Category: encouragement

A Tattered Book

Thursday, October 18, 2018

“Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end” (Psalm 119:33 KJV).

Today, my primary print Bible turns 15 years old!

I am looking at it now. Its pages are stained with oil from my fingers. The margins have brief notes scribbled on them. Its ragged cover finally fell off recently—but I glued it back together. Highlighter colors decorate its pages. I have memorized its layout, where verses and passages sit on the sheets. Pages have been folded, torn, and wrinkled. Dear brethren, my (and your) spiritual growth came at its expense. It has truly become my “best friend,” having been useful in writing thousands of Bible studies over all these years.

When my parents purchased it for me, this King James Bible meant little to me. I had been saved for about eight years, but I was still extremely denominational in my Christian understanding and practice. For the first few years I owned it, I read a verse or two a night. There was no serious Bible study. How shallow I was—how ignorant I was! When two dear brothers in Christ shared dispensational Bible study with me over 10 years ago, the “Old Book” became a “New Book”… and now it has literally become (physically) an “old” Book! As God’s Word worked in me, I desired to enter the ministry. With all these years passing, the Holy Scriptures have become more and more understandable and enjoyable. Of course, the more reading and studying I have done, the more worn-out the pages have become. However, it may have another 15 years of use left!!

Human nature is independent—especially of God. It is defiant, unwilling to listen to Divine instruction. “I will believe what I want!” “Let me be my own person!” “I will do it my way!” Contrariwise, today’s Scripture is the attitude of the believer in the God of the Bible, the Lord Jesus Christ. A believer submits to God’s authority, words, and direction: “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart” (verse 34). Brethren, let us allow the Holy Spirit to teach us His words, the way of His statutes, that we keep it unto the end, too! 🙂

The Best Sermon Ever Preached

Thursday, August 30, 2018

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:1-5 KJV).

Can you spot the best sermon ever preached?

It would be an eye-opening moment if the preacher or Bible teacher could see into the hearts of his audience. Of course, only God has such an ability, but it does make us wonder what He sees when He peeks into our hearts. Who is actually paying attention to the message? How many want to be there studying the Bible? Who would rather be dancing and raising hands at some “worship concert?”

Consider today’s Scripture. The content of the message was certainly a lie straight from the pits of Hell, but it was awfully effectual. Satan the preacher accomplished exactly what he wanted, as there was not one single audience member unconvinced. Read the next verse: “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

Satan fooled a woman, she persuaded her husband to follow her (though he was not deceived), and they went out and converted the whole world to Satan’s lie program. The order was: 50 percent of the audience persuaded, that half converted the other half, and they became the pattern for 10-15 billion souls!

Dear saints, if only we responded to God’s Word as Adam and Eve reacted to Satan’s word!

Our two latest Bible Q&As: “Can you explain Genesis 6:3?” and “How did the Israeli patriarchs resist the Holy Ghost?”

Satisfied in Superstition #6

Thursday, August 23, 2018

“Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you” (Acts 17:22,23 KJV).

Why is there rampant spiritual ignorance today?

God intended the Abrahamic Covenant to bless all nations (Gentiles) through Israel (Genesis 12:1-3). However, Israel disallowed God’s Word, thus declining to be His messengers to Gentiles. Jesus Christ saved and directly commissioned Paul to preach to all in Satan’s lie program (unsaved Jews and unsaved Gentiles—Hell-bound idolaters!).

Paul and Barnabas preached in Acts chapter 14: “[15] Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities [idols] unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: [16] Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.” Escape Satan’s darkness by trusting Christ!

Also, Paul announced: “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (verses 29,30—the context of today’s Scripture). Think properly! Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and forsake this pagan nonsense! “Turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Sadly, many “intellectual” Athenians were satisfied in their superstitious silliness (Acts 17:32).

Yet, Paul had converts from heathenism: “And you hath he [Father God] quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 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” (Ephesians 2:1,2).

“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).

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What if I was never thanked?”

For Students This is Safe

Thursday, August 9, 2018

“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! 🙂

An Ambassador Turns 30!

🎂 Tuesday, August 7, 2018 🎂 

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

Age 30 is highly significant in Scripture—and also quite striking today!!

Joseph was 30 years old when he began to serve Pharaoh King of Egypt (Genesis 41:46). JEHOVAH God selected David to become King of Israel at age 30 (2 Samuel 5:4). A Levitical priest, a son of Aaron (Moses’s brother), was to be ordained into the ministry at 30 years old and serve until 50 years old (Numbers 4:3,23,30,35,39,43,47). Evidently, the LORD God commissioned the Prophet Ezekiel at age 30 (Ezekiel 1:1). Lastly, the Lord Jesus Christ began His earthly ministry at approximately 30 years old (Luke 3:23).

What have I learned in my 30 “short” years alive? I have learned to focus more on the eternal and less on the temporal—there is more (much, MUCH more!) to life than what we see with physical eyes! I have learned not to trust sinners such as myself—I trust Christ in people, not people! I have learned more about my Saviour Jesus Christ and His Word than I ever dreamed, and all because I have learned to approach the Holy Bible dispensationally. There is so much I still do not know, so I am constantly studying to continue learning.

I have now entered my fourth decade of earthly living—the most important. Hopefully, our Grace Study Bible Project will be completed within this decade. My 30s will bring many new life changes and experiences, but God’s grace teaches me how to keep walking. A “young man”—“man” is generic for male or female—purifies his “way,” his course of thinking and living, by listening carefully to God’s Word (today’s Scripture). Whatever life situations he faces, any decisions he must make therein, the Holy Bible affords him light and understanding. Whether we are young, or old(er), “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalm 119:130). Then, we, as “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20), share that information with all who want to hear and believe as well! 🙂

P.S.: The age of 50 years is also an important Bible concept—and if I am around here in 20 years, we will have an appropriate study!! 🙂

A Better Body! #3

Monday, August 6, 2018

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 KJV).

One day, indeed, there will be no baldness, no bifocals, no bridgework, no bulges, and no bunions!

First Corinthians chapter 15: “[50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. [51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

A Christian correctly remarked, “All the ‘healing’ claims aside, the death rate is still one apiece!” Even we Christians are not guaranteed perfect health. Nevertheless, one day (hopefully soon), the Lord Jesus Christ will return for us the Church that is His Body. If we have trusted Him alone as our personal Saviour—His death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)—we are guaranteed participation in the Rapture.

Philippians chapter 3: “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (verses 20,21). With those new bodies, brethren, we thus reign in the heavenly places throughout the endless ages to come! What a prospect! 🙂

A Better Body! #2

Sunday, August 5, 2018

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 KJV).

One day, indeed, there will be no baldness, no bifocals, no bridgework, no bulges, and no bunions!

Christian friends, we have eternal life inside—our “inward man” (soul and spirit) has been bought out of sin’s slave market. However, our physical bodies are still unredeemed, and thus subject to death. If our Lord tarries, if He does not Rapture us while we are alive, we will grow old and die. Be not downhearted. Regardless, whether physically dead or alive, we all will be “caught up… to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Romans chapter 8: “[18] For I reckon [think properly!!] that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. [20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, [21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. [24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? [25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

Brethren, be delivered from hopelessness and wait patiently….

A Better Body! #1

Saturday, August 4, 2018

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 KJV).

One day, indeed, there will be no baldness, no bifocals, no bridgework, no bulges, and no bunions!

These physical bodies—the “outward man” of today’s Scripture—are subject to debilitation, decay, and death. I have a good friend in the ministry now battling cancer (already suffering diabetes and Parkinson’s disease). For the last month, I have limped with a sprained ankle. This past week, I suffered a sprained muscle in my shoulder and back. I recently spoke with two other brothers in Christ struggling with physical infirmities. We all joy in Christ, remembering the day of “the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:18-25). Through the eyes of faith, we see what has yet to be!

The context of today’s Scripture continues: “[5:1] For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. [2] For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: [3] If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. [4] For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. [5] Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. [6] Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: [7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight: ) [8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

Let us walk by faith, and not by sight….

arC Ministries Is 11!

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

“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 11th anniversary today!!!

Eleven years ago, as an 18-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 11 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 seven years now. For the last six years, we have focused on developing and drafting a grace study Bible (now in its seventh 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. Two years ago, we launched our new main ministry website and now have a line of printed Bible study booklets available for sale there (new ones are forthcoming this year, hopefully). 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. Eleven 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 12! 🙂

Saints, please remember us in your monthly giving—these websites do cost money to run! 🙂 You can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux, or email me at arcministries@gmail.com. Do not forget about Bible Q&A booklets for sale at https://arcgraceministries.org/in-print/booklets-bible-q-a/. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Did Jacob wrestle with a man—or an angel?”

The Lord Stands With Thee Forever!

Saturday, July 28, 2018

“At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion” (2 Timothy 4:16,17 KJV).

“Friends” come and go; the Lord surely stays forever!

We read earlier: “[6] For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. [7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

The Apostle Paul knows he is in his final days on Earth. Rome has set his execution date. Now, he waits to leave and “be with Christ, which is far better” (Philippians 1:23). When having his previous legal problems, stating his case before the Roman officials, today’s Scripture says not one Christian was there to support him! Wow! Let that sink in, dear brethren; let that sink in deeply. They had all abandoned him—due to fear, apathy, inconvenience, et cetera. Add to that Christians’ departure from his (grace) doctrine: “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes” (2 Timothy 1:15).

Chapter 4, verses 10-11: “For Demas [a once-dedicated ministry coworker] hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” The Apostle Paul is living his last moments sitting in a dark dungeon, lonely. In the midst of such terrible heartache and loss, a touching ray of light, “notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me.”

Dear brethren, when all your “Christian” “friends”—even your “grace” “friends”—abandon you, just remember the Lord will remain and strengthen you! 🙂