Category Archives: Bible study

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

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When I was a young boy, my mom saved S&H Green Stamps. They were like rewards you get on your apps these days. Stamps a shopper received at stores, gas stations, or just about anywhere housewives shopped. Yeah, I know. “Housewives” is a politically incorrect term. But it wasn’t back then. Ah…the good old days.

Especially the S&H Green Stamps good old days.

Because when a woman saved enough Green Stamps, she could redeem them for all sorts of household items she found in the S&H catalog. It was like free money. I remember my mom talking with her friends and family about some clock radio or dish set she just got with her stamps. It made for fun, and sometimes lively, conversation. And they’d share the news of double stamps days at the local grocery store. Then, bam! Time to storm the grocery store.

Speaking of time, how is time like Green Stamps? And that’s not actually a trick question.

Answer. They can both be redeemed. Well, I don’t think Green Stamps can anymore. Because I don’t think there’s that kind of rewards program around anymore. But time can still be redeemed.

Dan don’t believe me? Don’t think you could redeem time and get something “for free?”

Well, you can. And guess what you get? OK, I won’t make you guess.

The answer is more time.

Yeah, I don’t mean you can turn 24 hour days into 30 hour days. But you can buy more time by making good use of the time you have here on planet Earth. In fact, you can buy time that never runs out. How cool is that?!

But you can’t just sit on your time. You gotta redeem it. Here’s how you do that. First, become a Christian. And if you’re already a Christian, you gotta “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” That’s getting a lot harder to do. Because more and more the world doesn’t wanna hear the name Jesus mentioned under any circumstances. So, it’s important to emphasize the “grace” and “salt” part.

I do that here on my blog. I’m redeeming the time I have left by sharing the power of God’s love and His enduring message of eternal life with anyone who cares to listen and/or read.

Now, are you paying attention to the clock? Because there’s a lot more than green stamps at stake.

“All I need is some time to hold in my hands.
All I want is some time to hold in my arms.”  ~Tony Funderburk

If this landed somewhere good with you, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. 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

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Hey kids. Have you noticed, when you go to the grocery store, how you see the word enriched in just about everything? And did you know most of the time, if not all, that’s not a good thing?

But there is a time when it’s awesome to see enriched in everything.

And that is when we’re talking about, get this, YOU. And me. Or anyone who’s not ashamed to call himself or herself a Christian.

For just a second or two think about the grace of God, which was given to you by the one whose name you use to describe yourself as a Christian. There’s a place in 1 Corinthians that shows how  grace made sure you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you so that you come short in no gift

Hey, who doesn’t like gifts? How much would you be willing to give for those gifts? But wait! There’s more! Because in that same section of 1 Corinthians it says Jesus will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hang on. I don’t know about you, but that sounds glorious to me. Because I know if there’s one thing I’m not, in this life and in this world, it’s blameless.

And I’m gonna go out on a limb and say you probably aren’t blameless either. But Jesus made sure that we will appear that way when we stand before God one day. And He did that by taking our blame and covering us in…

The Glory

You got the glory in you,
The glory of God.
When people don’t understand,
You just smile and nod…

And trust the good things in you,
The Spirit, The Word.
And you can know that it’s true,
This good news you heard.

One day, when Jesus comes back,
To make things all right,
He’ll lift you high up because
You walked in His Light.    © 2013 TF

If you know you’re enriched in everything, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. 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

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Here’s a short PSA to the world. Looks can be deceiving. And what you see in this world doesn’t last forever. But grace lasts forever. And that’s how humility is a virtue. Because God gives grace to the humble.

But being humble isn’t something to brag about.

Yeah, that sort of cancels out your humility.

It’s OK to be confident. In fact, if you’re a Christian, you should be confident. Because you’ve been saved from a fate worse than death. Literally. If you’re not a Christian, the opposite is true. I didn’t make that up. Here are some key things to remember about God’s perspective. He…

  • Says the “perverse person is an abomination”
  • Keeps a secret counsel with upright people
  • Curses the houses of the wicked
  • Blesses the homes of the just
  • Scorns the scornful

Knowing all that, it would be a wise choice to choose to love God and His ways. It would be a wise choice to humble yourself because, like I mentioned before, God gives grace to the humble. And it would be a wise choice to realize you’re not God and that you need a savior.

And that’s how humility is a virtue.

So be wise when it comes to your eternal fate. When you are, you’ll inherit glory. When you aren’t, you can only leave behind a legacy of shame. Will you humble yourself before God today? Or will you make a foolish decision with negative eternal consequences.

Grace to the humble.
Grace to the wise.
And grace to the ones who
Choose truth over lies.

If this landed somewhere good with you, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. 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

Here’s something I’ve personally experienced. Have you ever done something you knew you shouldn’t do? And even as you did it, you could almost hear an audible voice in your head, telling you not to do it? After quite a few years of living this life, I’ve discovered that when you silence the voice you hear in your head, that’s where you go wrong.

Because that’s when you probably silence the voice of God.

No, not that deep echoed British voice you hear in the movies. By the way, there’s no evidence I’ve ever seen that God is British. But that’s a rabbit hole we won’t go down right now.

The voice you silence is directly connected to your conscience. And you only have a conscience because God made you that way. The problem is this world is like a branding iron that can sear your conscience and enables you to ignore the voice in your head.

Plus, the distractions all around you these days, I believe, are designed to keep you from listening to logic and reason. Your TV, smartphone, tablet, computer, radio, and even your automobile are all designed to keep you focused on them and upgrades to them.

It’s more than just a coincidence that all of those things in the list keep you looking down. Because down is where satan is. And he loves to keep you from looking up. And that’s where your hope is.

A few years ago, I wrote what I call a good ol’ boy song about the distractions of this world. Because I wanted to point out how they silence the one voice that will never lead you astray. I hope you don’t see yourself in this song…

Still Small Voice Inside

Gotta go make some noise
and go drinkin’ out with the boys.
And maybe I’ll watch TV.
It all really sounds good to me.
And where’d I put my guitar?
In the back of my muscle car.
I’m gonna rock some rock n roll…
Jam the music into my soul.

‘Cause I hear a voice all day, and it just won’t go away.
Ain’t no place I can hide from that still small voice inside

Cheerin’ for my football team on the high def satellite stream
Yellin’ when they mess up bad.
Got a runnin’ bet with my dad.
Saturdays in my yard, you can see I really do work hard.
And then I buzz to the video store
And get maybe two or three more.

‘Cause I hear a voice all day, and it just won’t go away.
Ain’t no place I can hide from that still small voice inside

Still small voice inside me sayin’…
Boy you know you’re only playin’.
Still small voice inside me askin’…
What’s with all the pain you’re maskin’?
Still small voice inside me killin’…
Everything that once was thrillin’…
No, there ain’t no place to hide
From that still small voice inside.     © 2009 TF

And if you agree, you should connect with me. It’s super easy. Here’s how:

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. 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,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

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Just imagine if God said something like this: I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live…

Wow, that almost sounds like God says you can choose between life and death.

But there are a lot of people who call themselves Christians, who say that everything that happens is part of God’s plan. And they say that includes who will live forever and who won’t. And they say there’s nothing you can do to change it because it’s all part of God’s will. In other words, you can’t choose because God already chose your destiny for you.

But that statement, I said to imagine that God said, IS something God actually DID say. In the book of Deuteronomy in the Bible. And it shows a much more loving God who wants you and me to be able to freely love him. Because true love must be freely given. Otherwise, everyone is just a robot who can only do what we’re programmed to do.

But I don’t believe that for even a nanosecond. Because I’ve read too many beautiful passages in the Bible that completely contradict that kind of a creator. The power of God’s love is revealed on just about every page in every book of the Bible. Old Testament. And New Testament.

That’s why a few years ago I shared a bullet list of why I love life. Here’s what I said…

I love life and the opportunity to live it.

I love the:

  • smooth sailing,
  • trials and tribulations
  • growing up,
  • gaining knowledge,
  • gaining friends,
  • awards and rewards,
  • challenges and failures,
  • clouds and sunshine,
  • joy and laughter,
  • pain and redemption, and
  • words and music…

Those are all components that help make up this journey through life. It’s not a two part journey. It’s a two place journey. And I’m eager and privileged to participate in both. This place we’re in right now is amazing and difficult. The next place will be unfathomably kinetic, energizing, and joyous. More reasons why I love life.

But the next place won’t be like that for everyone.

That’s a shame because it’s really not difficult to achieve. You just need to believe. But here’s another bullet list of where you should not place your faith:

  • Dreams
  • Yourself.
  • a “force”
  • The “law of attraction”
  • Internal spirits
  • Mohammed
  • Confucious
  • Buddha
  • Allah
  • Oprah
  • Obama
  • and least of all, satan

Put your faith only in Jesus. I’m sure thankful I did that a long time ago. Because that one name is the key to choosing between life and death.

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

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,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

As I write this, it’s Saturday. But not an ordinary Saturday. Because this one marks the anniversary of what a lot of people call Holy Saturday. The day that Jesus, creator of the universe and you and me, lay in the tomb after a torturous crucifixion death.

But, as you probably know, His story definitely did not end in the tomb.

The apostle John wrote a very interesting account of how they laid Jesus in the tomb. He wrote: And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

I kinda look at it this way. Holy Saturday, the day Jesus lay in the tomb, was like a day of rest for Him. Resting from what he had done, so far, to prove who He was and is. And He is the Truth, the Life, and…

The Way

And it came to pass one day on a mountain far away
That a soul was taken and a life forsaken
Because someone had to pay
For the heart of all mankind.
There was no untarnished mind.
So one life was spent Who was innocent,
But He left His Word behind…

Forgive them for they know not what they do.
Redeem them and I give My Blood to You.

We can rise up
No matter how much the guilt might weigh.
He said…”I am the Way!”

Now so many years have gone.
And we love with blinders on.
How we tolerate is a form of hate.
Where’s the Rock He stood upon?
For the Truth is absolute and it’s foolish to dispute.
It confounds the wise but it opens eyes,
And it saves the destitute

Chorus

Now don’t turn to the left don’t turn to the right.
Just run straight to Him with all your might!

inst…chorus to end   © 1996 TF

If you’re a Christian, and you sure should be, then you’re celebrating the most glorious thing that ever happened in the history of the universe this weekend. Holy Saturday is a great part of that. But of course tomorrow is 1000 times better. Because that marks the day when Jesus was no longer in the tomb. And I’ll talk more about that tomorrow. Meantime, if you haven’t already, you should…

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

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,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

The Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 16 sound more like a letter to friends than at other parts in 1 Corinthians. You can read of his plans, suggestions, and observations. And he exhorts the Corinthians to…

  • watch,
  • stand fast in the faith,
  • be brave,
  • be strong
  • Let all that you do be done with love

Paul mentioned love and strength together. If you let all that you do be done with love, you don’t give up one ounce of your strength. In fact, love for your fellow man reveals your true strength. It’s cool how things boil down to the “golden rule.”

The way you would like to be treated is how you should treat others. Don’t you like to be loved? Don’t you like kindness and help when you need it? And don’t you prefer peace? If you answered yes to those questions, you need to first give those things…love, kindness, help, and peace. And think about it…

It’s much easier to write a letter to friends when it’s done with love.

My whole website is like a letter to friends. An ongoing project done with love for my fellow human beings. If you can read anything else into it, you’re forcing your anti-Christian bias in between the lines. I don’t seek to or go out of my way to offend. The Truth is naturally offensive to those who hate the truth. It’s unavoidable. Because of a gift God gave us from the beginning…our own will.

My preference is to grow in my ability to trust in God’s will. However, the vast majority of human beings prefer to trust only in “self.” And so God’s love seems offensive to them.

If you don’t feel love or loved, ask yourself…

“Am I giving love?”

If you think you’ll somehow come off looking wimpy and weak, ask yourself…

“What’s the strongest emotion in human experience?”

Here’s the only way my thesis can fail…

Don’t implement it.

Don’t try to love first. And definitely don’t help someone else first. Just keep waiting for these things to come to you. Keep waiting for someone to find you lovable. Keep waiting for someone to clean your house, or fix your car, or give you money. It’s your choice…wait for love and be done with love… Or experience overflowing love from what you did in love. In Faith, Hope, and Love.

Get Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotionaldelivered to your inbox for free.

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,

Tony Funderburk signature logo