 1:77  To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, 

Luke 1:78  Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, 

Luke 1:79  TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” 

Luke 1:80  And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Luke 2:1  Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 

Luke 2:2  This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 

Luke 2:3  And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 

Luke 2:4  Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 

Luke 2:5  in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 

Luke 2:6  While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 

Luke 2:7  And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 

The Shepherds and the Angels

Luke 2:8  In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 

Luke 2:9  And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 

Luke 2:10  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 

Luke 2:11  for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

Luke 2:12  “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 

Luke 2:13  And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 

Luke 2:14  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 

Luke 2:15  When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 

Luke 2:16  So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 

Luke 2:17  When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 

Luke 2:18  And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 

Luke 2:19  But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 

Luke 2:20  The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. 

Luke 2:21  And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 

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

Luke 12:34

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Luke 12:34

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” –  Luke 12:34

One thing I have noticed during these extremely difficult and weird times is fear concerning current and future financial health.  People who are struggling to make ends meet, providing for the needs of their families, are increasing in numbers.  These are difficult times and we need to remain in prayer for everyone who is suffering because of the pandemic.   However, during times like these, we need to keep in mind what Paul wrote to the Philippians.  “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.  I know this can be very difficult, and I am not trying to minimize the impact this is having on anyone.  From experience, I understand this.

However, we also need to understand that God loves us and he will never leave or forsake us.  As Christians, we need to decide what we refer to as our treasures.  In other words, what do we place the most value on.  And this is important for us to determine because, as our focus verse states, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34. And where our heart is, there is where our focus will be.  Therefore, our focus should be on God who loves us and takes care of us and our needs.  “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” Luke 12:31.  

I have spent some time myself determining where my treasure is.  And to be honest, it has not been all what it should be.  I looked at what I focused on and realized that I need to adjust some areas in order to put things back to a proper perspective.  The main question I asked myself was, what is most important to me?  And when I thought through this, it was not things, for these are temporal, not eternal.  Another question I asked myself was, what would I not give up over anything else?  Jesus said the following in reference to this which can be difficult to contemplate but opens our minds to the reality of who we are.  “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29. 

So, all things said, I want to encourage everyone to examine where your heart is, which will show where your treasure resides.  The big question is, does God and His will take precedence over everything else?  If so, are you prepared, if He asks you, to give up everything?  This Jesus said to the rich young ruler.  “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”  Matthew 19:21.  I am not saying He will require this, but what if He does? 

It is always good to examine ourselves to see where we are.  Paul tells us to “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5.  It is always good to search ourselves to ensure  we are following Him as we should and have not deviated from what He says.  David prayed that God would show him.  “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me And lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalm 139:23-24.  Sometimes we cannot see it, or maybe we do not want to see it.  If we ask Him truly desiring to know, He will show us and help us get back on the right path.  This is definitely where I want to see myself, and I am sure this is where you wish to be as well.

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

Colossians 4:2

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Colossians 4:2  

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” – Colossians 4:2 

One of the things we need to always remember is in order to be effective in what we do for God, we must persevere in prayer.  This was Paul’s general advice to all Christians.  No matter what God calls us to, we must always stay in communication with Him.  And prayer should not be limited to what we are doing, but for all who are doing God’s work.  Paul continues with the following.  “praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.” Colossians 4:3-4.  And this word is not limited by Paul to the Colossians, but he also said the same thing to the Ephesians.  “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:18-20.

The main idea here is that we do not neglect prayer but continue earnestly in it.  We are to be in such a frame of mind that we are ready at any moment to pray, either publicly or privately.  Paul, in his first letter to the Thessalonians, succinctly writes, “pray without ceasing,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17.  This takes it a step further.  It is important to remember that prayer is a two-way communication.  We must always be ready to not only speak to God, but also to hear from God. 

I remember a time I was speaking with a young man I met in north Miami who had left his home and moved in with someone who got him to become hooked on some serious drugs.  This destroyed his relationship with his family, especially his father.  While driving him to his apartment, I was praying while talking with him.  I spent several hours that night walking on the beach with him, discussing why he left home and left Jesus.  I did not have all the words, but God directed me in this conversation and I got him to promise to go home to his father and begin going back to church.  Since I was in the air force, I could not stay in contact with him,  but a year later, God brought him back to my mind, so I asked Him to show me how he was doing.  I was the sound man for a Christian rock band and that afternoon we were playing at a park in Miami.  We were setting up our equipment when all of a sudden this young man was running up to me.  It was the one I had spoken to a year earlier.  He had gone home that next morning and his father and him settled their differences and their relationship became solid again.  Also, He was attending Coconut Grove Baptist Church and was strengthening his relationship with God.  I rejoiced for some time after this, thanking God for showing me this wonderful news.

Prayer is absolutely essential in our Christian walk.  And, using a phrase a pastor friend once said, ‘not that we have to, but because we get to.’  Fellowship with Almighty God is one of the many blessings He has given to us.  We must, as our focus verse says, devote ourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.  And even if we do not know what to pray for, we have a helper to assist.  “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27.  He knows our hearts and understands what our needs are and is there to meet them.

In closing, Paul is telling us to  be devoted to prayer and fellowshipping with God.  We are to keep watch and not fall into error but remain alert to God’s ways.  And we are to be thankful that we have a God who wants to hear from us, meet our needs, and speak to us as well.  And we are to pray for all who are doing the work of God throughout the world, that they will succeed in what God is calling them to do.  And again, always be alert to hear from Him as well.  Who better to give us the knowledge we need to affectively do His will.  Rely on Him for everything.  He is faithful in all ways.

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

1 Peter 3:15

Verse of the Day Devotion:  1 Peter 3:15  

“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” – 1 Peter 3:15

Mark, in his gospel wrote the following words of Jesus, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15.  This was meant not just for the twelve apostles, but to all that believe and  follow Christ.  In other words, all Christians.  Matthew includes the following into His version of what Jesus said.  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.  We who are serious Christians are disciples and therefore we are to learn all we can about Jesus and the gospel so that we can preach it to all.

Peter starts this verse with ‘sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts’.  The basic idea here is to regard reverently and holy.  To be set apart as most important.  We must always regard Christ, in our hearts, as most important to us.  In Isaiah we read, “It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread.” Isaiah 8:13.  Wayne Grudem in his commentary on 1 Peter says that the sense of fear and reverence for the Lord rather than the fear of men is reinforced.  In other words, to reverence Christ as Lord means really to believe that Christ, not one’s human opponents, is truly in control of events.  This is why we must put Christ, as Lord, first in deciding who we are and what we do.   

And going back to what Mark wrote, we are to go into the world and preach the gospel.  Now, there are two ways we can look at the phrase, go into all the world.  First, by becoming a full time missionary and going to places all over the world preaching the truth of Christ.  This is very valid, and if God has called us to do this, then it is what we are to do.  I have a brother and sister-in-law who have traveled throughout the world telling people the truth of Christ, sometimes spending months and years in one place.  This is a wonderful life they have lived, and God has used them immensely. 

However, there is a second way to look at this, and that is to be available to discuss and preach the gospel to those around where you are.  We do not need to be full time missionaries in order to have a mission field.  Where we work is our mission field.  Our home can be our mission field.  Anywhere we go is a mission field.  And as our focus verse states, that is always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you.  Jesus told us, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-14.  Our light should shine such that anyone who sees us sees something they wish to understand.  So, we must always be ready to be a witness to others of the truth found in Christ.  And we must do this in such a way that they will be inclined to understand and accept the truth.  Therefore, we must be gentle and reverent, not being haughty, indignant or judgmental if they do not accept what we say at first. 

So, let us be ready and prepared to help those who we come into contact with understand the gospel so that they accept it with assurance.  We have an eternal hope within us that is available to all, and what a blessing we would be to those who come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  And Paul lays out how we can be prepared.  “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.  God gave us His Word in order to prepare us for the work He has for us to do.  Therefore study it diligently so that you can answer any question posed to us regarding Christ and the word of God.

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