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

Convenient Season #3

Monday, November 3, 2025

“And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25 KJV).

According to the Bible, when is the “convenient season?”

Paul’s sermon in today’s Scripture was meant to reason with Governor Felix, to communicate to that lost man some spiritual common sense that he so desperately needed. After all, Satan’s evil world system—heathen Roman religion—had hidden the truth of the Gospel of Grace from Felix by blinding his mind (2 Corinthians 4:3,4). Thus, the Apostle delivered a three-point message for the Governor to know what God desired him to know.

Firstly, Paul laid out the truth of “righteousness.” In other words, Felix was a sinner, fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). By his very nature, he failed to meet God’s standard of rightness—the righteousness found not in Adam but exclusively in Christ. Secondly, the Apostle presented to Felix the subject of “temperance.” To wit, the Governor had had no self-control: he was unrestrained in his behavior. According to historians, Felix was a corrupt, brutal politician—whom the Emperor removed and summoned back to Rome within two years. You can see Felix wanting a bribe from Paul, but receiving nothing, in Acts 24:26. Thirdly, Paul outlined the fact of how there was “judgment to come.” That is to say, with his sinful state unresolved, Felix was destined to face God’s justice in Hell and the Lake of Fire. The Bible informs us of how Felix “trembled,” alarmed at his dire predicament to such a degree that he physically shuddered!

It was at this critical point that the Governor could have most easily believed how Christ died for his sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Alas, he delayed and subsequently dismissed Paul from his presence! “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Felix backed off, as he did not deem it a suitable moment to come to faith in Jesus Christ alone as his personal Saviour. He would wait for a “more appropriate” time, another day, another hour….

Arrayed in Hypocrisy

Friday, October 31, 2025

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:27,28 KJV).

“Looks can be deceiving” is not only true during Halloweentime, but confirmed year-round within Christendom.

Today is Halloween, when children dress up and feign themselves to be creatures they are not. Likewise, many church leaders today wear “Christian” garbs, but their ministries do not bring the Lord Jesus Christ glory and honor. They promote their denomination, and seek to perpetuate it, rather than serve and exalt the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. The Bible manifests these who appear to be good, as “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

In today’s Scripture, Jesus Christ exposed Israel’s corrupt religious leaders who misled the nation in His day. In His Parable of the Tares, Matthew 13:24-30,37-43, Christ explained how just as He had sown good seed (wheat, believing Jews) in Israel, Satan had also sown tares/weeds (unbelieving Jews). Tares resemble wheat; unbelieving Jews resemble believing Jews. The unbelieving Pharisees and scribes, for instance, looked like God’s people (believing Israel). Judas Iscariot was another example of Satan’s tares—the apostles never realized who Judas really was until it was too late!

But Satan’s counterfeit believers are not confined to Israel’s program. Today, within local assemblies of the Body of Christ, there are people feigning themselves to be Christians: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Beloved, beware of the church leaders who are arrayed in hypocrisy, “and avoid them” (Romans 16:17b). If their teaching does not agree with the rightly divided King James Bible, you have no business as a child of God to be listening to them.

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

You may also see our special study, “Should Christians celebrate Halloween?” In addition, “What does the Bible say about ghosts?”

Possessed with Devils #22

Monday, October 27, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

A minister—one of Christendom’s “blind leaders of the blind”—shared online a prayer to recite to drive out evil spirits. This little manmade petition, unfortunately, has no Divine authority whatsoever because it is not the Bible rightly divided. Ironically, this “exorcist” gives Satan more influence by spreading his denominational error and spiritual ignorance. Paul’s epistles delineate what God is doing today, but that pastor never cited a single verse from Romans through Philemon. Unsurprisingly, he appealed to Matthew through John!

The resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ sent our Apostle Paul to us Gentiles to “open [our] eyes, and to turn [us] from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God” (Acts 26:16-18). If we do not walk according to that Dispensation of Grace given to Paul and given through Paul to us (Romans to Philemon; Ephesians 3:2), we lose the battle with Satan and fall prey to the “spiritual wickedness in high [heavenly] places” (see Ephesians 6:11-19). Indeed, Satan has ministers of righteousness—denominational preachers and teachers—who have led billions (!) astray in works-religion (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). These deceived souls are in “the snare [trap] of the devil… taken captive by him at his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26). Grace, all that God can do for us through Christ’s finished crosswork on Calvary, has been ignored; man’s religious efforts (Law) and man’s “wisdom” (philosophy) are glorified in its place.

As per Pauline doctrine, no one today can be possessed of the Devil or devils, but we can be oppressed of the Devil and devils through the ministry of false teachers promoting bad conduct and bad doctrine (see 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Corinthians 10:19-21; 1 Timothy 1:19,20; 1 Timothy 3:7; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 Timothy 5:11-15; cf. Romans 16:20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 4:27). Satan will even use corrupt governmental leaders to hinder God’s work (see 1 Thessalonians 2:18; cf. Acts 17:5-9). Pride is of the Devil (1 Timothy 3:6), as is bitterness and unforgiveness (2 Corinthians 2:7-11). Indeed, Christendom is woefully (!) ignorant (!) of Satan’s activities….

Possessed with Devils #21

Sunday, October 26, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

Two passages that will revolutionize the way we look at the Holy Scriptures (if we let them!) are Acts 3:21 and Romans 16:25,26. Acts chapter 3 is Jesus Christ preached according to prophecy, that “which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Romans chapter 16 is Jesus Christ preached according to mystery, that “which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest [through Pauline revelation].” Remember Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Prophecy corresponds to God’s will for Earth, whereas mystery regulates His will for Heaven. To mix them is to become totally mixed up. These prophetic and mystery programs cannot be combined, lest unanswerable confusion result. Again, we must “study… rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

The kingdom of the Gospel of the Kingdom is God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom. Prophecy is the series of events which will result in God having an earthly people, Israel, to accomplish His will in the Earth. “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth [not ‘heaven!’],” says Matthew 5:5, the earthly kingdom constitution. “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:…” (Matthew 25:34), which kingdom loops back to God placing Adam on the Earth (not in Heaven!).

Mystery is what information God kept secret from mankind until Christ revealed it to and through the Apostle Paul in Acts chapter 9 onward. As Israel will exalt Jesus Christ in Earth, so we learn from Pauline revelation how the Church the Body of Christ will glorify Him in the Heavenly Places. God is not claiming real estate on the Earth today. The current battle is in the heavenly places, and, to miss this is to give Satan the victory. Devil possession is Satan’s way of corrupting the Promised Land, but with Israel temporarily fallen (Romans chapter 11), Satan and God are at war in the heavenly places now….

Possessed with Devils #18

Thursday, October 23, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

Since national Israel refused the Lord Jesus Christ at His First Coming, but crucified Him in unbelief, she and her land of Canaan were never fully cleansed of Satan’s policy of evil. In other words, Christ was not allowed to drive out all unclean spirits from the Jewish people. Moreover, although the Apostles were given power to cast out devils (Matthew 10:1,7-8; Mark 3:15; Mark 6:7; Mark 16:17; Luke 9:1,2; cf. Luke 10:17-20), and they performed such exorcisms in early Acts (see Acts 5:16 and Acts 8:7), apostate or unbelieving Israel rejected the Holy Spirit’s ministry during those opening chapters of Acts. The Little Flock or believing remnant was persecuted, for their message not believed, which means Israel’s last state (devil possession) will be far worse than ever (re-read Matthew 12:43-45 and Luke 11:21-26).

The controversial commission of Mark 16:15-20 applies to early Acts (before our Dispensation of Grace) as well as the ages to come (after our Dispensation of Grace). “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;…” (Mark 16:17). Devil possession will be rampant under the Antichrist’s heathen religion during Daniel’s 70th Week (yet future from us), but Israel’s believing remnant is granted power to drive out evil spirits (thus validating their Gospel of the Kingdom as did the Little Flock in early Acts 2,000 years before).

See Satan’s future activity—the devil-worship and workings of devils—in passages such as 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12; Revelation 2:9,13,14,24; Revelation 3:9; Revelation 9:20,21; Revelation 12:7-10; Revelation 16:13,14; and Revelation 18:2. As in time past (Matthew to John, and Acts), so Satan again labors to possess and contaminate Israel (to prevent God’s earthly kingdom from being founded, moved from Christ’s First Coming to His Second Coming of Revelation chapters 19–20). Except, in the ages to come, Satan corrupts Israel to such an extent that the devil possessions of Matthew to early Acts will be comparatively minor (!)….

Possessed with Devils #17

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

Remember, “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you” (Matthew 12:28). “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you” (Luke 11:20). As proof of God’s kingdom coming to the Earth—the very kingdom of the Gospel of the Kingdom—the Lord Jesus cast out devils. This was fulfilled prophecy. See Zechariah 13:2: “And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.” When Christ reigns on the Earth, Satan and his devils are removed.

Revelation 20:1-4: “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”

Yet, before Israel rises to kingdom glory, the nation itself must be purged of all unbelievers. During Daniel’s 70th Week, God will thus let loose evil spirits on Israel at an unprecedented level….

Possessed with Devils #16

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

After Israel’s apostate religious leaders ridiculed Him for casting out devils (Matthew 12:22-24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:14-16), the Lord Jesus answered them. “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you” (Matthew 12:28). “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you” (Luke 11:20). Christ was drawing on the power of the Holy Spirit to perform these exorcisms, so their speaking against Christ’s casting out of devils meant they were speaking negatively of the Holy Spirit.

Observe these grave words the Lord issued to His detractors: “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come” (Matthew 12:31,32; cf. Mark 3:28-30).

Since lost Israel habitually resisted Christ’s exorcisms by criticizing them, He issued another solemn warning: “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation” (Matthew 12:43-45; cf. Luke 11:21-26).

Failing to let Christ completely cleanse them of devils, Israel will become even more polluted with evil spirits in the ages to come….

Possessed with Devils #9

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

As Israel was captive to sin and Satan (pictured by Egypt and Pharaoh), the LORD God commissioned Moses to heal sickness and handle serpents in Exodus chapter 4. Similarly, Father God sent Jesus Christ to redeem Israel yet again—for, the Jewish people had allowed themselves to be contaminated with false religion or devil worship during the 15 centuries between Moses and John the Baptist. Christ therefore healed the sick and cast out devils.

Notice what the Bible remarks about Mary Magdalene. “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils” (Mark 16:9). “And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,…” (Luke 8:2). “Mary” in Hebrew is “Miriam,” meaning “rebellious.” She represents sinful Israel, filled with devils to maximum capacity (seven is the Bible’s number of completion). Yet, Jesus Christ (“Anointed Saviour”) cured Mary Magdalene of both her sin-problem (“infirmities”) and her devil-problem (“evil spirits… seven devils”). She represents Israel’s kingdom restoration and glorification in the ages to come.

Observe: “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee” (Mark 1:23-28; cf. Luke 4:33-37). Father God wants Israel to be cleansed of her spiritual filthiness, so the Lord Jesus works with Him in doing just that….

I Just Wanted to Get Away! #26

Sunday, October 5, 2025

“And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10 KJV).

Will sinners “get away” from accountability before God?

According to the Holy Bible, there will be one final assessment of all thoughts and deeds. We and everyone else will learn, once and for all, what is right and what is wrong—what was worship of God and what was worship of Satan, what was done in the energy of the flesh and what was the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. Each person’s worldview will be examined, shown to be true or false. All lives will be reviewed, to be either commended by the Lord or by the Devil. People might, and often do, escape justice in human courts. Insufficient or faulty evidence, corrupt judges and lawyers, and poor memory of witnesses are just some of the unfortunate factors that contribute to this. God’s court has no such hindrances.

Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” The greatest fool is he who has fooled himself. “Payday, someday” never seems to cross the mind and heart of the sinner. In today’s Scripture, Adam and Eve certainly fooled themselves numerous times… but they could not run away from the LORD or the truth forever. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Galatians 6:7,8). God’s justice is a long time coming, even painfully slow, but, just as sure as the Bible itself stands, His justice will be meted out at some time.

Thankfully, the Bible says “Christ was made sin for us,” “being made a curse for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13). We need not be hopelessly doomed to an eternal Hell or everlasting Lake of Fire. Christ took our place (substitutionary/vicarious atonement) by dying for our sins, being buried, and being raised again (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). God’s justice against our sin debt was satisfied there, so we need to believe this Gospel of Grace in our heart before it is too late.

-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. 🙂

I Just Wanted to Get Away! #25

Saturday, October 4, 2025

“And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10 KJV).

Will sinners “get away” from accountability before God?

Just as sinners will face a judgment to answer for their sins (the Great White Throne Judgment), so saints will stand at a judgment to give an account for their Christian service (the Judgment Seat of Christ). That which is “gold, silver, precious stones” (sound doctrine, rightly divided Scripture) will result in the believer’s reward, whereas that which is “wood, hay, stubble” (everything else) will be a loss of reward (note again 1 Corinthians 3:9-15). A loss of reward is a more limited role in Heaven’s governments than would have been otherwise; pay attention to the rankings of offices in Ephesians 1:21 and Colossians 1:16. Our “inheritance” is the heavenly places, but “the reward of the inheritance” is the specific job we will have in them (Ephesians 1:9-14; Colossians 1:12; Colossians 3:24; cf. Acts 20:32; Acts 26:18; Romans 8:17; Titus 3:7).

Read 2 Corinthians 5:9,10: “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” Observe Romans 14:10-12: “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Finally, Colossians 3:23-25: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….