Category Archives: Luke

Tony Funderburk shares messages of faith, hope, and love found in the book of Luke

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Just because some authoritative power makes a rule doesn’t make the rule a good one, a just one, or a fair one. In fact, many rules, policies, and laws are downright bad. But it takes some thinking and pondering and examining to know which rules are good and which are bad. Before you decide to break some rules you’d better be sure you’re on the right side. Is that possible?

Maybe you have a lot of self-imposed rules for your life and/or the life of your loved ones. And maybe it would be a good idea to sit down, today, and re-examine whether they’re good ones or not. Here’s a suggestion on how to know…if your rule shows your love for someone else, it’s a good one. If it doesn’t show love, or if it actually displays selfishness, it’s a bad one. That’s pretty much it. Simple. Right? Well, that depends on if you know how to show love. Do you?

If you’re not sure you’re any good at showing and sharing love, then I have another simple answer for you. That rule you’d like to impose on someone else…would you like it imposed on you? If you conjure up a silly notion in your head for how someone else should live and treat you, are you willing to live that way and be treated that way? If not, you might be making up a bad rule. Just think of it this way, and say this to yourself: “If I don’t want that done to me, I shouldn’t do it to someone else.” Then, get together with the ones you love and talk over what’s going on. If you realize the rules aren’t working, somebody needs to say…

Let’s Break Some Rules

We play it all so careful.
We live within our means.
We don’t wear lots of jewelry or ninety dollar jeans.
We do our own repair work.
We water own lawn.
We’ve minimized the risks we take,
But now the thrill is gone

So let’s break some rules tonight…
Incite a riot in our hearts.
Let’s break some rules tonight…
Get someone else to play our parts.
Let’s create some tension;
Go out and grab some danger,
And they make say we look like total fools,
But at least for awhile…let’s break some rules.

We curse those Monday mornings
We gripe about our pay
We say we’ll make some changes
But it just can’t be today.

Chorus…

Well, who’s gonna do it if we don’t?
Who’ll make it better if we won’t?
I wonder…don’t it make you wonder?!

chorus…etc.

© 1987 Tony Funderburk (April 29)

(psst…if you wanna hear an old recording of this song, Tune in to The Power of God’s Love Podcast)

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I share it with believers who want to focus on the power of God’s love and rightly divide the word of truth. Spend your time reading, listening, and watching good stuff based on the power of God’s love instead of looking for it. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.

Daily Devotional

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Since mother earth and mankind is basically awesome…
what are you worried about?

Look all around you. What do you see? And I don’t mean just within 3 feet of your personal space. I mean all around you…the whole world. It’s filled with random acts of kindness, peace, and love. I don’t remember a day in my adult life when I haven’t seen people saying “please” and “thank you” and “no, after you”. The smiles and laughter in check-out lines, in driver’s license offices, in traffic are a wonder to behold. My faith in humans is reaffirmed daily when I read the news or listen to talk radio. I’m contented just writing about it. If you’re not feeling the same feelings, I have an important question for you. What are you worried about?

What are you worried about

If your worries include simple everyday things like where your next meal is coming from, or how you’ll get some new clothes, or whether you can keep a roof over your head…maybe the fear you’re experiencing is clouding your judgment of the world. Maybe. Or maybe you can see the world as it truly is…not like that fairy tale I described earlier…and your worry seeps into your whole life.

Here’s the thing. It’s understandable to have concern over the troubles in this world. Tyrants who want to rule the world. Selfish people who ruin and destroy the lives of others for profit. Murderers, thieves, liars, and the list goes on. But there’s a place in the Bible where a man…the most important man who ever lived on our planet…said, “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you“.

I’d like to say, straightaway, that doesn’t mean God is your Santa Claus. You don’t merely “seek the Kingdom” and wake up and find all your bills paid, your closet filled, and your pantry overflowing. There’s a principle being taught. It’s simple. Trust God. See what He has to say about you and believe and trust that. Stop relying on your own self evaluation. Dive into God’s word and discover the multitude of reasons you can be confident and strong in this world. The more you’re IN His word, the more His word is IN you. And the more His word is in you, the less you’ll worry about what to eat, or what you’ll wear, or where you’ll live.

Those things won’t be less important, but you’ll discover that worrying about them won’t add even a nanosecond to your life. In fact, the stress of the worry might even shave years off your life.

If any part of this article describes you, I’d like you to write to me and answer that first question I posed: What are you worried about? Maybe together we could talk you through it and help you lean on God and not your own understanding.

Stay tuned,

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Are you making time for rejoicing?

Have you noticed a great distress all over the world? You’re not alone. Lots of people are talking about it. Many Christians are focused on topics like “the end days” or “the last days” or “the end of this age”. I get it. Sure, there’s a disproportionate amount of wars, rumors of wars, and “men’s hearts failing them from fear and expectation“. But I recommend another strategy…make this a time for rejoicing. Don’t put it off till tomorrow because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed to anybody. No, start today. Look up and rejoice. Why…?

Time for Rejoicing

…because Jesus said so. He said when these terrible things are happening, that’s the time to “look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”And while there IS a lot of war, famine, and other signs of the “end days”, some of the other signs Jesus mentioned have yet to manifest themselves clearly. Things like: “signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars…the sea and the waves roaring“. Don’t misread blood moons and eclipses to be those signs. Jesus was talking about signs that couldn’t possibly be mistaken for anything else than a move from Heaven itself. And you better believe when God moves, we’ll all notice.

And even if the worst signs start to happen today or this week or this month…look up! It means we’re another hour, day, week, month, or year closer to the coming of the Lord. But while another day remains, tell somebody about Him. He wants us to bring as many with us to His home as possible.

I wrote a song, back in 1983, about the time for rejoicing. The lyrics show you that time is today. I hope you’ll take it to heart. And I’ll share my old 4-track cassette demo recording of the song in this week’s Truth in Words and Music Podcast. Don’t miss the opportunity to snicker at my less-than-professional sound. Here are the lyrics…

There’s A Time

You can’t hold on to nothing when you leave.
It’s only you He will receive
And only you that means a thing.
So learn to love the things you are
And though you may not be a star
You still can hear the angels sing.

There’s a time for rejoicing;
Between the sunrise and the sunset.
There’s a time for your heart to be free from pain.
There’s a time for believing;
This is only the beginning.
There’s a time when your spirit can see so plain.
That’s when you’ll know
You’re welcome to go.

You can’t make it to the other side
“˜Til you’ve got nothing more to hide
“˜Cause you can’t hide it from His eyes.
So try to learn from your mistakes
And try to do just what it takes
To live your life away from lies.

chorus

Don’t turn your head.
Don’t turn your head and walk away.
Your time just might be today.

Copyright Tony Funderburk 1983-2007

Stay tuned,

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P.S.  Your support for my Words and Music means the world to me. Help me get these messages out to others…

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Christmas stress is a matter of focus and trust.

As I write this Christmas 2015 is 2 weeks from tomorrow. I’ve already been asked that question I’ve heard every year since I became an adult: “Are you ready for Christmas?” My pat answer is: “I’m always ready for Christmas.” And it’s true. That’s because every single day is like Christmas to me. Every single day is a gift. That’s why they call it “the present”. (sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun) Seriously, I believe Christmas stress…that undue feeling of dread that you’ll forget to buy somebody a gift, or send out the cards, or the meal won’t come together…is a matter of where you place your focus and trust. My focus isn’t on gifts, cards, or meals. It’s on relationships…

…my earthly relationships with my wife, my extended family, and my friends. And most of all my relationship with the One who came to earth, born as a child in a manger, to bring the hope of salvation and eternal life to everybody who wants it. That person is Jesus, the Christ. The One Christmas is named for. Focus on Him instead of spending money, and I’m confident your stress will melt away. Trust in His love, and I’m certain you’ll have a whole, new, enlightened and heightened awareness of the meaning of Christmas.

This Christmas season (yes, Christmas…not holiday season), if you simply must stress, make it a good stress. Stress the importance of your family…the love you have for your wife, or husband, or mother, father, sister, brother, or friends.

Make their happiness your top priority.

And keep in mind that their happiness can’t be purchased with a brand new outfit, or toy, or car. Happiness occurs when emotional and spiritual needs are being met. And that can only happen through an act of your will to put others’ needs above your own.

The greatest example of putting others’ needs above self is Jesus. He came to earth to live as a man. And He gave His life, a free gift, so that you and I could live forever with Him in paradise. So, if Christmas stress is building up in you, focus on Him. Remember to give yourself. No greater gift, or love, could you possibly have than to lay down your life for a friend. I hope that helps. Does it?

Stay tuned,

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This Sounds Spooky But Nice

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I’d like to share something with you
that’s a little spooky but nice.

Read this quote and see if sounds like one of those apocalyptic movies. “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

The Last days of this age will be spooky but nice...if

Just imagine James Earl Jones’ voice reading that while the camera zooms in on giant, massive ocean waves. And as one of the waves is about to engulf the scene, the sky goes totally dark…no sun, moon, or stars.

Yikes!

If you’ve ever been to a place where city lights don’t obscure the view of the night sky, you know how beautifully dark the night sky can seem. And that’s with the multitude of stars still shining. But imagine if you couldn’t see a single star or the moon. Imagine how dark that would be. I suspect that would be more like a visit into a deep, dark cave where you can’t even see your hand in front of your face.

When the time comes (yes I said when…not if), that the powers of the heavens will be shaken”, people will look up and see really odd things happening in the sky. Virtually no one will know what it means. If you think there’s some sort of climate change going on now, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. At that time, the oceans will be doing some crazy things. No place will be safe. To say the least, it’ll be very spooky…but nice if you happen to be a Christian. Why? Well…

…it’ll mean we can “look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near“. Redemption? From what?

The troubles and hysteria of this world. If you don’t know why looking up and lifting up your head will be a good idea, ask me. I’ll be glad to tell you.

Stay tuned…

When They Revile You

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How can someone hating you be a blessing? It seems counterintuitive, but it’s a truth that comes directly from the mouth of Jesus. In Luke 6:22 He said, “Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake“.

Jesus said, Blessed are you When They Revile You.

Simply put…if it seems like people hate you just because you’re a Christian…then you just might be doing something right. Jesus said “they hated me…they’ll hate you“. So, declaring your faith in Him boils up hatred. It’s basically a job hazard. It’s not fun, and it’s not right, but it’s a truth that’s been happening since the first century. Nothing new under the sun.

But let me encourage you to make trust a consistent buzzword in your brain. When you find yourself being reviled because you spoke up for Jesus, remember to trust Him. Sing a song. Tell a funny story and laugh. Say a prayer of thanksgiving right away.

Yep, I said “thanksgiving”. Trusting in the Lord means you believe He’ll never leave you nor forsake you. It doesn’t mean your problems will magically disappear. But it does mean you’ll have the strength and wisdom to see ’em through.

This world is full…overflowing in fact…with people who hate even the name of Jesus. And they’ll hate anyone who dares bring up that name in public. But remember, when they revile you and make fun and do their best to silence you, that’s the time to raise up your voice and sing a new song. Smile in the face of adversity and count it all joy when they persecute you for your faith…

…your Creator’s love is greater than all the hatred of the world.

Stay tuned…

Blessed Are You Who Weep Now

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There have been quite a few times
when I’ve heard someone say,

“I had a good cry, and I feel better now”. Have you ever felt that way? I’ll admit I’m not the crying kind of “sensitive 90’s man”. I guess it stems from my upbringing of “big boys don’t cry”. But it doesn’t mean I’m immune to the troubles of this world. I don’t stick my head in the sand. And I have nothing against crying. In fact, it brings to mind where Jesus (in His beatitudes) said, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh“.

Blessed Are You Who Weep Now for you shall laugh

Like the other beatitudes this one illustrates a most hopeful contrast. Not only will your weeping end…but you’ll actually laugh. Imagine living a life full of trials and tribulations…a life so full of pain it causes you to weep on a regular basis. You can’t see an end to it. Each day is so utterly full of challenges, you’re not sure you can rise up to meet them. So…you weep.

Now, imagine standing in the presence of your living, loving Creator

with the full knowledge you’ll never experience those challenges and aches and pains again. He greets you with a smile and fills you with His eternal life and love. And as the weeping of this world leaves you, laughter spills over your heart like a roaring creek during the spring snowmelt.

Laughter becomes your consistent companion because the joy you once only knew in part you now know in its embracing fullness.

Why would He mention weeping? And why would He say, “Blessed are you who weep now…“? Could it be He’s recognizing those who are troubled AND those who care about the heart and soul condition of their fellow man?

I’m only positing the question because we Christians are called to “love your neighbor as yourself”. And oftentimes we see our neighbors’ fate more clearly than they do. And when you see someone headed to eternal torment, it’s a natural reaction to even weep for them.

If that describes you, your laughter that’s to come will be such a magnificent gift, I can hardly wait to see the look on your face. So…if you’re weeping today, it’s yet another reason to count your blessings.

Stay tuned…