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!

In Evil Long I Took Delight #5

Thursday, February 12, 2015

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24 KJV).

The fifth verse of John Newton’s classic 1779 hymn “In Evil Long I Took Delight” highlights today’s Scripture.

“A second look He gave, which said,
‘I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid;
I die that thou mayst live.’”

Our God-given conscience makes us aware of our daily sins (Romans 2:13-15). We also know that there is a Creator God whom we will face in judgment (Romans 1:17-20). What will we do with those sins when we stand before Him? Can we open our wallets and purses and pay off God? Would He let us into His heaven if we simply showed Him our church-membership card, or our baptism record, or our confirmation certificate, or our annual-giving receipt? Religious people have been taught, “Yes!” If they can just give God something good, they assume that He will be happy with them and give them the grace to do good and make up for their wrongs.

Saul of Tarsus learned all about the “value” (nothing!) of his religious performance before God: “[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, 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:” (Philippians 3:8,9).

What are religious works before God? “Dung!” (How “flattering”—activity not done by faith in God’s Word to us is likened to waste product!) What are our righteousnesses before God? “As filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6)! God offers His forgiveness to us “freely by his grace” (absolutely no cost to us) because we have nothing with which to pay our sin debt (today’s Scripture). Jesus shed His sinless blood and died that we might be free from sin, redeemed, bought out of the slave market of sin. He shed His sinless blood and died, that we might truly live to not delight in evil….

In Evil Long I Took Delight #4

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6 KJV).

The fourth verse of John Newton’s classic 1779 hymn “In Evil Long I Took Delight” highlights today’s Scripture.

“My conscience felt and owned the guilt,
And plunged me in despair,
I saw my sins His blood had spilt,
And helped to nail Him there.”

Throughout history, Jews have been derogatorily called “the Christ-killers.” While Scripture emphatically affirms Jews rejected their Messiah Jesus, it also says that Gentiles participated in Jesus’ death: Israel wanted the Lord Jesus dead and Rome carried out the death penalty (Psalm 2:1-3; cf. Acts 4:25-28). Calvary was a national and an international conspiracy. Not only so, it was a personal issue—we all played a role in Calvary. It was our sins that sent Jesus Christ to that awful cross: as it is said, “Our hands held the hammers that drove the spikes into His hands and feet!”

It was in God’s grand design to use Israel’s rejection of Messiah and Rome’s rejection of Messiah to bring about the death of Messiah: “For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done” (Acts 4:28). “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23). Now, with Paul’s revelation, we can see the full picture (what God saw all along but only now discloses to us): “[Jesus Christ] 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” (Romans 3:25). It was Father God who ultimately killed Jesus Christ, who shed His blood for our forgiveness (Colossians 1:14).

Rather than beating ourselves up with guilt and shame, we need to trust Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork where He took our guilt and shame and covered them with His sinless blood. No, He did not die for the righteous, but for the weak and ungodly (today’s Scripture). He died for us, those who, like Saul of Tarsus, delight in evil….

In Evil Long I Took Delight #3

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

“I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh” (Romans 9:1-3 KJV).

The third verse of John Newton’s classic 1779 hymn “In Evil Long I Took Delight” highlights today’s Scripture.

“Sure, never to my latest breath,
Can I forget that look;
It seemed to charge me with His death,
Though not a word He spoke.”

Beloved, there has never been—and will never be—a more drastic conversion than when Saul of Tarsus met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts chapter 9). Formerly lost, once dead in his sins, and formerly on his way to hell, he was now saved from those sins, now alive in Jesus Christ, and now on his way to heaven. Previously Israel’s—and the world’s—leader against Jesus Christ, Saul of Tarsus (as the Apostle Paul) became the most useful servant of Jesus Christ. What a transformation God’s grace can bring when trusted!

Until his dying day, the Apostle Paul never forgot from where he came. Throughout the book of Acts and his epistles, he makes reference to the spiritual slums in which he once lived. For instance, he wrote, “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another” (Titus 3:3). That was Saul—that was we!

In today’s Scripture, Paul had such a desire to see lost Israel saved, the nation whose fall before God he had greatly encouraged. “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1). Throughout his ministry, he witnessed the unbelief and spiritual insanity of the wayward nation out of which God had saved him. How it broke his heart to remember that he had been a Pharisee so fervently against Jesus, highly influential in encouraging Israel to reject Him, responsible for Rome sentencing Him to death. Having met Jesus Christ face-to-face, Saul would delight in evil no more….

In Evil Long I Took Delight #2

Monday, February 9, 2015

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ” (Philippians 3:7 KJV).

The second verse of John Newton’s classic 1779 hymn “In Evil Long I Took Delight” highlights today’s Scripture.

“I saw One hanging on a tree,
In agony and blood,
Who fixed His languid eyes on me,
As near His cross I stood.”

Saul of Tarsus, a proud, self-righteous religionist “verily thought with [himself], that [he] ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9). He saw Jesus as an imposter, a blasphemer. Figuring that he was doing JEHOVAH a favor by putting all those Jesus-lovers to death, Saul decided that all of His followers had to be punished! Yes, so infatuated with his religion, he was willing to physically eliminate “competition” at whatever the cost.

One of the most learned Mosaic scholars of his day, Saul had it all—religion, education, fame, and fortune. The context of today’s Scripture describes him perfectly: “[4]… If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: [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.”

Outside of Damascus’ city gates, Saul lost it all (or, rather, he realized he was destitute of what really mattered!). He heard JEHOVAH speak to him audibly, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? I am Jesus whom thou persecutest” (Acts 9:4,5). Imagine how overwhelming the shock was—the God he thought he was serving was the Jesus he was persecuting! It was in today’s Scripture that he remembered these events of all those years ago (over 30, actually). He gained it all in religion only to lose it all in Christ—he lost his religious “goodness” and gained Jesus Christ’s righteousness by faith! In that doctrine revealed to him, he saw and trusted the efficacy of Christ’s finished crosswork as total payment for his sins. Saul of Tarsus took his eyes off of himself and looked to Jesus….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Should I be concerned about the four ‘blood moons?’”

In Evil Long I Took Delight #1

Sunday, February 8, 2015

“And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women… and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me” (Acts 22:4-6 KJV).

The first verse of John Newton’s classic 1779 hymn “In Evil Long I Took Delight” highlights today’s Scripture.

“In evil long I took delight,
Unawed by shame or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight,
And stopped my wild career.”

While some of us trusted Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour at a very early age, others among us did not do so until well into their earthly life. Saul of Tarsus was of the latter type. Blinded by religious fanaticism, today’s Scripture says that Saul did not think twice about using his prominent position in Israel’s religion to do away with every single Jesus-adherent. If it meant personally tracking down and literally dragging back to Jerusalem every last Jewish man and woman who had trusted Jesus as Messiah, Saul was all for it. He would have them imprisoned and then slaughtered! There was no shame, no fear, just religious zeal and delight (has religion changed at all since then?).

One day (Acts chapter 9), Saul left Jerusalem (the last time as a lost man), bound for Damascus up north, ever so eager to capture the Messianic Jews who had sought refuge there. Jesus Christ Himself stared down from the third heaven, watching every move of Saul en route to Syria. When Saul was just outside the city of Damascus, Jesus Christ made a surprise appearance and “captured” Saul before he could capture His saints. A mighty light shown from heaven—a light so intense that Saul is actually struck to the ground; Jesus Christ has permanently ended that worthless ministry! Now humbled, Saul sees something so much better than his vain works-religion; he sees Jesus Christ, the Saviour of sinners, of whom Saul is chief….

Traveling on the “Highway” to Heaven

Saturday, February 7, 2015

“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7 KJV).

Earthly modes of transportation and material carry-ons are not allowed on the “highway” to heaven!

Fulfilling his final wishes, 71-year-old George Swanson’s ashes were placed on the driver’s seat of his classic white Corvette. A crane then lowered the vehicle into a burial plot where it was covered with dirt. It is decaying in a Pennsylvania cemetery even today—20 years later! “George always said he lived a fabulous life, and he went out in a fabulous style,” his wife was quoted as saying. “You have a lot of people saying they want to take it with them. He took it with him.” It is a most bizarre burial, but there are plenty of others interred underground in their classic vehicles (or even buried sitting upright on their motorcycles or horses).

Dear friends, God has given us liberty to be buried as we wish—in whatever manner we want and with whatever favorite possessions we want. What He would have us understand is that it really makes no difference who we were in life or what we had. Any material possessions we have now will profit us nothing in eternity because we will leave these physical bodies and dimension behind (today’s Scripture). If all we believe is this life, and that there is no “next life,” we will most certainly do everything we can do to remain attached to here. If death is the end, we should surely make the end as grand as possible. But, if physical death is not the end, and the Bible says it really is not the end, then it makes no difference how our funeral was held.

At death, all we can really take is the Bible doctrine we stored in our inner man. Burial as paupers or princes is irrelevant; rags and riches alike will be left in the grave to pass away. The “road to heaven” is actually a “flight path!” As Christians, we will be carried spirit and soul by the Holy Spirit, arriving in heaven on a “first-class flight.” No extravagant burial can surpass that! 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Must I maintain my fellowship with God?”

But It is Scriptural!

Friday, February 6, 2015

“But [we] have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully…” (2 Corinthians 4:2 KJV).

If only more religious leaders would join with Paul in today’s Scripture!

Recently, I watched a “Christian” television program in which the preacher cunningly said, “The Holy Ghost is telling me to instruct you to send us a $10 donation. We will mail you a vial of Israeli holy olive oil. Then, anoint the doorways of your house, your sick loved ones, and your business, and believe and receive God’s healing and wealth.” His wife then cleverly interjected to reassure their wary viewers, “It is Scriptural! James 5:13-15 says believers should call the church elders—that’s us!—and use anointing oil.”

Yes, if you want to be thoroughly confused, just watch TV preachers! This pastor and his wife, promising wealth and physical healing, were not practicing what they were preaching. The man was bald and wearing eyeglasses, and his wife had obviously had extensive cosmetic surgery. They were suffering the effects of old age—the “snake oil” they were peddling was not effective for them. They should use the oil themselves, receive God’s wealth, and then they would not have to beg for and extort donations from their television audience!

Dearly beloved, one of Christendom’s greatest blunders is to assume “Scriptural” equals “God’s will for me.” Suppose a Jew in Moses’ day claimed, “Moses, I hate following these kosher food laws that God had you write in Leviticus chapter 11. You wrote in Genesis 9:1-4 that I can eat anything I can catch. It is Scriptural to eat all animals! I will follow those instructions instead!” This Jew, although “Scriptural,” would be outside of God’s will for him. He would be ignorant of the dispensational change: Genesis chapter 9 was for Noah to follow, not Israel!

Let us not handle God’s Word deceitfully. Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, are God’s Word to us as Gentiles (Romans 11:13): our dispensation, set of divine instructions, is Paul’s epistles (Ephesians 3:2). We must be both Scriptural AND dispensational. Beloved, if you bear those simple verses in mind, you will spare yourself much confusion, extortion, headache, and heartbreak!

Aged, But Strong, in the LORD

Thursday, February 5, 2015

“…I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in” (Joshua 14:10,11 KJV).

How could Caleb, despite his old age, be so bold?

Recall Israel’s rebellion entering the Promised Land with Moses (Numbers chapters 13 and 14). For 40 days, 12 Jewish spies scouted its landscapes. Ten spies reported back to Moses with a very negative report: “We cannot overcome the giants in the land.” They contradicted JEHOVAH’S promise to give them victory over all Gentile inhabitants. However, two spies—Joshua and Caleb—believed God’s Word.

Numbers chapter 14 continues: “[6] And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh… rent their clothes: [7] And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. [8] If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. [9] Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.” Israel still refused to enter Canaan, and thus wandered in the desert for 40 years!

Fast-forward to today’s Scripture. Caleb is now 85 years old… and still ready to fight the Gentiles to possess the land that God has given him! The verse following today’s Scripture reveals Caleb, despite agedness, is confident that the LORD will give him victory! “Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.”

Like Caleb, a wise man will rely on his Almighty LORD, not his weakly flesh!

The Middle Verse of the KJB

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8 KJV).

What, or Who, is literally at the very heart of the King James Bible?

The King James Bible has 31,101 verses. Verse number 15,551—the middle verse—is today’s Scripture: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” If you notice, there are 14 words in this verse, and the middle words are “the LORD” (six words preceding and succeeding). Modern versions, because they remove dozens of verses from the Bible text, do not have today’s Scripture as their middle verse. Their middle verse does not urge us to put our trust in the LORD and avoid trusting man. Nay, the modern version translators want us to trust their judgment, that they have improved God’s Word (when they have done any but!).

If you listen to the average Bible teacher or preacher, read the average Bible commentary, or use the average study Bible, you will be advised to doubt the readings in the King James Bible. Scholarship, driven by the minds of lost people, always has a “better translation” than the one the Holy Spirit already chose. There is a constant push to make the King James Bible “more scholarly,” more agreeable to theologians and textual critics. Dear friends, if we say that we are not interested in opinions, but only interested in what the Bible says, then it is silly to offer opinions about what the Bible should say instead, and it is even more foolish to accept opinions about what the Bible should say instead.

Today’s Scripture is one example of the fact that we should leave the King James Bible’s text alone. We do not need to “correct” it with “new” manuscripts that its translators rejected centuries ago as false. We do not need to remove any of its passages, phrases, words, or letters just to suit the pet doctrines of degreed religionists. We should not put our confidence in man, but in “the LORD.” Our King James Bible is an amazing Book, so let us trust in “the LORD” and His Word to us English-speaking people. There literally is nothing better! 🙂

He Buried Him

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

“And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day” (Deuteronomy 34:6 KJV).

As someone once said, “God buries His servants but never His program.”

Other than Jesus Christ, the GodMan, the God of the Bible used two men most mightily—Moses and the Apostle Paul. For 40 years, Moses led Israel, from her escape from Egypt to just before her entrance into Canaan. God used Moses to write the first five books of the Bible—Genesis through Deuteronomy. He was the great Lawgiver at Mount Sinai: his divinely-inspired writings formed the Jewish religion. Moses was the only man at that time who had spoken with God face-to-face on numerous occasions.

Deuteronomy 34:10-12, written by Moses himself under the moving of the Holy Spirit: “[10] And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, [11] In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, [12] And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.”

Moses was a faithful servant of God (Hebrews 3:2,5). After he finished writing Deuteronomy, the Torah (the Bible’s first five books) was finished. At age 120 years, Moses died (Deuteronomy 32:7). There is no doubt in this author’s mind that God had Moses write about his own death and burial in today’s Scripture.

Knowing full well that the Jews would make a shrine of Moses’ grave, today’s Scripture says that God Himself personally buried Moses in a secret place, somewhere northeast of the Dead Sea. To this day, some 3,500 years later, Moses’ remains are still awaiting resurrection. God buried Moses, dear friends, but He never buried His plan for the nation Israel. Even today, despite the dispensational change, Moses will be raised again, and he, along with all of Israel’s saints of old, will go into the Promised Land, the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.

Yes, God buries His servants but never His plan! 🙂