Luke 1:38

Verse of the Day Devotion: Luke 1:38

“And Mary said, “Behold, the bond slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” – Luke 1:38  

Mary, the chosen mother of Christ, was visited by the archangel Gabriel and brought a message from the Lord to her. “And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28. Now, this confused her, and she pondered in her mind what was said to her and what could it mean.  It appears she feared Gabriel. “The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Luke 1:30-33.

Now, this was again confusing to her, for she had never laid with a man up to this point, so she wondered how this could possibly be.  She had followed the law faithfully. So, what was he saying?  Therefore, “Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” Luke 1:34.  In response to this question, “The angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason, the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35. It would not be Joseph who she was currently engaged to who would be the father.  She would be a mother not by any man, but by God Himself. This is prophesied by Isaiah when he said, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14. Matthew clarifies this by stating Immanuel in the Hebrew means ‘God with Us’. (Found in Matthew 1:23).  This child she will give birth to is God.  Now, she probably was questioning this in her mind, so Gabriel says to her, “And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.” Luke 1:36.  This was probably told to her to give her confidence that if God could cause Elizabeth to have a baby in her old age, then He could cause her to have a child with the promise given her. He then ends his words with, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37.

Without any more questions, she says through the focus verse, “Behold, the bond slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:38. This was an expression of giving herself over to the will of God.  This shows us the commitment Mary had to God and why she was chosen for this purpose.  For her to have a child by someone other than Joseph, to whom she was engaged to, would have had her ostracized because she broke the law by committing adultery. She knew what this meant regarding her reputation, but she followed the will of God completely, no matter the consequences.  My question to all of us here is, would we do the same?  Would we follow what God tells us no matter how anyone thinks of us, or what we would look like in their eyes?  Are we willing to be humiliated before men to be found pleasing before God?  Something to think about.  Is how God sees us more important than how man sees us?  Sometimes He calls us to do things that are not acceptable to the ways of men.  And we, as Mary did, should be willing to go against the ways of man to obey Him.  It is hard but think about it.  Who is more important?  This will give us the answer we need.

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

Galatians 3:28

Verse of the Day Devotion: Galatians 3:28

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28

Back in the first century, there were many divisions within the populations.  Several would be the have’s and have not’s, basically the rich and the poor.  Then there were the dignitaries and the normal people.  Then there were the wise and the foolish, as decided by the different groups.  And of course, the free and the slaves.  Each of these groups were looked at very differently.  This was the way of the Greek and Roman rulers.  And these distinctions were many times accentuated in order for the aristocracy to place themselves at a higher level than the common folk.

When Jesus came, He saw things differently.  He focused on one distinction as primary regarding His purpose here on earth.  That distinction was regarding following Him.  You either followed Him or you did not.  And this distinction was not as strict as those of the Greeks and Romans, and even to some extent the Jews, because with them, it was very difficult and sometimes impossible to cross the divide they had imposed on the people.  With Jesus, you could move from non-follower to follower by making the decision to follow Him.

In the focus verse, Paul is laying out this same idea.  Within the Kingdom of God, there are no distinctions accept whether you are a follower of Christ or not.  Everyone is on the same level.  First he says there is neither Jew nor Greek.  He is not talking about their ancestral line, for that remains.  What He is referring to is at this level, all are saved in the same way, and all are intitled to the same privileges.  Jews often looked down on the gentiles, and I am sure vice-versa.  However, within the body of Christ there is no favoritism on account of birth or bloodline.  All confess their love and devotion to Christ, and all are saved by His mercy and grace.  The same is said regarding the slave and the free man.  Being a free man does not give anyone any special claims to Jesus and His grace.

In those days, the women was looked at as totally subordinate to the male.  In the body of Christ, again there are no special privileges associated with the person’s gender.  Both sexes are seen as being at the same level.  Now, this does not mean there are no distinctions in what each of them do.  In the parental role, women will always by the mother and the man will always be the father.  And there are other distinctions, especially where the Jewish law was concerned.  However, within Christianity, both have equal rights, privileges and equal blessings.  And, neither are more useful or important than the other.

We must remember that all who are truly Christians are all one in Christ Jesus; no-one is greater or less than any other. We must never look at anyone and think we are better or worse than they are.  We should never flaunt our spirituality simply because we have more credentials than someone else.  All credentials really are to show how we have been prepared for the work God has called us to.  We are all called to specific tasks.  Some to teach, yes.  But some to hospitality, others to helping those in need, and still others to reaching out to those who no-one else will.  We are all equal in the eyes of God no matter who we are or what our talents are.  We should see things in the same way as Christ did.  There are followers, then there are those we need to become followers.  Any other distinctions are truly irrelevant.

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

Philemon 1:16

Verse of the Day Devotion.  Philemon 1:16 

“No longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.” – Philemon 1:16     

The main theme in this book is Onesimus, a runaway slave from Philemon. He was a fugitive who had robbed his master and then fled to Rome, where he believed he could hide in the large city and thus not be found. Onesimus encountered Paul, who was in prison, who helped him become a Christian. Then finding out that he was a slave of Philemon, Paul wrote this letter to him regarding Onesimus. “Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do that which is proper, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you. since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus “ Philemon 1:8-9. Paul starts by saying he does not want to enforce compliance with his words but wants Philemon to do this of his own accord, in an attitude of love which governs the Christian. And by  mentioning his age and imprisonment, he can expect that Philemon will pay due respect to what he has to say.

Then he brings up his request. “I appeal to you for my child, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, Onesimus, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. And I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart,” Philemon 1:10-12. Paul had led Onesimus to salvation through Christ while he was imprisoned. Obviously, his conversion was real, and Paul wanted to get this truth across. Then he uses a play on words. ‘who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me’. The name Onesimus means useful or profitable. It was a common name for slaves in that day. Prior to his salvation, Onesimus had been useless or unprofitable to Philemon, but now he had become beneficial to both Philemon and to Paul. Upon becoming saved Onesimus lived up to his name.

Paul wrote this letter to Philemon, asking/pleading him to accept Onesimus back, but not as simply a slave but as a Christian, a brother in Christ. Paul really loved Onesimus because of the great blessing he had been to Paul. In fact, in the next verse he would have liked him to stay. “Whom I wished to keep with me, that in your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel; but without your consent I did not want to do anything, that your goodness should not be as it were by compulsion, but of your own free will. For perhaps he was for this reason parted from you for a while, that you should have him back forever,” Philemon 1:13-15. Paul would have liked to keep Onesimus with him, for he had rendered faithful service and could continue to give to him. Nevertheless, he does not want, under any circumstances, to encroach upon the decision which only Philemon, as the slave’s rightful master, could make. He wanted Philemon to make the decision on his own without any compelling by Paul.

Then he says, if he goes back, the following in our focus verse, “no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.” Philemon 1:16. He asks him not to receive him back as a slave, but as a brother in Christ. That is how Paul saw him, and he was encouraging him to feel the same. And then finally, “If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me.” Philemon 1:17. Paul wanted Philemon to accept Onesimus as he has and would accept him. Their fellowship is grounded in their belonging to one Lord. This deeply binding relationship draws them together into common activities, in faith and love. On the basis of this bond, Paul makes his request in which he not only intercedes for Onesimus, but even identifies himself with him. All the love that Philemon will give to Onesimus will be considered as love that he had given to Paul himself.

We need to exhibit these characteristics in our lives. Employers, political leaders, and parents must follow the spirit of Paul’s teaching by treating Christian employees, co-workers, and family members as members of Christ’s Body. Christians in modern society must not view helpers as ways to achieve their ambitions but as Christian brothers and sisters who should receive gracious treatment. Also, all Christian leaders must recognize that God holds them accountable for the treatment of those who work for them, whether the helpers are Christians or not. We all will eventually answer to God for our actions toward others.

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

Mark 10:44

Verse of the Day Devotion Mark 10:44 

“And whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.” – Mark 10:44 

These words of Jesus were spoken due to a question asked by James and John, the sons of Zebedee.  “Grant that we may sit in Your glory, one on Your right, and one on Your left.” Mark 10:37. Jesus then responds with a question of His own. “You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” Mark 10:38.  In the scriptures, to drink of a cup is figurative o being filled with either good or of ill things.  Here, Jesus is referring to a cup of suffering.  The object of this question seems to have been to see how far those two men were capable of the dignity to which they aspired and this on the principle that he who is able to suffer most for His sake will be the nearest to Him in His kingdom. They responded by saying, “We are able.” Mark 10:38a.  Then Jesus responds by telling them they will suffer. “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.” Mark 10:39. And then He adds, “But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” Mark 10:40.  It was not His choice, but it is for those who they were prepared for.

Now the disciples other ten were indignant with their request.  But Jesus calls them together and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.” Mark 10:42.  The leaders in that time period did not lead the people but ruled over the people.  But this is not what Jesus wanted of His disciples.  “But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.” Mark 10:43-44.  And then He makes it clear that they should follow His way regarding this.  “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45.

At no place do the ethics of the Kingdom of God clash more vigorously with the ethics of the world than in the matters of power and service. The ideas that Jesus presents regarding rule and service are combined in a way that finds no obvious precedent in either the Old Testament or Jewish tradition. In a decisive reversal of values, Jesus speaks of greatness in service rather than greatness of power, prestige, and authority: whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  Theologian James R. Edwards wrote, “The preeminent virtue of God’s kingdom is not power, not even freedom, but service.  Ironically, greatness belongs to the one who is not great, but the diakonos, the ordinary Greek word for waiting on tables. The preeminence of service in the kingdom of God grows out of Jesus’ teaching on love for one’s neighbor, for service is love made tangible.”

Another interesting point here is where He tells the disciples in our focus verse, “and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all”. Mark 10:44.  The pronouncement is, of course, an oxymoron, for a slave, who was inferior even to a servant, was in ancient society the last and least of all. The idea of a slave being first is as absurdly paradoxical as a camel going through the eye of a needle (see Mark 10:25) and it probably induced smiles and shaking heads from Jesus’ audience.  But this must be our way.  Too many leaders today believe that people should serve them rather than serving the people.  We see this in our governments, places of employment, and many churches as well.  Now I am not saying all regarding these three categories,  but speaking regarding churches, I have seen this more often than I imagined.  The desire for power and dominance focuses attention on self and this kills love, for love by nature is focused on others. The Christian fellowship does not exist for their sake, but others. Neither is the apostle or Christian leader above the congregation, but part of it. The congregation does not belong to him; rather, he belongs to the congregation and the Church itself belongs to Christ.

In closing, what Jesus teaches about service and self-sacrifice is not simply a principle of the kingdom of God but a pattern of his own life that is authoritative for and transferable to disciples. The ‘for’ at the beginning of verse 45 has a strong and important purpose: disciples should adopt the posture of servants and slaves not on the basis of ethical reasoning but because it is the way of the Son of Man. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45. The life to which the gospel calls believers is not an ethical system but the way of the Lord, of which Jesus is the pattern and incarnation. This model of ministry cannot come from the secular order, but only from the unique way of Jesus, which defies the logic of this world and its fascination with dominance, control, yields, results, and outcomes. The key to the model commanded by Jesus is in the verbs ‘to serve’ and ‘to give.’ The reason why a servant is the most preeminent position in the kingdom of God is that the sole function of a servant is, through love, to give, and giving is the essence of God.

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

Matthew 24:45

Verse of the Day Devotion Matthew 24:45 

“Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?” – Matthew 24:45

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

Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you, that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and shall begin to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and shall cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; weeping shall be there and the gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 24:45-51.

This parable differs from the typical parable form in that here Jesus illustrates two alternative, hypothetical scenarios involving the same character rather than a contrast between two different people, one good and one evil. But the focus is the same, though perhaps Jesus makes his point more forcefully this way, provoking his disciples to consider the possibility that they too might go astray.

This servant is depicted as an overseer or manager, head over other servants in the master’s household.  Among the many things that were his responsibility, he was also charged with ensuring the others were properly fed at the appropriate time.  And because he was charged to do this, this was not a deliberate choice of his own, but he was appointed this task by his master.  It was his responsibility to ensure that the members received the food they needed at the appointed times.  And this slave does what he should. He does not know when his master will return, but apparently that does not greatly concern him. He works at the task committed to him so that whenever the master chooses to come back all will be in order.  Then Jesus says, “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you, that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.” Matthew 24:46-47.

However, if the servant He puts in charge does not do what he was charged with, it will not go as well. “But if that evil slave says in his heart, My master is not coming for a long time and shall begin to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know.” Matthew 24:48-50.  His fate is not as pleasant. “and shall cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; weeping shall be there and the gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 24:51.

This chapter about the followers of Jesus comes after the severe denunciation of the Pharisees in the previous chapter. Chapter twenty-three pronounces judgment on Pharisaic Judaism in harsh and oppressive terms, whereas chapter twenty-four pronounces judgment in equally harsh terms on the community of Jesus if they work in similar ways.  It is important to understand that Jesus does not set a high standard for people like the Pharisees and a lower one for those who have given their allegiance to him. All those who profess to serve God must accept the truth that service must be wholehearted and that in due course they will have to give account of themselves to one from whom nothing is hidden.

Now, are we giving Him wholehearted service in what we are called to do, or is it only when we have time?  Do we think we can hold off on this service for a while and do what we desire for a season?  He has told us here He wants His followers to be totally dedicated to Him and the service we render.  As He told us in this parable, “the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know” Matthew 24:50.  Let us take some time today to do some self-examination. “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5. And if you find yourself possibly falling a bit short, then make any necessary adjustments.  We do not know when He is returning.  But when He does, we all desire to hear these words directed at us. “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.” Matthew 25:34-36. And He was referring to our service to Him here on the earth. “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” Matthew 25:45.

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

John 15:20

Verse of the Day Devotion:  John 15:20 

“Remember the word that I said to you, A slave is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” – John 15:20 

Jesus in this verse is eliminating any surprise His disciples could have when persecution comes upon them.  In the two previous verses He introduces this concept to them “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” John 15:18. He is telling them not to be surprised when the world comes against them, for they hated Him prior to hating them.  And the reason was the message He was presenting, which the disciples will continue to declare after He is gone.  The world hated Jesus because He taught a message that appeared contradictory to their beliefs. He was essentially telling them that it was the message they hated, and because He delivered it to the world, their hatred moved to Him as well.  And because He is calling them to deliver this message after He is gone, they will hate them as well.

Then in the next verse, He clarifies His point. “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:19.  If they were of the world and taught their ways, this would not be an issue. The world loves its own, and thus is a society of rebels that have turned their backs on God to pursue their own ways and desires. And these ways were contrary to what they were teaching.

Jesus’ focus was to warn the disciples that their mission would not be easy. He had told them essentially the same thing earlier. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.” Matthew 10:25. It was important that this idea be fully understood, for soon they would be on their own.  He was encouraging them to stay strong and not to give in and abandon their calling, Judas had already left to betray Jesus to the Jewish leadership. Therefore, this was intended for the remaining eleven. . “Jesus therefore answered, that is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him. so, when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. And after the morsel, Satan then entered him. Jesus therefore said to him, what you do, do quickly.” John 13:26-27.

However, next He states the opposite idea, that being “if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” John 15:20b.  If they persecuted me (and many of them did), they will persecute you also; if they obeyed my teaching (and some of them did), they will obey yours also. After Jesus ascends, they will have the same results Jesus had.  They will be doing God’s work here just as Jesus did when He was here.  If those in the world rebel and deny the message Jesus gave, they will deny their presentation of the same message.  And if they accept the truth of the message from Christ, then they will receive theirs as well. 

And He says all this because they do not know the one who sent Him. “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.” John 15:21. Essentially, the peoples responses to Jesus’ disciples, whether positive or negative, are ultimately based not on who they are, but on who Jesus is. And the reason for this is because they do not know the Father who sent Jesus here.  The implication in this statement is that if they had truly known God, they would have recognized the revelation of God in Jesus Christ.  The Jews had their own perception of who God was which was not revealed in Christ, the promised Messiah. 

This is important because those of us who are saved are the disciples of Christ.  And we must understand we will be persecuted for our beliefs and at times hated by those who want nothing to do with Christianity.  However, this should not stop us from presenting the good news of salvation to a lost people. We should never back down from declaring the gospel, for maybe some will not accept it, but if one hears us and accepts the message and becomes a Christian, it will be worth all the persecution we have experienced.  This is our purpose here, and there should be nothing that prevents us from being a witness to a lost world.  Be strong and stand firm, not being intimidated by anyone.  The message we have is the most important message ever presented here and will make an incredible difference here that will last for all eternity.

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

1 Corinthians 9:17

Verse of the Day Devotion:  1 Corinthians 9:17 

“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.” – 1 Corinthians 9:17

Paul here in our focus verse is laying out the idea that he is willing to submit himself as a slave to all men so that he can reach as many people as possible for the gospel.  He states in this focus verse “For though I am free from all men,” 1 Corinthians 9:17a.  He is under no obligation to anyone, he is free from their requirements in regards to religious practices.  Although he submits to their practices when it is beneficial to them.  “I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.: 1 Corinthians 9:19b.

So, how does he submit to them?  He explains this is the next several verses.  “To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.” 1 Corinthians 9:20-21.  In these two verses he is explaining what he means by this.  For Jews he acted as Jews, complying with their rites, customs and prejudices as far as he could with a good conscience.  He did not attack or oppose their views when there was a possibility his conduct would be taken incorrectly.  He did nothing that would insult their beliefs or customs. 

Next, he refers to the gentiles who did not have or follow the law of Moses.  He acted as though he were not under the law of Moses, but the law of Christ.  He did not practice the special rites and ceremonies around them, nor did he insist that they practice them, but showing that the obligation to those rites had been done away; and that they were not binding, though when among the Jews he might still continue to observe them.  Theologian Adam Clarke puts it this way.  “It is not likely that the apostle could conform himself to the Sadducees; for what success could he expect among a people who denied the resurrection, and consequently a future world, a day of judgment, and all rewards and punishments?  He might among the heathen appear as if he were not a Jew, and discourse with them on the great principles of that eternal law, the outlines of which had been written in their hearts, in order to show them the necessity of embracing that Gospel which was the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believed.”

And finally, he states “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak.” 1 Corinthians 9:22.  This refers to weak and inexperienced Christians.  He did not want to be a stumbling block to them.  Paul gives us an example of how to address them.  “Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:1-4.  Paul ends this statement with, “Who are you to judge the servant of another?” Romans 14:4a.  It is not our place to condemn the actions of Christian if it is not in and of itself sin.  “To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4b   It is up to God do decide what is good or bad, right or wrong. 

And in the next verse, he says why he does it this way.  “I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.” 1 Corinthians 9:23.  The whole purpose of this is to bring salvation to as many as possible.  Note the end of verse 22.  “I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22b.  Paul’s purpose was to present the gospel in such a way that they would not cause any offense but would lead them to Christ.  He would not endorse any sinful acts but would help them understand what the path to salvation was.  And to offend people may actually close their hearts to the truth rather than open them to the way of Christ and the grace He provides.  Let us all work to do the same and bring as many lost souls as possible to Christ.  Let us do all things for the sake of the gospel so that our lives will be pleasing to Christ and our fellow man.  

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