Category: Grace Living (Christian Life)

A Lost Generation! #3

Thursday, June 4, 2020

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3,4 KJV).

What this “lost” generation needs is to be found!

Dear friends, it is sad to say it, but the professing Church has utterly and miserably failed in maintaining sound Bible doctrine these last 2,000 years. We simply have to read church history—what went after the Bible but before us—and then look at the spiritual conditions today. Preachers and teachers even now have replaced sound Bible doctrine with “pop psychology.” Instead of teaching about the grace life—how we can have victorious Christian living through faith in Jesus Christ—they have substituted it with feel-good sermons. “Choose your best life now! God wants you to be happy, healthy, and wealthy! You can become a better person if you try! Come have a good time at our church!”

The fact of the matter is that even when we avoid the “inconvenient” topic of sin, it dThe fact of the matter is that even when we avoid the “inconvenient” topic of sin, it does not make it less of a reality. Instead of attempting to appease the world by speaking like it, Christendom should have told the world the truth. We have not been called to compromise, or make lost people feel “at home” when they attend our church services. However, we have overwhelmingly done both for years innumerable. Our church buildings host potluck suppers, concerts, blood drives, golf courses, food drives, and various other philanthropic and social gatherings, but we are neglecting our ultimate purpose. Where is the sound Bible doctrine? The in-depth Bible study? The yearning for spiritual understanding? The hunger for lost souls to come to faith in Christ? Furthermore, so as not to be “controversial” or “offensive,” we will send packages of food and clothes to hungry and destitute people overseas—but we will not bother to include Bibles or Gospel tracts!

Dear friends, it is sad to say it, but the professing Church has played its own integral part in causing this world to be a “lost” generation….

333 Turns 9!

Monday, June 1, 2020

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105 KJV).

Dear saints, “333 Words of Grace” celebrates its 9th birthday today!

While it is quite unfathomable—and I absolutely cannot believe I am about to type this—but we have “met” here daily around the King James Bible rightly divided for the last nine years! What an enjoyable, eye-opening experience it has been for all of us, has it not?!

It seems like yesterday when I wrote those first few Bible studies… having no idea we, by God’s grace, would still be here nearly a decade later. How challenging it was to start, but, honestly, it has become easier as the years have flown by. When we began, we were but novices in the Scriptures dispensationally considered and delivered. Yet, we can say with confidence that we walked in the spiritual light that we had, and Father God in His infinite goodness honored our sincerity. Now, all these years later, we can truthfully say we better understand His purpose and plan for creation—especially our role in it as members of the Church the Body of Christ.

Believe it or not, we still have so much more to learn and so many more Bible topics yet to cover. We are not content in staying where we are in our spiritual understanding, so we will seek a much higher comprehension level. Our Father’s Word not only shines so we see where we stand, it radiates out into the distance to see where we are going (today’s Scripture). We need not wonder in unawareness, wander in senselessness, or grope in darkness.

As Philippians 3:14 says, “[We] press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” We have a lot more spiritual growing to do! How many more years must we continue with these our daily grace-oriented devotionals? Frankly, we will keep going as long as God’s grace enables—exactly what has kept us going all this time now anyway! Thank you for your prayerful support these past nine years, dear brethren, and we look forward to serving you for (maybe) another nine! 🙂

All nine years’ worth of daily devotional studies are linked here: https://333wordsofgrace.org/master-list-of-devotionals-chronological/.

Our latest Bible Q&As: “With God ‘all things’ are possible?” and “Is ‘Ask and ye shall receive’ applicable to us?”

A Cooperation, Not a Competition!

Sunday, May 31, 2020

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:5-7 KJV).

Remember, ministry is a cooperation not a competition!

What is ministry to us? Is it our excuse to “outdo” others? Look at all the “bestsellers” I have written! Notice how many countries I have visited! See how often I pray and study! Look at how much I give in the collection plate! Notice how I am “more spiritual!” Such is but fleshly idiocy! As the human body is a network of cells all cooperating to cause every limb and organ to function as one unit, so the Holy Spirit works in each and every member of the Church the Body of Christ to accomplish His will. He really does not need us, but He in His grace has invited us to participate in His work. First Corinthians chapter 12: “[11] But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. [12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.”

Read today’s Scripture in context: “[5] Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? [6] I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. [7] So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. [8] Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. [9] For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. [10] According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.”

Brethren, let us all labor to build sound Bible doctrine in each other, as opposed to rivaling each other! 🙂

Rotten Society!

Saturday, May 30, 2020

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers [cannot be pleased], false accusers [slanderers], incontinent [no self-control], fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady [rash, reckless], highminded [conceited], lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 KJV).

Saints, our world is in trouble—and, frankly, it will not improve. While not yet in the Tribulation, it is indeed headed for it!

Civil unrest has been building for years, and war will eventually break out. We are battling unprecedented disease and economic hardship. The political arena abounds with bureaucracy and duplicity. News organizations are often endeavoring to further mislead and divide. Greed and other forms of materialism are flourishing. Families are dissolving due to betrayals and abuse. Younger generations are so ignorant of the truth. Entertainment and error are smothering and crippling the professing Church. In short, we understand that this world is not reforming. There is surely no global revival to precede Christ’s return. He is not waiting for us to make ourselves better so He can then come and reign over us. The way the Bible presents it is that societal conditions will wax worse and worse until Almighty God ultimately interrupts to make all right!

It has been rightly stated that God does not have to judge man in order for man to suffer. He simply has to give man over to his own devices—his own fallen heart and mind—and man will create his own problems and self-destruct! Just look at the horrible circumstances defined in today’s Scripture. Would you care to live in a world like that? Well, whether you like it or not, you already do live in such a world!

As Christians, we are called not to reform the evil world system but rather recover souls from it. We do this by teaching and preaching sound Bible doctrine, the Message of God’s Grace, the only hope man truly has in escaping the dreadful civilization he himself has caused!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Who were the ‘Epicureans’ and the ‘Stoicks?’”

Far Better

Friday, May 29, 2020

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:20-24 KJV).

To “be with Christ” is “far better!”

As believers in Jesus Christ, we cannot help but remember saints we have known here on Earth who have since graduated to Heaven. Various dear friends come to my mind. How we look forward to the day when we see them again—without the effects of aging, disability, and petty denominationalism to disrupt and terminate our fellowship!

In 2 Corinthians 12:1-4, the Apostle Paul speaks of a man who experienced physical death and temporarily visited “paradise” or “the third heaven.” While never actually identifying the individual, there is strong evidence it was Paul himself. After all, he was seemingly put to death by stoning in Lystra (Acts 14:19). God miraculously restored him to life to continue his apostolic ministry for another 20 years!

Therefore, when Paul, in today’s Scripture, spoke of life on Earth and life in Heaven, he knew both firsthand. To live here or die here, he would glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. Being a vessel of His grace while on Earth, or dying as a martyr and leaving Earth, Paul had his eyes firmly fixed on the goal. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Yet, he had a ministry to conduct on Earth—and, for now, he was in prison in Rome, writing to the Philippians (1:7,13,14,16). “But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.” Still, Paul wanted to return to Heaven—and to be with one Person in particular. “To be with Christ; which is far better.”

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Is ‘room’ a King James Bible mistake in Matthew 23:6?”

The Greatest War Hero

Monday, May 25, 2020

“For God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 KJV).

In the United States, today is Memorial Day, when we remember those who sacrificed their time and lives to provide our physical freedom. Likewise, as Christians, we have spiritual freedom, which was more costly. Someone had to die to give us the eternal life we now enjoy….

Scripture describes a spiritual warfare between good and evil, God’s truth program versus Satan’s lie program: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes] of the devil. 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” (Ephesians 6:11,12; see also verses 13-20).

Satan distracts mankind from God’s pure Word, the Bible, keeping unbelievers lost (dead in their sins), and preventing unbelievers and Christians from knowing God’s will. The devil draws them away (seduces them) from God’s Word by using religious tradition and human “wisdom” (1 Timothy 4:1-3; cf. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Galatians 3:1-3).

God loves us, so at Calvary’s cross, Christ fought for us sinners, died in battle (today’s Scripture), shed His divine sinless blood, and eternally rescued us from Satan and sin: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:14,15).

Hebrews 9:12 says Jesus Christ has “obtained eternal redemption for us.”

If we have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). Now, God can use us for His glory for all eternity.

Beloved, let us rejoice in our victory over sin, death, and hell that Jesus Christ secured for us by going to Calvary’s rugged cross! Jesus Christ is now alive forevermore—He is our Hero, the Greatest Hero!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study “The Greatest Hero,” which can be read here or watched here.

He Put No Trust in Man

Thursday, May 21, 2020

“Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly: How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it” (Job 4:18-20 KJV).

Recently, a Christian of many decades was telling me how, considering all the horrific news stories of recent months, God has evidently “lost faith in humanity.” He has had enough of sin and now He is angrily judging the world! The dear brother simply did not know his Bible. God cannot “lose faith in humanity” because God never had faith in humanity anyway!

Let us read today’s Scripture in context: “[17] Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? [18] Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly: [19] How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? [20] They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it. [21] Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.”

Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job’s “friends,” is assessing his tragedies. Job is experiencing tremendous distress that originated due to Satan’s direct working, but Eliphaz concludes Job must be suffering because he has sinned. Firstly, Eliphaz reminds Job that angels sinned against God. Secondly, he asks Job a question. If God did not have faith in those spiritual beings greater and mightier than we, would He have faith in little, fragile humans who are merely inhabitants of “houses of clay?” Certainly not!

Never did God have faith in humanity. Like the fallen angels, mankind is just a group of sinners, unreliable and prone to rebellion and failure. Rather than He having faith in us, perhaps it would be wiser for us to have faith in Him? “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Our latest Bible Q&As: “Are Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52, and Luke 18:35-43 the same miracle?”, “Are Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-19, and Luke 8:26-39 the same miracle?”, and “Is ‘Gergesenes’ a mistake in Matthew 8:28 in the King James Bible?”

All Joy and Peace in Believing

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:13 KJV).

With coronavirus restrictions gradually being relaxed around the world, society has begun to transition back to “normal.” It remains to be seen, however, exactly how this new world will be different from the old world of just a few months ago. Regardless, in Christ, we can be “filled… with all joy and peace in believing, that [we] may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Some individuals cannot fathom how 2020 could get any worse—and we are not yet halfway through the year! Hundreds of thousands of people have died. Schedules have been severely disrupted or even abolished. Fortunes have been greatly reduced or completely lost. Businesses have closed—some permanently. Loneliness, depression, and other mental stresses have set in due to prolonged confinement and isolation. Face masks, gloves, and “social distancing” are still seen in various and sundry places.

During these last few months, the people of the world have had opportunity to contemplate eternity like never before. Better understanding their own mortality, and how this physical world can change in a moment’s notice, they have become more receptive to spiritual truth. Having additional free time, they have certainly read the Bible more. A portion of them undoubtedly got saved by trusting Jesus Christ alone as sufficient payment for their sins.

While we will not see a global revival until the Lord Jesus returns at His Second Coming, we do expect to see more people around the world continue to come to Him by faith and join the Church the Body of Christ. More and more will realize that if all they are living for is the “here and now,” they will surely be disturbed, disappointed, and hopeless. However, if they are conducting themselves with spiritual eyes, and appreciating and trusting the Word of God rightly divided, the Holy Spirit will cause them to have joy, peace, and hope (today’s Scripture). As verse 4 says, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

A Higher Education: It Is Up to You!

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12 KJV).

Fourteen years ago today, I graduated high school. Consequently, we dedicate this devotional to high school students who are nearing graduation.

Are you about to graduate high school? What would God have you do afterward? Go to college? Trade school? Something else? What career should you pursue? If you do plan on education after high school, where should you attend school? These are tough questions, and while God’s Word does not answer them, you can make decisions that conform to sound Bible doctrine—that is God’s will.

In today’s Scripture, Paul encourages downcast Timothy. Timothy was considerably younger than the Apostle Paul. Older people who are teaching false doctrine are intimidating young Timothy: “Tim, you are too young to teach God’s Word. Let us handle it.” Young Timothy conceded, became silent, and allowed the (“older and wiser”) false teachers to continue teaching their damnable heresies (cf. 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 2 Timothy 1:5-8). Paul replied, “Timothy, Speak up! Let no man despise thy youth!”

Christian youth can be just as effectual in their station in life as Christian adults. The lost world is watching us Christians, and we need to be sure that our actions are in accordance with the sound Bible doctrine we claim to believe (lest we be guilty of confusing the already-puzzled unbelievers). Whether “young or old,” our speech, our lifestyle, our acts of love, our determination, our belief in sound Bible doctrine, and our separation from that which God hates, is the way we communicate to the lost world God’s Word and its preeminence in our lives and hearts (today’s Scripture).

Above all, dear graduates, whatever you do post-graduation, “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). After all, it really is not your life—it is Christ’s life in you (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:4), so He alone deserves the glory! 🙂

*Based on a Bible study by the same name, which can be read here. Also, see the study “The Spirit-Filled Student.”

By the way, you may also be interested in reading this archived special-edition study about my own college experience.

Death! #8

Monday, May 18, 2020

“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (Genesis 3:19 KJV).

It is a morbid topic, but a reality we know all too well….

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Sin has “wages” (payments): physical death (soul and spirit separated from physical body), spiritual death (soul and spirit separated from God on Earth—can be remedied by faith in Christ!), functional death (believer separated from Christian living), and second death (soul and spirit separated from God in the Lake of Fire—permanent!).

We enter this world “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us [resurrected us, given us life and energy] together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; )…” (verse 4). Thus, God through Christ overcomes spiritual death. The “eternal life” of Romans 6:23 especially emphasizes subsequent Christian living. If we as believers want deliverance from daily sinful conduct, we read and trust chapters 6–8. Thus, God through Christ conquers functional death.

Some of the Church the Body of Christ will physically die, but not all. Those believers alive at the Lord’s return—the Rapture, the resurrection, “the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:18-25)—will never experience physical death. “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed…” (1 Corinthians 15:50-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Living or dead, all Christians will receive a new body. Thus, God through Christ overcomes physical death. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile [sinful, corrupt, subject to death] 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” (Philippians 3:20,21).

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25,26).