Category: 2025 New Orleans Terrorist Attack

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #32

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

According to the Bible rightly divided, it is not God’s current will to directly intervene in the affairs of man to punish evil, deliver the righteous, and remove the curse of sin from creation. He is neither apathetic, nor cruel, nor nonexistent: instead, He is gracious, merciful, and peaceful toward our human species that has rejected His dear Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) for almost 20 centuries. We should not despise His goodness and/or moan about His plan simply because we do not understand what we ought and have not gotten our way. Far better if we considered the Holy Scriptures dispensationally, find out what He is doing today, by faith do that, and thereby do His will.

Jesus Christ is not where He should be, Satan is not where he should be, the Church the Body of Christ is not where it should be, and the nation Israel is not where it should be. In God’s due time, all will be set right. If we could say it as succinctly as possible: God’s purpose and plan in creation will truly be brought to pass one day, but that cannot happen until redeemed Israel (Earth) and the Church the Body of Christ (Heaven) rule in their respective realms, and this cannot happen until Christ Jesus Himself reigns, which cannot occur until Satan is removed, which cannot happen until Israel is complete, which cannot occur until prophecy resumes, which cannot occur until mystery ends, which cannot transpire until the Body of Christ is closed, which cannot happen until the Dispensation of Grace is rescinded, which cannot be until the Apostle Paul’s ministry is terminated.

“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him…” (2 Timothy 2:12a). We members of the Church the Body of Christ—who have trusted the Lord’s finished crosswork alone as sufficient payment for our sins—understand that this world is not our home. Though this life is rough and tough, God’s grace is sufficient for us to handle all of its problems… all the way up to our departure to be glorified in, and govern, the heavenly places with Christ Himself.

-FINIS!-

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. 🙂

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #31

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

Victorious Christian living requires a proper, mature understanding of suffering. Therefore, the subject was covered in the most basic Pauline book. Sadly, since precious few ever learn Romans (and this ignorance is courtesy of denominationalism [manmade church tradition] and a pitiful failure to “rightly divide the word of truth” [2 Timothy 2:15]), many spend much of their time struggling (!!) so (!!) needlessly (!!) attempting to reconcile “loving God” with “suffering world.”

Observe Romans chapter 8: “[17] And if children [of God], then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. [18] For I reckon 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.”

In light of 2 Corinthians 4:16–5:8, we know this painful world is but temporary—something that will not last forever. As believers in Christ, we have been saved from hopelessness, and foresee a restored, everlasting creation (and a resurrected, glorified body to function in the heavenly places).

Let us (finally!) summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #30

Monday, February 3, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

Again, 2 Corinthians is Paul’s book of “suffering and comfort.” See chapter 1, verses 3-5,8-10: “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ…. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;….”

Problems remind us not to depend on ourselves, but to lean on “the God of all comfort”—a role of God we could never appreciate unless we realized just how limited we are and how fallen our world really is. According to 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul suffered a mysterious “thorn in the flesh” (an undesirable situation or condition—possibly a collection of upsetting situations or conditions). He initially saw it as a hindrance to his ministry, and thus thrice asked the Lord to remove it. Yet, his mind was changed when he heard the Lord’s answer: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s renewed mind led him to reply, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory [find value] in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” Paul stopped asking for the problem’s removal, for he learned he could bear it (yea, all problems!) in Christ!

Again, we banish the Bible ignorance….

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #29

Sunday, February 2, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

Philippians is one of Paul’s so-called “prison epistles”—although it was technically written in Rome under house-arrest (see Acts 28:30,31). While awaiting his trial with the Roman Emperor (Nero?), the Apostle was always chained to a soldier; yet, he was free to have people come and go from his own hired (rented) house. Despite his numerous tribulations (especially confinement), Paul often mentioned “joy” and “rejoicing” in Philippians (see 1:4,18,25,26; 2:2,16-18,28; 3:1,3; 4:1,4,10). Hence, Philippians is also known as the “joy” epistle.

See chapter 4: “[6] Be careful [full of care or anxiety] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. [9] Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me [Paul!], do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Thinking the Pauline way, praying the Pauline way, going about life the Pauline way, is mature and victorious Christian/grace living—even in the midst of tragedy!

Continue in chapter 4: “[11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Whether good or bad circumstances, Paul “learned” (!) to be “content” or thankful for His resources in Christ that would sustain him….

ATTENTION: Dear brethren, as touching our New Testament Survey Project, we have now begun studying 2 Corinthians verse-by-verse! See our playlist of videos by clicking here.

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #28

Saturday, February 1, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

Two men suffered the most in Scripture. Obviously, the Lord Jesus Christ endured the worst agony and pain—and we will never even partly grasp it. The other man who went through horrific mistreatment was the Apostle Paul. Study Acts chapters 9–28, during which time he wrote Romans 5:3-5: “And not only so, but we glory [find value] in tribulations [troubles] also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Later, in chapter 8, he penned: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (verses 35-39).

At this time, he also wrote 2 Corinthians: “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

Here is a spiritual man, not a child, talking….

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #27

Friday, January 31, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

Undeniably, the Christian life will not operate on the basis of ignorance because it cannot operate on the basis of ignorance! It is therefore not enough “to pray;” we must (MUST!) pray the Pauline way, or prayer will be detrimental rather than beneficial. Pauline prayer changes people (hearts and minds) in the midst of circumstances, not the circumstances themselves. This must be repeated over and over and over again. Let us see how Paul, our Apostle, prayed for us.

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11). “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;…” (Colossians 1:9-11). How will God work in us with respect to us undergoing hardships or difficulties?

The Pauline epistle of “suffering and comfort” is 2 Corinthians (read especially 1:3-11, 4:8-18, 6:4-10, 11:23-28, and 12:5-10). Such situations were particularly discouraging and depressing for the Apostle—considering the recent “no small stir” (huge commotion, riot, uproar) that exploded about Christianity versus idolatry in Ephesus in Acts 19:23–20:1 (“the trouble in Asia [western Turkey]” of 2 Corinthians 1:8). During this time, Paul our Apostle learned there is a better way to think about suffering. We too should learn it so Bible ignorance can be expelled from us as well….

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #26

Thursday, January 30, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

What is God doing during tragedies as this the Dispensation of Grace is in effect? See what the Bible says. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;…” (Ephesians 3:16). “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth”  (Ephesians 4:28). “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:…” (Philippians 1:6). “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).

Via sound Bible doctrine, God the Holy Spirit works in and through His people—the Church the Body of Christ. As per God the Father’s will, He strengthens them and fills them with the life of God the Son, Jesus Christ. Until Christ physically intervenes by coming back to reign and set all things right, God works via Christians to ease the suffering. If someone needs support or assistance in the midst of tragedy, His words will move believers to aid however they can: not simply handing out material supplies, but making sure sound Bible doctrine (especially the Gospel of Grace of 1 Corinthians 15:3,4) goes out with the donated money, food, clothing, shelter, et cetera.

Prayer changes—not situations and circumstances—but hearts and minds experiencing those situations and circumstances….

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #25

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

As any Berean Bible student knows, denominationalism (vain church tradition and philosophy) has robbed a great many souls of the ability to understand and enjoy the Holy Scriptures. “Unanswered prayer” is one of the heaviest prices we have paid for failing to use God’s Word, God’s way. For the vast majority, prayer has been reduced to nothing more than an exercise in superstition—say just the right words for God to grant your wish (problems magically disappearing, material blessings raining down from Heaven, and so on). When this fails, the inevitable ignorant questions arise, “Where was God? Did He not care? Why is there still suffering?” Resentment, displeasure, apostasy, agnosticism, and atheism fester and fester and fester. The Bible ignorance becomes reinforced—and it will easily and swiftly escalate into a “personal, lifelong crusade against all forms of religion.” It has happened time and time again throughout history.

Let it be known that, contrary to popular belief, prayer is not like playing a slot machine or sitting on Santa Claus’ lap. Prayer is talking to God in light of His words to us. He must speak first, and then we talk to Him according to what we heard Him say. Praying outside of God’s will is a guaranteed disappointment, for it was unbelief not faith. According to the Bible, Paul is our apostle, Jesus Christ’s “sent one” or messenger to us Gentiles (Romans 11:13; cf. Acts 26:17,18; Ephesians 3:1,2). That means God’s will for us is confined to the Bible Books of Romans through Philemon, Paul’s 13 epistles or formal doctrinal letters, to which the content of our prayers must (MUST! MUST!!) conform. We study the whole Bible, but we also remember, “Study to shew [ourselves] approved unto God, … workm[e]n that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Pauline prayer will get us through all of life’s vicissitudes, every situation and circumstance resulting from living in a fallen world….

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #24

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

Just because God is not doing what we think He should be doing, does not automatically mean He should not be doing it. Moreover, simply because He is not doing it as fast as we think He should be doing it, does not automatically mean He should be doing it at our preferred speed. It is (sinful) human nature to dictate to God what He ought to do and how to do it. He is God, and we are not, but that does not stop us from sitting in judgment of Him (pretending we are the final authority, the sum of knowledge). Instead of complaining, we can open His Holy Bible and read about His purpose and plan for the ages. Yet, it is far easier to plead ignorance (“I do not know!”) and even easier to plead willful ignorance (“I do not care to know!”).

To the shame of the average church member, pastor or preacher, “Bible” teacher, and seminary professor, no solid answers are given from the Scriptures to impart any spiritual light to the non-Christian public (also languishing in darkness). Since the dispensational layout of the Scriptures is overwhelmingly disregarded, even in a great many “churches” and “Christian” schools, it is extremely easy to understand why God’s plan for the ages is unknown to most. God will punish evil and reconcile all governments of Heaven and Earth to Himself, exactly as Colossians 1:16-20 affirms. For now, He is not punishing sinners—but giving them a chance to come to Him by faith in Christ’s finished crosswork on Calvary. Wrath against sin is on its way, but it will not fall as long as Paul’s ministry operates (and God’s attitude toward the world is “grace and peace,” as stated at the beginning of each Pauline epistle, Romans through Philemon).

Let us see exactly what God is doing today—this very day, this very hour, this very second, this very moment—as He forms the Church the Body of Christ….

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #23

Monday, January 27, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

Read Romans chapter 2: “[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? [4] Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? [5] But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;….” This is God’s “longsuffering” of 2 Peter 3:9,15,16. It was first extended to Saul of Tarsus in Acts chapter 9, and Saul/Paul receiving God’s grace and mercy and peace is the “pattern” for how God deals with this undeserving, Christ-rejecting world now. As God tolerated Saul when he deserved wrath and judgment, so God “long time” puts up with sinners, rebels, unbelievers!

First Timothy chapter 1 is Saul/Paul writing about himself: “[13] Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. [14] And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [15] This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. [16] Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”

God’s wrath is coming, but it is delayed—and has been postponed for 2,000 years. Why? As Saul was given opportunity to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour (“Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day;” 1 Corinthians 15:3,4), so anyone and everyone can do likewise and also join the Church the Body of Christ before the wrath falls….