Tag Archives: your own understanding

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

They say if you wanna make meaningful connections, understanding is the key. And I agree. But then again, I disagree. Understanding is a word that can have an almost identical meaning as either a noun or an adjective. Most people probably wouldn’t give that a second thought, but I think it’s a very cool and interesting fact.

Mull this over for a minute or two. Think about just how small you are compared to God. It should make you very thankful of how much time He’s spent on understanding your needs, wants, and desires. You might be small, compared to Him, but you’re definitely not insignificant to Him.

In fact, He thought you were worth sacrificing His life.

The source of sovereign intelligence and eternal life took it upon Himself to pay the debt for all sin. That’s after  4,000 years talking to, meeting the needs of, and having patience with stubborn, rebellious humans.

So, you might think God’s power of understanding is the key to salvation.

But you’d be wrong, if you thought that.

No one has ever been saved by God’s understanding. And no one ever will be.

You and I have hope of eternal life for one reason. And one reason only. Because God loves us.

And because God showed us how to love…we should. But what does love require so much of the time? If you wanna be willing and able to give it, love needs understanding. You don’t have to buy anything, make anything, or even always actively DO anything to show and give love.

Here’s an awesome example of what I mean.

Use your ears to show love.

Valentine’s Day is coming up in a few days. And it’s a day most people probably show love with flowers and flowery words. And maybe a big dose of chocolate.

But many times (if not most) all it takes is a pair of caring, listening ears. When you give your full attention to someone who’s hurting, you can reach a level of understanding that can turn their day or even a life around.

On this Valentine’s Day I’m sending out love and understanding to you.

Especially if you disagree with my worldview.

You can let it fly right past you and land in someone else’s heart if you want. But my hope is that you’ll pay attention to my words. And then, be glad there’s someone “out there” who truly cares what happens to you.

I do care. And I can guarantee this, too. I’m not the only one.

Love and Understanding

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

These two things can help you when you get them and use them. Patience and understanding. That’s an undeniable truth. But most people on our planet couldn’t care less. Apparently they want neither.

Because patience and understanding might show them who God is.

And most people don’t want to face the realization that it’s not them.

And that’s sad. Because what is it in your life that you believe God can’t help you through? Financial problems? Family rifts? Job pressures? Surely there’s an end to His patience and understanding. Right?

Well…yes, and no.

There isn’t anything in your life that God can’t help you through. And, in fact, there isn’t anything in this world that God can’t help you through. But it requires some trust on your part. Here’s what I mean.

Let’s take it for granted you believe God is real…and that He loves you. But do you trust Him to live up to His promises? Or do you even know what they are?

In several places in the Bible, God says “I am with you.”

He tells you He’ll help you.

Maybe He holds you up with His “righteous right hand.” And maybe He anoints your head with oil. Maybe He even sends you “the Helper, the Holy Spirit.” Whatever the method, His help is as close as a prayer.

So, why in the world do you fear what this temporary world might throw at you?

I’d like to urge you to trust more and fear less. It probably won’t happen automatically. But make it a daily habit to eat the Bread of Life and drink the Living Water. And don’t be surprised when you start to know that you know it’s true when God says “I Am with you.

But, if you haven’t put your faith in God, don’t delay. His patience with this world will run out. It could be today.

There’s never not a time when I Am with you.
There’s never any day when you’re alone.
There’s never not a time when I will help you.
Fear not. You’re in my heart, and you’re my own. ~ God

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

You and I have the capacity for understanding by design. Let that sink in. Because that (seemingly) simple 4 syllable word is a key part of how we’re different from the animals and birds and fish.

Other creatures don’t have understanding, by design.

Because none of the other creatures on our little, blue planet were created in the image and likeness of their Creator. Only you and me.

So, we get to understand why we’re here. The age-old question, that’s never satisfactorily answered by the evolution fantasy. And that ability to understand why we’re here is cause for pause. Because it’s a connection to the only reason anybody was ever created, or is here now, or ever will be.

And that reason is because God is relational. He loves us. He wants to have a loving relationship with you and me. But not like other relationships. Far from it. He wants us to be connected to Him forever.

And because He loves us that much, it should help us to understand, or at least work to understand, others. That’s why I wrote a song about it way back in 1978. Here’s what I said…

Understanding

It isn’t always easy.
It isn’t always hard.
The choice is yours to play
The winning or losing card.

It isn’t always visible.
It isn’t always hidden.
There is a light so beautiful,
You’ll think that it’s forbidden.

Oh, I believe in understanding
In understanding each other.
Sooner or later we’l find the key
The key to the heart of our brother.

It isn’t always peaceful.
It isn’t always loud.
Sometimes you find yourself alone.
Sometimes you’re in a crowd.

It isn’t always happy.
It isn’t always sad,
And with a little understanding”
It isn’t always bad.

© 1978 Tony Funderburk (August 24)

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

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Eight years ago, today, I shared Episode 15 of my Podcast. Wow, 15. I’m now up to 739 episodes. (Side note: I’m way behind on recording episodes because my voice has been, shall we say, less than smooth. But the plan is to get going again shortly.) Anyway…Episode 15 focused on your understanding. And when I say “your,” I mean mine too. In fact, I mean everybody.

Your understanding is small.

Again…that means mine and everybody else’s, too.

But I don’t want that to discourage you from moving forward in life. Unless you’re someone who hates God and hates anyone who loves God. Then, I want you to realize how small you are. And I want the only forward movement in your life to be movement that takes you toward your Creator.

But for those who love God, here’s what I shared eight years ago. It still applies.

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 Episode 15 of the podcast (which wasn’t called the Rhyme and Reason Podcastback then) I shared the previous week’s articles about:

 

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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.

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Tony’s Faith Hope And Love Podcast Episode 15

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

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:

Stay tuned,

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With One Mind Striving Together

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

We can be stronger and more than conquerors when we work with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

When we're working with one mind striving together, we can do all things through Christ.

Do you find yourself listening to preachers, or teachers, or wonderful Christian speakers…and getting all pumped up from the message…only to fade fast when you go back to your daily life? When that happens, you’re probably leaning on your own understanding and strength. But when you remember that you are part of the Body of Christ, you’ll understand that all parts of that Body have access to one mind…the Mind of Christ. And when we work with one mind striving together for the faith of Jesus, we’re a force to be reckoned with.

In another article I talked about the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, and it’s through His Spirit that we obtain access to His Mind. And we have His Spirit in us…and it grows when we are in His Word and His Word is in us. For example…as I’m writing this to you I’m searching for the books and chapters and verses in the Bible that help me explain what I’m saying. And that means I’m in God’s word. As I read it, God’s Word gets in me. How simple. Yet, how many of us are doing it?

Understand this important detail…there can be some negative consequences to sharing God’s word even the way I’m doing it right here in this article. Adversaries of God just love to mock and ridicule anyone who would dare quote a Bible verse in a public forum. But understand this detail, too…if and when you suffer mocking, ridicule, and persecution, it’s evidence of the privilege you’ve been granted on behalf of Christ. Not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. Simply put…it means you must be doing something right.

So, pick up your Bible, get some good Word into your mind today, and equip yourself to be part of the Body that works with one mind striving together for the faith of Jesus.

In Christian Love”

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

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