The Power of God's Love

Tony Funderburk

The Power of God’s Love Delivered by Tony Funderburk: Christian Writer, Podcaster, Poet, Singer-Songwriter, Voice Talent. In each article and each episode of the The Power of God’s Love Podcast, Tony Funderburk shares the Truth with Faith, Hope, and the power of God’s Love. Tony’s the author and publisher of 34 books (and counting) for adults and kids, thousands of articles, and a songwriter with hundreds of songs to his credit. Get some free songs, a book for kids, and more, when you subscribe to Tony’s Daily Devotional today at TonyFunderburk.com

  1. May 31

    Creator of the universe can save you from a fiery curse

    As I write this, it’s Sunday. So, time for a Bible study. And, now, anyone who’s still here, I’ve got this question for you. Why is it so difficult for most people to admit the Creator of the universe is real? After all, the actual Creator of the universe left evidence literally everywhere. It’s simple really. When you look at a building, you know automatically that someone built it. Or when you spot a painting on a canvas, immediately you know someone painted it. And when you’re driving somewhere, you have no question in your mind of how cars got here. Or roads. You simply know someone built it all. So, why is it so difficult for so many people to look at the complexity and variety of life on our planet and agree there must be a Creator of the universe? And let’s just talk about your eyes for a sec. No, not YOURS personally. Eyes in general. They’re WAY more complex than any building, painting, or car you’ll ever see. But so many people blindly believe (pun strongly intended) they just happened by chance. You know. Because, like, well, everything evolved, dude. Oh yeah? Well, splain this to me, then. Each of your eyes has a muscle, known as the Superior Oblique muscle. And it’s attached to the top of the eye AND threaded through a tiny sling. That tiny sling is known as the Trochlea. But why does that tiny muscle go through that sling instead of just attaching directly to the forward part of your eye? Well, it solves space requirements and improves things like angle of torque. And those are design considerations. Evolution or natural selection would require at least a little bit of the design to already be working in order to “evolve” further. And, as they say in certain circles, that don’t make no sense. But I’ll tell ya what DOES make sense. All things were created by Jesus. Uh-oh. I just went and done it, didn’t I? Because most fools, uh folks, believe it’s a silly, outdated, and dogmatic notion to believe the whole world was created by a “science fiction” character named Jesus. But, since this is a Bible study I’m sharin’, I’m here to say it’s a silly, outdated, and dogmatic notion to believe all the complexity in the universe evolved from nothing. Because you can’t get everything from nothing. No matter how much you might want it to be true, it just isn’t possible. Even if you believe all you can know is what your five senses tell you, none of your five senses will detect something from nothing. Logic and reason (which are not part of your five senses, by the way) should lead you to admit design requires a designer. And, in the case of the universe, that designer is Jesus. Like I started out saying…it’s simple really. Unless you don’t want to answer to the Creator of the universe. That’s not you, is it? All of Creation All of creation points to the Savior. We are all here by design. All the environment and complex behavior… The Glory of God makes it shine. All of creation holds information… Encoded within every cell… All of the best minds in each generation Won’t banish what Christians know well… That all of creation is here by the Word of God. All of creation mirrors His mind. All of creation is saved by the Love of God And all of creation…Jesus defined. If you agree with the evidence for the existence of God, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how: Get my Daily Devotional delivered to your inbox for free. It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, when you send me your email address, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. So, don’t wait another minute. Here’s the form. The form can be filled in the actual website url. Stay tuned, The post Creator of the universe can save you from a fiery curse appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

    6 min
  2. May 24

    Everlasting and everywhere and this love is nothing rare

    God is everlasting and everywhere He wants to be. You and I are SO not like that. But if you could take a minute to try and see yourself from God’s perspective, you can get a better understanding of how much trouble He’s gone through to bridge that gap. And that’s true because of one thing, and one thing only. The power of God’s everlasting Love that’s available everywhere. OK, fair warning. This is gonna be a little bit of a Bible study. So if you’re not into it, drop out now. In case you didn’t know, there was a guy named Paul who wrote a letter to the Romans, about 2000 years ago, telling them (the ones who were interested) about the Grace of God. And God’s grace is synonymous with His everlasting love. Paul wrote this in his letter: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” You might look at that second question and answer, “Well, almost everyone is against us.” But the point Paul is making with that question is that even if everyone IS against us…none of it compares with God who is FOR us. And God is for you the moment you trust in His Son as your savior. That’s a crucial and key point. Because His Son took your punishment. Paul’s letter continues, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? See? There’s that love again. Jesus came to earth as a man to offer everlasting life to anyone who would trust Him. He put His life where His intentions were…and are. And He allowed Himself to be “conquered” by His captors so that we could be more than conquerors. Are you with me so far? Continuing with his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote, “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” Wow. That’s amazing. You have an advocate whose everlasting love makes everlasting life a reality for you. And when you choose to believe and trust in Jesus, the deal is sealed… “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Here’s a list of physical obstacles unable to separate you from God: “Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.‘ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” And here’s a list of non-physical obstacles unable to separate you from God: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“ Are you starting to see how important it is to trust Jesus? When you do, your eternal life is sealed and secured. But, like I always say…it’s YOUR choice. No one can make the choice for you…not even God. He lets you freely choose. If you haven’t already, why would you let another day pass without choosing? You might not have tomorrow. More than conquerors, Or even world-beaters. More than warriors Or non retreaters… We are loved with an Everlasting Love. Everlasting and Everywhere I want the Everlasting Work Of Art, Not just on canvas, but engraved in the heart. I need the Everlasting Scale Of Worth. That’s the only Way to perfect peace on earth… Everlasting and everywhere… He’s Everlasting and everywhere I look for Everlasting holy clues To steel myself through all this negative news. I dream the Everlasting wide-eyed stuff, But I’m still aware that dreaming’s never enough.   Chorus You  seek the answers to the mysteries of life. But how much truth can you handle. And as for me, well, there is only One Fire That lights the flame on my candle.   Chorus I look to the Everlasting Guiding Star To make my path straight as I travel so far. I sing the Everlasting song of man; Teach us to understand our place in the plan. Chorus…inst…chorus…bridge…chorus…modulate up and repeat  2 verses and choruses to end    © 1992  TF If this landed somewhere good with you, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how: Get Tony’s Daily Devotional delivered to your inbox for free. It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away. The form can be filled in the actual website url. Stay tuned, The post Everlasting and everywhere and this love is nothing rare appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

    11 min
  3. May 22

    Psychiatric care from the Wisdom up there

    I’ll start this off with a question. Have you ever seen someone for psychiatric care? I haven’t, but I’ve known people who have. And I’ve certainly seen enough movies and TV shows with people seeking therapy that way. But they never act or talk like it actually works. And I don’t see much care in their psychiatric care. Plus, there’s an unavoidable problem when you tell a doctor your deep, dark secrets. Especially a typical psychiatrist who has no healthy relationship with Jesus. Because, when you share your feelings and secrets  with someone who doesn’t love his Creator (and many times even with someone who does), you risk hanging yourself out to dry. All those notes the doctor takes can be like witnesses against you. If the person taking them ever wanted to turn against you for some dire reason, they have a great reference tool. And if you believe the so-called “doctor-patient confidentiality” thing will protect you, you don’t know human nature. Years ago I watched an old black and white movie where the main character went to a psychiatrist for some marital or other relationship problems. The star of the movie was only one of a collection of weird characters. And it seemed like they all wanted to be the weirdest one. Funny thing is, I thought they were all successful in their efforts. Shortly after watching the movie, I heard a story on the evening news about how many people were seeking psychiatric “care.” And not long after that I read an article in the local paper (yeah, we still read newspapers back then) about the same topic. “Hmm,” I said to myself. “I see a pattern forming.” In all the stories there was never even a tiny mention of God. Far from it. It’s just not wise to not go to God with your problems? Because He can help you rise above your selfishness. In fact, His words can make you healthy. God should be your main counsellor. Yes, He does take notes on all of us. But, for those who love Him, He will wipe the slate clean and remembers the notes no more. Why would you ever to tell your story to a note taker who doesn’t do that? Here’s a goofy song I wrote about therapy after seeing the goofy characters in a movie… Therapy I think I’m going crazy. I’ve got all the signs. My hair is wild and wooly. I’m reciting Shakespeare lines. My favorite food’s granola, And I thrive on herbal tea. I think I’m going crazy. I could use some therapy. And I think my mind is slippin’ In and out of space. I had and out-of-body experience In another place. And some beings from Jupiter Did experiments on me. Yeah, I think my mind is slippin’. I could use some therapy. Therapy…let me tell you all about it. Therapy…I need someone to relate to. Therapy…I’ll sell my story to the paper. Therapy…I know you’ll read it…you can hardly wait to. I guess I’m not so crazy, When I look all around. It seems a lot of people Have found what I have found. And these days it’s so hectic Trying to be first To be the real bizarre one… To be the one who’s cursed. © 1989 Tony Funderburk If you’d rather look for help in God’s word, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how: Get Tony’s Daily Devotional delivered to your inbox for free. It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away. The form can be filled in the actual website url. Stay tuned, The post Psychiatric care from the Wisdom up there appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

    6 min
  4. May 19

    Scientific process would just make a big mess

    I don’t know about you (well, I have a pretty good idea about you). But I know I’m not the byproduct of some scientific process. I prefer to think of me as God described it, “fearfully and wonderfully made.” That sounds so much more creative than scientific process. And it sounds that way because it IS that way. The fact that you and I were made, designed, by the infinitely creative and one, true, living, loving God sounds just plain wonderful. And it’s much cooler to be here on purpose instead of accidentally. Now, I know you’ve heard of a double helix. Right? It’s the best illustration scientists have come up with, so far, to represent Deoxyribonucleic Acid. You probably know it better by its initials, DNA. And DNA is scientific proof (not process) you and I are fearfully and wonderfully made. Not just carbon copies of carbon lifeforms. Yeah, even the term “carbon lifeforms” contradicts itself. Anyway… I’ll share some tidbits of information about information that’s inside you right now. Almost all the 30,000,000,000,000 (that’s trillion, by the way) cells in your body contain duplicate copies of your DNA. Each human cell contains 46 segments. You got 23 segments from your mom and 23 from your dad. No one else on Earth has the same DNA as you. (facts and figures from “In the Beginning” by Dr. Walt Brown) Cool, huh? And the information in the DNA is like a blueprint for how to build you. Only you!  How you’ll look, much of how you’ll act, and how every cell in your body will function during your life. But it gets even more interesting. If you took out all the DNA from one of your cells and uncoiled it, then you connected and stretched it out, it would be about 6 feet long. But It would be so thin you couldn’t see it. Not even with the most powerful microscope in existence today. The coded information found in just one cell could fill a library with somewhere around 4,000 books. And if you took all the DNA in your body and stretched it out end-to-end, you could go to the moon and back more than 165,000 times. I call that mighty impressive. And how about this? The information found in your DNA could fill books that could fill the Grand Canyon almost 30 times. But you could take one set of DNA from one cell of every person who ever lived, put them all in a spoon, and they’d weigh less than an aspirin. When you ponder the power of the scientific discoveries we’ve made so far, you should start to get an idea of how fearfully and wonderfully made you truly are. And ain’t it better to know you’re made instead of just an accidental scientific process? No matter what you believe about how life got here, you made a choice to believe it. No one (at least virtually no one) is being forced to believe how we all got here. So, question. Why would you want to believe you’re just the random result of trillions of mutations? Especially when there’s so much information inside you that proves how wrong that is. You’re an information-based life form. And the fact that so much information is coded into your DNA proves there must be a super coder. The good news is…that coder loves you. He made you a human being  in His image and likeness. And He allows you to choose whether to love Him back or not. Choose wisely. Remember… You are fearfully and wonderfully made. There is information locked inside your cells. When you choose to discover why you’re here, You’ll find out what the information tells. And you’ll see you’re not just an accident Fumbling through the hours, days, and weeks, and years. All the evidence is pointing out the way. Trust your Maker. He’ll erase your doubts and fears. By the way, kids who are sent off to government, indoctrination camps, also known as public schools, will most likely never learn those facts I shared with you. But a lot of parents, who homeschool their kids, make sure they get this kind of knowledge too. Because they realize how much it helps kids grow up with a happier, healthier perspective. If homeschooling sounds like something you’d like to do for your kids or grandkids, but you don’t know where to get started, consider the Charlotte Mason homeschool method. Stay tuned, The post Scientific process would just make a big mess appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

    7 min
  5. May 18

    Green stamps, good stuff, and it was all good enough

    When I was a young boy, my mom saved S&H Green Stamps. They were like rewards you get on your apps these days. Stamps a shopper received at stores, gas stations, or just about anywhere housewives shopped. Yeah, I know. “Housewives” is a politically incorrect term. But it wasn’t back then. Ah…the good old days. Especially the S&H Green Stamps good old days. Because when a woman saved enough Green Stamps, she could redeem them for all sorts of household items she found in the S&H catalog. It was like free money. I remember my mom talking with her friends and family about some clock radio or dish set she just got with her stamps. It made for fun, and sometimes lively, conversation. And they’d share the news of double stamps days at the local grocery store. Then, bam! Time to storm the grocery store. Speaking of time, how is time like Green Stamps? And that’s not actually a trick question. Answer. They can both be redeemed. Well, I don’t think Green Stamps can anymore. Because I don’t think there’s that kind of rewards program around anymore. But time can still be redeemed. Dan don’t believe me? Don’t think you could redeem time and get something “for free?” Well, you can. And guess what you get? OK, I won’t make you guess. The answer is more time. Yeah, I don’t mean you can turn 24 hour days into 30 hour days. But you can buy more time by making good use of the time you have here on planet Earth. In fact, you can buy time that never runs out. How cool is that?! But you can’t just sit on your time. You gotta redeem it. Here’s how you do that. First, become a Christian. And if you’re already a Christian, you gotta “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” That’s getting a lot harder to do. Because more and more the world doesn’t wanna hear the name Jesus mentioned under any circumstances. So, it’s important to emphasize the “grace” and “salt” part. I do that here on my blog. I’m redeeming the time I have left by sharing the power of God’s love and His enduring message of eternal life with anyone who cares to listen and/or read. Now, are you paying attention to the clock? Because there’s a lot more than green stamps at stake. “All I need is some time to hold in my hands. All I want is some time to hold in my arms.”  ~Tony Funderburk If this landed somewhere good with you, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how: Get Tony’s Daily Devotional delivered to your inbox for free. It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away. The form can be filled in the actual website url. Stay tuned, The post Green stamps, good stuff, and it was all good enough appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

    5 min
  6. May 17

    Enriched in everything is a good reason to sing

    Hey kids. Have you noticed, when you go to the grocery store, how you see the word enriched in just about everything? And did you know most of the time, if not all, that’s not a good thing? But there is a time when it’s awesome to see enriched in everything. And that is when we’re talking about, get this, YOU. And me. Or anyone who’s not ashamed to call himself or herself a Christian. For just a second or two think about the grace of God, which was given to you by the one whose name you use to describe yourself as a Christian. There’s a place in 1 Corinthians that shows how  grace made sure you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you so that you come short in no gift Hey, who doesn’t like gifts? How much would you be willing to give for those gifts? But wait! There’s more! Because in that same section of 1 Corinthians it says Jesus will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hang on. I don’t know about you, but that sounds glorious to me. Because I know if there’s one thing I’m not, in this life and in this world, it’s blameless. And I’m gonna go out on a limb and say you probably aren’t blameless either. But Jesus made sure that we will appear that way when we stand before God one day. And He did that by taking our blame and covering us in… The Glory You got the glory in you, The glory of God. When people don’t understand, You just smile and nod… And trust the good things in you, The Spirit, The Word. And you can know that it’s true, This good news you heard. One day, when Jesus comes back, To make things all right, He’ll lift you high up because You walked in His Light.    © 2013 TF If you know you’re enriched in everything, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how: Get Tony’s Daily Devotional delivered to your inbox for free. It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away. The form can be filled in the actual website url. Stay tuned, The post Enriched in everything is a good reason to sing appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

    4 min
  7. May 16

    Your dreams come true one day if you know the Way

    Let’s say you have a beautiful vision of a loving future where no bad people live and everybody lives forever. If that’s you, I can confidently tell you that your dreams come true. But there is a condition. Your dreams only come true if you know the Way to make that happen. About 17 years ago, I wrote a collection of lullabies for kids, even though I never raised any kids myself. But with each song I just thought about what I would have sung to them if I had raised my own kids. And the songs flowed out of me very easily. I wrote lyrics, from scratch, composed the music to go with the words, recorded all the parts, and produced 10 completed songs in 10 days. And the first song was… In Your Dreams I don’t know if you can see me in your dreams, But I’ll be here In case you need a helping hand to pick you up Or calm your fear. I don’t know if you can hear me in your dreams But I’ll be there To sing a tune and hold your hand or pat your back And stroke your hair In your dreams you fly up high Beyond the clouds, beyond the sky And the sun and all its beams Will keep you smiling in your dreams. Golden birds and rocket ships are in your dreams To help you roam… And it don’t matter where you wander in your dreams, You’ll still come home. Tell the sandman and the stardust in your dreams You’ll see them soon. Every night you’ll go and visit in your dreams Inside this tune.    © 2009 TF By the Way (pun strongly intended), the way to make your perfect dreams come true, is known as the Way. If this landed somewhere good with you, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how: Get Tony’s Daily Devotional delivered to your inbox for free. It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away. The form can be filled in the actual website url. Stay tuned, The post Your dreams come true one day if you know the Way appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

    7 min
  8. May 15

    So naive back then with a clueless grin

    Oh brother, I was so naive. Yeah, I used to believe that Americans were all on the same side. Old people never did bad things. Pretty girls were all saving themselves for marriage. Crazy, I know. But I believed those things. And I assumed most anybody would know I was talking about God when I wrote “higher power” in a song. Boy, was I wrong. And like I said, naive. Fast forward a couple of decades and I wasn’t so naive anymore. It was a good AND bad thing. Good because I grew up, matured, and discovered much more actual truth. Bad because my world wasn’t rosy anymore. And it would never be that rosy again. But that’s as it should be. I’m sure you have some sort of similar story you could share. Right? Where your hopes, dreams, and aspirations were crushed by reality? What do you do when that happens? Well, I can tell you what you don’t do. You don’t give up hoping for better things. Because they’re coming. At least for a few. The higher power that will save the world is coming. That’s not a headline from a movie trailer. Because the Higher Power is the Creator of heaven and earth and the rest of the universe. And, at the risk of offending many, I’ll mention His name. Jesus. Going back to when I was so naive, I wrote a song about worry and not worrying. The lyrics are below. And I want you to see if you find yourself in either part, the worry, or not worrying. If you worry, do you understand why? And if you don’t worry, do you understand why not? Either way you choose to position yourself, there’s only one reason you’re even able to ponder the question. Because you were created with your very own brain. Any questions? Here are the lyrics to help you consider… The Power If I sat down, and I took the time To correct the lines and absorb them all, I would sit in place for so long That the hourglass would surely rust and fall. But there is no need for me to worry. I don’t need to see. And I don’t need to feel. I might expect a change here and there, But surely you must see, Or at least you can feel The power is higher and all we have to do is close our eyes. If I stood still, and I counted days And made up ways to collect them all. I would never move ‘Cause there are no ways I can save them all and take the time. But there is no need for me to worry… ‘Cause the power is higher and all we have to do is close our eyes.    © 1977-2017 TF If this landed somewhere good with you, let’s stay connected. It’s super easy. Here’s how: Get Tony’s Daily Devotional delivered to your inbox for free. It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away. The form can be filled in the actual website url. Stay tuned, The post So naive back then with a clueless grin appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

    5 min
5
out of 5
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About

The Power of God’s Love Delivered by Tony Funderburk: Christian Writer, Podcaster, Poet, Singer-Songwriter, Voice Talent. In each article and each episode of the The Power of God’s Love Podcast, Tony Funderburk shares the Truth with Faith, Hope, and the power of God’s Love. Tony’s the author and publisher of 34 books (and counting) for adults and kids, thousands of articles, and a songwriter with hundreds of songs to his credit. Get some free songs, a book for kids, and more, when you subscribe to Tony’s Daily Devotional today at TonyFunderburk.com