Month: March 2023

I Have Finished the Work! #2

Saturday, March 11, 2023

“I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4 KJV).

Could we say this at the end of our life, at the conclusion of our ministry?

For three years, Christ Jesus was the Spokesman for the triune Godhead (Trinity). During that time, He manifested the life and words of Father God to the nation Israel, especially the Little Flock (believing remnant): “[7] If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. [8] Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. [9] Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? [10] Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. [11] Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake” (John chapter 14).

“Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:16,17). “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him” (John 8:28,29).

At the head of that Little Flock were the 12 Apostles, whom Christ had trained in His Father’s words (check John 17:6,8,14,26 and notice verse 12). Now, those men in their own ministry were to teach the same words to others….

I Have Finished the Work! #1

Friday, March 10, 2023

“I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4 KJV).

Could we say this at the end of our life, at the conclusion of our ministry?

The true “Lord’s Prayer” is not in Matthew chapter 6 or Luke chapter 11, but John chapter 17. Here, in the Gospel Record of John alone, we are afforded the privilege of peering into the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ—what He is thinking and feeling as He now talks to Father God in the hours leading up to Calvary’s cruel cross. He is reflecting on the last three years… and what is in store in the future based on that finished work.

When we reach the close of this earthly sojourn, will we be able to honestly say to Father God, “I have glorified thee on the earth?” Would we in our lifetimes have said and shown all we could have stated and displayed about Him, what He values and what He works? The perfect Son of God did just that, and He explains it as, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” To “glorify” God on the Earth is to complete the work that He gave us to do.

Continue reading in John chapter 17: “[6] I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word…. [8] For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me…. [14] I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world…. [26] And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

The above verses prove Christ’s ministry was finished in that He had delivered to His disciples all the words intended for them….

333’s 4300th – We Want More Light!

Thursday, March 9, 2023

“Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him” (Acts 8:29-31 KJV).

Dear friends and saints, we have reached devotional #4300 today!

Indeed, we do not have all the answers. If we did, we would be God. However, the Bible has all the answers we need—not all we want, but all we need. The Holy Spirit could have given us a record of everything in minute detail—all that God thinks and does and all that man thinks and does—but the Bible would not be mobile. We would never reach the end, and would never be able to read everything in it. In this world of darkness, what God has revealed to us is usually ignored anyway.

Long ago, I often came across the television program of a certain preacher. His theology was greatly perverted—he actually seemed to be an unsaved man—but even liars tell an occasional truth. He said how it always pleased God when we opened our Bible and read it. I disagreed with 99.9% of his statements, but he was right about that. Furthermore, if we are receptive to the spiritual light that we have, the Holy Spirit will provide more light.

The Ethiopian eunuch of today’s Scripture was reading his copy of Isaiah, but could not make sense of it. Nevertheless, since he was a sincere seeker of the truth, the Holy Spirit sent the Evangelist Philip to teach him about Jesus Christ (read verses 26-39). In chapter 10, Cornelius was another lost man, but he was walking in the light that he had, so the Holy Spirit sent the Apostle Peter to teach him about Jesus Christ (verses 1-48). The God of the Bible sent the Apostle Paul to teach us Gentiles about Jesus Christ (Acts 26:16-18; Romans 11:13; Ephesians 3:1-11). We with open hearts (hopefully!) are still learning to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). By God’s grace, we have done this now for 4,300 days—so let us keep on keeping on!

Onward to devotional #4400! 🙂

The Creator and His Creation #3

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

“The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them” (Psalm 89:11 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is part of one of the two “Davidic Covenant” psalms (the other is Psalm 132). Note well Psalm 89:3,4,14,18,20,29,35-37,49 and Psalm 132:1,10-12,17. These are in agreement with the LORD’S promise to King David.

With Paul’s message now revealed, Father God has disclosed all His will (His secret will too!): “Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ” (Ephesians 1:8-12; cf. Colossians 1:16-20).

Not only will Father God glorify His Son Jesus Christ in the earthly realm (prophetic program and the nation Israel), He will exalt Christ in the heavenly realm (mystery program and us, the Church the Body of Christ). David’s throne, which Christ will inherit in the ages to come, will extend into outer space, as we fill up the offices of government in the heavenly places.

Paul commenting, “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory [our destiny in the heavenly places!]. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:8-13).

In that day, creation will glorify its Creator!

The Creator and His Creation #2

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

“The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them” (Psalm 89:11 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is part of one of the two “Davidic Covenant” psalms (the other is Psalm 132). Note well Psalm 89:3,4,14,18,20,29,35-37,49 and Psalm 132:1,10-12,17. These are in agreement with the LORD’S promise to King David.

Without order, chaos reigns. Unless there is government, there is anarchy. Genesis 9:6 and Romans 13:1-8 underscore how the LORD God has ordained human government to maintain some semblance of societal stability, that evil be discouraged and, if committed, punished (especially murder meriting the death penalty). Satan’s policy of evil, though widespread, has its limits because of national borders and governments willing to address and discipline criminals (see also Acts 17:26-31). Of course, sin complicates all of this, and politicians tend to oppress and disgrace the very people they have been appointed to protect and benefit.

Observe one of Satan’s offers when he tempted Christ Jesus: “And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine” (Luke 4:5-7). Satan was gloating here, for he was “the god [ruler] of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) and both he and Jesus knew it. In fact, he tried to entice the Lord Jesus to worship him, and, in exchange, he would hand over the kingdoms of this world to Jesus. How did Satan acquire such dreadful power? Adam, who had God-given governmental authority on the Earth, had relinquished that power to Satan back in Genesis chapter 3 (see Genesis 1:26-28).

The Davidic Covenant is Father God’s purpose and plan to reclaim Earth’s governments from Satan. From the Apostle Paul’s ministry and message, we learn how Christ will take David’s earthly throne and extend it even as far out as the heavenly places in the ages to come….

The Creator and His Creation #1

Monday, March 6, 2023

“The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them” (Psalm 89:11 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is part of one of the two “Davidic Covenant” psalms (the other is Psalm 132). Note well Psalm 89:3,4,14,18,20,29,35-37,49 and Psalm 132:1,10-12,17. These are in agreement with the LORD’S promise to King David.

“And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David” (2 Samuel 7:12-17; cf. 1 Chronicles 17:11-15).

Israel would have a King forever of the fruit of David’s loins. Of course, the Lord Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of that Davidic Covenant, as the Angel Gabriel informed Mary the virgin: “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:31-33).

Today’s Scripture refers to the Creator and His creation: the heavens and the earth, and everything in them, belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. Obviously, there must be order if that creation is to properly operate, and that leads us to the government vested in the Davidic dynasty….

An Appreciative Attitude

Sunday, March 5, 2023

“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mark 7:6,7 KJV).

What matters most is not the lips but the heart!

Dear friends, we can say anything and everything delightful but still be insincere. “I love the Lord.” Do we really love Him though, or is it just something nice we flippantly declare out of mindless habit? “The Bible means everything to me.” Is that actually the case, or are we just trying to impress our preacher or Bible teacher with superficial spirituality? “I am so thankful for your prayers.” Does this mean we truly care that Christian brethren are thinking about us so we can be in God’s will, or are we interested in merely being at the center of attention? “I enjoy church.” Is this really because we are growing in the Scriptures there, or only due to the amusement we find “in the sanctuary?” These are extremely personal questions, and if we exercise critical thinking in regards to them, we know just where we need to adjust our lives.

In today’s Scripture, Christ condemned hypocrisy that was parading in the name of Judaism. Even in Isaiah’s day more than 700 years earlier, this was a major problem in the nation Israel (see Isaiah 29:13). People were singing about the Lord, praying, attending synagogue and temple services, celebrating feast days and other holy days, but for nearly everyone there was no heart faith, no real desire to worship the Lord or better know what He was doing. It was all about their activities.

May our Bible study, prayer, and church attendance mean genuine hunger for the truth. If we are truly grateful for the Lord Jesus Christ and all that He has done for us, we will use our resources wisely to see that we learn about it and that we tell others about it. This heart attitude is of far greater importance than any mere singing moving hymns, reciting elaborate prayers, and preaching long sermons. Remember, we may fool others, but we can never fool the Lord!

Saints, please remember this work of the ministry requires monthly financial support to operate (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those who prefer electronic giving can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Anyone who wishes to donate by regular mail can visit https://333wordsofgrace.org/contact-us-mailing-address-for-donations/ for details. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! Unfortunately, since our ministry audience is so large and our ministry staff is so small, I can no longer personally respond to everyone. Thanks so much for understanding in this regard. 🙂

Looking Unto Jesus

Saturday, March 4, 2023

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1,2 KJV).

An artist once drew a night scene in which a man was rowing a boat across a large body of water. The waves were rough and the winds were strong. Storm clouds veiled the moon and all the stars except one. Focused on that solitary point of light, the man paddled on and on. The artist added a caption at the bottom: “If I lose that, I am lost!” Here is an extremely simple application of today’s Scripture.

In Matthew 14:22-27, the Lord Jesus Christ was delayed in meeting His disciples in the ship on the Sea of Galilee. Eventually, they no longer expected Him. When He finally showed up, they supposed He was a spirit or ghost. Keep reading: “[28] And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. [29] And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. [31] And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? [32] And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.”

Peter took his eyes off the Lord, looked at his perilous circumstances, and began to sink! Likewise, in today’s Scripture, the Holy Spirit reminds believing Israel suffering the troubles of Daniel’s 70th Week to keep watching Jesus, not the evil Antichrist or his followers. Saints, we would do well to remember to firmly fix our eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ and not our difficulties (Romans 8:31-39)!

Worthless Papers #3

Friday, March 3, 2023

“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1,2 KJV).

Behold, Saul possesses worthless papers!

Saul is definitely relieved to learn the Lord is working with Ananias to confirm the fact he really is a saved man now. Read verses 10-19. With Ananias restoring Saul’s physical sight, Saul’s conversion thus made apparent, the saints in Damascus receive him. They recognize him as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and no longer feel threatened.

Decades later, as the Apostle Paul, Saul writes Philippians chapter 3: “[3] For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. [4] Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more [and here is his worthless résumé, all his accomplishments]: [5] Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; [6] Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” Saul learned a valuable lesson on the road to Damascus, for here comes the contrast….

“[7] But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. [8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung [manure!!], that I may win Christ, [9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: [10] That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; [11] If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”

If you think about, dear friend, there is much for us to learn from these verses too!

Worthless Papers #2

Thursday, March 2, 2023

“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1,2 KJV).

Behold, Saul possesses worthless papers!

It is not uncommon in this world to see people parading their “degrees,” whose specialty in one field (or, a few fields) of study has caused them to now be under the impression they can comment authoritatively on any and every topic. To be sure, Saul of Tarsus had rabbinical training, having sat under the most eminent teacher of Judaism of the day (see Acts 22:3 and Acts 5:34)—Gamaliel known to orthodox Jews even now. Saul assumed he knew all there was to know about religion. He was a master at it. He would have had the equivalent of a doctorate in theology, being proficient not only in Hebrew, but Greek, Latin, Aramaic, and perhaps other languages. Knowing the Hebrew Bible, he had also been familiarized with Greek philosophy.

Furthermore, Saul had received from the highest-ranking religious leaders of Israel the legal power to round up any believing Jews who had found refuge in Damascus. Carrying those warrants and leading a party of troops, he is just outside of the city when he meets the resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ! Whatever credentials Saul had, he realized they were useless at this point. Such worldly wisdom, such secular power, such religiosity, was worthless. “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?… I am Jesus whom thou persecutest…” (Acts 9:4,5). The God he thought he was worshipping was the very God he was upsetting!

“And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him to Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink” (verses 8,9). Once physically sighted but spiritually blind, he is now spiritually sighted but physically blind. His religious training is of no use to him now. Those warrants are unusable. There he is, vulnerable in Damascus, among the very people he had come to destroy….