book of Psalms Archives - Page 3 of 3

Posted on June 28, 2020 by TonyJanuary 9, 2023

Confidence Bible verse in case things might be feeling worse

Wanna read a great confidence building Bible verse?

Anyone who’s focused on the regular news regurgitation might be feeling a little worse right now. After all, a lot of reports are saying there’s an alarming rise in virus cases. And there’s all these protests. And riots…and destruction. So, what’s a God-fearing, peace-loving person to do? Well, may I suggest reading a confidence Bible verse?

“Honey, did he just say to read a confidence Bible verse?”

Yeah, I know it might sound a bit esoteric and vacuous, on the surface. But I know it can work wonders for you in times like these. When panic seems to have reached global proportions. And the verse I’m talking about can help put things in perspective.

You and I are regular people. Right? And by regular I mean we’re citizens. We work. And we go out and spend our hard-earned money on groceries, gas, and other goods. But we’re not in charge of the direction our country takes. Oh sure, we can vote. But that’s problematic. Because even voting doesn’t necessarily take things in the right direction. But the main thing I want to emphasize is that we’re not in charge. So, we face challenges.

Every day.

But imagine actually being the one in charge. And still facing challenges. In fact, facing challenges like lots of people looking for opportunities to kill you. Yikes! But that’s exactly what King David faced. And even in the middle of all those monumental challenges he had confidence in his salvation from God. So, he wrote this, in Psalm 17:

“Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me. They have closed up their fat hearts; With their mouths they speak proudly. They have now surrounded us in our steps; They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth, As a lion is eager to tear his prey, And like a young lion lurking in secret places.”

And with all he was facing, David finished the Psalm with this: “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.”

I hope you feel that confidence in you
And know how God will always see you through.
But if you don’t, I hope you’ll stop and pray
And ask God to build up your faith, today.

Stay tuned,

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Posted on May 20, 2020 by TonyOctober 6, 2024

What? Me, rest in hope? Yeah, right.

I still remember sad conversations with friends, from my past, who were atheists. And I say “sad” because so many (if not all) atheists believe when you die, that’s it. Darkness. Nothingness. No R.I.P. Because when you die, all that is you ceases to be. And it makes me sad for them because I know they can’t rest in hope.

Knowing you’re created helps you rest in hope.

When you realize there’s a Creator who had a reason for creating, hopelessness falls away. Like dying leaves in the Autumn breezes. And just like those dying leaves fall every year, you know the new leaves will grow back the next spring. That’s hope. And optimism. All around you.

And why would anyone not want that same feeling for their own life?

My friends from the past would say they DO want that hope. But it just doesn’t exist. Because God doesn’t exist. But I always wondered how they could be so dead set sure about that.

Of course, people who don’t believe (and trust) in God feel they can ask believers that same question. How can we be so dead set sure He DOES exist? And when you know you’re up against a closed mind and a hardened heart, you can see how all the evidence in the world won’t sway them.

All the evidence in the world.

In fact, the whole world IS evidence. Except to those who WILL not see.

I love how David wrote, in Psalm 16, about his hope. “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

If you don’t have a hope of forever
And life in God’s paradise,
I suggest you don’t wait till whenever
To accept His sacrifice.

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Posted on April 26, 2020 by TonyMay 5, 2020

Beware the Back Stabbers

“They smile in your face…All the time they want to take your place…The back stabbers.” Yeah, the Ojays song was telling guys to watch out. Because there are other guys out there who wanna take your woman. And they’ll act like your friend. But they’ve got sinister plans. So, you best beware.

And there a lots of different kinds of back stabbers out there.

In case you haven’t noticed (and if you haven’t, what planet have you been on?) there’s no end to human beings hate and contempt for one another. As a friend of mine likes to say, “there’s no bottom to that abyss.”

And back when the Ojays sang that song, it was mostly men doing all the worst things in life. But these days you gotta watch out for the women. In the name of “feminism” a lot of the so-called “weaker sex” have proved they can back stab with the best (um…worst) of ’em. All while smiling in your face.

So, what’s the answer to all this hating your neighbor stuff?

Hmm…there oughta be a law. Wait! There are literally already so many “laws” you’re probably breaking one or more just by reading (or listening to) this. And those “lawmakers” are some of the most prolific back stabbers. Because they’re not truly looking out for your best interest. They don’t love their neighbor. They’re too busy reaching into their neighbor’s pocket for money to buy votes from other neighbors.

And, by the way, that’s evil.

But what’s a little evil among friends, right? What does it matter? It’s just how the game is played. Right?

Well, only if you don’t care about (or believe in) what happens after you leave planet Earth.

Because your Creator won’t tolerate bad behavior indefinitely. And He’s very “black and white” when it comes to love and justice. And there won’t be appeals and plea bargains in His court.

So, it’s a good idea (translate: eternally consequential) to focus on what’s truly important in life. And it ain’t your stuff, your neighbor’s stuff, or anything that eventually turns to dust. The important stuff lasts forever. And that includes you. You’re gonna live, or merely exist, forever. And where that will be is up to you. Now.

Don’t be smilin’ in my face
With a knife in your hand
Ready to take my place.
You don’t understand…
How your sealin’ your fate
Unless you change your mind
Before it’s too late.

And you’re one breath away from too late.

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Posted on April 2, 2020 by TonyApril 11, 2020

Silver words of hope

OK, get out your eight stringed harp, or your drums, guitar, keyboard, or other instruments. And let’s sing some silver words of hope today. Who’s with me?

You don’t need special talents to sing these silver words.

In fact, if you’d rather listen, that’s OK, too. Because the words I’m talking about can maybe give you even more hope if you just listen. And by “listen” I mean tune out the world and its incessant noise. And really listen.

The incessant noise of the world is full of back-stabbing treachery. It seems there’s no low that’s too low to go for so many people. Because even during this time of the so-called “global pandemic” there are so many people looking for a way to lie to and steal from their fellow human beings.

And it crosses all ethnicities, races, lifestyles, and borders. But it only stands to reason when you think about it. After all, if most people don’t care about their Creator, why in the world would they care about you?

“So, what good would some shiny words do anyone, Tony?”

Well, it depends on who’s speaking them. It’s safe to say some silver-tongued salesman spouting spurious speculations at you won’t help you much. Right? And I think we can all agree when so-called “political leaders” speak, their words are more on the gray or rust end of the color spectrum.

But what if your Creator told you something like: “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise,”says the Lord; “I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”That would be some mighty shiny, comforting words. Don’t you agree? Well, God did say those words. Of course, if the Bible is just a fairy tale, or collection of fairy tales, then, by all means, ignore those words. But if the Bible is an actual trustworthy, historical book of reference, well that’s words of a different color. And here’s what I say…

Silver words of hope from the Word of God
Show me where and how I need Him most.
So, I say a prayer from my grateful heart…
Thank you Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

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Posted on January 17, 2016 by TonyJanuary 15, 2024

Even Hollywood knows about the Lord is my shepherd Bible verse

If you’re a Christian, I’m sure you’re familiar with Psalm 23. Little kids know it as – The Lord Is My Shepherd verse. It’s beautiful lyrics to a beautiful song King David wrote to his Creator. You should pause from reading this article of mine, look up the passage, and go through it line by line right now. I’ll wait…

OK, now I’d like to share a clip of one my songs I wrote to the Lord. It begins with a reference to the verse just before the Lord is my shepherd verse. Psalm 22 talks about how God knows us from our very formation in our mothers’ wombs. And there are some much deeper and even more meaningful verses in that Psalm, but I won’t go into that right now. You’d do yourself a service to read through it and study it. But for now…here’s a clip from my song, and the lyrics…

Your Love Restored My Soul

From my mother’s womb You have been my God…
Even if I didn’t always know it.
And I’ve loved You since my salvation day…
Even if…I didn’t always show it.

I believe Your Son is the only Way
To the life I know is never-ending…
So I cast my lot with the King of Kings
And His Truth I trust is never bending.

Jesus…Your love restored my soul.
You gave Your life to make me whole.
I’d be a lifeless lump of coal…oh
But Jesus…Your love restored my soul.

On my darkest days I am not alone.
You indwell me with Your Holy Spirit.
And Your “still small voice”is an open book
And Your grace is there if I draw near it”

And in that open Book is the one True God…
And the words revolve around His story.
And the words are turned into flesh and bone,
And He shares, with each of us, His glory.

Chorus twice

Your love restored my soul”.your love restored my soul
Your love restored…your love restored my soul.

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Posted on January 14, 2011 by TonyFebruary 24, 2025

Worship Music Ideas
From The King of Worship Music in
The Psalms

Lately I’ve written a lot of worship music inspired by the writings of King David. You probably already know this, but he’s given credit for writing most of the Psalms. We recently studied many of them in church. And my goal was to capture the spirit of the weekly Psalm, and put it to a contemporary musical setting. I think I managed to get 4 or 5 new worship songs out of the teaching.

It’s amazing how inspiring the book of Psalms can be.

And the messages include the full spectrum of logic, reason, and feeling. David clearly didn’t want to be separated from God. He knew God firsthand. He knew God’s power and love. And David wrote a lot of worship music long before there was ever a “Christian church.”

The Psalms, if you’re a Christian songwriter songwriter,

When you’re looking for inspiration to write edifying praise and worship music, your well won’t soon run dry if you dig into the Psalms.

And it’s extra cool when you discover how a Psalm can actually describe amazing details in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. That’s pretty significant since Jesus wasn’t even born when they were written.

It’s almost as if God decided to write a book and then inspired a bunch of guys to put the words to paper. One thing’s for sure. If God did decide to write a book, it would be a bestseller. (Oh yeah, it IS)

Anyway…if you’re in charge of praise and worship music at your church, or in your family, or wherever…check out David’s songs. You’ll be glad you did in more ways than one.

So, when the troubles of this world get you down, look.
When the trials of this world pull you in, shout out.
Take hope, it’s free. From God to you and me.
Keepin’ Jesus within we’re never really without.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk

Your Life Has Rhyme And Reason Because God Made You