Galatians 5:9

Verse of the Day: Galatians 5:9

“A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.” – Galatians 5:9

Paul is writing to the Church in Galatia and in the above verse, he is telling them not to succumb to any so-called small sin, or any sin for that matter, for it will have an impact in their Christian walk.  Look at the two verses just before our daily verse.  Galatians 5:7-8, “You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?  This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.”  Something they bought into was hindering their growth.  And it had nothing to do Christ.

This is very important for us to see.  Many times, we think we can get away with things that are wrong because we are strong in the faith.  It may be simply in our thought life, maybe it is in our desires.  Or maybe, it could be in our prideful attitude.  These things will have a negative effect on our relationship with Christ.  It is important that we stay in constant contact with God so we can hear what He wants us to do, but first so we can hear from Him where we are off.  A little sin accepted can destroy your walk, just as a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.

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

Matthew 18:10

Verse of the Day Devotion Matthew 18:10  

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you, that their angels in heaven continually behold the face of My Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 18:10 

Today we will look at the Parable of the Lost Sheep.   Here is this parable as found in Matthew’s gospel.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you, that their angels in heaven continually behold the face of My Father who is in heaven. “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying?  “And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.  Thus, it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.” Matthew 18:10-14. 

This is an interesting parable for it addresses a situation that many of us have not learned to address properly.  The first sentence in this parable says, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you, that their angels in heaven continually behold the face of My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 18:10.  The Greek word translated despise has the idea of looking down upon or scorning, as well as disregarding them  so as not to be around.  John Wesley put it this way. “We must be careful to receive and not to offend, the weaker  believers in Christ: for as inconsiderable as some of these may appear to be, the very angels of God have a peculiar charge over them: even those of the highest order, who continually appear at the throne of the Most High.”

Now, when we come to verse twelve we read, “What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying?” Matthew 18:12.  This rhetorical question implies an affirmative response in the Greek: of course, that is the way one would act.  Jesus tells them that the shepherd in this story, being a ‘good shepherd’, would go after a lost sheep, leaving the other ninety-nine to find the one.  The straying sheep is a believer, one of these little ones, who wanders away from consistent obedience as well as intimate fellowship with God.  Now, the leaving of the ninety-nine does not assume they are left unprotected, for other shepherds would probably help them out.

In the next two verses, He expresses the reason for this. “And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.  Thus, it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.” Matthew 18:13-14.  God does not will for anyone to perish.  “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. Many look at this verse regarding only the unsaved. However, this speaks of all, including those who are weak and walk away. “Thus, it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.” Matthew 18:14.

Jesus said to His disciples go out into all the world.  “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. Yes, we are called to spread the gospel to the lost, but we are also called to teach and strengthen those who are followers of Christ. We should never avoid any opportunity to help Christians, especially those who are new and/or weak in their faith. And if we see them beginning to shy away from the Church and ultimately God Himself, we need to go to them and encourage them to stay true to the ways of Christ and help them in areas where they are weak or are questioning Christianity itself.  And if we can turn them around, we can rejoice with God that they have come back to Christ and given up their sins and/or doubts.  For remember, it is the will of God that all of His sheep will stay true and not perish and fall away.

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

Proverbs 15:16

Verse of the Day Devotion: Proverbs 15:16 

“Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it.” – Proverbs 15:16  

This verse sometimes has been looked at in the wrong way.  It is not saying the poverty is better the affluence.  I have heard of many wealthy individuals who are quite content with humble goods.  The founder of Walmart, Sam Walton is a great example of what I am referring to. He was considered one of the richest, if not the richest man. In the United States.  At the time of his death in 1992, he had a net worth was around 6 billion dollars.  That was a good chunk of change back then.  However, it is said that he did not flaunt it.  He would drive a pickup around, many times simply wearing jeans and a shirt.  And, he served as an Elder and Sunday School teacher at his church, teaching high school age students.  And it is said he also was very generous in his giving, too.

Now, too often, people look at what they have and are discontent because they do not have all that they want.  Many times, however, they can be discontent not have all that others have as well.  I have known many people who desire to be seen as rich, and therefore spend an exorbitant amount of money in the process.  Unfortunately, the really do not have the money, so they go deeply into debt.  They buy a Jaguar instead of a Chevrolet, and a mansion instead of a simple house.  What does this do?  It causes them to be anxious as the bills start to pile up, and many times they are unable to retire at a reasonable age because of the immense debt they have compiled.

This is what the writer of our focus verse is speaking about.  “Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and turmoil with it.” Proverbs 15:16.  It is not wealth and affluence that truly satisfies, it is communion and fellowship with God, living a life pleasing to Him, and giving Him the praise and worship, He is worthy of.  Things may satisfy for a season, bur soon they lose their luster, and we need to get more things to satisfy us again.  And this goes on and on and on.  Unless we choose to find our satisfaction in the one who made us, loves us, and has an incredible eternal future planned for us which we cannot even begin to understand.  As Paul said, “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9.  And He has already revealed them to us through His Spirit. “These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:10.  However, we must have our eyes open to what God is telling us. 

Worldly treasures can be good, as long as they are kept in their place.  They should never usurp God’s place in our lives.  They can never satisfy us the way He can.  In fact, they can be the cause of many troubles in our life.  So, keep this is mind as you go about your business.  Having a few things with the love and fear of God in your life, is far better than a life without Him. 

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