Romans 10:14

Verse of the Day Devotion: Romans 10:14

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” Romans 10:14 

Paul here in this verse is writing to the Church at Rome regarding the Jews and their inability to understand the message of salvation.  He declares in an earlier verse, “For I bear them witness that they (the Jews) have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” Romans 10:2-4.

The Jews, whose forefathers had received the law from God turned to the law as a basis of their salvation. But the prophet Joel states the following, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.” Joel 2:32. As noted in this verse, it is not the doing of the law but calling out to God.  Jesus said it like this, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. But because the Jews held to the law due to the traditions of the leaders and elders, they could not accept Christ as the Messiah because He did not act as they thought the Messiah would.

There were many in the first century that did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God.  In fact, all the religious practices of that time believed their gods demanded a following of specific rules in order to be saved.  It was not just the Jews.  However, going back to the Jews, they believed the law was the path to their salvation.  So, what is our focus verse saying.  To all Christians it is saying the following.  First, that how can they call on Jesus if they do not believe?  Putting this another way as Albert Barnes so clearly stated, “How could they call on one in whose existence, ability, and willingness to help, they did not believe?”  Good question.  Then he goes further.  And how can they call on someone who they have never heard of.  There were many in that day who had never heard of Him.  And then lastly, how can they hear of Him if no one tells them?

Paul is calling Christians, then and now, to tell people of the saving knowledge of Jesus, showing that He was the long-awaited Messiah.   Quoting Isaiah, he says “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’” Isaiah 52:7. Isaiah is saying that God richly approves and is delighted in those who go out and declare the good news of the love of God and His great salvation.  In one of Jesus’ last words He says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20. He is calling all His disciples to go out and spread the good news.  We are the ones who, in our focus verse, are the preachers, the ones He has called to let everyone know who the true God and Savior is.  Some are called to go into nations and places far away, others to our neighbors, friends, co-workers and those whom we meet.  We must tell them, for if we do not, who will?

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

1 John 4:1

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 John 4:1

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” – 1 John 4:1

One of the things that John warned the Christians of his day was that there are many false prophets in the world.  And this is just as true today as it was in the first century.  The enemy will do whatever it takes to convince us that the truth is actually a lie, and their lies are actually truth.  Jesus called them wolves.  “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”  Matthew 7:15.  In other words, they will appear as true Christians trying to help us understand the truth, when actually they are there to lead us away from the truth of Jesus Christ.

So, how will we know these false prophets?  “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?” Matthew 7:16. It is important that we look at what they are saying and see if it lines up with the Word of God.  We must be like the Bereans of Thessalonica as written in Acts 17:11. For they checked out everything that was taught to them to ensure it was absolutely true.  Too many people simply accept what is taught to them in church, especially from famous and prominent preachers.  They think because they are famous, they must be speaking the truth.  Or, they have great credentials so they must know what they are talking about.  Not always.  The fruit of teachers are the words they teach.  Truth comes from good and Godly teachers, sheep.  Heresy comes from liars and deceivers, wolves.  Sheep never dress as wolves, but wolves will dress as sheep.  Sheep never want to deceive the people, but wolves do.

So, back to our focus verse.  How can we ensure that we are hearing truth?  We must spend time studying God’s word and hold these truths deep in our hearts.  Then, when we hear something that is false, we will know it and reject it.  In the event we are not sure, we must check the scriptures or ask someone to show you so as to verify the validity of the teaching.  If we find it true, we can accept it.  If we find it is not, then we reject it, and if necessary, the teacher as well.

There are many false teachers out there whose purpose is to tickle our ears as Paul says to Timothy and lead us astray to further their own ambitions and desires.  Be careful what you accept as truth.  Many times, their words are in the bible, but taken out of context.  Be careful and seek the Lord, asking Him to show you what is truth and what is not.  “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” John 16:13. The Spirit of Truth is with us.  And He will, as stated above guide you into all truth.  Follow His guiding.

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

Mark 16:11.

Verse of the Day Devotion.  Mark 16:11.

And when they heard that He was alive, and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it. – Mark 16:11 

When the Sabbath was over, they were then able to prepare the body of Christ for burial. “And when the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.” Mark 16:1. This was not done to prevent bodily decay, as was the custom in Egypt, but to perfume the decaying corpse as an act of devotion. This was brought on Sunday, the first day of the week, after the Sabbath, and after the sun arose. And while they were traveling, they were asking one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb? And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large.” Mark 16:3-4. They had seen the stone put in place, with a seal placed on the stone and soldiers placed there to ensure no one took the body out and declare a resurrection.

However, when they arrived, they saw the stone was already rolled away, “And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He said to you.” Mark 16:4-7. When they got there, the stone was already rolled away. So they enter and see a young man sitting there on the right side, with a white robe on. Joseph, whose tomb this was, and who closed the tomb was not there. He would not have been able to do this alone but would have had servants and slaves to aid in this. Therefore, because of the size of the stone, a young man alone could not have opened the tomb.

Then the young man says to them. “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He said to you.” Mark 16:6-7. This young man confirms he is not Jesus. Then He tells them that Jesus has risen from the dead as promised, and they are to go to the disciples and Peter, that He is on His way to Galilee.

It is remarkable that Peter is singled out for special notice, and it was proof of the kindness and mercy of the Lord Jesus. Peter, just before the death of Jesus, had denied him: not once or twice, but three times. Peter would have understood if Jesus had from that moment cast him off and noticed him no more. But he still loved him. And having loved him once, he loved him unto the end. And as proof that he forgave him and still loved him, he sent him this ‘special’ message, the assurance that though he had denied him, and had done much to aggravate his sufferings.  And because He had risen He was still his Lord and Redeemer. We are not to infer because the angel said, “Tell his disciples and Peter,” that Peter was no longer a disciple.

The meaning was they were to tell his disciples, and especially Peter, sending him a particular message. Before his fall, Jesus had prayed for him that his faith should not fail. “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. And he said to Him, Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death! And He said, I say to you, Peter, the cock will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.” Luke 22:31-34.

Now, after hearing what the young man said, those who were there left and told the disciples what they saw and what the young man said. “She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping. And when they heard that He was alive, and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.” Mark 16:10-11. When they were told all these things, they did not believe. They had been mourning His death and were unable to accept what they heard.

Then Jesus appears to the eleven. “And afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen.” Mark 16:14. And then He shows His grace and forgiveness by giving them a calling to serve Him. “And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15. Even though they lacked belief in His declaration He would rise from the dead, He knew their hearts. They had not given up on Him, they simply had a short time of struggling to believe He was alive again.

Jesus did not give up on them, for He knew their hearts. Judas turned Him in because of true unbelief, but the other eleven had a period of unbelief, but realized their doubt was wrong when Jesus met with them. And we may fall into a period of doubt now and then, but when this happens, we must go to Christ and ask for assistance in overcoming our period of doubt. And just as He helped the eleven through their period of doubt, He will help us. If we believe that Christianity is 100% true, then we must hold this truth, sometimes with His help. Do not give up but let Him guide you. He is willing and able to bring you through any difficulties you may find yourself in.

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

Romans 4:24

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Romans 4:24

“But also, for us.  It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.”  

‘What” shall be imputed to us who believe….and why is this astoundingly great, great news?   

Paul is speaking in this portion of the verse about the judicial act of God in imputing the righteousness of Christ Himself and the judicial position of being declared righteous to any person that believes in the finished work of redemption that is of Jesus Christ – His death, burial, and resurrection.  There are two Greek words that are translated ‘impute’ in the New Testament, logizommai and ellogao.   The first one occurs 41 times and is in various places translated as:  reasoned, numbered with, reckoned among, think, counted, accounted, laid to one’s charge, and imputed.  This is the word used in Romans 4:24.   The righteousness of Christ Himself has been laid to our spiritual account.  His righteousness has been put in our account, numbered with Him, at one with His Righteousness, etc.   This is only true of course for true believers in Christ’s finished work.  No longer does God in His Holiness view a true believer as unrighteous before Him because He sees the Righteousness of Christ envelope them.   The other Greek word ellogao only occurs twice in the New Testament.  Ellogao is likewise translated as imputed as in Romans 5:13 “(For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.”) and in Philemon 18 “put that on mine account”.   So why bring this up at all and what bearing does it have on our daily lives?  Because imputation in Scripture is either ‘real’ or ‘judicial’ in character.  

There are three major imputations mentioned in Scripture.  First, there is the imputation of Adam’s sin to all mankind.  This is ‘real’ imputation which involves ‘placing to one’s account of that for which they are personally responsible’, such as charging a man for a crime he has committed.  This is the imputation that Scripture plainly teaches that Adam transmitted to every human being that would ever be born after Adam.   Men since Adam’s day are born sinners. They do not become sinners by sinning, as did Adam: they sin because they have a nature of sin.  Many ‘believers’ miss this distinction in my opinion because of religion.  Most believe that an ‘act of sinning’ is what makes one a sinner.   However, it is the sin nature that each person is born with that is the fuel to acts of sin.   This nature of sin is referred as the Adamic nature, original sin, inborn sin, or the old man.   This imputation is very real!   There is no way to escape this condition at birth.  “For as IN Adam all die, even so IN Christ all shall be made alive” (I Cor 15:22).  The ONLY way to escape this sinful condition is by killing this sinful nature, so that it has no power to rule and reign over a person’s life.  This is NOT done by your own physical death.   It IS accomplished in only 1 way: by the Second means of imputation mentioned in the Scriptures. It is the imputation of man’s sin (your personally responsible nature of inherited sin) ONTO a substitution in your place.  And that substitute on your behalf was a sinless Man, God in the flesh, Jesus Christ that bore the whole of mankind’s sin on the Cross.  This sin nature of all mankind was killed alright – it was crucified with Christ on the Cross and your sin nature right along with Him.  “I have been (past tense) crucified WITH Christ….” (Gal 2:20a).  BUT this can only be true to a person that places their absolute full faith and belief in what Jesus did for you.   Most people do not believe this to be true.  And most people try to clean up their ugly sin nature by good behavior, falsely thinking this will help.  It doesn’t.  ONLY your sin nature crucified WITH Christ can kill the nature to sin.  That is amazing, amazingly good news (this gospel of grace).  Yet there is the Third imputation that takes place as well.   And that is the imputation of Christ’s Righteousness; the full Judicial Righteousness of God’s righteousness imputed to the believer.  Whomever is reading this, rejoice!!!!   Read the first five Chapter of Romans over and over.  Paul, by revelation as nowhere else in all of Scripture portrays the ‘how’s and why’s’ of mankind’s complete helplessness and hopelessness apart from Christ and then reveals the unmerited grace of God which can eternally save the most underserving sinner.   This Righteousness is obtained by faith.  It is accounted to you who believe that what Christ has done for you and in your place is true and real.  Apart from this faith in what Christ has done for you, you will remain IN Adam.   But thanks be to the grace of God, that all that believe by faith in Christ’s finished work on the Cross, are ‘IN Christ’ made alive!     The Righteousness of Christ shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead…”

Jaca Kier, Board Member, True Devotion Ministries, Inc. 

John 14:1

Verse of the Day Devotion: John 14:1

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” – John 14:1

Just before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knew His time to leave was coming.  “Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” John 13:1.  And because of this, He was preparing them for His departure.  Therefore, after Judas left to betray Jesus, He lets the remaining eleven know.  “Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.” John 13:33.  This was very difficult for the disciples to accept.  Think about this, for the past three years He had spent almost all His time working with the disciples training them for the work He was calling them to, which was making disciples of all nations.

But Peter was confused.  “Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later. Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.” John 13:36-37.  He first asks Jesus where He was  going, and after receiving the answer He follows up with another.  “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.” John 13:38. Peter asks Jesus if he could go along.  Notice it was can I follow and  not can we follow.  He was obviously asking this in an impetuous manner, not thinking about it before asking.  However, Jesus follows this with a question.  “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.”  John 13:38. 

Jesus understood this conversation left them unsettled.  They obviously did not like what they heard.  But Jesus, seeing this is the case, said the following. “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1.  However, Jesus does not stop there.  “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”  John 14:2-3.  He lets them know that He will be going away and they cannot immediately follow.  However, He adds that one day He will come back and bring them to where He resides. 

I know for myself that there are times I wonder why things have to be the way they are, just as the disciples did when they were told this good friend and teacher was going away and they could not follow.  And I feel confident that many times you also have experienced these times as well.  Ours is a little different in that Jesus is not physically here as He was with the disciples.  However, this does not negate the fact that His response to them is the same for us.  We should not let our hearts be troubled by the many things that we encounter, for our time here is just as temporary as theirs.  Jesus told them that He would come again and take them with Him, so that where He is they will be also.  And this promise applies to us as well.  In fact, it applies to all who have given their lives completely to Christ and have accepted the work He did on the cross.  This is the future for all Christians, eternity with Christ.  Remember this when difficulties come, that not only is He here to help us through these difficult times but when our time here is over He will take us home to be with Him forever.

So, as Jesus told His disciples, do not let your heart be troubled.  Believe in Him and be comforted with the fact that He will always be with us, both here and in heaven, our eternal home.  He is coming back.  Let you mind and heart always focus on this.

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

Hebrews 11:6

Verse of the Day Devotion: Hebrews 11:6 

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” – Hebrews 11:6 

The writer of Hebrews lays out in a succinct manner what is pleasing to God.  It is faith in Him.  You see that clearly in the first part of the verse where is says “And without faith it is impossible to please Him” Hebrews 11:6a.  Actually, this phrase is stronger that what appears here, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him at all.”  Without faith, there is no way to please Him at all. We can do all kinds of things that we believe will make Him happy, but without faith we are wasting our time.  In fact, Paul goes as far to say, “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.” Romans 14:22-23.  Note4 what this verse said, whatever is not from faith is sin.  This is why doing anything without faith does not please Him. 

Now, going back to verse one, we see two components of faith.  “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1   First, it is the substance of things hoped for.  Now this definition of hope is much different then how we see it.  We often say, “I really hope our team wins” or “I hope that book I ordered comes in today”.  Modern man sees hope as something they desire to come to pass.  However, hope in reference to the book of Hebrews sees it as “the assurance of things hoped for.”  This fits beautifully when we see the object of the hope here.  It is the fulfillment of things God has promised.  We know God will do what He has promised.  “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore, also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20.

Second, “the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1b.  As the first component deals with future items, this one address past, and present issues that we have not seen.  It says that even if we do not see it, we believe it happened as He said.  Classic examples of this is the creation of the heavens and the earth, the flood that destroyed the world, except for those in the Ark, the miraculous conception of Christ, His resurrection from the dead, His ascension to glory, His mediation at the right hand of the Father, etc.   In essence, believing everything we are told by Him without needing any other proof but His words. 

Wrapping this up, the way we please God is to have the faith to believe everything He has said, is saying and will say to us.  It also says in our focus verse that we must believe that He is.  We must believe He is who He says He is, and not that He might be.  We also must understand that He loves us and rewards those who truly seek after Him.  If we do not believe Him in one thing, it will be difficult to believe Him in all things.  And when we do believe Him, He takes great pleasure in that and will reside with us, blessing us with His presence.  What greater reward can we have than to be in His presence forever.

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

Mark 9:24

Verse of the Day Devotion: Mark 9:24 

“Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” – Mark 9:24    

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you want God to help you yet are not sure if He can or will?  We have to be honest with ourselves if we find ourselves in this situation.  Just as the father in this story was honest with Jesus.  The story starts with the disciples struggling with belief themselves.  “And one of the crowd answered Him, Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” Mark 9:17-18.  A man brings his son who has a demon to Jesus’ disciples and told the disciples to cast it out.  However, they were unable, so He brings him to Jesus.  “And Jesus answered them and said, O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” Mark 9:19  Them refers to His own disciples.

After this, “They brought the boy to Jesus. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, How long has this been happening to him?  And he said, From childhood. It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us, and help us! “ Mark 9:20-22.  Note the wording here, “if you can do anything”.  He was not sure.  And Jesus catches this phrase.  “And Jesus said to him ‘If You can?’  All things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23.  In saying this, it appears that the beginning of faith appears to have come.  And we see this in the father’s answer to Jesus in our focus verse. “Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, I do believe; help my unbelief.” Mark 9:24.   What this man told Christ was that he did believe He had power, but there was still elements of unbelief in him regarding the healing of his son.  This was probably due to the amount of time his son has suffered with it, and the many ways they tried to address it and failed.  Jesus heard what the man said and had compassion on him and the boy.  “When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, you deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.” Mark 9:25. 

God knows us, and He knows our hearts.  Therefore, it does no good to attempt to conceal the doubts we may have.  We can know He is capable of doing everything yet have doubts about specifics we desire or need Him to do.  There are two things in our focus verse I wish to point out.  First, the man felt and admitted this unbelief to Jesus.  He opened his heart to Him, admitting its presence.  It was not complete unbelief in Jesus, just, in this instance, His healing power for his son.  As stated above, sometimes we experience so many failures regarding what we are praying for, it becomes difficult to believe it can be done at all.  And second, he appealed to Jesus to help him overcome this unbelief.  And this should be our cry when we find ourselves in a similar predicament: believing God can do anything but struggling in this instance.  We see God’s love in that He helped this man overcome his doubt, and He will do the same for us.  Open your heart and be totally open to Him, not just saying the words we think will work, but speaking the truth.  God will help us in our shortcomings when we admit they are there and ask Him for help.

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

1 Peter 1:8

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Peter 1:8 

“And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,” – 1 Peter 1:8       

This Epistle from Peter was addressed to those who were scattered abroad throughout the land.  They were scattered throughout, based on 1 Peter 1:1, “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.  They were not around where Jesus had been, and therefore they never had the opportunity to see Him directly.  Peter blessed the God and Father of Jesus, who by His great mercy caused them all whom he was speaking to be saved by the sacrifice of His Son and His resurrection from the dead.  He continues, “to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:4-7.

They were told of this great salvation that was provided to them by the death, burial and resurrection of someone they had never seen or probably heard of as well.  However, their hearts were open to the words spoken to them and they accepted this is reality and became followers of Christ through the disciples that brought them the message.  This reminds us of what Jesus spoke to Thomas after revealing Himself to him.  “After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said,  Peace be with you. Then He *said to Thomas, Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing. Thomas answered and said to Him, My Lord and my God!  Jesus said to him, Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” John 20:26-29  Notice what Jesus said.  ‘Blessed are those who do not see, and yet believed.”  Those that Peter was speaking to had not seen Him, yet they believed because they knew He was with them, inside.  They loved Him because they believed.  Note what Peter specified. “and though you do not see Him now”.  He was telling them they would one day see Him, and they ‘greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.

This is our testimony as well.  We have not seen Him with our eyes, but we have seen Him with our heart and our faith.  He has revealed Himself to us in ways this world does not understand, because they choose not to.  But we know He is real.  And we will one day see Him, with our eyes in all His glory.  I will say that I look forward to this time more than anything else. 

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