John 1:10

Verse of the Day: John 1:10

“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.” – John 1:10 

In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” John 1:1-3.  Through Christ, everything that exists that came into existence was through Him.

Today’s verse states that the creator of all creation came to the world and they did not know Him.  This is a sad thing because throughout the entire Old Testament, it was prophesized that He would come.  And it is important to understand that all, not just some, but all the prophesies regarding the Christ, the much-anticipated Messiah, was fulfilled.  The problem was either the Jewish leadership did not understand their scriptures, or they ignored their scriptures regarding His coming. We have had 2000 years since Jesus was here on earth in human form and too many still do not know Him.  The reasons are similar; they either do not understand what the scriptures say, or they ignore it because it is not that important to them.  And that is why we are here.  As Jesus sent His disciples out to declare the truth of who He is, He now sends us, His disciples of today to do the same.  I encourage you to be attentive for opportunities to introduce them to Jesus, who is the only way of salvation.

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

2 Peter 3:9

Verse of the Day Devotion: 2 Peter 3:9

“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 

Peter here is answering a question coming from those who are mocking the Christians, in this case focusing on those who state the following, “and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 3:4.  You can hear the mocking attitude in these statements.  ‘You keep saying He’s coming, but where is He?’ they might say.

However, Peter answers this with verse 8.  “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.” 2 Peter 3:8.  Time has no effect on God.  He is eternal, both past and future.  Because of this, a day is like a millennium and vice-versa.  In fact, He resides outside of time, for time does not exist outside of this created universe.

In the focus verse, Peter is saying that God is not slow concerning His promises.  He is not delaying anything.  He will come back at the appointed time.  He is patient toward us.  He is slow to bring the punishment because this shows proof that He desires all to come to repentance.  He is not rushing His return but giving enough time for all to be saved.  Men will not have any excuse.  This shows His loving kindness.  He knows the end from the beginning, but His slowness is a sign to us.

God does not want any to be condemned and thereby perish.  He loves us too much.  He gives everyone the opportunity.  It is up to us to accept Jesus’s work providing justification.  He gives us all the time we need.

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

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.

Matthew 7:1

Verse of the Day Devotion: Matthew 7:1

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” – Matthew 7:1  

All of us make judgements from time to time, and not all judgements are bad.  For instance, Jesus does not prohibit civil judgement of the courts upon those who commit evil.  We are called to maintain justice in our lives.  In the Old Testament we see the following, “You shall not distort justice; you shall not be partial, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous. Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 16:19-20. He also is not referring to judgement by the Church, through its officers, upon those who are walking in sin.  A good example was Paul correcting Peter. “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?” Paul corrected Peter regarding his hypocrisy of eating with the Gentiles until certain men from James came, and he would not eat with them anymore because of how he felt they would think about it.  Paul judged the actions of Peter, went to him and corrected him.

What we need to be careful of is negatively judging others rashly, not having all the information but assuming that what we think is going on is going on.  Without all the facts, how can we make a valid judgement?  One way this happens is when we hear someone say something and deem it to be a negative statement when that is not what the speaker was trying to get across.  However, we have already decided it was negative and we accept our judgement accordingly.  Or we assume knowledge regarding others and decide someone is not being truthful or is being duped when they speak about them.

Jesus goes on in the next verse to state, “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:2. This was a proverb among the Jews.  It basically referred to how people will judge us, that being by how we judge.  We should not judge rashly, for this could cause others to judge us rashly as well.   This goes along with another saying Jesus said which covers not only judging, but many other actions as well.  “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12. In this, we will be loving others as we love ourselves.  If we do not want something done to us, we are not to do it to others.  And vice-versa.

Let us be careful how we judge others.  If we have to make assumptions in order to conclude the truth, we are not judging correctly.  It is important that we give the benefit of the doubt.  This is alluded to by Paul.  “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-7.  Let us always think the better of each other, which Paul says here is what love is all about.

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

Exodus 20:15

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Exodus 20:15

“You shall not steal.” – Exodus 20:15

“We move on now to the eighth commandment which we see above in our focus verse. 

Stealing is defined as taking another’s property without permission and without intending to return it, in essence making it our own.  Even if the person has made it known they do not necessarily like an item, to take it without them knowing it is still stealing, maybe not the current owner, but ultimately the person they may have planned to give it to.  I have had various items stolen from me, some that did not affect me that much, but also some that created in me a sense of loss.

However, there are many different forms of thievery.  For instance, taking longer on our lunch breaks at work without making up the time, or leaving early and/or arriving late without ensuring the hours paid for are covered.  I remember when I worked for an IT consulting company.  On my last day, I turned in my time sheet and my supervisor told me to amend the time sheet so they could bill the client for forty hours that week.  I told him I could not do that because I was assigned to other work as well and could not put in the full forty.  He demanded I adjust my time sheet, but I told him I would not, for that would be charging them for hours not worked.  When he continued to insist I comply, I told him I would not because they did not owe anything for time not devoted to them.  Another form of theft is taking credit for what another has accomplished.  This could result in the theft of bonuses that were awarded or in acclamations accorded for the effort given.

It is important to understand that the victims of theft know the horrible feelings that these actions produce.  The very act of someone taking what may have been an especially precious gift from a loved one causes deep hurts and wounds as well as make us feel vulnerable and often times angry.  Theft has a tremendous impact on society as a whole.  It disturbs societal stability and often excites feelings of fear and possibly desires for revenge.

Stealing from another, whether we know the person or not, goes against the two commandments that Jesus said encompass all the other laws and the prophets.  “And He said to him, YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.  This is the great and foremost commandment.  The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. On these two commandments depend on the whole Law and the Prophets.“. Matthew 22:37-40. If we truly love God, we will desire to honor Him in all we say and in all we do, and ultimately do not do such as not stealing.  And if we love our neighbor as ourselves, we will not take from them anything that is theirs without their knowledge and permission. 

So, in closing, let us make our focus in expressing our love to God and to our neighbor by doing what is truly loving and in their best interests.  God loves us far beyond our ability to comprehend.  And we should express this love to each other.  “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” John 15:12. And stealing is a sign of greed, not love.

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

Romans 3:10

Verse of the Day Devotion: Romans 3:10 

“As it is written, there is none righteous, not even one;” – Romans 3:10 

Paul here is addressing a false idea the Jewish people had regarding their relationship with God.  “Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?” Romans 3:1.  The Jews believed that because they were God’s chosen people, descendants of Abraham and that, regarding the males, were circumcised, they had a special place with God.  In verse 2, Paul agrees to a degree, but not in the way they thought.  “Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.” Romans 3:2.  Paul is telling them their advantage was they were given and entrusted with the revelation of God’s will, through Moses and the Law given to him.

However, this advantage did not give them a better position with God.  “What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, There is none righteous, not even one;” Romans 3:9-10.  The Jews do not have any greater advantage when it comes to their righteousness, for both they as well as the non-Jews are under sin.  And because all have sinned, they are under the same penalty.  “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”  Romans 3:28.  It only takes one sin to be under the penalty.  And this is why Christ had to come and pay the penalty for us.

Now, let us look at this idea from a different perspective, for many today see themselves as better than others because they go to church, read their bibles, and pray every now and then, believing they are OK regarding their walk with God.  Now, the Jews back then believed that by following the ordinances set forth in the Law that they were in good shape.  What they did not understand was who Jesus was.  He was prophesied about throughout the Old Testament.  But they were so tied to the traditions, they failed to see the truth.  I believe there are many today in our churches who are in the same situation.  They do the traditions but fail to see what God really desires, and that is all of us.  This is what He has called us to.  “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2.  God wants us to present ourselves completely to Him in service, obedience, and love; eliminating any ways our lives are conforming to this sinful world. We must let God transform it through our thoughts and beliefs and actions to one which is pleasing to Him.  Living this Christian walk by giving ourselves to His service. 

There are times I find myself slipping into the pattern of doing the does for the does sake, and not for God.  When I do, I go somewhere and pray that God will first forgive me, then help me see again what it is He desires of me and move on.  I want to encourage everyone who is reading this to do the same if you see yourselves slipping into the same pattern.  God loves everyone of us and wants to guide us in the ways He calls us to.  Have ears that are open to hear His words, and eyes that are open to see His ways.  Devote your whole self to His service.  You will find it is a beautiful life indeed.

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