Category: God: The Father, the Son Jesus Christ, & the Holy Ghost

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #86

Monday, August 17, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

With all sons and daughters of Adam, there is an obsession with me, me, ME. This self-centeredness contributed to the spiritual pandemonium of the Corinthian church (for example, read 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, and 2 Corinthians 12:20). The heart of the three-chapter section on spiritual gifts is 1 Corinthians chapter 13, which states how “charity” (love in action, labour of love) “seeketh not her own” (verse 5). Spiritual gifts were meant to edify (build up) the church, never the individual using the gift (see 1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Corinthians 14:4,5,12,16,17,19). Anyone making it a personal matter—as in, “I utilize my gift to edify myself”—was under the influence of the flesh and not the Holy Spirit!

The carnal Corinthians preferred to be seen of men rather than used of God, resulting in an intricate cycle of competition, pseudo-spirituality (fakery) or exaggeration, and (addictive!) amusement. That view can be expressed in the following way: “I have a spiritual gift that you do not. My experience is superior to yours. I can tell a better story about what I saw/heard/felt than what you can. Look at me, pay attention to me, I am so important! You wish you had the communion with God that I do!” These boasts highlight the Charismatic Movement that corrupted a huge number of our churches and “Christian” schools in the latter half of the 20th century.

Usually, what is passed off as “the Holy Ghost” today violates the rules He Himself set forth in 1 Corinthians chapters 12–14. For example, the flesh observes no limits and lacks self-control, it delights in superficiality or shallowness, and it exalts emotionalism at the expense of sound thinking. To anyone equally infantile, there is a semblance of something “supernatural” and “godly”—a church setting wherein various scriptural words or phrases are used. However, to the dispensational Bible student, it is a clever but dangerous blend of prophecy and mystery, light and darkness, truth and error, Israel and the Body of Christ, Christianity and Judaism and heathenism. Above all, it is a failed effort to use unbelief to produce faith….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #84

Saturday, August 15, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Remember, spiritual gifts—various capacities or abilities the Holy Spirit gave men in the absence of a completed Bible—were first with Israel. Consequently, Israel definitely took notice when Paul’s Gentile believers were possessing and exercising these spiritual gifts during Acts (as in 1 Corinthians chapters 12–14). It was therefore important that these Gentiles not misunderstand or abuse those sign gifts, for then God’s doctrine would not be clearly communicated to Israel; to wit, if used in the energy of the flesh, spiritual gifts would serve as Satan’s tool to deceive and divide. This is precisely what wrecked the testimony of the Corinthian church… and what still afflicts a great many of our modern assemblies!

In the Bible, tongues was the most abused spiritual gift, so the Holy Spirit devoted one whole chapter to it (chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians). Even today, 20 centuries later, millions of souls are still mixed up here—and, we fear, some are content to remain where they are, lest they be forced to acknowledge their denomination or theological system is false. It would thus profit us immensely to use dispensational Bible study to set the record straight. Remember, Israel is destined to be a kingdom of priests, and the gift of tongues will be crucial in their sharing God’s words with the Gentiles in their native (human) languages: “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you” (Zechariah 8:23). The confounding and institution of the world’s languages go all the way back to the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). God will reverse such confusion in Israel’s literal, physical, visible, earthly kingdom by enabling Israelites to speak these intelligent human languages without them having to learn them.

Alas, man’s flesh always moves him to ultimately corrupt even that which is good….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #80

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

A Gentile in “time past” accessed the God of the Bible via two routes. Firstly, he could become a convert (proselyte) to Judaism by undergoing the (painful!) rite of physical circumcision (Exodus 12:48; cf. Genesis 17:23-27). Esther 8:17 explains, “…And many of the people of the land became Jews….” (By the way, sincere but sincerely wrong people—[religious, Law-keeping] Pharisees who did not rightly divide the word of truth—attempted to convince Paul’s converts to do likewise in Acts 15:1,5,24 [cf. Galatians 6:12,13]!) Secondly, a Gentile of “time past” could place himself under Israel to receive God’s blessings (Genesis 12:3). Observe how the Roman centurion loved Israel, built them a synagogue, and sent Jewish messengers to Christ (Luke 7:1-10; note verses 3-5). Also, remember the devil-possessed girl whose Gentile mother acknowledged Israel’s preeminence in the Earth and requested a “spillover” of God’s blessings/miracles reserved for Israel (Mark 7:24-30; note verses 27,28 [Gentiles are “dogs,” opposite of the “children” of Israel]).

Under Paul’s ministry (“but now”), no physical circumcision, no blessing Israel, and no Law-keeping are required for Gentiles (Galatians 3:1-15; Galatians 5:1-6; Galatians 6:15). Hence, a major controversy arose to produce the Jerusalem Conference of Acts chapter 15 and Galatians chapter 2! Paul’s Gospel is: “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe [whether Jew or Gentile, by faith without works of any and every kind]: for there is no difference: For all [all Jews and all Gentiles] have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 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; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:22-26).

With Israel’s signs temporarily carrying over into Paul’s Gentile ministry during Acts, lost Jews were thus roused to behave like his Gentile converts (that is, believe on Christ without Law/works)….

An Ambassador Turns 38!

Friday, August 7, 2026 🎂

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 KJV).

Only by God’s grace, I celebrate 38 years of earthly life today!

At my nephew’s high-school graduation a few months ago, I was surprised to notice my old high-school English teacher (who had attended my graduation 20 years before—almost to the very day). With a chuckle, I told him how he now had two decades’ worth of teaching experience. Also, I commented that time was passing quite rapidly, with us (my classmates and I) now almost middle age. (He is 10 years older, so he is already well into it!) I shook his hand and thanked him for the work he did so long ago.

I have been a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ for 31 years now, and a dispensational Bible student for just under 20. There is still much more for me to learn, and much more for me to teach others. If I could share one life lesson that I have ascertained, it is this. Not only is the Christian life difficult for me to live, it is impossible for me to live. I do not live for God, for I cannot live for God. Also, I cannot give Him my life. The only thing I can give Him is my sin. It is He who must give His life to me. Only Jesus Christ can live His life. This is what I have learned firsthand, and what I have learned secondhand from others. It is unwise to trust myself or anyone like me. I do not build my Christian life on preachers and teachers, theological/denominational/philosophical systems, or any other such faulty foundations. These are nothing but distractions and disappointments.

As the Holy Spirit led Paul our Apostle to see it in today’s Scripture, so we agree. We have no life without Christ, so the life we have in Him is all about Him and not about us. Therefore, whatever age we are, may He alone be “magnified [lifted up]” in our physical body (Philippians 1:20). “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #75

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Observe two verses carelessly tossed around in denominational circles. “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Malachi 3:6). “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). By citing these Scriptures, such people imagine they have permission from God Himself to do whatever they wish—including entertaining the assumption they can somehow manipulate or beg Him enough to give them their way (such as making Him repeat His actions of time past). Here is what they fail to see, or refuse to see. God’s nature or character is immutable, unchanging, for He never ceases to be omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (all-existent), omnipotent (all-powerful), faithful, righteous, holy, possessor of eternal life, and so on. However, His relations with mankind can and do change. A plethora of verses can be offered to easily demonstrate that, including this excerpt from the Bible.

“I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?…. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?…. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:…. For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:11,12,15,20,25).

Opinions and idle speculations aside, according to the Word of God, Israel (once at the forefront of God’s dealings with man) is presently “fallen,” “diminished,” “cast away,” “broken off,” and “blinded.” This necessarily means Israel’s covenants are not in force and their accompanying signs are not in operation either. Remember, the very program to which they belong has been interrupted, prophecy temporarily giving way to mystery….

A Grace Study Bible

Saturday, August 1, 2026

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2 KJV).

Today, we reflect on 14 full years of the arC Ministries’ Grace Study Bible Project!

Some 100 years ago, the Scofield Study Bible was published. It was a work that popularized—not invented—dispensational Bible study. For a century, the Church the Body of Christ has used this monumental aid to edify itself. It was (and still is) useful in recovering precious Bible truths that had been lost for centuries, doctrines still pushed aside by denominational hierarchies that prefer to be the “authority” with their “tradition of men.”

Fourteen years ago today, after much prayer and consideration, I began the formation of a new grace study Bible. Using the King James Bible, my goal in this project is to build on Dr. Scofield’s foundation laid long ago. We are (and will always be) indebted to that brother for his faithful service, his submission to the Holy Spirit to produce a profitable study Bible. (Incidentally, Dr. Scofield led a missionary to Christ, that missionary led a preacher to Christ, that preacher led a woman to Christ, that woman led Mom to Christ, and Mom led me to Christ.) What took Dr. Scofield decades to learn, we can acquire in a fraction of that time. Brother Scofield did not live long enough to progress any further in Bible understanding, but in the century since he has gone to heaven, a faithful remnant within the Body of Christ has expanded upon Dr. Scofield’s insightful notes. We recognize where he was wrong in certain areas, and we can improve those areas in our understanding and study.

In brief, some stats about our grace study Bible. We seem to be over 80 percent completed with it. How many more years it will take remains to be seen, but rest assured, what cannot be condensed into marginal notes or footnotes, will be, Lord willing, expanded into a full-Bible commentary book series! Stay tuned in the coming years and thank you for your prayer in this regard! 🙂

* You can read more about our Grace Study Bible Project here.

arC Ministries Is 19!

Friday, July 31, 2026

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV).

To our Lord Jesus Christ’s glory, arC Ministries celebrates its 19th anniversary today!!!

Nineteen years ago, as a 19-year-old college student, I endeavored to use Facebook to create a Bible study group for teens and college students. Thus, “ambassadors for the risen Christ ministries” was born. As I grew more in God’s Word rightly divided, I grew increasingly aware of the need for additional ministry projects. The more I had been learning drove me to share those precious truths with others. That eventually led me to look for supplementary avenues of ministry.

During these past 19 years, God’s grace has enabled us to continue the original group on Facebook. In addition, we have branched out quite a bit in other areas. This devotionals blog has been operating for over 15 years now. For the last 14 years, we have focused on developing and drafting a grace study Bible (now in its fifteenth year). Other ministry projects include a 22-week newspaper ministry column (this devotionals blog’s predecessor), a YouTube channel with home Bible study videos, a Twitter feed, a full-length Bible studies blog, a college campus ministry, a nursing-home ministry, and our Bible-question-and-answer blog. Ten years ago, we launched our new main ministry website and now have a line of printed Bible study booklets available for sale there. Seven years ago, we recorded and distributed our Old Testament Survey video series. Later that year, we launched our New Testament Survey video series (which will last a few years). We hear from people all over the world!

Our name says it all: we serve the risen Lord Jesus Christ, not some “dead Jew” and not ourselves. The original motto of our ministry was, “To equip ambassadors, and to encourage others to become ambassadors.” Our primary goal is to teach Christians, and our secondary goal is to evangelize the lost world. Nineteen years later, we still endeavor to uphold God’s Word (King James Bible) rightly divided, whether it be in edifying the Christian brethren or preaching the clear Gospel of the Grace of God to this lost and dying world. For those of you who have been with us from day 1, thank you for your prayer and encouragement. We pray for you upon every remembrance! There is still plenty more for the Lord Jesus Christ to do in and through us, so let us give Him all the praise and glory as we enter Year 20! 🙂

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #71

Thursday, July 30, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Genesis 12:1-3 states how the Abrahamic Covenant encompasses three main issues: (1) a land, (2) a nation, and (3) a blessing to the world. The LORD God has deeded real-estate to the nation Israel—the land of Canaan, or the land of Palestine (cf. Exodus 15:14,15). Such is the Palestinian Covenant: “And I will give unto thee [Abraham], and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God” (Genesis 17:8; cf. Genesis 12:7; Genesis 13:14-18; Genesis 15:7-21). This is the very “Promised Land” to which Israel was headed upon leaving Egypt under Moses’ leadership.

The Law (Old Covenant) that Israel insisted on having meant the punishment of exile (removal) from that Promised Land in the event of disobedience—the fifth course of judgment or chastisement (Leviticus 26:27-46; Deuteronomy 28:62-64). Such a curse was finally meted out when Assyrian armies took the 10 (northern) tribes of idolatrous Israel captive to Assyria in 2 Kings chapter 17, and the Babylonian troops took the two (southern) tribes of idolatrous Judah prisoner to Babylon in 2 Kings chapter 25. However, the LORD swore He would bring all 12 tribes back to the land of Canaan in the end times (for instance, see Psalm 37:3,11,29,34; Isaiah 60:21; Jeremiah 3:18; Jeremiah 7:7; Jeremiah 16:15; Jeremiah 23:3,8; Jeremiah 30:3,10; Jeremiah 31:16,17; Jeremiah 32:37; Jeremiah 46:27; Ezekiel 11:17; Ezekiel 20:33-36,41,42; Ezekiel 34:12,13; Ezekiel 36:19,20,24,28; Ezekiel 37:12,14,21,22,25; Ezekiel 39:28).

At Christ’s Second Coming, Israel’s re-gathering into the land is the sign of the Palestinian Covenant: “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:30,31). For Israel to be everything God intended her to be in the Earth, one final covenant and one last attendant “sign” are required….

NOTE: In order to bring you two special studies, we will temporarily break away from this devotionals arc….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #68

Monday, July 27, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Water baptism has been fittingly titled “religious TNT.” Fiery, explosive arguments have arisen because, instead of letting the pure Word of God have preeminence, individuals have isolated verses from their contexts to uphold denominations. Precious few understand that water baptism is not a New Testament ordinance, but an Old Testament one.

Under the Law of Moses, Levitical priests washed with water at their ordination (Exodus 29:4; Leviticus 8:6). Therefore, for Israel to be a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9), each believing Jew must be water baptized, and that to symbolize purification from idolatry’s pollution: “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you” (Ezekiel 36:25). Water baptism is the sign of the Davidic Covenant. Therefore, John the Baptist, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, was water baptizing in Matthew 3:5-7: “Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”

Water baptism saves believing Israel from God’s end-times wrath. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). “…the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:…” (1 Peter 3:20,21). Moreover, in prophecy, believing Gentiles are also water baptized so believing Israel sees how these Gentiles have forsaken their idols (Matthew 28:19,20).

Now, we address Christ’s own water baptism….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #67

Sunday, July 26, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

God promised Abraham would be the father of “kings” (Genesis 17:6,16; cf. Genesis 35:11, reconfirmation to grandson and heir Jacob). Born about a millennium later, David was the most famous of these historical kings, with whom the LORD made this covenant: “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).

Remember, the LORD purposed to make Israel “a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;…” (1 Peter 2:9). One of David’s sons will permanently occupy his throne—and this is Jesus Christ, JEHOVAH God who takes on human flesh and receives the legal right to the throne through Joseph and the biological right to the throne through Mary. “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; cf. Matthew 1:1,6,20; cf. Isaiah 9:6,7).

This is the kingdom of the Gospel of the Kingdom….