Month: August 2018

Growing in Grace #1

Saturday, August 11, 2018

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18 KJV).

What does it mean to “grow in grace?”

Dear friends, it has been this author’s personal experience that, contrary to popular belief, the Holy Bible can be understood and enjoyed. Over the last decade-plus, he has come to realize just how wrong his former denominational system is! He has increasingly had to toss aside his, and others’, long-held opinions, that he may better align his mind with that of Almighty God. What a delightful, insightful journey it has been… and will continue to be!

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:8). Indeed, the wisdom of God far exceeds the wisdom of men, so philosophy is not the means whereby we grasp spiritual truth. The traditions of men and the rudiments of the world are of no use to us either because none of them lead us to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians chapter 2 says: “[1] And you hath he [Father God] quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; [2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: [3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. [4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; )….”

The above Scriptures not only portray the evil world system in which we live, but also how Father God has labored so mightily with His Son Jesus Christ to deliver us from it. Satan and sin are responsible for the pervasive difficulties and profound suffering all around our world. Yet, in the midst of such pitiful plights, we can “grow in grace….”

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Can you explain 1 Corinthians 14:36?”

An Enjoyable Marriage

Friday, August 10, 2018

“So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones” (Ephesians 5:28-30 KJV).

What is God’s idea of a perfect marriage?

Some Christian friends—a husband and wife—are currently miserable. The woman is far away visiting family, but her husband could not travel and thus stayed home. Now, she is concerned because he is “going crazy” without her. Even though they speak via phone, he is still so sad. Having been married for 16 years, and rarely apart, such separation (even for a few days) is nerve-racking. How he loves her, and she, of course, loves him. This is quite appropriate (cf. today’s Scripture).

It is quite unfortunate, but it is no secret. Some people literally leap and shout for joy when their spouses go away on trips. Retirement can be a nightmare for the other partner! Such a “sweet, lovey-dovey couple” on the wedding day may wind up a “bitter, cruel couple” at divorce court the very next! Think of a poor lady who hated the idea of going to Heaven if her husband would be there!

Saints, you can have “a marriage made in Heaven”—one that glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. There can be love, joy, peace, and pleasure. Someone once rightly stated, “Marriage is the highest halls of human happiness.” Yet, such relationships are few and far between… remarkably few (!!) and extremely far between!! How awful it is, but it must be repeated. There can be “a marriage from Hell” too, and habitual selfishness is the speediest route to get there!

Marriage is not a competition between both parties but rather an alliance Satan is constantly attempting to abolish. The husband, as the spiritual head, guards by taking the lead. If the Holy Spirit controls the husband, the wife (also led by the Holy Spirit) will follow him. The husband initiates the faith, love, stability, and so on. Conversely, if he is not leading, the marriage will eventually collapse. “Holy matrimony” will become “hellish matrimony.” Friends, you have been warned!!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Is there a geographical error in 2 Kings 2:2?”

For Students This is Safe

Thursday, August 9, 2018

“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:128 KJV).

As a new school year dawns, let us awake unto spiritual truth!

Although the autumnal equinox is still over a month away here in the Northern Hemisphere, summer is finally beginning to wind down for most of us. Students—with long faces and deep sighs—have returned or are beginning to return to school. As students return to the classroom, they need to be particularly mindful of the following.

Firstly, learning in and of itself is not a sin. Moses was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22). Luke was a medical doctor (Colossians 4:14). Daniel and his companions were skilled in science (Daniel 1:4). Adam was the first taxonomist (Genesis 2:19,20). The God of the Bible is never against learning new things—remember, He gave us His Holy Bible so we can have plenty to learn for all of eternity!

Secondly, what the God of the Bible opposes is when we believe/trust ideas that do not seek our best interests, that contradict the way He designed our lives to function. Certainly, we Christians should never go around believing anything and everything heard and seen. Just because the professor, preacher, pope, or president says it is true, that does not make it so. Scientific consensus has been wrong before, religion has been wrong before, politicians have been wrong before. Much of the ideas that permeate our world today are wrong.

Lastly, there are many wonderful, exciting ideas and concepts out there—medical advancements, technological breakthroughs, and so on—but there are equally detrimental ideas that will mess up your life—religious traditions, secular humanism, and other philosophies. Daily intake of the King James Bible rightly divided will cleanse our souls of the filth and foolishness that we hear and see day in and day out in this evil world system. We highly exalt God’s Word, we know it is right “concerning all things,” and we hate and ignore the error.

Have a wonderful school year in our Lord Jesus Christ! 🙂

God’s Chief Foe

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

“And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:2 KJV).

Behold, the four facets of Satan’s mode of operation!

These four titles appear, in the same order, in Revelation 12:9: “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

“The dragon / great dragon” — God’s leading enemy is a monster, “the great red dragon” (Revelation 12:3), a fierce, malevolent creature, not merely “an evil force” but a real being (albeit invisible).

“Old serpent” — Our word “archaic” comes from the Greek, archaios, here rendered “old.” Satan is primeval, one of the first of God’s creatures, and has been operating for a very long time—before man (Adam and Eve) sinned in the Garden of Eden. “The devil sinneth from the beginning” (1 John 3:8): his policy of evil has been opposing God’s purpose and plan for creation some 6,000 years! The descriptor “serpent” accentuates his cunning ability to deceive (Genesis 3:1; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9).

“The Devil” — As God’s primary opponent, Satan is a false accuser, slanderer, a spirit-being endeavoring to divide two parties (Greek, diabolos, “throw through”). John 8:44: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

“Satan” — Found mostly in the New Testament, it is the transliteration of the Old Testament Hebrew satan (“adversary, one who stands against”). Not only is he God’s nemesis, he is the antagonist of all Christians! Dear brethren, we should be skilled in our leading competitor’s ways, that we may avoid his traps. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:11,13).

An Ambassador Turns 30!

🎂 Tuesday, August 7, 2018 🎂 

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

Age 30 is highly significant in Scripture—and also quite striking today!!

Joseph was 30 years old when he began to serve Pharaoh King of Egypt (Genesis 41:46). JEHOVAH God selected David to become King of Israel at age 30 (2 Samuel 5:4). A Levitical priest, a son of Aaron (Moses’s brother), was to be ordained into the ministry at 30 years old and serve until 50 years old (Numbers 4:3,23,30,35,39,43,47). Evidently, the LORD God commissioned the Prophet Ezekiel at age 30 (Ezekiel 1:1). Lastly, the Lord Jesus Christ began His earthly ministry at approximately 30 years old (Luke 3:23).

What have I learned in my 30 “short” years alive? I have learned to focus more on the eternal and less on the temporal—there is more (much, MUCH more!) to life than what we see with physical eyes! I have learned not to trust sinners such as myself—I trust Christ in people, not people! I have learned more about my Saviour Jesus Christ and His Word than I ever dreamed, and all because I have learned to approach the Holy Bible dispensationally. There is so much I still do not know, so I am constantly studying to continue learning.

I have now entered my fourth decade of earthly living—the most important. Hopefully, our Grace Study Bible Project will be completed within this decade. My 30s will bring many new life changes and experiences, but God’s grace teaches me how to keep walking. A “young man”—“man” is generic for male or female—purifies his “way,” his course of thinking and living, by listening carefully to God’s Word (today’s Scripture). Whatever life situations he faces, any decisions he must make therein, the Holy Bible affords him light and understanding. Whether we are young, or old(er), “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalm 119:130). Then, we, as “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20), share that information with all who want to hear and believe as well! 🙂

P.S.: The age of 50 years is also an important Bible concept—and if I am around here in 20 years, we will have an appropriate study!! 🙂

A Better Body! #3

Monday, August 6, 2018

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 KJV).

One day, indeed, there will be no baldness, no bifocals, no bridgework, no bulges, and no bunions!

First Corinthians chapter 15: “[50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. [51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

A Christian correctly remarked, “All the ‘healing’ claims aside, the death rate is still one apiece!” Even we Christians are not guaranteed perfect health. Nevertheless, one day (hopefully soon), the Lord Jesus Christ will return for us the Church that is His Body. If we have trusted Him alone as our personal Saviour—His death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)—we are guaranteed participation in the Rapture.

Philippians chapter 3: “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (verses 20,21). With those new bodies, brethren, we thus reign in the heavenly places throughout the endless ages to come! What a prospect! 🙂

A Better Body! #2

Sunday, August 5, 2018

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 KJV).

One day, indeed, there will be no baldness, no bifocals, no bridgework, no bulges, and no bunions!

Christian friends, we have eternal life inside—our “inward man” (soul and spirit) has been bought out of sin’s slave market. However, our physical bodies are still unredeemed, and thus subject to death. If our Lord tarries, if He does not Rapture us while we are alive, we will grow old and die. Be not downhearted. Regardless, whether physically dead or alive, we all will be “caught up… to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Romans chapter 8: “[18] For I reckon [think properly!!] that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. [20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, [21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. [24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? [25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

Brethren, be delivered from hopelessness and wait patiently….

A Better Body! #1

Saturday, August 4, 2018

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 KJV).

One day, indeed, there will be no baldness, no bifocals, no bridgework, no bulges, and no bunions!

These physical bodies—the “outward man” of today’s Scripture—are subject to debilitation, decay, and death. I have a good friend in the ministry now battling cancer (already suffering diabetes and Parkinson’s disease). For the last month, I have limped with a sprained ankle. This past week, I suffered a sprained muscle in my shoulder and back. I recently spoke with two other brothers in Christ struggling with physical infirmities. We all joy in Christ, remembering the day of “the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:18-25). Through the eyes of faith, we see what has yet to be!

The context of today’s Scripture continues: “[5:1] For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. [2] For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: [3] If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. [4] For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. [5] Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. [6] Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: [7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight: ) [8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

Let us walk by faith, and not by sight….

God’s Precious Thoughts

Friday, August 3, 2018

“How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:17 KJV).

Do we agree with King David?

Today’s Scripture is part of a song that underscores God’s infinite knowledge. He knows our daily routines and actually reads our very thoughts—even future ideas (verses 1-3)! God realizes the words our tongues will utter (verse 4). David speaks of God directing him in life (verse 5). “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it” (verse 6). Regardless of what he does or where he goes, he cannot escape God’s gentle presence (verses 7-12).

“[13] For thou hast possessed my reins [innermost being]: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. [14] I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. [15] My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. [16] Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” We see God’s attention to detail, awareness He had well in advance. The very attributes of our bodies follow the Creator’s scheme. He knew all such intricacies of human anatomy long before there ever was a human body!

In light of all that, David writes more praise: “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee” (today’s Scripture). He is unable to place a value on God’s knowledge. Interestingly enough, he lacked a complete revelation from God. We in the Dispensation of Grace have a finished Bible canon today with 66 Books. David had one-sixth of our Bible (and certainly he did not know God’s mysteries, hidden wisdom, that we now know through the Apostle Paul). Saints, how much more we should thus say, “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” 🙂

A House Full of Sinners!

Thursday, August 2, 2018

“And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another” (2 Kings 10:21 KJV).

Large crowds in religion are not necessarily good!

Some 800 years before Christ, the LORD God selected Jehu to become King of Israel (Northern Kingdom) and thus destroy King Ahab’s evil dynasty. Chapter 9 says Jehu killed Ahab’s son, King Joram, and wicked King Ahaziah of Judah (Southern Kingdom). Jehu also executed wicked Queen Jezebel, wife of the late Ahab—older but still an unbelieving heathen.

Wicked as he was, Jehu was nonetheless the “best” of Israel’s 20 kings! Interested in obeying the LORD God as well as fulfilling prophecy, he delivered the Northern Kingdom from Ahab’s evil family and its extensive Baal worship. Today’s Scripture says Jehu gathered all the worshippers of Baal in Baal’s temple. These multitudes are apostates that Israeli sovereigns—chiefly, Ahab and Jezebel—inspired decades earlier.

The religionists in today’s Scripture crammed into that house of Baal, quite eager to worship a false god that had fascinated their nation for decades. If you read the context (verses 18-27), Jehu had actually convinced them to come and worship Baal with him. It was simply a trick to gather them so he could slaughter them all! While graphic, God in the Mosaic Law deemed such executions of idolaters perfectly acceptable (Deuteronomy 13:1-11). It certainly purified the nation! “Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel” (2 Kings 10:28).

Although the size of Baal’s temple is unknown, Scripture says it was filled (!) with idolaters. Any minister today should be very careful not to boast of crowd size. There may not be a single empty seat, but that does not mean all present are Christians and want to worship the one true God! “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13,14).