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

333 Turns 14!

Sunday, June 1, 2025

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

Only by God’s grace, “333 Words of Grace” celebrates another birthday!

All this time, we have been searching the King James Bible here, slowly (but surely) linking verses considered and understood in their dispensational settings. It has been painful—even rather traumatic—coming to realize our denominational minds were blinded about numerous matters. Yet, it was for the better that we deserted worthlessness. Though it has been discouraging to meet opposition from the willingly ignorant, we cease not rejoicing in our Lord Jesus Christ that His mercy and grace have been enough to carry us forward on this spiritual battlefield now 14 long years on.

Recently, a dear brother in Christ expressed thanks for our written studies and videos. He and his wife are both learning and growing in grace. Like I told him, it is my pleasure to do for others what others have done for me. There was a time when I too was discombobulated—confused, mixed up—because of my denominational upbringing. It took some years of Bible research to cleanse myself of all the erroneous thinking, but I was a sincere seeker of the truth and some saints showed me the right path to take. Praise our Lord!

Doubtless, there are others who want to know God’s will, God’s words, God’s plan for the ages. They just need the final pieces installed to be on their way in sound Bible doctrine. This is where our ministry comes in, for we teach others as we ourselves have been taught: “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). As we did long ago, so we trust they will use the verses we shared here to recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil (today’s Scripture).

Brethren, thank you for all the prayer and support these many years. We look forward to serving you in Year 15!

Note: All 14 years’ worth of studies have been archived here for your convenience!

The Greatest War Hero

Monday, May 26, 2025

“For God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 KJV).

In the United States, today is Memorial Day, when we remember those who sacrificed their time and lives to provide our physical freedom. Likewise, as Christians, we have spiritual freedom, which was more costly. Someone had to die to give us the eternal life we now enjoy….

Scripture describes a spiritual warfare between good and evil, God’s truth program versus Satan’s lie program: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes] of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:11,12; see also verses 13-20).

Satan distracts mankind from God’s pure Word, the Bible, keeping unbelievers lost (dead in their sins), and preventing unbelievers and Christians from knowing God’s will. The devil draws them away (seduces them) from God’s Word by using religious tradition and human “wisdom” (1 Timothy 4:1-3; cf. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Galatians 3:1-3).

God loves us, so at Calvary’s cross, Christ fought for us sinners, died in battle (today’s Scripture), shed His divine sinless blood, and eternally rescued us from Satan and sin: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:14,15).

Hebrews 9:12 says Jesus Christ has “obtained eternal redemption for us.”

If we have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). Now, God can use us for His glory for all eternity.

Beloved, let us rejoice in our victory over sin, death, and hell that Jesus Christ secured for us by going to Calvary’s rugged cross! Jesus Christ is now alive forevermore—He is our Hero, the Greatest Hero!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study “The Greatest Hero,” which can be read here or watched here.

A Higher Education: It Is Up to You!

Monday, May 19, 2025

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12 KJV).

Nineteen years ago today, I graduated high school. Consequently, we dedicate this devotional to high school students who are nearing graduation.

Are you about to graduate high school? What would God have you do afterward? Go to college? Trade school? Something else? What career should you pursue? If you do plan on education after high school, where should you attend school? These are tough questions, and while God’s Word does not answer them, you can make decisions that conform to sound Bible doctrine—that is God’s will.

In today’s Scripture, Paul encourages downcast Timothy. Timothy was considerably younger than the Apostle Paul. Older people who are teaching false doctrine are intimidating young Timothy: “Tim, you are too young to teach God’s Word. Let us handle it.” Young Timothy conceded, became silent, and allowed the (“older and wiser”) false teachers to continue teaching their damnable heresies (cf. 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 2 Timothy 1:5-8). Paul replied, “Timothy, Speak up! Let no man despise thy youth!”

Christian youth can be just as effectual in their station in life as Christian adults. The lost world is watching us Christians, and we need to be sure that our actions are in accordance with the sound Bible doctrine we claim to believe (lest we be guilty of confusing the already-puzzled unbelievers). Whether “young or old,” our speech, our lifestyle, our acts of love, our determination, our belief in sound Bible doctrine, and our separation from that which God hates, is the way we communicate to the lost world God’s Word and its preeminence in our lives and hearts (today’s Scripture).

Above all, dear graduates, whatever you do post-graduation, “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). After all, it really is not your life—it is Christ’s life in you (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:4), so He alone deserves the glory! 🙂

*Based on a Bible study by the same name, which can be read here. Also, see the study “The Spirit-Filled Student.”

By the way, you may also be interested in reading this archived special-edition study about my own college experience.

Neither Length Nor Fervor, But Clarity #7

Friday, May 16, 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!

Observe: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;…” (Ephesians 5:18,19).

The Word of Christ must dwell in us richly if we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit, for the Spirit of God never operates apart from the Word of God. If the Word of Christ does not dwell in us richly, we are automatically not under the control of the Spirit of God—meaning we are under the control of our flesh. The flesh is man’s efforts, man’s resources in Adam, and the flesh of man and the Spirit of God always oppose one another. Carefully read Galatians 5:16-26 and Romans 8:1-14.

As he himself confessed in Philippians 3:6, Saul of Tarsus was a “zealous” man in Acts chapters 7–9. He ruthlessly persecuted the Messianic Church, Israel’s believing remnant. Like his apostate nation, he had a “zeal toward God” (Acts 22:3; Romans 10:2), but it was all done in the energy of the flesh—ignorance. No amount of Adamic struggles and strivings can ever even begin to replace God’s mighty power working in the inner man (as Paul himself came to understand in Romans chapter 7 and Philippians chapter 3).

Our faith should be resting in an intelligent understanding of God’s “rightly divided” Word (2 Timothy 2:15), especially a mastering of Paul’s epistles of Romans to Philemon, God’s words to and about us in this the Dispensation of Grace (Ephesians 3:1,2). Such clarity will carry far more weight in eternity than verbosity and fervency!

Neither Length Nor Fervor, But Clarity #6

Thursday, May 15, 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!

Upon hearing Apollos’ incomplete and inaccurate spiritual information, Aquila and Priscilla did not overlook it: “And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly” (Acts 18:26). They took Apollos aside and taught him privately, instead of embarrassing him in public.

That which was lacking in Apollos’ Bible understanding, they filled it with the Bible teaching they received from Paul himself earlier in the chapter (verses 1-3). Apollos learned about the events which had followed the baptism of John the Baptist—Christ’s earthly ministry (including His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension), the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2, the fall of Israel in Acts chapter 7, and the salvation and commissioning of the Apostle Paul in Acts 9. Apollos subsequently became a Bible teacher who communicated with great clarity, becoming an asset to Paul’s ministry (Acts 18:27,28; Acts 19:1; 1 Corinthians 3:5,6; 1 Corinthians 16:12; Titus 3:13).

Unfortunately, unlike Apollos, too many ministers are unwilling to be taught “the way of God more perfectly.” Over all these years, I have met them. They are smug in, and comfortable with, their religious tradition, ignorance, and lies. “Scholarship,” man’s wisdom, man’s praise, and entertainment mean more to them than truth, God’s wisdom, God’s praise, and sound doctrine ever will! Lacking any care to know, they have no interest in being confused by facts. If so, they are preaching and teaching in the energy of the flesh. It is not the Holy Spirit working in and through them, but another spirit, so they are better off saying nothing in “the Lord’s name.”

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Neither Length Nor Fervor, But Clarity #5

Wednesday, May 14, 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!

The vast majority of professing Christians—leaders and congregants alike—are affiliated with at least one denomination, cult, sect, or theological system. Either they are on the membership rolls, or they frequent the services, or they have read the books, or they have graduated the religious schools. These groups are the product of non-dispensational Bible study. They are all failed attempts to understand and enjoy the Bible—some have a little more light than others, but all languish in extensive ignorance and darkness.

A classic example of non-dispensational ignorance in ministry is Apollos, featured in Acts chapter 18: “[24] And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. [25] This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. [26] And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”

This Bible teacher or preacher, Apollos, was “eloquent”—precise, persuasive, and beautiful words poured from his lips. He was “mighty in the scriptures”—powerful in his Hebrew Bible education. “Instructed in the way of the Lord,” he “spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord….” Bold Apollos was “fervent in the spirit”—excited, passionate, enthusiastic. The bad news is, “…knowing only the baptism of John.” Apollos’ understanding of the Bible timeline was outdated, for the latest information he had was a 20-year-old message from John the Baptist!

Indeed, Apollos was fervent and long-speaking, but clarity was lacking….

Neither Length Nor Fervor, But Clarity #4

Tuesday, May 13, 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!

Verbose (wordy) discourses and homilies are not necessarily spiritual or godly. Prolific writing does not automatically glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. Preachers, priests, pastors, teachers, and professors can speak with such eloquence, magnificence, or intelligence, and their spirit can become so excited that their voices boom—but is that the Spirit of God… or the flesh of man?

“Ramble” means “talk or write at length in a confusing or inconsequential way.” Nothing of any real meaning is communicated. Additionally, people are even more ignorant (unknowing) having listened to or read it—and they would have been better off hearing complete silence or looking at a blank page. This precisely describes much of the supposed “Christian” teaching, preaching, and writing these last 20 centuries. We need only glance at the tens of thousands of pitifully-ignorant little groups—cults, sects, denominations, social-clubs, and theological systems all under the banner of “Christendom”—to realize how monumentally great the disconnect is between man’s spirit and God’s Spirit!

Verses 4 and 5, the context of today’s Scripture: “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” When Paul arrived at Corinth in Acts chapter 18, he made sure he did not employ the wisdom of men when he preached to these Corinthians. Such philosophy was central to Greek culture, and orators (professional speech-makers) stated their position in such a clever way that their good words and fair speeches persuaded their audience to adopt their views. Paul was mindful that this wisdom of men was not the wisdom of God, and faith can rest only in the wisdom and power of God….

Neither Length Nor Fervor, But Clarity #3

Monday, May 12, 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!

An old cliché goes, “The Bible sheds a lot of light on commentaries!” This is said in jest, of course, since commentaries ought to shed light on the Bible. Just why do commentaries frequently make the Bible more confusing and complicated? They are the product of the “natural” (lost) man and/or the “carnal” (fleshly Christian) man! Very rarely is the “spiritual” man (a Christian led by the Spirit of God) writing or speaking about the words of God. It is this spiritual man who is connected to the same Holy Spirit who moved holy men of God to write the Holy Bible (1 Corinthians 2:15,16 cf. 2 Peter 1:20,21).

If someone is struggling to teach the Bible, or struggling to comprehend it, the following factors must be considered. Firstly, the teacher might be thinking in the energy of the flesh. Secondly, the student may be thinking in the energy of the flesh. It could even be a combination of both teacher and student leaning toward the flesh instead of toward the Spirit. Check today’s Scripture again, then read the verses immediately following: “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (verses 13,14).

For example, take any book about the Bible—a commentary—and read it. Where you see sound Bible doctrine, that was where the author had yielded to the Holy Spirit. Where you see false doctrine, that was where the writer was under the influence of the flesh….

Mother: A Virtuous Woman

Sunday, May 11, 2025

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10 KJV).

Today is Mother’s Day, so we dedicate this devotional to godly women (specifically mothers). I especially dedicate this to the virtuous woman who has been in my life for almost 37 years… my mom!

Today’s Scripture is the first verse of the Bible’s “Virtuous Woman” passage (Proverbs 31:10-31). King Solomon explained that the virtuous woman:

  • has a husband who safely trusts in her (verses 11,12).
  • is not lazy, but is strong because she works to feed and clothe her family and herself (verses 13-19,21,22,24,25,27).
  • pities the poor and needy (verse 20).
  • has a husband who is well-known because of her godly lifestyle (verse 23).
  • opens her mouth with wisdom, and speaks kindly and lovingly (verse 26).
  • has children and a husband who praise her (verse 28).
  • excels in what she does (verse 29).
  • has works that praise her (verse 31).

Verse 30 explains the virtuous woman is “a woman that feareth the LORD.”

The Apostle Paul wrote that godly women should: not slander/gossip, not be controlled by alcohol and emotions (sober minded), be teachers of good things, love their husbands and children, be cautious and modest, maintain the home, be “good,” and should obey (respect) their husbands… “that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5). A Christian woman, especially a mother, should be a virtuous woman in beliefs as well as in deed. She needs to set an example for her children (especially her daughters).

A Christian woman and/or Christian mother places her faith in this sound Bible doctrine, the indwelling Holy Spirit will then take that doctrine and transform her for God’s glory (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Her mind will be renewed by sound Bible doctrine, and that will transform her outward activity (Romans 12:1,2).

Are you a Christian woman or Christian mother who desires to be the woman God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO OUR READERS WHO ARE MOTHERS!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

Archived: “What does the Bible say about motherhood?”

Neither Length Nor Fervor, But Clarity #2

Saturday, May 10, 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!

Generally, both unbelievers and Christians are inclined to depend on their own resources in Adam in an attempt to pursue and identify truth. If they study enough “scholarly” journals, attend plenty of religious seminars, enroll in an abundance of philosophical classes, and/or think long and hard by themselves for a sufficient time, they assume they will eventually “see the light” and arrive at some sense of meaning or purpose, and finally get peace. This is to be expected of unbelievers, but not of Christians.

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:…” (Ephesians 4:17-21).

When Christians adopt the “vain” (empty, worthless, profitless) and “darkened” (dimmed, obscured) and “blind” (sightless) position of unbelievers, they have rendered themselves pagans practically because they are isolated from the words of the Holy Bible that the Holy Spirit uses to teach (1 Corinthians 2:13). They know about the Bible, they are aware of what others say about it, but they do not have any personal faith in it. Amazingly, this is even where many seminary professors are—yea, the very people “training” the majority of our preachers, teachers, and missionaries, who will then go out upon graduation and add to the confusion….

Note: In order to bring you a special study tomorrow, we shall temporarily break away from this devotionals arc….