Category: encouragement

Keep Your Fork! #6

Sunday, August 14, 2022

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6,7 KJV).

Will Heaven be a boring place? (It is a resounding “NO!”)

Upon hearing the word “government” (regardless of form), most people cannot help but frown and snicker. Why? No matter the nation or city, a great many politicians are fraudulent, corrupt, inefficient, abusive, wasteful, greedy, self-serving, and embarrassing, among other things. Remember, since Adam’s sin in Genesis chapter 3, this is a fallen world under Satan’s control (Matthew 4:8-11; Luke 4:5-8); the Devil is thus styled “the god [ruler] of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). What would Earth be like if every “public servant” actually served the public’s best interests by working righteousness? There would be no crumbling infrastructure, unpunished criminals, shortages of necessities, and so on.

Similarly, Satan and his fallen angels (devils, evil spirits) have corrupted Heaven’s governments, leading to the “spiritual wickedness in high [heavenly] places” of Ephesians 6:12. Whatever evils we behold running and ruining Earth’s governments, they are precisely the activities and attitudes running and ruining Heaven’s governments. “Behold, he [God] putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight” (Job 15:15). “…[Y]ea, the stars are not pure in his [God’s] sight” (Job 25:5b). Until Almighty God removes all fallen angels (Heaven) and sinful humans (Earth) from power and replaces them with His saints (believing Israel in Earth, and us the Church the Body of Christ in Heaven), creation cannot function as originally intended.

The future eradication of evil in the heavenly places is Revelation chapter 12: “[7] And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, [8] And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. [9] And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Here is the cross-reference to today’s Scripture….

Keep Your Fork! #5

Saturday, August 13, 2022

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6,7 KJV).

Will Heaven be a boring place? (It is a resounding “NO!”)

Moving into the verses immediately preceding today’s Scripture (and being mindful of the concluding verses of chapter 1), we read about what has been aptly titled “God’s grace factory.”

Ephesians chapter 2: [1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; [2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: [3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. [4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) [6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: [7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

Before God in His rich mercy and great love for us reached down and delivered us the Gospel of Grace through the Apostle Paul’s ministry and message, we were lost, spiritually dead, Hell-bound, Satanically-controlled, pagan, idolatrous Gentiles. God decided that those who would trust Paul’s Gospel—Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for their sins (grace not works!)—would become members of the Church the Body of Christ. Those saints would receive resurrection life through Christ’s own resurrection. When He ascended to Father God to become Head of Heaven’s governments (chapter 1), we too were counted qualified to serve in Heaven’s governments. Though we are not in Heaven yet, our Heavenly Father reckons it as though it has already happened….

Keep Your Fork! #4

Friday, August 12, 2022

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6,7 KJV).

Will Heaven be a boring place? (It is a resounding “NO!”)

Ephesians chapter 1: “[9] [Father God, verse 3] Having made known unto us the mystery [secret] of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: [11] In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:….”

The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul prayed for us members of the Body of Christ in verses 19-23: “And [that ye may know; verse 18] what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”

It was to our advantage that Father God exerted great power when resurrecting Jesus Christ and appointing Him as Head of all governments of Heaven and Earth. By allowing us to become members of the Body of Christ, God afforded us the opportunity to participate in His plan to restore creation unto Himself. Indeed, when God chose to form the Church the Body of Christ, it was not merely to prevent us from going to Hell and the Lake of Fire. It was “according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:11) that He saved us….

Keep Your Fork! #3

Thursday, August 11, 2022

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6,7 KJV).

Will Heaven be a boring place? (It is a resounding “NO!”)

Thus far, we have established that Heaven is a real, organized place. From the Book of Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 12, we gain further insight: “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.” The Greek word (“epouranios;” literally, “above the sky”) rendered “high places” here was translated “heavenly places” in today’s Scripture (cf. Ephesians 1:3,20; Ephesians 3:10). Heaven is also defiled, corrupted because of sin, in rebellion against the Creator. Here is your third reason to “keep your fork.”

Let us return to chapter 1 of Colossians, now reading verses 18-20: “And he [God’s dear Son, Jesus Christ; verse 13] is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Lastly, Heaven will be restored to the Creator. Here is your fourth reason to “keep your fork.”

At this point, your four reasons to “keep your fork” are as follows: (1) Heaven is real, (2) Heaven is organized, (3) Heaven has been defiled, and (4) Heaven will be restored to God. We now draw our attention to today’s Scripture: “And [Father God] hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Indeed, we as members of the Church the Body of Christ will play an active role in the heavenly realm in the ages to come….

Keep Your Fork! #2

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6,7 KJV).

Will Heaven be a boring place? (It is a resounding “NO!”)

To a great many cynics, “Heaven” is nothing more than “a positive state of mind,” “wishful thinking,” or “a fairytale.” (If they so desire to be wrong, we dare not take away their right!) Nonetheless, if we truly are Bible believers, we will believe the Bible’s descriptions of it. As presented in the first verse of Scripture, Heaven is very much an actual place, just as real as Earth: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Here is your first reason to “keep your fork.” Provided we have no difficulty trusting the Bible’s opening verse, we will accept the testimony of the rest of the Scriptures.

So as to teach us more about Heaven, the Holy Spirit commissioned the Apostle Paul to amplify Moses’ words in Genesis. We turn now to Colossians 1:16,17: “For by him [God’s dear Son, Jesus Christ; verse 13] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” When the Lord Jesus Christ functioned as Creator in Genesis, creation was divided into two organized realms—Heaven and Earth.

Yea, the heavenly realm is “invisible,” but its “visible” earthly counterpart allows us the ability to comprehend what we cannot see. Look closely at those “things” in Colossians 1:16 again—“thrones,” “dominions,” “principalities,” “powers.” Do we not know what these are? Why, these imply offices of government or seats of authority, for they represent kings, lords, princes, and so on. The literal language the Bible uses for Earth is the same literal vocabulary it employs for Heaven. Whatever structure there is on Earth, it is also in Heaven. Here is your second reason to “keep your fork….”

Keep Your Fork! #1

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6,7 KJV).

Will Heaven be a boring place? (It is a resounding “NO!”)

Having just learned she has a terminal illness and but a short time to live in this world, a young woman begins getting her affairs in order. She starts writing her final wishes, including her funeral plans. Inviting her pastor over to her house to assist, she shares all the details with him: what verses she wants read, which hymns she wants sung, and what burial clothes she wants worn. After several minutes of discussion, she finally declares, “That is all, Pastor. Thank you.” They rise from the couch and she shows him to the door.

As he starts walking outside, she exclaims, “Wait, Pastor! I forgot the most important part! Place a fork in my right hand. Okay? Remember, a fork in my right hand.” Amazed, to say the least, the pastor cannot remain silent any longer. He inquires, “Pardon my curiosity, ma’am, but why this most unusual request? Why place a fork in your hand?” She smiles and explains how she had learned from attending socials and dinners that immediately after the main courses were served and the dishes were being cleared from the table, people seated next to her would always lean over and remind her, “Keep your fork!” After all, the best part of the meal, something more fantastic, was yet to come. Dessert was on its way! The young woman summarizes: “Pastor, when people ask why that fork is in my hand in the casket, you take time in your sermon to relate this story to them, and close with these words: ‘Because of our Lord Jesus Christ, the best is yet to come, so keep your fork!’” The pastor cannot help but smile too, for now he understands the symbolism.

What exactly is Heaven like? Is it boring? Are people floating on clouds? Is there an endless strumming of harps? Will we see “a bearded old man” sitting in a “rocking chair?” Or, perhaps something else….

For Students This is Safe

Monday, August 8, 2022

“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:128 KJV).

As a new school year dawns, let us awake unto spiritual truth!

Although the autumnal equinox is still over a month away here in the Northern Hemisphere, summer is finally beginning to wind down for most of us. Students—with long faces and deep sighs—have returned or are beginning to return to school. As students return to the classroom, they need to be particularly mindful of the following.

Firstly, learning in and of itself is not a sin. Moses was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22). Luke was a medical doctor (Colossians 4:14). Daniel and his companions were skilled in science (Daniel 1:4). Adam was the first taxonomist (Genesis 2:19,20). The God of the Bible is never against learning new things—remember, He gave us His Holy Bible so we can have plenty to learn for all of eternity!

Secondly, what the God of the Bible opposes is when we believe/trust ideas that do not seek our best interests, that contradict the way He designed our lives to function. Certainly, we Christians should never go around believing anything and everything heard and seen. Just because the professor, preacher, pope, or president says it is true, that does not make it so. Scientific consensus has been wrong before, religion has been wrong before, politicians have been wrong before. Much of the ideas that permeate our world today are wrong.

Lastly, there are many wonderful, exciting ideas and concepts out there—medical advancements, technological breakthroughs, and so on—but there are equally detrimental ideas that will mess up your life—religious traditions, secular humanism, and other philosophies. Daily intake of the King James Bible rightly divided will cleanse our souls of the filth and foolishness that we hear and see day in and day out in this evil world system. We highly exalt God’s Word, we know it is right “concerning all things,” and we hate and ignore the error.

Have a wonderful school year in our Lord Jesus Christ! 🙂

*P.S.—Yes, the coronavirus pandemic has caused things to be quite different than usual. Some of you will be returning to in-person classrooms; others will be learning from home, via computer or other electronic devices. Please know that I will be in special prayer for you in these unique circumstances. God’s grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9,10)!

arC Ministries Is 15!

Sunday, July 31, 2022

“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 15th anniversary today!!!

Fifteen 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 15 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 11 years now. For the last 10 years, we have focused on developing and drafting a grace study Bible (now in its eleventh 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. Six years ago, we launched our new main ministry website and now have a line of printed Bible study booklets available for sale there. Three 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. Fifteen 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 16! 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&As: “What does ‘circumspect’ mean?” and “What is a ‘sherd?’”

 

Liberated to Serve

Monday, July 4, 2022

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13 KJV).

Today, as we in the United States celebrate the 246th anniversary of our nation’s independence, we invite our Christian brethren worldwide to rejoice with us concerning our freedom in Jesus Christ.

When we proclaim Romans 6:14—“Ye are not under the law, but under grace”—people tend to assume “loose living.” Does “grace living” really mean we can now live any way we want? Lest anyone be misled in that regard, God the Holy Spirit moved the Apostle Paul to write in the next verse, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid [May God never let that happen!]” (Romans 6:15). Grace living is not Law-keeping, but it certainly is not Law-breaking either.

God still cares how we live, albeit He is not operating the “weak and beggarly” system of “bondage” (Law) that He once did with Israel (Galatians 4:9). God proved to the entire world that since Israel could not keep His commandments perfectly, no other sons of Adam (the Gentiles) could either: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them [Israel] who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world [Gentiles] may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19).

We sinners cannot keep the Law. However, God in His grace provided us a way to escape that condemnation by sending Jesus Christ to offer Himself on Calvary’s cruel cross to pay for our sins. By simple faith in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as the fully-satisfying payment for our sins, we can now be “made the righteousness of God in [Christ]” (2 Corinthians 5:21). We can be delivered from the penalty of sin (hell and the lake of fire) and the power of sin (flesh-walking).

Why are we Christians free? To selfishly live any way we want? NO! Today’s Scripture says we are liberated to now serve others, especially our Christian brethren, just as Jesus Christ selflessly served His Father and selflessly died on our behalf. That is grace living!!!!

Please see our 2011 Fourth of July Bible study “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land,” which can be watched here or read here.

It Shall Prosper!

Saturday, July 2, 2022

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).

Amen!

I just had a delightful phone conversation with a dear preacher and brother in Christ whose ministry has benefited me for several years. I estimated he was close to age 90 now, so when I asked him, he informed me that he was 94. Although his wife graduated to Heaven a few years back, he is still on Earth working in ministry as he is able. His memory is partially failing him, and while he had trouble remembering some of what he has taught in the past, he understood how he gave me some invaluable information that I have since passed on to our ministry audience. He was also encouraged to hear me remind him of today’s Scripture: God’s words will not return to Him void, but will prosper and achieve precisely what He wills. Whether we know it or not, saints, the Christian ministry is well worth it, and we can see just a small fraction of our impact. Before ending the call, I exhorted the brother to keep looking up for our Lord’s return to catch us away!

It is rather neat to think about how that preacher and I ever managed to benefit each other at all. Nearly 15 years ago, when I was a novice in ministry, a Christian co-laborer gave me an informative book that the preacher had written. Through the years, I emailed this preacher but never talked with him on the phone until a month ago. I called him back again more recently. We live quite far away from each other, there is a 60-year difference in age, and we have major theological disagreements (he is a member of my former denomination), but what unites us is our membership in the Church the Body of Christ. Had either one of us never trusted Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, we would more than likely have never known about each other. Yet, the Holy Spirit worked through one saint to get me to another saint, thereby allowing me to reach you, the saints, with the truths I have learned.