Category: ministry

Religion, Riches, and Robbery

Friday, April 4, 2014

“And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” (2 Peter 2:3 KJV).

Do not let religion “take you for a ride,” for you will end up paying for the trip!

In recent years, news stories involving “filthy rich” bishops, priests, and ministers seem to have become more prevalent. Only after they are caught, they “apologize” for their multimillion-dollar mansions, exotic trips and vehicles, and other lavish expenditures using “church money.” The “peon-parishioners” are forced to contribute to “God’s work” by giving, and, in return, they are reassured that their “merit” will reap “eternal benefits.” Religion is the world’s most profitable business indeed!

Dearly beloved, we must, must, MUST exercise great caution when giving to any ministry or local church. Remember, Jesus sternly rebuked the “thieves” who defiled His Father’s house, the Temple (Matthew 21:12,13; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-48; John 2:13-17). Our Lord Jesus said these religious leaders “devoured widows’ houses” (Matthew 23:14; Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47). They did not think twice about taking everything they possibly could from the common Jews! Before the Apostle Paul was saved, as one of these religious leaders, he (as Saul of Tarsus) confessed that he “profited in the Jews’ religion above many [his] equals in [his] own nation” (Galatians 1:14). We read about false religious leaders swindling the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 11:13-20).

In the context of today’s Scripture, the Apostle Peter reminds his Jewish audience that just as the Holy Spirit operated through holy prophets, Satan operated through false prophets (2 Peter 1:19–2:3). These teachers of “damnable heresies” fell into the trap of materialism (1 Timothy 6:6-10) and coveted their converts’ possessions—they preached “feigned” (worthless/fake, but nice-sounding) words. The Prophet Micah, writing circa 750 B.C., reported, “The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money” (3:11).

God’s grace is not against giving (2 Corinthians chapters 8-10); God’s grace is against tithing (forceful giving). We give “cheerfully” (happily; 2 Corinthians 9:6,7) to sound grace Bible churches and ministries, but, most importantly, we give carefully!

333’s 1000th – God’s Glorious Grace

Monday, February 24, 2014

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2 KJV).

Only by God’s glorious grace, “333 Words of Grace” marks its 1000th devotional today!

Dear readers and saints around the world, it is difficult to imagine that we have come this far by God’s grace. For the last 1,000 days, we have allowed God’s Word to daily minister to our hearts and souls—what an edifying time it has been! However, we have not even scratched the surface of the abounding riches of God’s grace to us in Christ. We still have so much more to learn about God’s purpose and plan for heaven and earth, and we still have so much more to learn about our role in it. Still, I thank our Lord Jesus Christ to have had opportunity to share with you what “little” we have discussed.

From day 1, my constant prayer and desire has been to follow today’s Scripture. At one time, even as a saved individual (having assurance of soul salvation unto eternal life), religious tradition had robbed and deceived me concerning daily Christian living. My desire—yea, the Lord Jesus Christ’s desire—is that you be taught the truth that the Apostle Paul preached. My goal has always been to teach you God’s Word “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15), to the intent that you teach others that same grace-oriented doctrine (today’s Scripture).

Lost people need to know the right Gospel for salvation today (Paul’s Gospel, the Gospel of the Grace of God; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4), and Christians need to know the right apostle to follow today (Paul, as he reveals Jesus Christ in his epistles, Romans through Philemon). The average church teaches its parishioners neither; hence, lost people remain lost and saved people remain confused.

Thousands more devotionals are slowly taking form, so onward we go for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for your continued prayer, for it has not been in vain. Lord willing, and only by His grace, we hope to serve you for at least another 1,000 days! 🙂

For What Saith the Scriptures?

Sunday, December 15, 2013

“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3 KJV).

Today, arC Ministries is launching a new Bible Q&A website, and you are invited to participate!

A question rarely asked in Christian circles, “What saith the scripture?” is found twice in the Bible—today’s Scripture, and Galatians 4:30, “Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”

God’s will for our lives is summed up in 1 Timothy 2:4, “[God our Saviour] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” There are two issues here—soul salvation from sins and everlasting hellfire, and soul salvation from false teaching unto sound Bible doctrine. Firstly, God wants everyone to become Christians by trusting in and relying exclusively on His Son Jesus Christ and His finished crosswork at Calvary as sufficient payment for their sins. Secondly, God wants Christians to trust in and rely on the grace doctrines found in Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon.

Amazingly, both occurrences of “What saith the scripture?” have a special application to us—each instance correlates to one of the issues in 1 Timothy 2:4! The question “What saith the scripture?” in today’s Scripture uses the Bible to answer the question of soul salvation from sins and everlasting hellfire (faith instead of works, “all men to be saved;” 1 Timothy 2:4). The question “What saith the scripture?” in Galatians 4:30 uses the Bible to answer the question of soul salvation from false teaching unto sound Bible doctrine (grace instead of legalism, “come unto the knowledge of the truth;” 1 Timothy 2:4).

The above summarizes our new ministry website, “For What Saith the Scriptures?” We desire you to have a clear understanding of how to have forgiveness of sins and justification unto eternal life, and for you to have a clear understanding of what God’s Word has to say about issues in your Christian life. We are honored to serve you in this additional capacity. Please visit that new site (http://forwhatsaiththescriptures.wordpress.com) and submit Bible questions, and pray for this new ministry endeavor.

Rest, But Not Permanently!

Thursday, December 12, 2013

“And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat” (Mark 6:31 KJV).

Jesus and His apostles are exhausted, but their work was well worth the time and energy….

Earlier in the chapter, Jesus had commissioned His 12 apostles to go out two by two, healing the sick, casting out devils, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom (verses 7-11). “And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them” (verses 12,13). Verse 30 says, “And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.”

Today’s Scripture says that the 12 apostles have been very busy, so hardworking, that they have not even had time to eat! Our Lord Jesus Christ knew they needed rest and sustenance, so He we pressed them to accompany Him to a lonely place away from the crowds… although the Bible says the crowds beat them to the lonely place (this is where Jesus miraculously fed the hungry 5,000)!

In Scripture, we read about how, sometime earlier, the Lord Jesus grew so weary from journeying in Samaria (central Israel), and He had to sit down on a water well to rest (John 4:6).

Jesus Christ and His believers have always upheld and proclaimed the precious truths of the Scriptures, and they did not mind using all of their time and energy to get that message out to the masses! As Paul wrote, “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you: though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (2 Corinthians 12:15).

Certainly, amidst all the activity of the Christian ambassadorship, we should take moments of rest, but may we never take a permanent break! “And let us not be weary in welldoing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). 🙂

Tips to Timid Timothy to Tolerate Troubling Times #7

Saturday, December 7, 2013

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV).

We have often heard the expression “timid Timothy,” but have you ever wondered why he was timid?

The word “spirit” in today’s Scripture should be understood in the sense of “attitude or state of mind; mentality.” For clarity’s sake, we must remember to attach the term “spirit” to the three items listed: “For God hath not given us the spirit [mentality] of fear; but [the spirit] of power, and [the spirit] of love, and [the spirit] of a sound mind.”

Remember the “spirit of fear” has gripped Timothy. He is becoming craven; he is beginning to lose the boldness that is required in the Christian ministry. Satan does not like competition, and when he opposes the Christian’s service by using persecution and/or other suffering (in hopes of forcing the saint to quit entirely), the Christian must be mindful to have the mentality that God would want him or her to have during those troubles (that spiritual destruction, apostasy, et cetera, not result).

How would a mature Christian handle troubles? Firstly, spiritual maturity only comes by personal Bible study. We study God’s Word, believe it, and let it transform our minds. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2ab). “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:23)—the same “spirit” found in today’s Scripture. “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:10).

Satan cannot take us out of Jesus Christ; however, he can deceive us into thinking we are outside of Jesus Christ (thus causing us to lose sight of our provisions in Christ). Consider the troubles of life described in Romans 8:35-39, which Satan utilized to discourage Timothy (he will do the same with us if we are not mindful of sound Pauline doctrine!). We, like Timothy, need to remember who God the Father has made us in Christ, and use the “arsenal” God has given us to protect our minds in dire circumstances….

Tips to Timid Timothy to Tolerate Troubling Times #6

Friday, December 6, 2013

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV).

We have often heard the expression “timid Timothy,” but have you ever wondered why he was timid?

None of us are exempt from troubles—even the Lord Jesus Christ experienced them! Difficulties in life exist because of the curse of sin (Romans 8:18-23), bad choices that we and others make (Galatians 6:7,8), and persecution for choosing to live godly in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:12). While suffering will not be abolished until our death (or the rapture), we need not lapse into the mentality of hopelessness (today’s Scripture indicates Timothy did). God has the answer, the key, to handling those awful circumstances.

In the verse previous to today’s Scripture, Paul reminded young Timothy about how he had ordained him in the ministry. Timothy received a very important ministry, but Satan was using Timothy’s difficult circumstances to discourage him, to distract him from that ministry from God. Beloved, Satan still attempts to do this with us, so it is imperative we understand and apply today’s Scripture by faith!

Thankfully, in today’s Scripture, God the Holy Spirit informed us how our adversary the devil operates, but let us look at a companion passage for additional insight. Before He wrote today’s Scripture, He had penned through Paul many years earlier: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; ) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Scripture warns about Satan “corrupting our minds” (2 Corinthians 11:3).

Satan attacks the Christian’s mind using bad information—false doctrine, religious tradition, philosophy, et cetera (Ephesians 4:14; Colossians 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3; 2 Timothy 2:14-18). Hence, today’s Scripture speaks of the “spirit,” or mind, of the Christian. Let us discuss the mentality God has given us in Jesus Christ….

Tips to Timid Timothy to Tolerate Troubling Times #4

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV).

We have often heard the expression “timid Timothy,” but have you ever wondered why he was timid?

Let us read today’s Scripture in its context (Paul writing to Timothy): “Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; when I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God” (verses 4-8).

Timothy was a young man when he trusted Jesus Christ alone as his personal Saviour. His grandmother and mother had educated him in the Scriptures (cf. 2 Timothy 3:15). Before Paul first met him in Acts 16:1-3, Timothy had a respectable testimony among other Christians. Thereafter, Timothy faithfully served with Paul in his ministry amongst the Gentiles: Paul had ordained Timothy to function in that ministry as a “secondary” apostle (“the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands;” 2 Timothy 1:6). In the context of today’s Scripture (see previous paragraph), Paul is reminding Timothy of his ordination (which he evidently forgot because of his dire circumstances).

Timothy is now ashamed: he wants to surrender to the opposition. The persecution, the false teaching, his young age, and now Paul’s imprisonment, have distracted Timothy (Satan’s goal). He is not thinking like God has designed a Christian to think, and today’s Scripture is the key to him handling the opposition as a mature Christian….

Tips to Timid Timothy to Tolerate Troubling Times #3

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV).

We have often heard the expression “timid Timothy,” but have you ever wondered why he was timid?

Satan, God’s arch-nemesis, has implemented—and is still employing—various clever strategies (“wiles,” “devices,” et cetera) that hinder God’s purpose for creation. Although most professing Christians are completely ignorant of how Satan schemes and deceives, he is very much aware of what they are supposed to be doing (and he works tirelessly to keep them unlearned).

For those Christians who do know what God is doing, and they are, by faith, doing the same, Satan has a two-fold plan of assault. Firstly, he will attempt to mislead the Christian and get him or her to water down God’s Word (message). If the Christian does not compromise, then Satan will attack the Christian (messenger). Although this is true throughout the Scriptures, acknowledging Satan’s implementation of it in Paul and Timothy’s ministries is needful in comprehending today’s Scripture.

Paul was committed to faithfully transmitting—preaching, teaching, and writing—the doctrines of God’s grace. Satan understood that he could not get Paul to corrupt God’s Word, so then he began to use evil men—kings, priests, emperors, and common unbelieving Jews—to physically hinder Paul’s ministry (as documented throughout the book of Acts; cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16).

In the context of today’s Scripture, Paul is in prison for preaching an “illegal” religion in the Roman Empire (2 Timothy 2:8,9). Satan is attempting to use Paul’s troubling circumstances to discourage him and Timothy. In addition, Timothy’s young age causes older “educated” people to criticize and disregard his ministry: Paul encouraged Timothy, “Let no man despise thy youth” (1 Timothy 4:12). Timothy has faithfully held to God’s Word rightly divided, just as Paul had instructed him (1 Timothy 1:3-11), but the constant opposition is beginning to greatly weary him. Timothy is beginning to shy away, wanting to give up. The false teachers have intimidated him to near-silence.

Now we see why Paul wrote what he did in today’s Scripture….

Tips to Timid Timothy to Tolerate Troubling Times #1

Sunday, December 1, 2013

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV).

We have often heard the expression “timid Timothy,” but have you ever wondered why he was timid?

Paul first met this Hebrew-Greek Christian Timothy back in Acts chapter 16, on his second apostolic journey. Acts 16:2 says Timothy was “well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium,” so Paul took him along as a traveling companion and ministry coworker. Thereafter, Timothy accompanied Paul during his travels and helped him in his ministry (he was also known as “Timotheus;” Acts 17:14,15; Acts 18:5; Acts 19:22; Acts 20:4; Romans 16:21; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 16:10; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:2,6; 2 Thessalonians 1:1).

Years later, at the close of the book of Acts, Paul was held in Rome under house arrest for two years (Acts 28:30,31). After his release, he went on other apostolic journeys. It was during this time that he left Timothy in Ephesus, and then wrote 1 Timothy (1:3). Some years later, Paul was rearrested and imprisoned, and this is when he wrote a second and final epistle to Timothy, our Bible book of 2 Timothy (the context of today’s Scripture).

Timothy was considerably younger than Paul. Hence, Paul called Timothy “[his] son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 2:2; cf. 1 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 2:19-22; 1 Timothy 1:18). This is also why Paul admonished Timothy, “Let no man despise thy youth” (1 Timothy 4:12).

Notice, Timothy started out well, but as time went by, today’s Scripture indicates that he grew afraid and weary. Evidently, Timothy was on the verge of quitting his ministry. In fact, Paul reminds Timothy that he greatly desires to see him, “being mindful of [his] tears” (verse 4)—Timothy is under such pressure that he has actually cried.

Just what has Timothy so depressed and fearful, and what can we learn from this? We will search the Scriptures for the answers….

Of the Light, Not of the Night

Monday, October 14, 2013

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (John 3:1,2 KJV).

Why do you suppose Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night?

Today’s Scripture, excerpted from the Bible’s most recognized passage, involves a Pharisee asking Jesus questions to which he should already know the answers. Nicodemus is a religious leader who studied the Old Testament Scriptures, and yet he is totally ignorant of the spiritual rebirth that Israel needs because of her biological link to Adam (the Old Testament prophets discussed this “heart circumcision” in Deuteronomy 10:16, Deuteronomy 30:6, Jeremiah 4:4, Jeremiah 31:33, et cetera).

Space prevents an in-depth discussion of John chapter 3, but here, we want to briefly discuss why Nicodemus has come to Jesus “by night” (today’s Scripture). John 7:50 confirms, “he that came to Jesus by night.” Nicodemus is sneaking about at nighttime, lest his colleagues see him talking with Jesus. He knows that if he is seen in public in broad daylight speaking with Jesus Christ, he will lose his reputation, livelihood, income, everything.

John 12:42,43 are an excellent commentary as to how the Pharisees treated those who confessed Jesus as Messiah: “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

Sadly, like Nicodemus, many church leaders today “creep about in shadows,” too fearful to publicly stand up for God’s truth. They avoid embracing a “King James only” position, lest they be considered “unscholarly.” They withhold the fact that Paul’s epistles are written to and about us, lest they be called “unorthodox.” They dare not speak about the sins of the world, lest they be deemed “unloving.”

Saints, may we boldly stand in God’s grace to us in Jesus Christ, unapologetically preaching Him from God’s Word, the King James Bible, rightly divided! 🙂