Luke 16:13

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Luke 16:13 

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” – Luke 16:13 

First, I want to clarify the meaning of the word ‘Hate’ in this context.  The meaning here is not necessarily to detest and/or despise, but to ‘love less’.  As an example, you have a choice between two cars that you can buy.  There is one car you absolutely love, while the other you love as well, but not as much.  Thus, you love the second car less than the first car.  And stating as our focus verse says, the first car you love and second care you hate.

Now, let us look at this verse.  We cannot serve two masters. This is fairly clear.  I have been in a situation where I had two people over me at the same time.  I was a computer programmer responsible for much of the financial systems in the company.  There was a time when one wanted me to focus on one problem, whereas the other wanted me to ignore that issue and focus on what he wanted.  I had to make a decision as to which one I would serve at that moment, for I could not serve both because they required different duties.  Now, I was able to make a decision based on which caused the greatest problems to those who used the programs.  As stated, I could not do both because one wanted ‘A’ to be done, while the other wanted ‘B’. 

Now, Jesus gives the reason why no one can serve two masters.  For we will love one master more than the other.  Putting this part of the verse into perspective, the master we love the most will be the master we focus on and serve.  Therefore, whatever we love the most is truly our master.  So, this leads to the basic question here.  Who do we serve?  If God requires us to do one thing, and our own desires requires us to do another, who will be our master? 

The Greek word translated wealth here is the word ‘mammon’.  It is interesting that Jesus uses this word, but it makes very clear what He intended.  Mammon was the name given to an idol worshipped as the god of riches.  The Jews used this word to denote wealth, and it is not known if any Jews ever formerly worshipped the actual idol Mammon.  What He is essentially saying is ‘you cannot serve the true God, and at the same time be supremely engaged in obtaining the riches of this world.‘  And unfortunately, many in this world look to obtain things over and above serving the true God.  They are more interested in storing up treasures here on earth.  Earlier in this chapter we read, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21. 

Putting these ideas together, No one can serve two masters, but that which he loves more will be the one he serves.  For if our goal is to gain much wealth in this world, then we do not desire to gain it in the next.  And which one will a man store up? It is where his heart is, it is what he loves and desire over the other.  It is always a good idea to examine our hearts to see what it is that drives us, what we desire over and above anything else.  Which is more important to us.  Our lives here and what we can store away or our future life and what we can store away there?  So, which do we love the most?  This answer makes clear which master we will serve.  For as our focus verse says, ‘we will be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and wealth” Luke 16:13b.

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

Romans 5:8

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Romans 5:8 

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

Paul is speaking here in this verse about the love of God that goes beyond anyone else’s love.  And this is a love that He has manifest to us.  He fully demonstrated His deep love for us.  And He has absolutely confirmed this love as well.  And how did He show us this love? It is stated in our focus verse.  “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. 

In an earlier verse, he includes an additional word that clarifies the why.  “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6.  So, when we put these ideas together we see this, while we were still sinners and helpless to do anything to redeem ourselves, Christ died for all these  ungodly sinners, of which this group we were also affiliated with.  From the very beginning when Eve and Adam disobeyed God and ate the fruit, and even before because He knows the end from the beginning, He loved us enough to address our dilemma. This shows the infinite love God has for us. 

This brings up another question.  Would anyone else die for another?  He answers this in the following verse.  “For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.” Romans 5:7.  This verse shows that the love God has for us is matchless and unparalleled.  When Paul uses the words ‘righteous’ and ‘good’, he does not mean a truly gracious and holy man that is made righteous by the obedience of Christ.  This righteousness and goodness is what he and others deem righteous and good outside of how God deems it, through Christ’s sacrifice.  Those who being outwardly moral and righteous before men who keeps to the letter of the law and what man deems and imagines as good, such as the Pharisees in Paul’s time period where goodness is determined by outward behavior.  In other words, most men who do not have a relationship with God  does not truly have a sacrificial love that helps others, even if it means their own death.  

 However, this shows the infinite love that God has for us.  For while we were still in sin and doing wrong, and while we had no means to make it right with God, and even before we knew about our situation, God sent His only begotten Son to die for us so our sins can be forgiven.  Even when we have denounced Him and refused to obey Him.  This is true love and this is the love He has for us.  If it were not for this love that God has for us, we would ultimately die in our sins and be eternally separated from God into a horrendous place.

 And finally, the kind of love God has for us is the kind we are to have for others.  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35.  We are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ AND those who are not yet Christians.  He loved all men and gave access to all men through Christ.  “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.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:16-17.  We should care enough for the lost that we will do anything we can to introduce them to Christ, and we should love our fellow Christians enough to help them in any need.  Christ loved us enough to give His life for us. Do we love each other in the same way?

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

John 13:35

Verse of the Day Devotion:  John 13:35 

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35

Just as God is revealed to mankind by what He does, so are we as His people.  This is the idea of our focus verse,  “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35.  Look at what God did for us.  He sent His only begotten Son to die a horrible death so that we can be forgiven.  We could not have been redeemed in any other way.  Paul puts it this way.  “But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:22-23.  And the death referred to here is what is called the ‘second death’.  “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8.  Since we could never pay the penalty for our sins since it is impossible for us to  be perfect.  “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans:3:23. 

So, we see how God manifested His love for us.  And it is only because He first loved us that we can ourselves love.  “We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.  In other words, the only reason we can truly love is because He gave His love to us.  Another way to say this is found in I. Howard Marshall’s commentary on this verse where he says, “But the main instrument which God uses to bring us back to a true relationship of love is not fear of His judgement but the fact of His love.  Our love for God is based on God’s prior love for us and is thus the response of gratitude.  The more we realize how much God loved us, the more we realize our obligation to love Him in return.”  Then, looking at the next two verses we read the result of our loving God.  “If someone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.  And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.” 1 John 4:20-21.  The sense here is that no man, whoever they are or whatever they do, can have any true love of God if he does not love his brethren.  By brethren, I believe John is speaking of fellow Christians along with all others who are yet to give their lives to Christ.  And he completes this thought with the following truth, that if we love God, we should love everyone else.

So, back to our focus verse, when we love one another fervently with a pure heart, then it shall fully appear that we are truly His disciples, especially  if it leads to death.  “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.  The greatest love we can have is the same type of love Christ had for us; having the willingness to give our life for another, just as Christ did for all mankind of all time periods both future and past. Our lives are the most valuable thing we have, and therefore shows the deepest and truest form of love.  This is the type that Christ exhibited to His disciples, that we would be willing to and actually did do the same.  Not that we will,  but that we would if called for.  If this is the type of love we exhibit, then people will see us and the reality of our love.  And many times, this may be what strengthens the faith of our fellow Christians and opens the hearts of those who currently do not believe.  Tertullian, a Christian theologian and apologist in the second century, who taught primarily to gentiles, shows this by stating what some of those who heard him said, “See, said they, how they love one another, and are ready to lay down their lives for each other.”  This is just one example of how many Christians have been seen in the same way.  Let us focus on how  we can show the world this kind of love to God and our fellow man.

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

Psalm 107:1

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Psalm 107:1  

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” – Psalm 107:1

This verse is a call to mankind to give thanks to God for His amazing mercy He has bestowed upon us.  And not just mercy regarding certain things we may be going through, but everything that God has done for us, whether we find it personally pleasant or not.  We must always remember that we may not have chosen certain outcomes in our lives, however, God does everything for our good.  We have no idea how to pray explicitly for our needs and trials, so we must rely on God to do what He knows is best.  “Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26:27. We must trust that God knows everything, from the beginning of all things to the end of all things. “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose” Isaiah 46:8-10. Because of this knowledge that God has, He knows exactly how to  help us in our times of troubles because of this infinite knowledge as He searches our hearts and intercedes on our behalf. 

And because of this incredible God we serve, the one as stated above, who has infinite knowledge regarding what is and what shall be, and also what should be, ensures that we Christians will always experience what we can trust is good.  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.  And this is not just in this life, but for eternity; never to end.  “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” Romans 8:29-30.  God knew us, who have accepted Him, from the beginning of time.  And it promises that we shall be conformed to the image of His Son.  We have been called by God, are justified by Him, and we are also glorified.  And because of all that God has given us, comforted us in times of trial, and prepared us for an infinite life, how can we not give thanks to our God.  “When You did awesome things which we did not expect, You came down, the mountains quaked at Your presence. For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts on behalf of the one who waits for Him.” Isaiah 64:3-4.  We cannot even imagine what we have to look forward to in eternity. 

So, back to our focus verse.  He has given us so much that we cannot begin to know and understand. He does everything for our good, even though we may not see it that way. He has prepared an eternity that we cannot even comprehend.  And He is always with us, for as He has told us through Moses, “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6.  In all of this and so much more, how can we not be thankful for all His goodness.  “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Psalm 107:1.

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. 

1 Corinthians 13:8

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Corinthians 13:8 

“Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.” – 1 Corinthians 13:8

Now that Paul has completed his picture of what love truly is, he now moves on to the permanence of this true love.  And he begins by saying that love never fails.  The idea in the Greek is that it will never come to an end; it will never pass away. In fact. the very essence of God is love.   “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8.  God is love.  John also said here that if we do not love, then we cannot know God, for He is love.  And because God is eternal, love is eternal.  “Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” Psalm 90:2  The phrase “from everlasting to everlasting” is saying from eternity past to eternity future.  So, love has always been and will always be because God has always been and always will be.

Now, in contrast to love, prophesies will fail.  Whether the word implies predicting future events or teaching the truth of Christianity that God has given to us,  they shall all be done away with.  Though the accurate prophecies and gifted teachings are useful today, they will be of no use in the eternal kingdom of God.  And the same can be said for the gift of tongues.  They have a good use today, for example Acts 2 and the day of Pentecost.  However, as with tongues, they will also cease.  And the last thing he brings up is knowledge.  There are some who believe this refers to human knowledge of the arts, sciences and all human knowledge in this world.  And there is some credibility in this interpretation.  However, since the first two attributes mentioned are spiritual gifts, I tend to think this refers to the gift of knowledge found earlier in this epistle.  “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;”  1 Corinthians 12:7-8.  This gift refers to knowledge of the scriptures as well as knowledge of the things of this age.  Both of these were given by the Holy Spirit to certain individuals to aid in our going into all the world to spread the good news.  However, once we enter the eternal realm there will be no use for these either. 

He then completes this idea with the following.  “For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.”  1 Corinthians 13:9-10.  What we know, we only know  in part.  What we have now is but little knowledge even of earthly, and much less of heavenly things.  Even the prophets have been able to share only a small amount of what is to come.  But when He returns, and we enter the heavenly realm the partial knowledge goes away.  “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12.

Even though much of what we experience in this life will go away, such as prophesy, tongues, earthly knowledge, and the other spiritual gifts, love will remain forever.  It will become perfect and will never go away.  This is what we have to look forward to upon His return.  Perfect love with an eternal existence.  What could be better and more beautiful?

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

1 Corinthians 13:4

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Corinthians 13:4 

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,” – 1 Corinthians 13:4

Over the next five days, I will be Looking at 1 Corinthians 13 and how Paul, led by the Holy Spirit, describes what  true love actually is.  This is important as we see the world going away from what love while focusing more on themselves.  We, as Christians need to be a light in this world, showing what God wants His people to be like.  And in exhibiting what love really is, we may cause many who see it to desire becoming a child of God because of it.

This verse starts by declaring that love is patient.  In other words, love for our fellow man, saved or not, is extremely patient toward them.  It suffers all the weaknesses and ignorance, errors and infirmities of the children of God.  It endeavors to work in whatever way necessary to be a help in all times of trial.  It does not get frustrated. It does what is necessary in order to guide our brothers and sisters into all truth, helping them walk in the ways God desires us all to walk.  Remember, we all have a history, things that have happened to us that shape the way we react to things.  It is important that we work through them, both in ourselves as well as with others, so that we can all grow in God. 

Regarding those of this world, we must patiently work through all the anger, malice and wickedness in order to draw them to listen to the truth and help them make the decision to accept Christ.  No matter what they do, no matter what they say, no matter how they may ridicule us, we must continue to love them: desiring they come to the knowledge of the truth.  To give up on the unsaved is not showing love for them.  We may need to take a break, but we should never give up.

And along with the above, we are to be kind to all people. The word translated kind has the idea of tenderness and compassion.  It is mild-tempered, gentle and benign.  And, as the theologian Adam Clarke puts it, “if called to suffer, inspires the sufferer with the most amiable sweetness, and the most tender affection.”  This can be difficult to do, but it can be done.  God can help us to have such a love for them that whatever they do, we still want what is best for them, that being salvation and God living in them.

Also, it is not jealous of what another has.  It is not grieved simply because they have a greater portion of something good or has something we have always wanted but have never attained.  We should be happy for them, knowing that God will always supply us with everything we need.  And it does not brag about anything, but is humble, looking at others more highly that it looks at itself.   This is the truest picture of love, one that sees ourselves as ministers to all.  Not through pride and arrogance, but letting everyone know that they are, if not more, important then we are. 

I encourage us all  to pray that God will give us this type of love for everyone who we come across.  This is the love Christ had for us, and this should and must be the love we have for others.  God will give it to us, we just need to seek it with all our hearts, and then walk whereby people see our love and is drawn to Him.

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

Galatians 5:13

Verse of the Day Devotion: Galatians 5:13 

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” – Galatians 5:13 

The salvation that Christ brought to us is a salvation of freedom.  Freedom from the law and the requirements to do certain works in order to guarantee our salvation.  His is a complete freedom from all the burdensome rituals and ceremonies of the Mosaic law.  His is a salvation of grace. 

Now, one verse above this we see that there were people, probably teachers, who were positing thoughts into their minds regarding the law.  The main idea he brings up is circumcision.  It appears they were trying to get new converts to submit to being circumcised.  “Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”  Galatians 5:2-4.  In those days, if a Jewish man, or one who is converting to Judaism via becoming a proselyte, was not circumcised, then in essence they were not accepting the covenant with God.   This was no doubt the part of the law that was pushed upon the new Galatian, believers by these false teachers.  Paul then, in verse twelve, in a sarcastic manner, tells the church he wishes these teachers would cut themselves off from the Church.  “I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.” Galatians 5:12. 

Back to our focus verse, after he informs the church that for freedom Christ set them free, he then warns them that this is not a freedom to sin.  Back when I lived in Central North Carolina, I met a young man in a church who was married with one young child.  During a discussion with him, he admitted to having an affair with another woman.  When I questioned him about this, he told me that because he was saved, he was free to do anything he wanted.  It was OK to sin because Jesus already forgave him.  This idea is known as Antinomianism.  It means ‘against the law’, which is the belief that since we are under grace, the moral law is of no use.  The verse often used is “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.  They obviously do not know what this mean.  However, they ignore a clear verse in Paul’s writing to the Romans where he says, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” Romans 6:1-2.  And we are to keep the commands of God.  Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15. 

In verse one we read, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”  Galatians 5:1. He set us free from the yoke of slavery to the law and saved us through grace.  However, we are not at liberty to satisfy the desires of our flesh.  It is by grace we are saved.  However, Paul tells us that instead of being a slave to sin, we should, in love, be a servant to one another.  We should help each other in many ways, including their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.  This is not to aid in our salvation, but a way to share and express our love for each other.  This is what we should be about.  Salvation is by grace, but our calling is, in love, reaching out to the lost and helping and teaching our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

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

Colossians 3:14

Verse of the Day Devotion: Colossians 3:14 

“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” –  Colossians 3:14

This verse is basically at the heart of the Christian faith.  Going back a few verses, we see how we are to be toward others.  “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”  Colossians 3:12-13.  Paul first tells  them they were called of God to be His.  This had been, in times past, only spoken of the Jews.  The scribes, pharisees, and other leaders believed they were the only ones chosen to be God’s people.  Paul encourages them that these leaders were wrong, for God has called them also to be His. 

And because they, as well, were chosen by God to be His people, they must love all as God does.  They are to be merciful to others.  The idea of the phrase ‘put on’ in verse 12 is that we are not simply to act as if we are merciful, but we are to truly be merciful to all.  In all cases of this kind, we are to, as Adam Clarke put so well, let our heart dictate to our hands.  We must act to help those in need because of true compassion we have for them.  It should not be out of self-aggrandizement, but because we genuinely care for their predicament.  We should absolutely love all, and desire to help those who cannot, at this time, help themselves.  He then lists characteristics that should be exhibited, those being compassion and kindness.  We need to be humble, knowing that we could find ourselves in their position.  And we are to be patient and gentle, showing that we care about them and want to help.

He then goes on to say we should forgive others who wrong us.  This is a true showing of our love for them.  It is a difficult experience to be hurt by another.  It can be difficult to endure at times.  I remember when I experienced this at a former work place.  The company brought in a project manager to oversee a major overhaul of our financial applications.  He was not an easy person to work with, and once he reported to my direct supervisor something wrong  I had not actually done.  I received a call from her asking me what had happened.  Afterwards, I went to him personally letting him know what actually occurred and He called her to clarify.  Now, I will not say I was perfect in this, however, I told him I forgave him and we moved on.  However, I believe God used this to help me learn how to address problems like this.

Then, in our focus verse, Paul says, “Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”  Colossians 3:14.  Again, we see the term ‘put on’ used.  We are to genuinely love our brothers and sisters, as well as those who are not yet saved, and not just put on a show.  False love tends to make itself known and will show itself in disunity.  Peter put it this way.  “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-9.  The world is watching us.  They will know when our love is genuine.  They will also know when it is not.  Therefore, let us put on genuine love and we will be able to make a vast difference in a world that that so needs to see it.    

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

Exodus 34:6

Verse of the Day Devotion: Exodus 34:6 

“The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,” – Exodus 34:6   

This verse describes events that occurred after Moses threw the first set of tablets containing the Ten Commandments down upon the rebellious Children of Israel.  Remember that when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai he was so angry that he threw the tablets down onto them.  Well, this chapter describes how the second set of tablets were given.

Here is the verses recording this event.  “The LORD said to Moses, “Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain. No one shall come up with you, and let no one be seen throughout all the mountain. Let no flocks or herds graze opposite that mountain.” Exodus 34:1-3.  Moses here is given till the next morning to cut new tablets upon which God would put the Ten Commandments upon.  He then tells Moses to come to the mountain himself, not to bring anyone with him.

“So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first. And he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone. The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.”  Exodus 34:4-5.  Therefore, Moses does what he is commanded and cuts two new tablets to replace the ones destroyed previously.  The next morning he awakens, takes the two new tablets, and presents them to God.  The next thing we read is that the Lord descended from Heaven in a cloud and, I love the way this is put, and stood with him there.  Now the Lord declares in our focus verse, “The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, Exodus 34:6.  And then continuing in verse 7, “keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” Exodus 34:7. 

When He announced Himself to Moses the first time at the burning bush, he declared Himself as ‘self-existent’.  “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14.  This time He makes Himself known in the glory of His grace and goodness, using language that would be presented in the future to the church.  And because of what the Jews had done previously during the presentation of the first set of tablets, this shows His grace and mercy in presenting, once again, His law to His people, but also the grace and mercy He has in overlooking their sin.  And not just the sin of Israel, but all who has offended God in their ways.

This is the God we serve, one that has overlooked our sins once we cried out to Him for forgiveness, and then gave ourselves to Him to His service.  He loved us so much that He forgave us of everything and has declared us guiltless before Himself.  His abounding love and mercy goes far beyond anything we can ever imagine, and our future is with Him, in His kingdom forever.  What an amazing God we serve.

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