Category Archives: Bible study

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Would you like to discover how to walk in the words of God? Does that sound funny? Maybe it’s easy to think about how you walk in the woods. Or walk in the park. Or walk in the mall? But walking in words? How does anybody do that? Well, you don’t do it with your feet? Uh-oh…now it really sounds funny, doesn’t it? Well keep reading.

When mom says you get to go to the park, you start imagining it right away…don’t you? You can see yourself there…playing in the sand, swinging on the swings, running across the grass. Your mom just says the words, “Hey sweetie, you wanna go to the park?” And those words make pictures dance inside your brain. Pretty coo, huh? That’s sort of what it’s like to walk in the words of God. You open up a Bible, read some of the words, and pictures start appearing in your head.

How about walking in these words?

Maybe you read the story of Noah building the ark, and you can almost see yourself helping him gather wood. Or you read of Daniel in the lions den, and you can see their big, hungry fangs. Or maybe you read about the apostle Paul traveling around to tell everyone about Jesus. And you can almost see yourself walking on the same gravel roads or dirt paths he walked. Each time your mind makes those pictures, it’s like you’re walking in the words of God. Here’s a secret you trust. Walking in the words of God is the best place to walk. You should go there everyday. In fact, you should stay there. Because that’s the only place that’s always good…God’s word.

I hope this pumps you up to discover what God’s word says to you and about you. If you read some of His words, today…and some pictures form inside your head, would you write to me and share them with me? I’d like that. And here’s a rhyme to help you remember…

Walking in the words of God
Is like walking in a clear, blue sky.
Truth is in the words of God
For all your questions, why.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

What do you want to be when you grow up? A computer person? A robot builder? A jet rocket pilot? A singer? A painter? Whatever you want to be, I hope you’ll always want to do good things for people around you. And I hope you’ll do those good things with your whole heart. With all your might. You wanna know why? Good, I’ll tell you…

When you’re doing good things with your whole heart, it means you’re not just doing them because have to. It means you’re doing it because you want to. It shows you have the love of the Lord shining through you. And because you want to, you get a reward.

With your whole heart.

Who doesn’t like getting a reward? But this isn’t just any kind of reward. The reward you get for letting God’s love shine through you will last forever. It’s called an inheritance. That’s just a big word for something you get just for being a son or daughter. And you are a son or daughter of the one, true, living, loving God. What He gives you is eternal life. You get to live forever because you love the Lord.

Now, that’s what I call a mighty good reward. Don’t you?

So, how about doing something for somebody today just because you want to? And when you do, remember how much God loves you and let that kind of love shine through you. It’s easier to do things with your whole heart when you remember God helps you. Here’s a rhyme to help you remember…

Do good things with your whole heart,
Not just a little…and not just a part.
Right now is the perfect time to start
And share your love like a work of art.

Stay tuned,

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Tell everybody you know to subscribe to Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional
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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

When I say that believing in nothing leads to nowhere, do you know what I mean? I’m talking about how we all got here. Some adults say everything in the whole universe came from nothing. They say once upon a time there was nothing but a tiny dot. And the tiny dot exploded. Then everything we know about came from that. To say that everything came from nothing is silly. It’s a fairy tale just like magical toys that talk. Or little boys and girls who fly. Or talking elephants. And even creatures that are part human and part horse. Those can be fun stories. But it’s good to remember they’re make-believe.

There are adults who’ll tell you there’s no such thing as God. That’s just as silly and foolish as saying everything came from nothing. Even worse, it’s sad. Because people who say that their whole lives will spend forever in a place all by themselves. We need to show those people how much God loves them, too. You can do that by learning all you can about God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. That way, when somebody says there’s no such thing as God, you can show them that’s not true.

And believing in nothing is silly.

Ask your mom or your dad or someone who knows about God to tell you all about Him. Show how much you wanna know Him better. Find out about the things Jesus did while He was here on earth. And what He plans to do when He comes back. The more you discover, the more you’ll grow in God’s love. There isn’t a better thing in the whole world. Trust me, I know. I’m just like you. I started learning about Jesus before I even went to school. My Grandmother showed me how much He loves me. And she told me how I can live with Him forever in Heaven. But even though I found that out when I was still young, I had to keep learning more. And guess what…?

…I’m still learning. Everyone who loves God will get to live with Him forever. And we’ll never stop learning about how loving and wonderful He is. We’ll discover how believing in Him makes us healthy and happy. That’s sure better than believing in nothing. Don’t you think so? Here’s a rhyme to help you remember to believe and trust in your Creator…

Believing in nothing is no good.
It’s better when something’s understood
‘Cause nothing didn’t make you…and nothing doesn’t take you…
Where only your Creator ever could.

Stay tuned,

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Tell everybody you know to subscribe to Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional
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Get digital Bible stuff from the same company I do.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Your life is very, very important to God. He wants you to have all of the best things He can give you. His love, mercy, righteousness, and eternal life. He won’t force you to take His gifts, but He sure hopes you want them. Do you know what that means?

It means you can be made perfect. It means one day you can go to a place where no one ever dies. A place where God’s love and spirit keeps everyone healthy, happy, and alive forever. Wouldn’t that be great?! Imagine no one ever being sad again. Or never having to say good-bye to anyone knowing you’ll never see them again. God’s love and Spirit can do that. And He wants to do that. You and me and everyone else in the world is a special person to God. So special that…

…He sent His Son, Jesus, to make a way for us to be perfect.

Don’t ever think you’re not good enough. Don’t ever think you’ve been too bad. And don’t ever believe when people tell you these kinds of things. Believe what God says about you.

Because children are important to God.

And He says He’ll never leave you. He’ll never forget about you. In fact, He says His love goes forever and ever. From your grandparents to your parents to you…and to your kids and their kids and their kids. On and on. Anyone who wants God’s love can have it forever.

Wow.

Do you want that? I hope so. If not, would you tell me why you don’t. I’d really like to know. Here’s a rhyme to help you remember you’re important to God…

You’re important to God in so many ways.
You can trust in His word through all of your days.
He listens real close to anyone who prays.
So, go talk to Him now and give Him your praise.

Stay tuned,

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No-cost, low-cost, and premium ways you can show your support…

Tell everybody you know to subscribe to Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional
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Get digital Bible stuff from the same company I do.

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

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Or how about some music for believers, dreamers, and thinkers

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Yesterday I talked to you about how to forgive and be happier. And you discovered there’s a right way to do it. It’s God’s way. It’s the way He forgives you and me and anyone who asks Him to. God is the one true, living, loving, and forgiving father of us all. He’s got riches waiting for you, if you love Him and want to be with Him. But His riches aren’t like the money and cars and computers you see here on earth. God’s riches are forever life and forever love. And when you choose to love and trust Jesus, you begin saving treasures in Heaven. Because He gives you the riches of Grace. He gives you forgiveness. He redeems you. Do you know what that means?

It means you can be rich.

And I mean the redeemed kind of rich. To be redeemed means that God takes your bad stuff and changes it into good stuff. How does He do it?

Simple…Jesus.

When you do bad stuff, you probably know you’re gonna be punished. Right? Well, the longer you live, the worse stuff you can do. And if there was never any punishment for it, everybody would do worse and worse stuff until the whole world would be a horrible place to live. Guess what? That happened a long time ago, and God saw that He needed to make a way for us to be better. So He came to earth as Jesus and grew up to be a perfect man. Then, as a man, He took the punishment you and I were supposed to get. Can you imagine if your friend took your spanking for you? Or if your friend took all the punishments you were supposed to get?

That would be a pretty awesome friend, wouldn’t it?!

That’s the kind of friend Jesus is for you. And because He took all the punishments for every one of us, He made a Way for us to live forever. We don’t have to pay for it ourselves. That’s called Grace. And the riches of Grace last forever. Aren’t you glad about that? Does it make you wanna stand up and sing? I hope so. Here’s a rhyme to help you remember…

You can have the riches of Grace
Living in a beautiful place.
Living with God above in His forever love
Shining like gold on your face.

Stay tuned,

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No-cost, low-cost, and premium ways you can show your support…

Tell everybody you know to subscribe to Tony’s Rhyme and Reason Daily Devotional
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Get digital Bible stuff from the same company I do.

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

Or how about some music for believers, dreamers, and thinkers

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Did you know you’re not supposed to forgive everybody? It’s true. And it’s even in the Bible…that’s how I know it’s true. The only one who has the brain power to offer forgiveness to everybody is God. And as you already discovered, if you’ve been paying attention to my stories, you and I are not God. Here’s a secret, that’s not a secret. Even God doesn’t forgive everybody. Uh-oh! Does that sound right? Well, it’s true. He makes sure forgiveness is there for anyone who wants it. But here’s the key…you have to ask for it. Anyone who asks God for forgiveness can get it from Him. Now you know how to forgive and be happier. Right? Wanna know more?

Keep reading to understand how to forgive.

There’s a place in the Bible where it says you need to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another“. It sorta sounds like you’re just supposed to do it…no questions asked. Right? But it’s important to read the very next 7 words. They say, “even AS God in Christ forgave you“. So you’re supposed to forgive others the way God forgave you. Do you remember what you had to do for God to forgive you? Yep, that’s right. You had to ASK.

So, if somebody does something wrong to you, it’s a good idea to tell them. Let them know what they did that hurt you. Maybe they didn’t even realize they had done it. That’s why it’s good to go right to them and tell them. Then, you know what they should do? They should ask you to forgive them. And if they ask, you should forgive them. That’s how God, through Jesus, forgives you. Isn’t that cool? When we do things God’s way, they can work so much better. When we choose to do things our own way, we can get mean, bitter, mad, and downright evil. Not cool. Wouldn’t you rather be happier instead of meaner? Yeah, me too.

How about it? Do you think you could learn how to forgive someone today…the way God forgave you? Try it out and I think you’ll see how it’s a better way to forgive. When you do, let me know.

And here’s my rhyme to help you remember…

Learn how to forgive and be happy
Knowing it’s what God wants you to do.
Don’t go through your life being snappy
At the ones who love and cherish you.
Learn how to forgive and be happy.
It’s a way to make the good Lord smile.
Share this good idea with everybody.
Forgiving is what makes this life worthwhile.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

God has always been around. He lived forever in the past. We don’t really know what that’s like because we all had a starting day. You and I didn’t live forever in the past. But you and I can live forever in the future because loves us so much. Did you know He loved you before you were even born? It’s true. He put you together inside your mom. And before you and I were born…before anyone was born, God starting making plans for us. He wants us to live forever, and because He’s so smart, He figured out a way to do that even if we mess up. Isn’t that cool?

And that started before you were born.

There’s a place in the Bible where it says God was working things out “before time began“. That means before YOUR time began. Before my time began. Before human beings began. But not before God. Time has always been here because God has always been here. He didn’t make it up. He made us. And our time began when He made us.

The main thing to remember is He made you because He loves you. He wants you to live with Him forever. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to keep from making mistakes. All God asks is that you believe and trust in Jesus because Jesus lived a life with no mistakes. He is perfect.

Jesus always lived as God the Son in a spirit form until He became a man. Then He took a horrible punishment for you so you wouldn’t have to. Some people killed Him because He didn’t do things the way they thought He should. But guess what? Jesus came back from the dead and went up into Heaven. But not before He told His friends how we could all do that, too. So, do you see why it’s so important to choose Jesus? Do you see how much God loves you? He made you in His own image, and you were YOU even before you were born. Here’s a rhyme to help you remember…

Even before you were born
God was making a plan
For us to live in His love.
Jesus became a man
Whose life would pay the full debt
For all the bad things done.
God made a way for your life,
And that Way is His Son.

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