Matthew 5:29

Verse of the Day Devotion: Matthew 5:29

“If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” – Matthew 5:29

This verse comes from Jesus’ sermon on the mount.  Let’s look at the two verses prior to our focus verse.  “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28.  These two verses are introductory to what he says right after that.  First, He quotes a command in the law.  “You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14.   It is probable that the Pharisees taught this as regarding the outward act only for this is predominantly how they saw the law.  However, Jesus clarifies this when He told them that just lusting after a woman is adultery, as an inward act of the heart through desires.

Then He goes on to declare the following.  “If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.”  Matthew 5:29-30.

Now, this is not necessarily to be taken literally.  What He is alluding to is that whatever it is that causes us to commit adultery must be removed.  If looking at a woman causes it, then we must not allow ourselves to be tempted by what we see.  The general idea here is that whatever it is that causes us to sin, we must either get complete control over It or get rid of it.  For example, if we see some money on a table at a restaurant and we have a strong desire to take it, we must either get control of our desires and go on about our business, or if that is not possible, then we need to leave and remove our self from the temptation.

We must address this immediately, for the longer we allow the temptation to continue, the greater the probability we will give in to our desires.  With theft, it is in stealing what we want or coveting what another has.  With adultery, we will either do the deed, or we will lust after the person.  And as Jesus said above, simply lusting after anything will cause us to sin.  It is not enough to not act it out, but we must not desire to act it out.

I want to encourage us all to be in fervent prayer that we will all be able to keep our desires in check.  We must not allow temptation to cause us to sin.  God will help us in this area, and we need to rely on Him when we struggle with it.  Remember, it is not just the act that is wrong, but it is the lust and covetousness that goes along with it.  We must control both so that we can honor and please God with all we have and all we are.

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

Galatians 6:9

Verse of the Day Devotion: Galatians 6:9

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” – Galatians 6:9   

Adam Clarke, a British Methodist theologian and Biblical scholar said the following in His commentary on this passage in Galatians.  “Well-doing is easier in itself than ill-doing; and the danger of growing weary in the former arises only from the opposition to good in our own nature, or the outward hinderances we may meet with from a gainsaying and persecuting world.”  I have found this to be very true in my own life.   First of all, I do not desire to do what is wrong.  Unfortunately, I at times do things I really do not want to do; things I need to ask forgiveness for, and these are the things that I find hard to accept in myself.  Doing good is my heart’s desire, that being spreading the gospel, teaching the Word of God, encouraging someone who is down, discipling Christians, helping the poor and needy, and other things.  These good acts themselves, as Adam Clarke says, is easier to do.  However, it is the enemy which makes me weary in these things, both from tempting me to do something rather than serving God by serving His people, and by the negativity and harsh rhetoric against the truth of God.

However, we must never back down from doing good simply because others do not like, and actually hate what we do and who we are.  Paul did better for the cause of Christ than the vast majority of Christians, even though he suffered for it.  Let’s look at a few verses.  “Are they servants of Christ? I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.  Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.” 2 Corinthians 11:23-27.  This is a huge list; however, Paul was willing to go beyond this.  “And coming to us, he (Agabus) took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 21:11-13.  Paul was not going to stop doing good simply because Rome and the Religious leaders persecuted, tortured and worked to kill him.  He was probably physically tired, but He never wearied of doing the Lord’s work.

And why?  Let’s look at the second part of our focus verse.  “For in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Galatians 6:9b.  In the end, no matter what happens to us here, if we do not grow weary of doing good, we will receive our reward, which will be infinitely greater than our sufferings.  That does not mean we do it for the reward, but we do it because we love the Lord.  “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Colossians 3:23-24.  We are to do all we do in service to the Lord.  And what is the promised reward, our inheritance.  “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” Romans 8:16-17.

So, in conclusion, do not weary in doing good, no matter what that good is.  He has called all of us who are Christians to do His work, not necessarily the same work, but His work, nonetheless.  Do not tire of doing this work and end up stopping.  When you begin to feel this way, remember that God will reward us for all the work we do according to His calling.  When comparing the weight of His work and the coming reward, there is no comparison. William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

2 Corinthians 4:16

Verse of the Day Devotion 2 Corinthians 4:16  

“Therefore, we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16  

Over the next couple of days as we approach the New Year, I will be looking at verses that I believe we all, including myself, should focus on as we approach and go into 2022.  I am preparing myself to focus my attention on how I want to think next year.  Thus, the verse selections for this week.

Earlier in this chapter, Paul speaks of the suffering he and his companions go through for the cause of Christ. He begins by declaring that God is doing the work through them, not by them alone. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves;” 2 Corinthians 4:7.  They had submitted themselves to God to work through them to do His great work.  However, then he speaks of what this work has brought them, persecution. “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”2 Corinthians 4:8-10.  They suffered much in this work of bringing the truth of Jesus Christ predominantly to the Gentiles, but also to Jews.  We see this clarified in the next verse, “For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” 2 Corinthians 4:11.

How could they do this? “But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I BELIEVED; THEREFORE I SPOKE,’ we also believe, therefore also we speak;” 2 Corinthians 4:13. This was according to what was written in Psalm 116:10.   What He is essentially saying is, according to that which is written and he quoted above, we also believe, and therefore speak,” and without fear amidst afflictions and deaths.  And this is assured because in verse 14 he writes, “knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:14-15.   

And now to our focus verse. “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16.  His soul, that which cannot be felt or seen by others, is renewed, revived, and receives a daily increase of light and life from God, so that they grow more holy, more happy, and more filled with His glory  every day.

And he can say this, “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.  He states that the afflictions He endures will bring  an eternal weight of glory beyond what he could ever imagine or experience here.  Also, he states that he doesn’t focus on what happens to him here, or the ways of this world, but on the things that cannot be seen, the glories of Heaven. He lives completely by faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1.  For as he says, the things that can now be seen or touched are temporary and will eventually no longer exist.  But those things that we cannot see are eternal as we Christians also are eternal.

I have been thinking of the New Year and what changes I would like to make.  A big one for me is to be more focused on eternal things rather than earthly things.  Knowing that when I go home I will have a whole different life where the things here have no real value in the grand scheme of things.  And also to focus more intently on being a light in this world, spreading the truth through my words as well as the life I live.  And I want to encourage everyone I know to make this your goal in 2022 as well.  We are called to be that light that people see.  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, 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 5:14-16.  It is so important that we don’t just not talk the talk but also walk the walk.  Make this your goal in 2022.  We are all called to make disciples of Christ.  “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.  Let’s make this our primary focus starting now and for the rest of our time here on earth.

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

Luke 18:1

Verse of the Day Devotion Luke 18:1 

“Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,” – Luke 18:1 

Today we will look at the Parable of the Persistent Widow and unjust judge.  Here is this parable as found in Luke’s gospel.

Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,  saying, “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God, and did not respect man. And there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, Give me legal protection from my opponent. And for a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, lest by continually coming she wear me out. And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now shall not God bring about justice for His elect, who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”  Luke 18:1-8.

The story begins with the mention of a judge. He was not connected with either a synagogue or the temple but rather with a municipality. He was a part of the secular judicial system, which, in Israel in Jesus’ time, seems to have coexisted with the religious one. However, what interested the narrator is not what belonged to the world, but what belonged to the world of ethics.  

Now a woman was constantly being attacked in a legal sense.  And in this town, an unjust judge presided over everyone, who feared no one, not even God.  In that time in the Jewish community, a judge was expected to be impartial, to judge righteously, and to recognize that judgment ultimately belongs to God. “Then I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the cases between your fellow countrymen, and judge righteously between a man and his fellow countryman, or the alien who is with him. You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not fear man, for the judgment is God’s. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.” Deuteronomy 1:16-17. Therefore, because of these verses, the judge was actually not competent to be the judge. 

Now this widow comes many times before this judge.  And again, in that time because of the law, a widow deserves special protection under the justice system.  “For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe. He executes justice for the orphan and the widow and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.” Deuteronomy 10:17-18.  Eventually, the judge grows weary of her coming to him, he decided to give her protection.  “And for a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, lest by continually coming she wear me out.” Luke 18:4-5. 

Now, we do not always get immediate results when we pray. Our definition of swift justice is not the same as the Lord’s definition. The parable of the persistent widow demonstrates that effective prayer requires tenacity and faithfulness. A true disciple must learn that prayer never gives up and is based on absolute trust and faith in God. We can fully count on the Lord to answer how He deems best, and when He chooses. God expects us to keep on asking, seeking, knocking, and praying until the answers come.

Jesus presents a final question regarding the matter at the end of the parable of the persistent widow and unjust judge. He asks, “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8. Faithful and persistent prayer is the permanent calling of every true disciple of Christ who is dedicated to living for the Kingdom of God. Like the persistent widow, we are needy, dependent sinners who trust in our gracious, loving, and merciful God alone to supply what we need.

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

Matthew 16:25

Verse of the Day Devotion: Matthew 16:25 

“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.’ – Matthew 16:25

This is a difficult thing Jesus told His disciples.  In order to understand the full picture of what Jesus said, we must go back a few verses to understand the context of these words.  Starting in verse 21 we read, “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You. But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”  Matthew 16:21-23.  Jesus had just foretold His death and resurrection to His disciples.  After He does this, Peter pulls Him aside and rebukes Him, stating that it will never happen.  I cannot imagine anyone rebuking Christ, however, Jesus rebukes Peter, telling him to go away, for this is God’s plan for the Messiah to fulfill, not what man thinks it is.

After this, Jesus told the disciples their role in this if they wish to follow Him.  “Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24.  Jesus came here to die for the sake of mankind, giving each of us the opportunity to be saved and spend eternity with Him.  He gave His life for us.  What He is saying here is that He expects His followers to do the same if need be.  If doing the work of God meant sacrificing their lives, would they, or would they do what was necessary to save their lives.  If they were not, then they needed to stop following Him because they were not giving all of themselves to the work required of them.

He then builds upon the idea brought forth on the prior verse with our focus verse.  “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”  Matthew 16:25.  In essence he is saying those who are doing the work of the Lord and choose to stop because they will be killed if they do not have a choice.  Either he can continue and trust that God will either save his life or allow him to give the ultimate sacrifice, or He can walk away from Christ and His work. 

The question we need to ask ourselves is are we willing to give all for Christ?  Is our life more important that Christ?  As stated above, Jesus came for the express purpose of suffering and dying for our sake so we can be reconciled with the Father.  Are we willing to do the same in order to spread the gospel throughout our areas of influence?  This is the question Jesus is asking.  And we must be ready to give an answer.  Search your heart and pray that God will help you know what your true answer is.  If it is yes, than you are willing to give everything for the sake of Christ.  If it is no or I do not know, then pray and ask God to give you the strength and courage to say yes.  He is much more important than anything else in our lives, including our lives.  Give your all to Him and His work.  You will find it to be more satisfying than any other.

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