Category: local church assembly

To Be Seen and Heard #19

Saturday, April 5, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Remember, the Antichrist of the ages to come will be the utmost fulfillment of Romans 1:25. He will be seen and heard, people worshipping and serving him instead of the living and true God of creation (Daniel 7:11,25; Daniel 11:36; 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4). Revelation 13:5,6: “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.”

Though Antichrist will be seen and heard, that will be short-lived. The Lord Jesus Christ will be seen and heard as His radiant and thunderous return through the skies extinguishes Antichrist and the remainder of Satan’s evil world system! “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth [hear!], and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming [see!]:…” (2 Thessalonians 2:8). “And I saw heaven opened, and behold [look!] a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war…. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [listen!], that with it he should smite the nations…” (Revelation 19:11,15).

Some are so desperate for attention and relevance they are on a crusade to attack those who are at the center of attention, for they would otherwise be ignored or forgotten. These desperate individuals are Satan, sinful man, and all fallen angels, who would be “nobodies” had it not been for their publicized revolt against their Creator God. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, however, we are neither at the center of attention nor should we care to be. No one needs to know about us. Read John 3:26-31. When John the Baptist was asked if he was concerned that people were leaving him to follow Jesus Christ, John was at peace, for he knew he was nothing whereas Christ was everything: “He must increase, but I must decrease!” We give a hearty “Amen!”

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

To Be Seen and Heard #18

Friday, April 4, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Unfortunately, certain individuals make sure they are the largest monetary donors at their local church… just to have their names placed on the public bulletin board. Others will gladly compromise with false doctrine to get a pat on the head or slap on the back from eminent “scholars” who have those same perverted views. Indeed, temporary membership in some elite manmade club is far more important to them than God’s eternal approval. Look and listen closely, for you will see and hear them on a daily basis. They broadcast on “Christian” radio and television shows, strut in pulpits, write books and “worship” songs, organize ministry projects, and teach at seminaries (Bible cemeteries).

In our computer-based world, man is more obsessed than ever with growing a “fan base.” For example, a “social-media influencer” is someone who believes his or her opinion about a product, idea, and so on, matters to such a high degree that they strive to advertise it so everyone knows. For the sake of making a name and money for themselves, they are flashy, pretentious, ostentatious, showy, flamboyant, outrageous, extravagant. There is nothing wrong with a woman looking nice with makeup or jewelry. Nevertheless, if she is wearing these simply to turn heads or make headlines, she has failed (!) miserably (!) to put more focus on the inner man (soul with sound Bible doctrine) and less on the outward man (temporary physical body) (1 Timothy 2:9,10; 1 Peter 3:1-4).

We must face it: man loves man. He loves looking in the mirror and he enjoys hearing himself. Recently, I was watching “Christian” television (HA!). One program featured a famous false teacher at the heart of the “health and wealth” movement (“prosperity theology”). Two other women were with her discussing shallow topics on the set. Ironically, she announced, “Are we doing it to glorify God or for ourselves?” Here are some pertinent details I omitted: as she moved her lips (“to be heard”), she was wearing her usual excessive makeup, abundant jewelry on her face and hands, and an expensive outfit (“to be seen”)!

Again, let us be on guard….

To Be Seen and Heard #17

Thursday, April 3, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Romans 16:17,18: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” A false teacher uses charming words to form beautiful dialog to attract a following: their own heart, not our Lord Jesus Christ, is served. Philippians 3:19 marks them as “enemies of the cross” and says “whose God is their belly.”

Romans 1:25 is consummated in Daniel chapter 7: “I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame… And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time” (verses 11,25). Chapter 11, verse 36: “And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.”

Second Thessalonians 2:3,4: “…that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” This Antichrist (not just “against Christ” but “replacement Christ”) will be seen and heard, “whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (verses 9,10). In verse 11, they believe a “lie” (cf. Romans 1:25). All that Lucifer or Satan planned (our present evil world) climaxes in this one man….

To Be Seen and Heard #16

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Those who desire to be seen and heard have to contribute—even if their contribution is worth nothing. They must do or say something—though it is pointless or meritless. “Freedom of speech” is an expression recognizable and regularly mentioned here in the United States, but it is a constitutional right that should be exercised responsibly. Just because we have the right to say it does not automatically mean we should say it. I can tell everyone I meet, “I am an idiot!” Yet, would it be sensible for me to do so? Of course not! Likewise, we have the liberty to teach false doctrine, but is it proper or worthwhile?

In Paul’s farewell epistle to Timothy, 2 Timothy, the Apostle penned in verses 3 and 4 of chapter 4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” These people are not interested in wholesome, healthy, reliable teaching worthy of their trust. Instead, their agenda is to locate and accumulate teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear (namely, a lie). Why would people prefer to hear lies? The lie feels good. It gives them a sense of false hope, confirming what they have already made up their mind to believe. To trust the truth would mean recanting the lie, so they dare not change their ways!

The ultimate lie is to substitute the creature for the Creator, man being seen and heard instead of God. Second Timothy chapter 3, verses 2 and 4: “For men shall be lovers of their own selves,… lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;….” Of course, this is Romans 1:25, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” Here is our present evil world, leading to the one final lie yet to come….

To Be Seen and Heard #15

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

It is utterly impossible for everyone to be a pastor. Everyone cannot teach Sunday School. It is totally unreasonable for everyone to lead singing (erroneously called “worship service”). Yet, there is regularly a contest to see who can be most visible in ministry, someone on whom the eyes of the group are firmly fixed. People who should not be in these roles wind up serving in them because individuals controlled by man’s wisdom have appointed them. They do not have the sound doctrine, the filling of the Holy Spirit, to carry out the jobs: they are doing “God’s work” with the Devil’s help!

Once, two Christian men attended local religious classes for some weeks. They knew it was a false system, but they were “scouting” or investigating what was happening. Many students had assembled for a priest to teach them denominational doctrine. These two men would raise their hands and ask Bible questions, posing a threat to the priest because it directed the group conversation toward “banned” topics (which he cared not to discuss or have his people see and hear). Finally, during one meeting, these two Christian men were stunned to hear the priest present a Gospel message to the class just like they would have. Greeting people upon dismissal, the priest addressed the departing men, “Are you happy now? Do not come back!” (One of these men shared this with me.)

Usually, we are inclined to comment, “Oh, what poor people, they are so deceived and do not know any better!” Actually, they are likely more aware of the truth than we think. (I have discovered this many times in my own ministry.) Though they let it be seen and heard briefly so as to “keep up appearances,” it is their preference if you saw and heard them, saw and heard their theological system. Again, remember, that was corrupted Judaism during Christ’s earthly ministry—and it led to His execution!

What is worse than striving to be seen and heard is wanting to see and hear those who wish to be seen and heard….

To Be Seen and Heard #14

Monday, March 31, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

“Desperate” means “have a great need or desire for something.” People desperate for attention and relevance endeavor to be seen/heard and regarded as important. Such desperation includes repeatedly giving large sums of money to strangers and posting the videos online, delivering long-winded “intellectual” dissertations at “institutions of higher learning,” and wearing eccentric clothing and/or glitzy jewelry. Moreover, it flourishes in the realm of news media, which billions have failed to detect because they have been brainwashed. During the last decade, the expression “fake news” has become more widely used. The label denotes lies so-called “journalists” or “reporters” (activists!) publish in electronic, spoken, or print form. As always, someone wishes to be seen and heard—even resorting to embellishment or outright fabrication simply to get “likes,” views, high ratings, awards, and other recognition.

Many years ago, before I started internet ministry blogging, I worked for my local newspaper in drafting weekly Bible-study columns. Eventually, I learned the “Christian” city editor—who (laughably!) told me how he “answered to the Lord”—was deleting “offensive” portions of my column. If those Bible verses remained, he knew the local preachers and “religious” business owners who advertised in our newspaper (that is, financially supported it) would be insulted. Funding would be withdrawn! (Horrors!) $ub$cription$ would be cancelled! (Horrors!)

Indeed, contrary to popular belief, the United States’ press is not really “free.” It is severely biased; I know this personally. They are determined to invent and control the narrative, guaranteeing people hear only carefully selected information (opinions!). A truly free press would promote only the truth (facts), instead of being fettered to the lie. Always remember, people working for large “news” organizations are paid to look and sound good, saying just what their employers deem appropriate—which is generally nothing but propaganda, misleading information, half-truths, distractions, and sensational pieces. They cannot afford to lose the almighty dollar (financial donors, salaries/jobs, et cetera).

Howbeit, friends, there is a sneakier and more destructive agenda corrupting our world. The souls of men in religious circles are seeing and hearing only what their denominational leaders wish they see and hear….

To Be Seen and Heard #13

Sunday, March 30, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Egocentric Corinthian Christians fragmented their local church into little factions: “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying” (1 Corinthians 14:26). Harmony lacked because each was “doing his or her own thing.” They derived incalculable pleasure from their misuse of spiritual gifts, particularly the gifts of prophecy and tongues (see 1 Corinthians chapter 14). Similar to drug addiction, it felt so (!) unbelievably (!) good (!) to be seen and heard, to be regarded as “most spiritual” and “holiest of all.” Their loss of bodily control attracted many stares, and their unusual speech patterns (glossolalia, tongue-talking) appealed to countless ears. Of course, it was all for show, to compete with one another: “I am closer to God than you are! I have outdone you!”

Whether the formalism of the Galatians (the “fair shew in the flesh” of works-religion or self-righteousness), or the fanaticism of the Corinthians (the “to be seen and heard of men” courtesy of experiences and emotionalism), neither is Jesus Christ’s life. Both are man’s life (Adam’s life, sin). The creature is being worshipped and served instead of the Creator (Romans 1:25). This loops all the way back to the “I will… I will… I will… I will… I will…” plan of Lucifer or Satan in Isaiah 14:12-14. Such self-will carried over into Adam’s species (us) when he chose to align with that idea in Genesis chapter 3. Pride is called “the condemnation of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:6; cf. Ezekiel 28:2,5,17; Isaiah 14:12-14), but Christians should be humble (Philippians 2:5-11).

If members of the Church the Body of Christ are not walking by faith in Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, they will not mind the things of the Holy Spirit. Flesh-walking will therefore wreck their Christian lives. Attention will be drawn to individuals rather than the Lord whom the sound Bible doctrine portrays and glorifies….

Redeem the Year!

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17 KJV).

What great advice for 2025!

Despite 2,000 years of Bible schools and seminaries, 2,000 years of a completed Bible canon, 2,000 years of Bible reading in churches, several decades of “Christian” television and radio, and a decade-plus of widespread use of “Christian” websites, how sad that Bible ignorance is still quite extensive (it is as if God never gave His Word to start with!).

Frankly, the Church the Body of Christ needs to wake up! The verse previous to today’s Scripture says, “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (verse 14). Paul, loosely quoting Isaiah 60:1, reminded us that the spiritual ignorance that gripped Israel in Isaiah’s day seized Christians in his day—and it still grips Christians 20 centuries later. Feel-good sermons, enjoyable “worship” services, and rites, rituals, and ceremonies will NOT solve this problem—they exacerbate it!

“[God] will have all men to be saved…” (1 Timothy 2:4a). Do you want this New Year to count for God’s glory? First, you need to get saved from sins and hell! You need to become a Christian by trusting in and relying on Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for your sins (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). That is only part of God’s will for you, for 1 Timothy 2:4b continues, “[God] will have all men… to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” Now, God’s will for your Christian life is daily, personal Bible study to renew your mind, so your faith in those verses can cause God to work in your life—it will be His life, thus making you “perfect [spiritually mature], throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

Today’s Scripture urges us to buy back the time Satan has robbed from God (time created for God’s glory). By faith, we need to make that time glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by applying His Word, particularly Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon, to our lives. Have a good year in Christ! 🙂

You can download our free “One-Year Bible Reading Schedule.”

See our archived Bible Q&A: “What Scriptural advice can you give me for the New Year?”

Living Defensively #8

Sunday, September 1, 2024

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,…” (Ephesians 5:15 KJV).

What is the sense of “walk circumspectly” here?

Dear friend, if you have operated or ridden in a motor vehicle, you will certainly recall instances of erratic drivers—speeding, sideswiping, swerving into your lane or off the road, failing to negotiate sharp curves, tailgating, rear-ending, running red lights or stop signs. Only a naïve person believes the roadway is safe for drivers and pedestrians. Unless we pay attention to what we are doing while driving and what others are doing while driving, we will collide with them and they will hit us.

We should be on the lookout especially for impaired drivers, those intoxicated with alcohol or using illegal drugs. Likewise, we ourselves had better not be inebriated with false doctrine in the Christian life: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;…” (Ephesians 5:18). Provided we are under the Holy Spirit’s influence in word and deed, we are safe from the spiritual threats of life in a fallen, sin-cursed world—including protection from those under the influence of erroneous doctrine (false teaching). “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [tricks, schemes] of the devil…. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:11,13).

The average professing Christian has absolutely no idea what spiritual perils await—but he or she will find out in due time! They will get into a wreck and sustain scrapes and bruises, or a broken arm or leg, or perhaps a major head concussion or broken neck or back. For the rest of their spiritual life, they will hobble or remain paralyzed, barely getting by. Listen to them as they talk about spiritual matters or pray. They have such a distorted view of Bible doctrines. There are more questions than answers, more weakness than strength, more doubt than faith, more illness than health. If we hang around them and their denominational systems long enough, we too will find ourselves in a spiritual sickbed… or perhaps a casket!

Live defensively… “walk circumspectly!”

Living Defensively #7

Saturday, August 31, 2024

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,…” (Ephesians 5:15 KJV).

What is the sense of “walk circumspectly” here?

Ephesians 5:17 adds, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Instead of “fools,” we are “wise” (today’s Scripture). We “understand what the will of the Lord is.” What is the Lord doing today? We go to Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon. If we do by faith what God Himself is doing, we are automatically doing His will. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2).

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;…” (Colossians 1:9-11).

Yet, the vast majority of church members and professing Christians do not understand the Lord’s will for their life because they are depending on man’s wisdom and are doing man’s will. “But I trust the scholars” seems to be the motto of most of our churches and schools. Those esteemed as “Bible scholars” are typically people who know little to nothing about the Bible—instead, they are Greek scholars, Hebrew scholars, Latin scholars, church history scholars, denominational scholars. Their misinformation is then taken into the hearts and minds of Christians as though it was God’s life and light… when it was not. No wonder there is no Divine wisdom or power in our churches and schools and homes, and sin and ignorance beset us time and time again. We must live defensively, vigilantly, prudently—“walk circumspectly.”

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….