Month: August 2024

As the LORD Liveth? #3

Sunday, August 11, 2024

“And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you” (Judges 8:19 KJV).

What is the implication of this expression, “As the LORD liveth?”

Here are more related verses. “And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my LORD the king liveth, surely in what place my LORD the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be” (2 Samuel 15:21). “And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,…” (1 Kings 1:29). “Now therefore, as the LORD liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me an house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this day” (1 Kings 2:24). “And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak” (1 Kings 22:14). “And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel” (2 Kings 2:2).

“And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho” (2 Kings 2:4). “And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on” (2 Kings 2:6). “And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her” (2 Kings 4:30). “But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused” (2 Kings 5:16).

We have just a few more references to see….

As the LORD Liveth? #2

Saturday, August 10, 2024

“And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you” (Judges 8:19 KJV).

What is the implication of this expression, “As the LORD liveth?”

Continue looking at references. “Now therefore, my LORD, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my LORD, be as Nabal” (1 Samuel 25:26). “David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish” (1 Samuel 26:10). “This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD’S anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster” (1 Samuel 26:16). “And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing” (1 Samuel 28:10).

“Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the LORD’S favour thee not” (1 Samuel 29:6). “And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,…” (2 Samuel 4:9). “And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:…” (2 Samuel 12:5). “Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth” (2 Samuel 14:11).

There are still other verses….

As the LORD Liveth? #1

Friday, August 9, 2024

“And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you” (Judges 8:19 KJV).

What is the implication of this expression, “As the LORD liveth?”

It appears exactly 27 times in our Authorized Version (King James Bible). Today’s Scripture is the first time. Let us look at the numerous other references before we analyze the term itself. “Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning” (Ruth 3:13). “For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him” (1 Samuel 14:39).

“And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not” (1 Samuel 14:45). “And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain” (1 Samuel 19:6). “And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death” (1 Samuel 20:3). “And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth” (1 Samuel 20:21).

There are more such verses….

For Students This is Safe

Thursday, August 8, 2024

“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! 🙂

An Ambassador Turns 36!

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 🎂

“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16 KJV).

As of today, I have enjoyed 36 years of earthly life; therefore, permit me to share a few words of advice to celebrate the occasion!

Perhaps I have grown a little wiser in the year I have grown a little older. What I have learned during 18 years of ministry—exactly half my life now—is to be vigilant as to getting too attached to anyone or anything. We will encounter in life people who will edify us (build us up spiritually) and people who will destroy us (tear us down spiritually). Our family members, friends, and even our favorite pastor or seminary professor or Bible teacher will likely serve in both capacities at some point. Friends and brethren, beware of traitors and willing tools of the Devil, and keep your eyes focused exclusively on the Lord Jesus Christ (rather than on them).

Recently, I have been reflecting on all those professing believers who once were part of our ministry through these many years, but did not endure (tolerate) sound doctrine and thus fell away into willful blindness and ignorance. They grew older, but not wiser, and this is precisely what we are to avoid by drawing on the indwelling Holy Spirit’s power. We have to continue—“continue!!”—in grace doctrine if it is to make a difference in our lives (today’s Scripture). Acknowledging the doctrine once is not enough. It is a constant renewing of the mind, “day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

Notice again how we are to continue (“continue!!”) in sound Bible doctrine: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:14-17). Let us remember this every birthday! 🙂

Two Exclusions #4

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith” (Romans 3:27 KJV).

Of what two “exclusions” in the Bible should we be aware?

With it made abundantly clear our religious works are not enough to impress God (Romans 3:9-20), Paul reveals the Gospel of the Grace of God in an expanded form.

While not employing these exact words, religious people everywhere still express this general attitude: “No, I do not want God’s grace, all that He is free to do for me through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for my sins. Instead of the ‘Jesus-based acceptance system,’ I prefer to perform or work to receive God’s blessings, the ‘Law-based acceptance system.’ I can be just as good as Jesus!”

Notice the other “exclusion,” in Galatians chapter 4, verse 17: “[9] But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? [10] Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. [11] I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain…. [17] They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. [18] But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you. [19] My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, [20] I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. [21] Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?”

The entire Book of Galatians compares and contrasts works-religion and God’s grace. False teachers with their Law-based acceptance system had led the Galatians away from Paul’s special ministry and message. They were also shutting out Paul’s (grace) influence from their assemblies, excluding these saints from their Apostle. Whether challenging or denying or counterfeiting his apostleship (as in 1 Corinthians 9:1-3; 2 Corinthians 10:10-12; 2 Corinthians 11:13-23), or promoting their bondage to rules and regulations (see Galatians 5:1-12; Galatians 6:12-15), the false teachers motivated the Galatians to abandon Pauline doctrine.

Beware, friends: many such dangerous people lurk in Christendom today. We had better exclude them and their teaching from our lives, or we have no (!) hope or prayer of surviving Satan’s deception!

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. 🙂

Two Exclusions #3

Monday, August 5, 2024

“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith” (Romans 3:27 KJV).

Of what two “exclusions” in the Bible should we be aware?

With it made abundantly clear our religious works are not enough to impress God (Romans 3:9-20), Paul reveals the Gospel of the Grace of God in an expanded form.

Romans 3:21-28, today’s Scripture situated in context: “[21] But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; [22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: [23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; [26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. [27] Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. [28] Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

See today’s Scripture again. The “law [principle] of faith” (trusting Christ, not our works, to save us from our sins) nullifies or cancels boasting. No one can brag “look what I did” or “see how devoted I am to my religion.” Boasting is “excluded,” shut out of the situation and conversation, for only faith in Christ’s perfect crosswork at Calvary gives anyone a right standing before God.

Howbeit, the religious man will not so easily relinquish his self-righteousness or readily admit his performance in works-religion is insufficient. He in his pride will not only hold fast to his traditions (no matter how wrong they are), he will rebel against these principles of grace by teaching others to join or remain in his works-religion. This leads us to the other “exclusion” of which we should be vigilant….

Two Exclusions #2

Sunday, August 4, 2024

“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith” (Romans 3:27 KJV).

Of what two “exclusions” in the Bible should we be aware?

Throughout the Book of Acts (when Romans, today’s Scripture, was composed), Paul constantly met people who tenaciously clung to some type of law-based acceptance system—whether self-righteous Jews with the Law of Moses, or self-righteous Gentiles with their rules and regulations of heathen religious systems. Paul himself, as an unsaved Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus, had trusted in his own flesh or religious performance.

“…[We] have no confidence in the flesh. 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:…. 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, that I may win Christ, 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…” (Philippians 3:3,4,8,9).

In the context of today’s Scripture, the ground becomes level at the foot of Calvary’s cross. Verses 9-11,19,20: “[9] What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; [10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: [11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God…. [19] Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. [20] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” All Jews and all Gentiles are unable to be perfect, to make themselves right in God’s sight—and that is what sin is!

Almighty God has thus eliminated all boasting in His courtroom….

Two Exclusions #1

Saturday, August 3, 2024

“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith” (Romans 3:27 KJV).

Of what two “exclusions” in the Bible should we be aware?

After laying out His case against the sinful, Hell-bound Gentiles or nations in chapter 1 of Romans (see verses 18-32), the Holy Spirit through Paul proceeds to condemn sinful Israel in chapter 2.

Romans chapter 2: “[1] Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. [2] But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. [3] And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?… [17] Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, [18] And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; [19] And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, [20] An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law…. [23] Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?”

Observe the “boast” in verses 17 and 23. As Paul knew quite well, a “Law-keeping” Jew contended, “I have my good works, my God-given religion, so I do not need Jesus. The Gentiles need Jesus, but not I because I am ‘not as bad as’ they are.” Verse 17 describes this as “rest[ing] in the law.” Actually, though a Jew (unlike a Gentile) could claim Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his ultimate father (like a Gentile) was Adam (a sinner)—and, by Adam, they all had the Devil as father (John 8:44)! Re-read Romans 2:1-3. Every Jew accusing a Gentile of being a “sinner” was guilty of the same evil deeds.

The Gospel of the Grace of God, as presented in the opening chapters of Romans, reduces everyone (Gentile and Jew) to stand on one level, all sinners facing God’s eternal judgment….

Let Them Recover Themselves

Friday, August 2, 2024

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is great advice for ministry workers!

Recently, I had a phone conversation with a dear brother in Christ who has been following our ministry, reading our studies and watching our Bible videos, for a few years now. For some decades, he was part of a “Christian” denomination. Whatever information he was learning from them did not match what he was experiencing in his life. In other words, they had make-believe as the foundation of their Bible understanding. It was very discouraging and confusing for him.

Eventually, he left that and joined an online “Bible study group,” but they too proved to be another disappointment. These people studied books about the Bible instead of the actual Bible—and he was interested in what the Bible said as opposed to what “Doctor So-and-So” thought the Bible said. A couple of years ago, he landed on our ministry websites and subsequently came to understand and enjoy the Bible. Ever since, he has been growing in the Word rightly divided and is teaching others what he has learned. As a business owner, he has informed his employees of sound Bible doctrine. Also, he wants to reach out to certain clients who belong to a particular works-religion cult.

Some people wish to hear him, while others could not care less. I told him that we teach them to cause them to think, leaving God the Holy Spirit to take care of the rest. He should not be disheartened if people are happy in their Bible ignorance. All we can do is tell them sound Bible doctrine and let them recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil (today’s Scripture). We cannot recover them; they must recover themselves by placing their faith in the rightly divided Scriptures we give them. Brethren, let us be faithful in providing them those verses! 🙂