Articles that reference the book of Matthew

Doubt and unbelief put you in a constant state of stress and worry.

I mean, I know you have flaws. Because everybody does. But flaws don’t define you. Unless you let them cause doubt and unbelief to grind into your mind and affect your daily life.

There’s a very reliable way to positively affect your decisions so you can effectively pursue your dreams. But it’s so simple that most people’s doubt and unbelief makes them run the other way. Are you ready for this? Stop putting all your faith in YOU. And put it in the One who made you.

I want you to know it’s not an unforgivable sin to have anxiety and worry in your life. But I think it’s important to know that God says “be anxious for nothing” and “do not worry.” Those are imperatives. Not wishy-washy suggestions. So, He must know they’re do-able.

Doubt is often referred to as fear, or a lack of courage, or unbelief. And whatever way it’s presented, the solution is always presented as faith. God wants you to have courage. He wants you to be powerful and loving. And He gives you the tool to get the job done. His word. His word is also called “the sword of the Spirit.” It’s not a visible sword made of brass, iron, or steel. It’s invisible. But it’s sharp enough to be used for the “division of soul and spirit.”

Here’s the thing.

I just want you to know that if you’re filled with doubt and unbelief instead of faith, you’re doing something wrong. Not evil, but wrong. You’re trusting in yourself. And leaning on your own limited understanding. And you’re not trusting in the Lord with all your heart.

There ARE successful people, in this life, who don’t trust in the Lord. But most of them will discover how their profits might’ve helped them gain the whole world. But the cost will be that they lose their soul?

Yeah, here’s an awful thing to think about.

Most millionaires and billionaires go to hell.

That’s not to pick on wealthy people. Because most poor people are going to hell, too. The point is…most PEOPLE are not going to Heaven. For one stupid reason. They choose not to go. If you have any doubt about where you’ll go if you die today, here’s what I suggest. Find a way to crush your unbelief and put your faith in Jesus. Without Him, the most you’ll ever be able to do is make a series of…

I seem to make so many false moves.

False moves, like shadows, fall behind.

I always seem to see the empty spots

I sit and dream of traveling so far,

Since I referenced Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, I’m gonna share a link to my own lyrical perspective on that book of the Bible. It’s called “Rhyme and Reason in Ephesians.” Get your copy today:

https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/retail

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Many times, in sports, you’ll hear an announcer say something like, “Man, he really gave his all.” Or you might hear “Wow, she gave all she had to get to this event.” Well, have you ever said “I give you all” to anyone?

And there’s a place in the New Testament where it says that.  But do you do it?

I don’t.

It brings me no pleasure, in fact, it pains me to say it. But I don’t give my all to God. And that’s in spite of the fact that I love my Creator. I’m blessed and thrilled to know that I have a Risen Savior. Jesus was totally innocent of all crimes. But He was still put to death in a horrible way. For me. And for you. But I know I don’t put all my heart, soul, strength, and mind into loving Him on a full-time basis. I bet you don’t either.

He made the ultimate sacrifice for us. And all He asks for in return is love. But all of us puny humans focus more on ourselves and the things of this world. Wouldn’t it be great to know why that is?

Well, Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles (that’s you unless you’re a Jew), gave us clear insight into this problem. He used himself as an example. He talked about how the right things he wanted to do, he didn’t do. And the wrong things he didn’t want to do…those he did. Then he explained that “…in my flesh, nothing good dwells“.

If something is truly good…not merely good according to the low standards of this world…then it should lead to eternal life. Your flesh doesn’t do that. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there’s a 1:1 ratio of births to deaths in the world. No one escapes the “wages of sin“. But you can escape having to pay for them forever. That’s gonna require some humility. But if you want eternal life you can look forward to with complete assurance, just tell Him…

You gave my heart

You gave me words,

You gave me dawn,

I give you all…my worries and my fear.

You gave me nights…

That song is one of eleven original songs I recorded and produced when I was the praise and worship leader at a small Denver church. Download the whole collection with a link in the handy, useful songbook journal you’ll find here: https://www.TonyFunderburk.com/rtpsongbook (paperback available, too)

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The post I give you all in these lyrics ya’ll appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

It’s Wednesday. So, you know what I’m thinkin’ about. No, not burgers. Well, not JUST burgers. I’m also thinkin’ about being a wise guy. And I know you’ve heard what the first step is. Right? Yeah, wisdom is knowing when to speak. Well, that’s what “they” say.

Here’s an example of when someone didn’t answer a direct question. And it was one of the most important questions, at one of the most important times, in history.

~ Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” ~

Of course, you know he spoke to Jesus who was on trial for His life. And Jesus said what?

~ But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. ~

Just imagine this. You’re God in the flesh. You literally have the power to bring down legions of angels to rescue you. And your judge gives you an opportunity to defend yourself. And you don’t say a single word.

Now, THAT, is the ultimate epitome of restraint. The ultimate example of knowing when NOT to speak.

Wow, you rarely see that these days. Especially with the power of the internet and social media at your fingertips. Most people, who probably run off at the mouth in real life, almost constantly pull the trigger on their word weapons.

I hope you don’t mind if I don’t join in

© 2020

If you just gotta say something about something today, make sure it edifies. Or at least make sure it entertains. I hope this additional Wednesday rhyme does that.

Whimsical Wednesday…wonderful breeze

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You have enough to think about today. So, don’t add tomorrow’s worries to today. And that’s not just some anecdotal thing I came up with. It’s advice that can also be found in red letters in the Bible. (for those of you unfamiliar with the Bible, red letters are used when it’s Jesus talking)

But think about tomorrow for a second or two. It never really gets here. Right? It’s always “out there.” Somewhere beyond the next sunrise. Somewhere in the future. The future is coming. Always getting here. But it never actually gets here either. Because that slippery tomorrow always manages to fade away from your grasp the second the clock strikes midnight.

So, today is the only day you can actually do anything about. Tomorrow isn’t here yet, and yesterday is over and done with. And, since today is the only time you actually live in, shouldn’t your focus be on what you can do today? Of course, that should be a rhetorical question. But sadly too many people are so fearful of what the future holds they let today slip away.

And when today slips away, what does it become? Tomorrow? Nope. It immediately becomes yesterday. A saying I coined many years ago is this: “Today is yesterday’s tomorrow and tomorrow’s yesterday.” I’ve seen a lot of people use some version of it. But I never see any royalties.

Anyway…

Time is really a weird thing, isn’t it? When Jesus said “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things“, it was to illustrate how futile it is to worry about tomorrow. So futile, in fact, that we should let tomorrow worry about itself. Hmm…can a tomorrow do that? Well, I’ve certainly got enough to think about today. So, I’m not gonna worry about it. How about you?

The things you want to do

(from a mournful song I wrote in 1978: Tomorrow Never Came To Me)

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The post Enough to think about so leave the rest of it out appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

It’s not impossible. Although sometimes it can certainly feel that way. And you definitely don’t have to accept it if you don’t want it. So, think it over before you accept or reject your secret mission. Because the fate of the world is in your hands.

But it DOES have some immeasurable consequences for YOU.

So, what do you say, Ethan? Does this sound like a secret mission you’re willing to accept? Keep in mind, the “Secretary” will disavow any knowledge of you if you’re caught. But that’s no big deal compared to when your Creator disavows you. “I never knew you” are words you never wanna hear.

OK, enough with the Mission Impossible references. But one last comment on that subject. I think Tom Cruise, and his team, did an excellent job of serializing the last two installments of those movies. I’m very interested to see “Dead Reckoning: Part 2.” How ’bout you?

Anyway…

None of that truly has anything to do with why or what I’m sharing with you this time. The following four verses, in a rhyme/poem called “Secret Mission” was started sometime last year. And as I spent some time clearing my computer’s desktop this week, I found the first two verses in an unfinished Pages document.

So, I made it my mission, this morning, to finish it. And my motivation for sharing it with you, today, is that I hope it helps motivate you to share God’s love with someone else as soon as you get a chance. If so, here’s your…

In the first ray of light there was a message

There were no dots or dashes or impulses.

Then a voice, filled with thunder, in a whirlwind,

I appeal, with an urgency of purpose,

© 2024 Tony Funderburk

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“The State of Colorado Will Compensate Local Residents To Go Solar as Part of a Statewide Program (RPS).”

That was the headline to a short advertorial I recently read online. And I have a long history with Colorado, starting at birth, so it piqued my curiosity, of course.

No, they’re not looking to get you to consider solar. Uh-uh. It’s a mandate (which is not two guys going to dinner). Here’s what “they” (the state of Colorado) said about it.

The Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is a regulatory mandate to increase the production of energy from renewable sources like solar throughout the state of Colorado. This new, statewide renewable electricity standard is given to every state as a goal to have a percentage of its power come from renewable energies like wind and solar.”

Funny (odd, not ha-ha) how they never include oil when they talk about renewable energies. But, as I’ve shared right here on the The TRUTH, oil IS, and always has been, a renewable energy. And as bad as the mandate sounds, there’s something even more sinister at work in this so-called “initiative.”

For example, here’s more about their “goal” from that advertorial:

“With the goal of being 30% solar dependent by 2030, the state of Colorado has introduced big incentives and is pushing all local utility companies to compensate their customers to switch to solar through Energy Buy Back programs like Net Metering.

These new, state-wide solar incentives help Colorado homeowners take advantage of all federal, state, and local solar programs and rebates, and can completely eliminate their power bills with $0 upfront costs.”

Your first thought should be, “Hmm, where did the state get the money to introduce “big incentives?” And, your lightning-fast reply to yourself should be, “TAXES!” Because “free” is only a concept. Nothing is EVER free.

And any government that increases taxes on hard-working people in order to give “big incentives” to other people, is a tyrannical government.

Jesus wasn’t particularly fond of tax collectors. And He said a tax rate of 10% is tyrannical. I hope you don’t believe, even for a second, that your tax rate is 10%. Because it’s at least five times that much.

If you believe the government has your best interest at heart when they say “go solar,” then you’ve accepted their matrix. And I fear for your eternal soul. It might be in jeopardy of everlasting confusion and torment.

Because unjust taxation is stealing.

That’s all I’ll say on it for now. While you wait for my next sound-off, jump on the The TRUTH. And be part of the growing band of believers who know life has Rhyme and Reason because God is Real.

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“We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” That’s a good line. Even though it does come from a former U.S. president who was so wrong on so many things. But back in that time in American history, even FDR understood that fear creates the wrong kind of defensive positions.

Yes, that’s a thinly-veiled reference to a Bible verse. And it’s one of those verses written in red. So, you know what that means. Right? As a friend of mine used to say, “Truth is about to be uttered.”

Fear can drive you so far into defensive positions that you won’t speak up when humans enslave other humans. Or you won’t speak up when adults traffic little kids for sex. Or you won’t speak up when men use underage girls, and then take them to abortion clinics. In fact, maybe you’ll even close your eyes and ears so you don’t have to see or hear.

How many times have I read some full-grown male talk about “crying in the fetal position?” And about what? What in the world could drive a full-grown male to that point? The answer is in the question.

The world.

And right now the world wants to erase, nullify, subjugate, and annihilate real men. Because the world (which is controlled by a tyrannical, will-bending, unrelenting ruler) fears real men. Especially those who love Jesus. But that ruler is cunning. He uses that fear as his greatest strength. If you allow it.

And if you’re a Christian, you won’t allow it. For one simple reason.

God didn’t give you a spirit of fear. He gave you a spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Well, how about “all things” for starters?

That just about covers everything. Right? So, why haven’t you done ALL things through the One who made you? Same reason I haven’t And the same reason no one else has. Because you lean on your own understanding, not God’s. Yeah, we’ve all been there. And that can lead to a constant or consistent state of fear which stems from a weak supposition. That is, you don’t believe God will help.

Let’s look at it from His perspective for a moment…

God knows He created you. He gives you power, love, and a sound mind. He gives you freedom to choose your own path. And He offers His wisdom and understanding of how the world and everything in it works.

So, all you gotta do, to tap into that wisdom and understanding, is read His Word and enjoy the renewing of your mind which comes from it. You might be surprised at how fast you could leave defensive positions behind.

In 1998, I wrote a song, which was a form of a prayer, about leaving fear behind. It’s called, “The One True Way To Peace.” Here’s the first verse…

Judge me; I need to be judged.

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I’m reminded of a sound bite from a presidential debate between Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter. Carter presented what he thought was a good case against then Governor Reagan’s position on Medicare. And when Carter finished, Reagan started his counterpoint by saying, “There you go again.” And then he pointed out the flaws in Carter’s statements.

Well, in that set of circumstances, Reagan wanted the people to understand Carter’s straw man arguments. Reagan told the people he wasn’t against “helping the people.” But he had seen another “piece of legislation” he liked better. Because he believed it would help people more.

While I despise Carter’s policies, and I admire Reagan’s communication skills, they were both wrong.

Because you don’t “help the people” by taking tons of their money and then trickling some of it back to them. That’s called stealing. And no pleasant-sounding names will change that fact.

Medicare, medicaid, and all the other so-called “healthcare” programs and and “welfare” proposals prove another former President wrong. Donald Trump made speeches where he proudly declared, “America will never be a socialist country.” But America has been a socialist country for decades already.

And just this week I’ve seen political pundits saying things like, “Elections have consequences.” And, “Be careful what (or who) you wish for.” Because they see America going further down the tubes.

But what the vast majority of people don’t understand is that “elections” are doing exactly what is to be expected. Because “elections” have moved so far away from Godly principles they’re doomed before they even start.

“Elections” will never solve our problems because the vast majority of people punch their tickets and run through the wide gate to destruction. So, a political system based on “majority rule” is ultimately doomed.

And that’s yet another reason why I sang…

You’ve got a house and your privacy;

Be careful what you wish for…

She feeds the kids and sends “˜em off to school

Chorus

Chorus to end

© 1989 Tony Funderburk

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If you were a “climate change” advocate, or some sort of “global warming” proponent, what would be the best way to express your beliefs? Show of hands? OK, Susie. What do you think the answer is? “Um, buy a half a billion dollar yacht?” That’s right, Susie. Of course, that’s only for the super-smart, super-rich people. But you’ve got the right idea.

For example, if you believe vehicles that use gasoline and petroleum also cause our planet to overheat, you should buy the largest vehicles you can find. And if you can’t find one large enough, have one custom made. After all, why deny yourself the pleasure of spending all that hard-earned dough.

And if you believe we’re using up all our planet’s resources too quickly, then you should definitely buy the largest house…no, I should say, mansion…you can find. And if you can’t find one large enough, have one custom made. After all, why deny yourself the pleasure of spending all that hard-earned dough.

Of course, I’m just being sarcastic. Because, like I said, the super-rich are super-smart. They’d never do such things. Because they super-care. They’d never spend their money in a way that harms mother earth.

Well, that’s true, unless you count just about every super-rich person out there.

For example, Jeff Bezos, chief excruciating officer of Amazon, will apparently soon be taking delivery of one of those half a billion dollar yachts little Susie mentioned. And according to an article I read about it, his yacht will be large enough to have a smaller “rescue yacht” on board.

But I could be wrong. Maybe it’s totally electric. And totally emissions free.

And maybe there really are magical fairies, leprechauns, and unicorns.

Yeah, Mr. Bezos is just one example of the many super-rich hypocrites.

And Jesus, who created Heaven and Earth and all living things, had harsh words for hypocrites. When you look up the word “hypocrites” in the New Testament, you’ll see what I mean.

Just so you know where I stand on the topic of wealth…

But far too many pursue wealth for its own sake. As they pretend to want to help their fellow man. And yet, how much does it help your fellow man to hear you talking about dwindling resources and the impending doom of climate change, when you buy gigantic houses and yachts?

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

Disagree? Feel free to express your beliefs in the comments.

Do you see the pattern form

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Which is more important? More essential? And more vital to human endeavors? Peace or liberty? If you chose peace, go sit down in the back of the class and think about what you just did Mr. Man. Or Missy Miss. Because when, in the course of all human events, did peace throw off the shackles of tyranny?

But, just in case you hadn’t noticed, we don’t live in a perfect world. And there has, so far, been no rapture. So, there’s a whole lot of non-peace stuff going on. Even right here in the good ol’ so-called U S of A.

And I say “so-called” because America is anything but united. But guess what? In a Way, that’s a mighty good thing.

“What?! Division is a good thing?! What kind of crazy talk is this?!”

It’s the kind of “crazy talk” your Creator talked about. Yeah, He backs me up on this whole peace or liberty thing. And you don’t have to take my word for it. Because it’s in His word. He actually said He didn’t come to Earth to bring peace. In fact, He said He came to bring a sword.

But not because God doesn’t want you and me to have peace. But because He requires us to choose. And the Truth of His word (aka His sword) can divide fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, friends from friends. The Truth does that.

I wrote a song about it, which is included on my Amen collection of songs, and gave His sword another name. Not because I think it’s better. But because it fit the rest of the lyrics to…

Don’t be thirsty;

Even when days last forever

repeat chorus twice

Anguish won’t end,

© 2000 Tony Funderburk

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