Good Judge of Character

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

When I was a kid, my parents and grandparents would often say things like: “If everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you?” OR “Yeah, Johnny’s parents let him stay out late…but look at all the trouble he gets into.” Of course, when you’re a kid, you just think the old folks are trying to keep you from having fun. Actually, they want you to mature wisely and be a good judge of character.

It's OK to be a good judge of character. 

Yep…I said good “judge” of character. I know it’s not the “in” thing anymore to judge others. It seems everyone is afraid of being thought of as “judgmental”. And this is while everyone…yes everyone…is judgmental. This includes you dear reader. Examine your own thoughts as you read this, especially if you disagree with me, and see what sort of thoughts cross your mind about me.

Are those thoughts of tolerance and celebration of my diverse (different) opinion? Or did you just maybe have a couple of thoughts about how harsh I sound? Have you already made a decision not to read my articles anymore? Guess what…”decision” is synonymous with judgment. You judged my articles not worthy of your time.

And that’s quite alright.

I can totally respect your negative judgment of my writing…as long as you take ownership of your decision. It would be unrealistic of me to expect everyone to agree with me or enjoy my work. And if you judge my worldview to be discordant with yours, I wouldn’t expect you to spend much time here.

However; that doesn’t necessarily make you a good judge of character. My views may differ from yours, but that doesn’t make either one of us a seedy character. Our character should come into question when we choose to lie, steal, murder, and otherwise do injustice to our fellow human beings. And it’s good to be able to examine someone with wise discernment. That ability can save a lot of grief and heartache in life.

Here’s my final thought on this for today. If there’s no such think as universal morality…if it’s all just relative to how you feel about it personally…then please, just ignore me because I’m just probably another one of those knucklehead Christians trying to make everyone live by my weird rules. But…if there IS a morality that’s designed for us all, then…

…it may be a good idea to learn to be a good judge of character.

 

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

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Words And Music Of Faith Hope And Love Podcast Episode 17

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My Podcast Episode 17 is available for listening or downloading. Click the blue button to hear words and music of faith hope and love or follow links and read the articles.

As you start your week…keep in mind that this life is going to challenge and test you. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Christian believer or someone of any other worldview. It’s true for anyone.

You can choose to rise up and meet the challenges and ace the tests…or you can choose to whine about ’em. Only one of those choices give you the opportunity to overcome them. As a Christian I recommend you seek to trust and love the One who created you…the One who says you’re “more than conquerors”.

It’s up to you. God won’t force you to be with Him. He gives you the free will ability to go your own way. I urge you not to…

In this podcast episode I shared his previous week’s articles about:

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

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Bread of Sincerity And Truth

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

If we eat from (or want to eat from) the bread of sincerity and truth, we need to realize we can’t just feed the flesh and expect to live forever.

TheWe should follow the Bread of Life and be the Bread Of Sincerity and Truth in His name.

Eternal life doesn’t work that way. Believe me…I totally understand how the flesh wants what the flesh wants. And each of us gives in to it. That’s the whole reason Jesus even came to earth as a man.

Our souls are eternal. Our spirits can be, too. Our bodies aren’t. So, if we meander through life with a singular, physical perspective, we can justify almost anything our little hearts desire. The despicable things we’re capable of have no limits. Paul even wrote how someone among the Corinthians had “such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles…that a man has his father’s wife.”

Paul was also frustrated by the fact that the Corinthians weren’t even upset by this. He found them to be “puffed up”. He told them they should deliver this person to Satan. Wow, that’s harsh. But one line later we can see the true love found in the bread of sincerity and truth when Paul says “…that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus”. Paul knew that this person’s spirit was in jeopardy.

A lot of people, mostly comedians, have shared the story of how a woman might ask a man if her pants make her bottom look too big. And, of course, the question begs the truth to be withheld. But that’s not of eternal importance.

On the matter of whether someone’s spirit will live forever in paradise with God, truth should not be withheld. If we love our fellow man (and we’re told to do so), we should be willing to share the bread of sincerity and truth. It may be initially more difficult to swallow, but it’s eternally nutritious for the spirit.

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

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A Spirit of Gentleness

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

If you’ve read all or most of my Bible based articles here on my website, I hope you understand how I’m writing to you with “a spirit of gentleness“.

A Spirit Of Gentleness should be the first way into hearts.

Sometimes my words may sound a little more heavy-handed, but that’s when I’m sharing a major point from God’s perspective…not merely my opinion. For the most part, though, I simply want to share the reasons for my faith, hope, and love…with gentleness and respect.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians of his day and said “therefore I urge you, imitate me”. He was speaking to them as their spiritual father. But he wasn’t a do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do kind of father. He didn’t want them to imitate him in ways he didn’t imitate Jesus. He knew that in order to pass on the news of the kingdom of God he had to show how it had been given to him.

And Paul knew a good father would have to occasionally discipline his children. So he’d say some things straight out sometimes. Like how he told them, “as my beloved children I warn you”and how he said “some are puffed up”. Paul didn’t sugar-coat or dilute God’s word. But his faith, hope, and love come shining through every chapter of every letter he wrote to his followers…

And like any good father, Paul preferred love over discipline. I think that’s why he wrote “Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness”.

That makes me think back to my own childhood when my brother and I would sometimes push our luck when we were supposed to be going to sleep. And my father would call out from his room, “If I have to come in there, I’ll bring my belt.”In no time at all a spirit of gentleness whisked us off to Dreamtown.

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

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Spectacle To The World

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Spectacle: an event or scene regarded in terms of its visual impact…A spectacle can be an amazing, beautiful thing. It can also be a cruel form of punishment when someone is put on display to mock and ridicule. When Paul wrote how he and other apostles were “made a spectacle to the world“, they sort of fit into both categories.

There are times when it's OK to be made a spectacle to the world.

For a long time in America, Christians and Christianity were much more respected and trusted. But more and more we’re being made a spectacle to the world. I hope my Christian brothers and sisters will join me in accepting the responsibility of standing up for Jesus, though. Don’t you think it would please God if we’re able to”

  • Bless others even while we’re reviled?
  • Endure even as we’re being persecuted?
  • Keep working for the Lord even as we’re being defamed?

I’m as human as the next person. I’d love to be loved and cherished by everyone. But I know this isn’t a realistic expectation. Jesus said “they persecuted me…they will persecute you”and “they hated me…they will hate you”. And so very often that persecution and hate will come in the name and disguise of love and tolerance.

But even if the whole world comes to hate me…but my loving Creator loves me…I’m a winner. I don’t care if that makes me the “filth of the world”because that’s nothing to be compared to the glory of Heaven. And the glory of Heaven will always be an inexorable and inexplicable spectacle to “the world”.

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

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Stewards of the Mysteries of God

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

As I was growing up in Texas and Kansas I couldn’t have imagined that anyone would ever call me one of those “stewards of the mysteries of God“. In fact, if someone had told me that’s what I might be someday, I probably would would have responded with a very intellectual sounding “huh?”.

As Stewards Of The Mysteries of God, Christians have access to answers instead of focusing on problems.

But here I am, and I can tell you I haven’t been a good steward of those mysteries for most of my life. Most of the time I served self…and self never seemed to be satisfied. So I’m probably not the one to “be found faithful”as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians. But this is based on God’s judgment…not the judgment of the world. And His judgment goes to my heart…not merely my words, actions, and deeds.

Even as I read how God will “both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts”I find His wise love…because if we were only judged according to our words, actions, and deeds, it would mean two things. One; the judging person wouldn’t even need to be God. And two; a person with more education or more physical abilities or more money would have a better chance at Heaven and salvation than someone more challenged in those areas.

But God doesn’t love (or judge) according to outward signs. He searches our hearts and minds. And His love and eternal compassion are offered to everyone of every color, creed, and ethnicity. When Paul wrote that others should consider us as “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God”, he was expounding on the main mystery he was sent to reveal. That mystery was how Jesus came to earth as a man, died for all sinners, and rose again to show us all His great love and the way to eternal life.

Prior to Paul there were no other prophets and writers talking about how Grace would be a free gift even to the Gentiles. That news was a mystery hidden through the ages.

Well, here in my little digital studio office I’m acting as one of those stewards of the mysteries of God, today, and sharing this awesome information with anyone who would like to know the love of their Creator. Believe me when I say it surpasses anything you’re able to comprehend in this mortal life.

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

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Words And Music of Faith Hope And Love Podcast Episode 16

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

The Tony Funderburk Podcast Episode 16 is available for listening or downloading. Click the blue button to hear words and music of faith hope and love or follow links and read the articles.

In this podcast episode Tony shared his previous week’s articles about:

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

P.S.  I really appreciate your support here on my website. Here are some other awesome ways you can keep my words and music flowing.

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Three Reasons To Become A Fool

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Three Reasons to Become a Fool

If you think you’re pretty smart…if you think you’re fairly wise…you might wanna reconsider…it might be in your own eyes. That’s why I’d like to share three reasons to become a fool. Then, you might see yourself (and the world) a little differently. And that’s a good thing.

To Become A Fool for God is to gain wisdom that will last forever.

Yeah, foolishness isn’t the typical characteristic most experts would tell you to aspire to for success. But then, most experts aren’t looking at the big picture. I don’t mean the local view or the regional, or state, or country, or even global picture. I’m talking about the eternal big picture. You’re either going to live…or merely exist…forever.

The so-called wisdom of this world won’t lead you to abundant eternal life. The most you can hope for in this life is to have good health and all your needs, wants, and desires met. While those are awesome things, they’re temporary. Think about it…you won’t die from too much health or money. But death (like corrupt taxation) is inevitable.

So have you considered where and how you’d like to end up when it happens to you? If my worldview is correct (and it is), the next part of your life…after death…is eternal. That’s a really, really, really long time. And the choices you make here and now will directly affect where and how you’ll spend that time.

OK…here are the three reasons to become a fool…

  1. Paul said “the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God” and “if anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise”
  2. When you do…then “you are Christ’s”
  3. “Christ is God’s”

Now, don’t misunderstand…to become a fool as the Bible describes doesn’t mean to be a fool as the world describes a fool. Rather, be a fool to this world because of your willingness to stand up for and kneel down to the One who merely spoke words and the whole universe leaped into existence.

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Laying the foundation is the first step
to building a house, but…

Laying the foundation is merely one part of what we can do in the lives of others through faith, hope, and love in God.

…it’s only one of several steps in the whole process. If you stopped there, you wouldn’t have much of a house. Sticking with the house-building analogy, let me put it like this…Let’s say John Q. Smith has a home-building company. Each home starts by laying the foundation. Then, John hires…

  • some framers to build the main structure
  • electricians and plumbers
  • sheetrockers
  • trim carpenters and painters
  • and a final cleaning crew

Each one of those companies or service providers plays a key role in the completion of the house. But when it’s all said and done, John Q. Smith, alone, is acknowledged as the builder. And rightfully so. He made sure the whole project was started and completed. Then, he paid for it all. And, he’s the reason all the others even have the work in the first place.

Now, maybe you’re already ahead of me. But let’s apply that to matters of eternal consequence. God created everything there is. He is the builder. When we choose to work for Him, we’re able to use the gifts and talents He gave us for either laying the foundation for salvation in someone’s life…or we get to help at some other stage in the process.

The apostle Paul wrote it like this in 1 Corinthians 3:6…

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase”. Paul was acknowledging the fact that he laid the foundation of God’s love in the hearts and minds of the Corinthians, but he also gave credit to Apollos for expounding on that information. And the full credit he gave to God for any good that came of it.

Here’s another cool part to this. Paul also said “he who plants and he who waters are one…” They’re equal in value and importance. And sometimes we may think we’re laying a foundation or planting when, in fact, the foundation we’re laying is also helping someone further along in their knowledge of God’s love for them.

My desire is that as I keep writing my words and music of faith, hope, and love I’ll find creative ways to plant golden seeds and saturate them with Living Water so that my work endures to the day of redemption. And I’ll be eternally grateful to God, the builder. He paid for it all.

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

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The Love Of God Is Better Than Mine

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The love of God is better than mine because His love doesn’t have time or physical limits. And He sees us fully…body, soul, and spirit.

The love of God is better, higher, and more sustaining than mine could ever be.

Mine does. I will only last, in this world, for a relatively short time. My physical body will wind down, give out, and expire. So, despite what social media and marketing experts say…don’t follow me…well, not in the philosophical sense anyway.

My faith, hope, and love spring out of the Living Water from my Creator. Yours should, too. I love having you here on my website, reading my articles, and listening to my podcast, and supporting my words and music. But ultimately your goal should be to go directly to the source, the Bible. The words there are “God-breathed”and able to sustain your spirit. I can’t do that for you. I can only point you in the right direction.

Faith, hope, and love without trust and reliance on God are like milk to a baby. The milk will nourish the baby very well, but at some point the baby will begin to need solid food.

The Word of God is like a juicy ribeye steak from grass-fed beef. Grass-fed beef is rich in Omega-3. Omega-3 is a fatty acid essential to the health of the human body, but the human body can’t make its own. And here’s the connection…Jesus is called the “Alpha and Omega”…and THAT Omega is essential to the eternal health of the human spirit. And the human spirit can’t make its own.

So…my suggestion to you, today, is…put down the “envy, strife, and divisions among you“…and…stop “behaving like mere men“. Cook yourself a delicious steak (with some fruits and vegetables) and read some verses in the Bible as you eat.

Your body and spirit will thank you.

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

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If I Only Knew Then What I Know Now

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Surely that’s happened to you. You learn some awesome information or a valuable lesson, and you say to yourself, “If only I knew then what I know now.”

Avoid that recording of you saying "if I only knew then what I know now".

Of course, we say that…thinking we would have or could have avoided all those mistakes if we only knew then what we know now. And, of course, that’s not true. We might have avoided a mistake or two, but given our track records, I’m certain we would have made other mistakes…and maybe just as bad or worse.

But that’s all based on what our limited human nature knows and understands. Fortunately, there’s a deeper and higher level of understanding things we can attain through the Spirit of God. Your eyes can’t see these things. Your ears can’t hear these things. And even your heart can’t comprehend these things.

These things I’m talking about are “the things which God has prepared for those who love Him”. No one can know these things simply by gathering or building mountains of intellect. No one can buy or borrow these things.

Yet these things are freely given by the Spirit of God to anyone who chooses to love Him. Through His Spirit we can receive the things of God, and they make sense. But to the man or woman steeped in the so-called “spirituality”of this world, it all sounds silly, judgmental, and sometimes even hateful.

But before you judge me too harshly, consider this…when I share the message that the only way to eternal life is through trust and faith in Jesus, it’s because I love my fellow human beings enough to tell them. And I know it won’t win me any popularity contest. But if it’s true (and it is), I’m not loving you to keep that from you.

Once I became a Christian I tapped into the mind of Christ. With access to that wisdom, only selfishness could keep my lips sealed. And so I write and sing about the wonderful paradise to come. I’d love for you to be there, too. All you need to do is acknowledge these things: There is a God. You’re not Him. And He loves you so much He made the ultimate sacrifice in order for you to live with forever…if you want to. I sure hope you don’t end up somewhere thinking “If I only knew then what I know now”.

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

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Slick Talk

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

If I tried to nudge you toward Jesus with slick talk, three dollar words, and quick flurries of facts, I might succeed at getting you to think I was an excellent speaker. But I’d fail at what should be my goal…

…the demonstration of the power of God.

Let’s look at this way. Let’s say I told you a rags-to-riches story of a guy who started out on the wrong path. This guy decided everything in life was created especially for him. He stepped on and over anyone who got in his way. He made sure he went to the best school, the best corporations, and rubbed shoulders with the top movers and shakers. Oh sure, he succeeded in the world of commerce and high finance…but his relationships suffered.

Does this slick talk story sound familiar so far?

This guy knows everything there is to know about wheeling and dealing stocks, commodities, and time management. He can turn a few details into a 45 minute slick talk. And he can put a spit shine on a cesspool. People buy into his hype, but no one buys into his hope…because he doesn’t have any to sell.

Now, let’s say I tell you a story of a guy who talks TO people and not AT them. He relates to them acknowledging his own shortcomings and weaknesses. And he lets them know he was just like them…looking for answers and gloriously happy when he found them. e knows that his own skills or “way with words”isn’t the focus. The focus is on what others need and finding a way to share with them they can understand and appreciate. That’s powerful. That works.

If I tell you how wonderful, how powerful, how special I am, I become nothing more than a miserable failure…no matter how much money and power I gain. But when I share how the Spirit of Life is available to you…to everyone…and that your faith should never be in me, but in the power of God…I don’t need slick talk.

God’s grace is sufficient.

Now, maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, let’s change that. Get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And bask in daily, delightful flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

Stay tuned…

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Foolish Things Of The World

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

I am not glorious. In fact, you might even say I’m one of the “foolish things of the world“.

I don't mind being one of the foolish things of the world, if it means more glory to God.Here’s how it lays out. I’m not wise, mighty, or noble…not as the world sees wise, mighty, and noble anyway. In fact, the more I stand up and speak the truth of the Bible, the more foolish I seem to most people in the world. I’m OK with that.

God has chosen the foolish things of this world to put to shame the “wise”. You see, it’s like this…if you think yourself wise, yet say there is no God, your wisdom is actually foolish. It’s self-defeating. In order for anyone to say “there is no God” that person would have to know everything there is to know about everything there is in the universe. And in order to know that much, a person would have to BE God.

Self-defeating arguments abound in a world that does its best to wash away God with so-called intellect and science. The ironic thing is…there wouldn’t be any intellect or science without an uncaused First Cause.

Chew on that for a minute. I’ll come back to it.

The only true wisdom we humans can attain must have its origin in the One who designed us…the One who “knit me together in my mother’s womb”. To take the Creator of the universe out of the picture is folly at best…and damning to others at worst.

Look…I believe everyone believes in a god…whether they determine that god to be their own abilities, or a “force” that covers all there is…or merely some “higher power. My suggestion is to take a closer look at THE God of the Bible. When you see the overwhelming evidence of His existence in all of creation…in manuscripts…in archeology…in prophecies…and in science and statistical probabilities…I believe you’ll want to “glory in the Lord”.

In Faith, Hope, and Love”

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

P.S.  I really appreciate your support here on my website. Here are some other awesome ways you can keep my words and music flowing. Get my ebooks for kids on Amazon.com or Smashwords
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Message of the Cross

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

If you’re one of those people choosing to go your own way…even into the eternal future…the message of the cross (found in Christian teaching) probably sounds silly to you.

The Message of the Cross is salvation to those who humble themselves and believe.

Maybe you think Christians are fools to follow such “antiquated teachings”. Well, here’s a shocker for you…you’re right!

You’re right…if Christians are wrong. Let me put it this way. If I’m following a worldview based on myths and legends and out-of-date information…if I’m dedicated to a lie…I’m a fool. And I’ll just have to deal with the consequences of following this silly ideology.

But here’s the catch. The opposite is true, too. If you’re dedicated to a worldview that’s in opposition to Christianity…and if Christianity proves to be true…then you’re the fool.

The message of the cross is simple. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” Let me share my simple-minded take on that. I believe it’s true. I want it to be true. I need that Truth.

So does every other human being on the planet. They just don’t all know it…or, for that matter, seem to even care. Most people aspire to attain their own “perfection”…their own “paradise”…their own salvation. They believe they’ll achieve enough “wisdom” to do so.

My recommendation is this…don’t waste your life in quest of perfection. Instead, seek the One who IS perfect and has made a way for you to live with Him in paradise forever. Don’t waste time looking for signs and wonders. Instead seek a relationship with your Creator…a relationship overflowing with love.

What’s the worst that could happen? Seriously…let me know what you think is the worst that could happen?

In Christian Love”

Tony Funderburk's signature can be found on almost all of his writing for kids.

P.S.  I really appreciate your support here on my website. Here are some other awesome ways you can keep my words and music flowing.

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Is Christ Divided

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

1 Corinthians 1:10-17 Paul asks the people of Corinth “Is Christ divided?” Because he had heard that some of them were saying things like “I am of Paul” or “I am of Apollos” or “I am of Cephas”. So Paul strongly reminded them that they could only be OF one. Jesus.

Why was it so important to Paul that the Corinthians “all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you“? Probably because he knew that division and sectarianism would lead to confusion. And he knew the world would be watching this new Christian faith.

I’m confident that Paul must have thought about how confusion within the followers of Jesus would most certainly lead to confusion by anyone interested in learning about Jesus. It was vital to Paul that the Corinthians understood the message of the Gospel was much more important than keeping all or parts of the law.

And is Christ divided in the message of the Gospel?

No. Because God “so loved the world that He sent His only Son” to die for us. And whosoever believes in His son shall have everlasting life. Wouldn’t you say that message rises far above whether or not you’re baptized? Paul certainly did. And I totally agree with him.

If you’re a Christian, I hope you’ll do all you can to “be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” with me. God’s own words in John 3:16 speak of love and belief…FOR and IN His Son. When you have those, you have life…abundantly and eternally.

Now, maybe you don’t know me well enough to buy something from me, yet. Ok, let’s change that. Get to know more about me and my worldview. Join the growing body of believers who’ve signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And bask in daily, delightful flashes of light from the power of God’s love.

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Called Into Fellowship

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When you’re called into fellowship with Jesus, consider it a blessing and a responsibility. And answer the call with confidence.

Be ready to accept when you're called into fellowship with Jesus.

The problem is…most decline the call. Most. And that’s such a shame. Because, when you consider the awesome gift Jesus bought for you…and He wants to give you…why would you rather turn that down?

Imagine…eternal life in paradise…where you’ll never fear death and dying again. Imagine getting to work on your wonderful talents forever. Imagine living in a place where no one wants to take your possessions, hurt your loved ones, or kill you. Well, it’s a real place. And it’s a place where “you come short in no gift” and where Jesus will “confirm” you and where you’ll “be blameless“.

There is almost infinitely more evidence that Jesus existed and was (and is) who He said He was than there is for your own existence. Even in His dying moments He confirmed “paradise” to another man on a cross next to Him. This eternal life in paradise that Jesus talked about is offered through…amazing Grace.

I’m so grateful to God for His tender mercies. I need that amazing Grace. And if you’ve found it, too… …then, like Paul said to the Corinthians: “I thank my God…for the Grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus”.

And if you haven’t discovered and received this amazing Grace, I want you to be fully aware that you won’t be able to tell God you were never called into fellowship. Please believe me…He may say something like, “I called you into fellowship many times…and each time you declined”.

Don’t let yourself get caught in that position…especially when it’s so easy to avoid it. Just accept “the call”.

In Christian Love”

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Tony’s Faith Hope And Love Podcast Episode 15

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The Tony Funderburk Podcast Episode 15 is available for listening or downloading. Click the blue button to hear words and music of faith hope and love”and a big dose of optimism.

There’s no need to let discouragement rule the day. If you find that happening, you may be leaning on your own understanding. Remember…your understanding is limited to what your senses and intuition can tell you. And those are based on the limitations of this space/time continuum and your personal location.

God doesn’t suffer from those limitations. He can see the whole world. In fact, He can see the whole universe. He created it and everything in it. So…learn to lean on His understanding. He’ll direct your paths, and you’ll walk in stronger faith hope and love.

In this podcast episode Tony shared his previous week’s articles about:

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In case you don’t already know…I’m gonna show you how to be happy where you are right now. How’s that for a pitch?

Maybe where you are right now is a place full of anger, bitterness, and turmoil. There’s a way to be happy instead. Or maybe your life is going great, but you think something is missing, and you can’t quite put your finger on what would make that go away.

There’s a way to clear that up.

If physical prowess is the key to happiness, then pro athletes should be some of the happiest people in the world. But I read alarming reports of drug abuse, dysfunctional and abusive relationships, murder, and suicide in most sports.

And if money is the key to happiness, why are some of the unhappiest stories coming from celebrities with millions of dollars in their accounts?

Then, of course, there’s work and vacations. Many successful people say work keeps them happy. Others say get regular recuperative rest in a vacation destination that suits your temperament. While there’s nothing inherently wrong about that advice, there’s no lasting solution.Otherwise, you’d be able to determine an end game. In other words, you’d know when enough was enough.

So, how can you know how to be happy?

The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:10-23 talked about how to “be abased” and “to abound”…how to “both be full and to be hungry” and how to “abound and to suffer need”. In those verses he explains how to be happy where you are right now.

When I read that passage, I get a sense that Paul is enthusiastically rejoicing for and with the Philippians. He acknowledged their care for him and how it uplifted him to the point of rejoicing. How can we rejoice when so many things come against us?

Five letter answer: J-E-S-U-S.

Jesus is how God is able and “shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory”. Did you catch that? It’s not according to OUR earthly riches that He supplies all our needs. It’s according to “His riches in glory”. And His riches are all fulfilled and poured out through the sacrificial death and resurrection of His Son.

If you truly want to know how to be happy where you are right now, look up and kneel down.

Take a second and join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . When you do, I’ll send you links to 2 songs and 2 books that adults AND kids enjoy right away. Then, I’ll send you flashes of light from the faith, hope, and the power of God’s love.

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Focus in on better things so you’re equipped to guard your hearts and minds. In Philippians 4:8-9 Paul shows us how focus is so important.

Focus is a buzzword, nowadays, used by many motivational speakers and marketing gurus. But the focus they talk about almost never helps you to see how the God of peace will be with you.

Paul actually uses a synonym for “focus”…the word “meditate”. To meditate on something simply means to think deeply and carefully.

And it works best when you focus in on better things.

Picture this in your mind’s eye…from the window in your kitchen you see a sunflower in your front yard. It’s standing there all alone in the midst of rocks and weeds. It’s bright and beautiful. So you pop out your trusty camera and snap a quick photo. But when you share the photo with friends, they don’t get the full effect. They see the rocks and weeds.

Now picture this…you take your camera outside, kneel down, and really focus in on the sunflower. You capture the bright yellow petals with hues of sunset orange blended into interconnecting spirals. You can clearly see the fruit and seeds of the flower. And you’re thankful you have a camera with enough pixels to do it justice. Now, when you take this snapshot, you’ll have a picture that truly depicts the beauty that caught your eyes. And most likely anyone who sees the picture will too.

Well, just like you focused in on the sunflower, you’ll get a much clearer picture of God’s peace when you focus in on better things. Paul wrote a concise list of these things:

Whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, having any virtue, and anything praiseworthy. And when you learn to do what you hear and see Paul doing…who learned by hearing and seeing what Jesus did…then, the God of Peace will be with you. That sounds like something I’d like to work on today. How about you?

Your email address is the key to my Tony’s Daily Devotional . It’s how you get fun stuff delivered right to your inbox. Spend your valuable time reading instead of searching. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to 2 of my Christian books for kids and 2 songs, right away. Fun for kids AND not too cutesy. So grownups enjoy it, too.

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In This World But Not Of It

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I’m grateful and thankful to God that I can be in this world but not of it. It’s an increasingly dangerous place to be, and it’s a great relief to my soul and spirit to know I don’t have to spend eternity here. It even inspired a song. Hit the blue button to listen.

I previously mentioned how the Apostle Paul had dual citizenship in the cities of Tarsus and Rome. And I talked about how he lost his status when he decided to follow Jesus. I believe he still maintained dual citizenship. Only it was as a citizen of earth and a citizen of Heaven.

So, here’s how it is in this world.

Each of us who chooses to trust Jesus to be God the Savior retains a citizenship here on earth (until we die), but we also gain a new, eternal citizenship in Heaven. Our citizenship here on earth is fraught with challenges, turmoil, and even persecution. And we have to make our own way. We work, “by the sweat of our brow”, to earn whatever we get. On the other hand, our citizenship in Heaven is a free gift…bought and paid for by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Paul said “…the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”. That glory shall be revealed in us. But that’s when we go to live with the One who “is able even to subdue all things to Himself“. Our current flawed bodies will be transformed into glory and never die again. That’s why we should “lay up our treasures in Heaven”.

Doesn’t it make sense that it would be better to put your treasures in a place where no moths or rust will ever destroy them…and where no thieves will ever break in and steal them?

Living in a paradise with no more fear or trepidation of death and dying…it boggles my mind why anyone wouldn’t want to sing, “I’m in this world, but not of it!”

Stay tuned,

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