Author: Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

Grace and peace! What a privilege to be an ambassador for the risen Christ here on WordPress! I am a Pauline dispensationalist Christian saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus plus nothing! My goal is to "have all men saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:3,4). I seek to preach Jesus Christ crucified for our sins, buried, and raised again for our justification as the only way to salvation. Also, I seek to edify and perfect the saints using dispensational Bible study and the Authorized Version King James Bible!

Neither Length Nor Fervor, But Clarity #1

Friday, May 9, 2025

“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (1 Corinthians 2:11,12 KJV).

Let ministers depend on the Spirit of God as they deliver their sermons, and not rely on the (limited, weak) energy of the flesh!

A dear brother in Christ observed many years ago: “The Devil cares not how long or how fervently a minister preaches—just as long as no one understands what he is talking about. High-swelling words that people cannot understand will not result in conviction for sin. The Gospel of God’s salvation should be presented in words so simple that a child can understand. Jesus used simple, understandable words when He preached, and we should follow His example. Thereby will the message of saving grace be expressed in words that anyone can understand.”

Since the vast majority of “Bible” colleges, “Christian” universities, and seminaries (Bible cemeteries) are founded upon secular principles and humanistic worldviews, it is no surprise their graduates are more versed in the words and wisdom of men than in the words and wisdom of God. That was the primary transgression of the Corinthian church. Philosophy, loving man’s wisdom, was fundamental to Greek culture. Read Paul’s speech to Athens, near Corinth, in Acts 17:22-31. There was unfathomable spiritual ignorance, and thus, extensive idolatry, there. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,…” (Romans 1:20-22).

The Athenians were the result of God leaving man to himself. Man left to himself is “ignorant” (without knowledge) of the things of God (today’s Scripture; cf. Acts 17:29,30). God must send His Holy Spirit to teach people, but it is all the more unfortunate when ministers themselves are not under the leadership of the Holy Spirit either….

The “Terrible” God #7

Thursday, May 8, 2025

“Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible” (Deuteronomy 7:21 KJV).

The Authorized Version features eight references to the LORD God being “terrible.” Why?

“Terrible” in today’s Scripture means “inspiring reverence, godly fear, or awe.” The LORD God’s character and actions should prompt respect and add solemnity! When writing to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul advised in 2 Corinthians 5:11: “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” This word “terror” is, obviously, etymologically related to “terrible.” Two events terrified the Apostle.

Firstly, Paul feared for Christians (such as the Corinthians!) going to the Judgment Seat of Christ to face a loss of reward for building into their inner man an edifice of junk doctrine instead of sound Bible doctrine (verses 9,10; cf. 1 Corinthians 3:9-15). Secondly, the Apostle shuddered to think of non-Christians winding up at the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15. These unbelievers, lacking God’s righteousness in Christ, would be destined for the Lake of Fire, where God would deal with their sin by sacrificing their very souls in endless torment!

Whether Christians losing reward of the Judgment Seat of Christ and thereby suffering limited reign in Heaven’s government, or non-Christians losing their souls to the Lake of Fire at the Great White Throne Judgment, Paul kept both classes of people in mind as he conducted his ministry to “persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11). Like God Himself, he wanted every non-Christian to believe his Gospel of Grace (“Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again the third day;” 1 Corinthians 15:3,4)—thereby avoiding Hell and the Lake of Fire altogether. As God Himself wished, Paul desired every Christian to believe sound Bible doctrine, the principles of grace, Pauline revelation, the Word of God “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15)—thus having a reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

This two-fold mission of our Apostle Paul agrees with God’s will of this current dispensation: “Who will have all men to be saved [unbelievers made believers], and to come unto the knowledge of the truth [believers maturing in sound Bible doctrine]” (1 Timothy 2:4).

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. 🙂

The “Terrible” God #6

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

“Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible” (Deuteronomy 7:21 KJV).

The Authorized Version features eight references to the LORD God being “terrible.” Why?

Our 1611 translators rendered the Hebrew “yawray” as “terrible” in Deuteronomy 7:21 (“a mighty God and terrible”), Deuteronomy 10:17 (“a great God, a mighty, and a terrible”), Nehemiah 1:5 (“the great and terrible God”), Nehemiah 4:14 (“the LORD, which is great and terrible”), Nehemiah 9:32 (“our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God”), Psalm 47:2 (“For the LORD most high is terrible”), and Psalm 68:35 (“O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places”).

“Terrible” can mean “unpleasant or bad,” but that is not how the Holy Bible employs it here. It is from the Latin, “terrere” (“frighten”)—this is how the LORD is “terrible.” “Yawray” is defined as “inspiring reverence, godly fear, or awe.” It was translated “fearful” in Deuteronomy 28:58 (“…that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;”), “terrible” in Psalm 99:3 (“Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.”), “reverend” in Psalm 111:9 (“holy and reverend is his name”), and “dreadful” in Malachi 1:14 (“…for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen”). See it rendered “feared” in 1 Chronicles 16:25 and Psalm 96:4: “For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.” It was translated “dreadful” in Daniel 9:4: “O LORD, the great and dreadful God,….”

In this way of “inspiring reverence, godly fear, or awe,” JEHOVAH God does “terrible things” or “terrible acts” (Deuteronomy 10:21; 2 Samuel 7:23; 1 Chronicles 17:21; Psalm 106:22). “As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!” (Isaiah 64:2).

As for the Hebrew word for “terrible” in Jeremiah 20:11 (“But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one:…”), it is “awreets,” which is essentially equivalent to “yawray”—awe-inspiring, terror-striking, terrifying, causing fear, very powerful. It was translated “mighty” in Job 6:23; “in great power” in Psalm 37:35; “oppressor/oppressors” in Job 15:20, Job 27:13, and Psalm 54:3.

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

The “Terrible” God #5

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

“Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible” (Deuteronomy 7:21 KJV).

The Authorized Version features eight references to the LORD God being “terrible.” Why?

Of these eight cases the LORD God is designated “terrible,” four times He defends His Jewish people against their enemies. “Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible” (Deuteronomy 7:21). “And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses” (Nehemiah 4:14). “O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God” (Psalm 68:35). “But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten” (Jeremiah 20:11).

Thrice, He is “terrible” as He metes out justice and punishes sin. “For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:…” (Deuteronomy 10:17). “And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:…” (Nehemiah 1:5). “Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day” (Nehemiah 9:32).

Once, the LORD God is “terrible” while He exercises governmental authority. “For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth” (Psalm 47:2). Lest we misunderstand the sense of these passages, we now concentrate on studying and defining the word “terrible” itself….

The “Terrible” God #4

Monday, May 5, 2025

“Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible” (Deuteronomy 7:21 KJV).

The Authorized Version features eight references to the LORD God being “terrible.” Why?

Go to Psalm 47:1-4: “[To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah] O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.” The Psalmist writes about the world rejoicing as God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom is founded. King Jesus Christ reigns victoriously as the “terrible” “LORD most high!”

Now, Psalm 68:32-35: “Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the LORD; Selah: To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice. Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds. O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.” This is Christ’s Second Coming leading up to that earthly kingdom of God. Again, the LORD is labeled as “terrible.”

Finally, Jeremiah 20:11-13: “But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten. But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause. Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.” Unbelievers have abused the Prophet Jeremiah. Holding a pity party, he cries out for justice to the LORD “a mighty terrible one!”

Let us review what we have studied up to this point….

The “Terrible” God #3

Sunday, May 4, 2025

“Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible” (Deuteronomy 7:21 KJV).

The Authorized Version features eight references to the LORD God being “terrible.” Why?

Living in the Persian capital of Shushan, and undergoing the aftermath of the Babylonian Captivity, Nehemiah hears how Jerusalem is still in ruins. Brokenhearted, the Prophet prays: “And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned” (Nehemiah 1:5,6). God is “great and terrible” as Nehemiah considers what has happened to Israel and Jerusalem thus far.

Returning to Jerusalem, Nehemiah consoles his Jewish brethren as they rebuild the city walls in the midst of Gentile oppression and opposition: “And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work” (Nehemiah 4:14,15). The LORD is “great and terrible” regarding Israel’s foes.

As the Israelites confess their national sins, the Levites pray and preach: “Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day” (Nehemiah 9:32). Again, the LORD is “terrible” in the context of Israel’s hardships and deliverance.

There is still more….

The “Terrible” God #2

Saturday, May 3, 2025

“Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible” (Deuteronomy 7:21 KJV).

The Authorized Version features eight references to the LORD God being “terrible.” Why?

In the larger context of today’s Scripture, Moses in his farewell speech advises Israel about the seven strong Gentile nations they must encounter and destroy as they enter and possess the Land of Canaan under Joshua’s command (see verse 1). Though Moses will be long dead, his successor will lead them into those battles moving westward toward the Mediterranean Sea.

Today’s Scripture with its immediate context: “If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them? Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt; The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid. Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed. Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible” (verses 17-21). JEHOVAH God is “mighty and terrible” in connection to Israel’s fear of upcoming battles with intimidating heathen enemies. That God comforts the nation through Moses’ address.

Now, Deuteronomy chapter 10, Moses continues his counsel: “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,…? Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment” (verses 12,16-18). The LORD God is “terrible” as touching rebellious Israel worshipping heathen idols.

There is more….

The “Terrible” God #1

Friday, May 2, 2025

“Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible” (Deuteronomy 7:21 KJV).

The Authorized Version features eight references to the LORD God being “terrible.” Why?

Before we study the word itself, we ought to read all the pertinent passages. “Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible” (Deuteronomy 7:21). “For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:…” (Deuteronomy 10:17). “And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:…” (Nehemiah 1:5).

“And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses” (Nehemiah 4:14). “Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day” (Nehemiah 9:32).

“For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth” (Psalm 47:2). “O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God” (Psalm 68:35). “But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten” (Jeremiah 20:11).

How exactly is the God of the Bible “terrible?” Does that mean He is bad, evil, abysmal, awful? Is there something we need to learn about our language? Let us see….

A Prayer According to God’s Will

Thursday, May 1, 2025

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” (1 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV).

On this United States’ National Day of Prayer, we pray you pray according to the Lord Jesus Christ’s will for today!

Today, religious people—the general public, clergy, and government officials—will assemble nationwide, like they do every year, and pray for spiritual and moral revival of the “Christian” (?) United States of America. We commend their noble efforts, but God’s Word says there will be no godly revival of any of the world’s Gentile nations until Jesus Christ returns to earth at His Second Coming (Isaiah 11:9; Isaiah 59:20–60:3; Zechariah 8:20-23; Revelation 11:15; et cetera).

The LORD’s words to King Solomon are often quoted on this day: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Friends, this is certainly God’s Word, but has nothing to do with Gentiles in the United States in the Dispensation of Grace. This verse has a context often overlooked—the nation Israel under the Mosaic Law, praying in relation to God’s Temple in Jerusalem (verses 15,16). Actually, that Temple was destroyed over 19 centuries ago! Unlike Israel, the United States was never a divinely-founded nation. The American people as a whole are not God’s people like Israel was.

Rather than praying 2 Chronicles 7:14, remember today’s Scripture (God’s Word to us Gentiles). The verse following today’s Scripture says, “[God] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Pray for those in authority, that they would trust Jesus Christ alone as their personal Saviour, and then grow in His Word to them so they can make wise decisions on behalf of the people they govern.

The Seventy Weeks of Daniel #8

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy” (Daniel 9:24 KJV).

What precisely are these seventy weeks of Daniel? How do they form the backbone of prophecy?

The purpose of Daniel’s seventy weeks of years is to prepare Israel to serve as God’s earthly kingdom of priests. During the last of these weeks of years, the Antichrist will reign, commencing the final phase of eliminating unbelievers that have contaminated the nation for centuries. The Antichrist is God’s method of exposing the tares (spiritual weeds) or unbelievers in Israel (Matthew 13:1-51), for they will worship the Antichrist, his image, and receive his mark (Revelation 14:9-11). They are the idolaters whose Law-breaking ancestors caused the fifth course of chastisement in the first place (Babylonian Captivity 600 years before Christ).

Again, Daniel’s seventy weeks cleanse the Jewish people of idolatry just as the 70-year Babylonian Captivity purified the land of Canaan of idolatry: Satan’s influence will be addressed and reversed. The Lord Jesus Christ’s Second Coming terminates Daniel’s 70th Week and brings God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom. Once more, we have absolutely no reason whatsoever to place us the Church the Body of Christ into any of Daniel’s seventy weeks. Today’s Scripture indicates those 490 years are for Israel’s sake alone, not us. If we fail to “study… rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15)—like (!) many (!) do (!)—we will combine Daniel and Paul, law and grace, prophecy and mystery, Israel and the Body of Christ, Earth and Heaven. Nothing but unanswerable confusion will result.

Prophecy is quite interesting. Since it is God’s inspired Word, we can, should, and do study it. Yet, because it is not God’s Word to us or about us, many prophetic verses are unclear to us. This should not bother us in the least, for to whom and about whom they are written these passages will make complete sense in due time. Doubtless, this we know: our victorious Christian living in this the Dispensation of the Grace of God is found exclusively in Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon.