Category: Grace Living (Christian Life)

Five Assets for Christians

Saturday, June 4, 2016

“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12 KJV).

What are the five assets that God has given us for our Christian life to function as He intended?

As today’s Scripture says, God desires to have mature Christians, people who understand, delight in, and are willing to work with Him by faith to do what He wants accomplished. He has given us five assets so that we can achieve His will with Him:

  1. The Holy Bible (2 Timothy 3:16,17) – This is God’s inspired Word, preserved for us in English as the King James Bible. It is God’s mind, the way He thinks about various life matters. If we want His wisdom in life, rather than pray for wisdom, we need to read His Word! We consult especially Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, God’s Word to and about us.
  2. Indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-14) – The Holy Spirit will take the verses that we study and believe, and He will work in us to have our lives reflect the truths presented in those verses. We can have victorious Christian lives by the power of the Holy Spirit.
  3. Prayer (Philippians 4:6,7) – Prayer is not getting God to give us things but us talking to Him in light of His Word to us. It is a way of reinforcing the verses we read in the Bible, and then applying them to all of life’s situations.
  4. Local Church (1 Timothy 4:13-16) – Other Christians encourage us. When we hear other believers talk about how God’s Word is working in their lives, they are instructing us how to use specific verses in our own similar circumstances. The local church should be a haven for sound Bible doctrine.
  5. Pastors and Teachers (Ephesians 4:11) – These men lead the local assembly of believers. They have the responsibility of teaching us what they have learned from the Scriptures. We can turn to them for help, but, as time passes, we should not need them as much as we first did. Rather, eventually, we will be able to stand with them and teach God’s Word to others. We will have matured enough to help others mature.

Friend, without all five, your Christian life will be ruined!

Grace and Peace

Friday, June 3, 2016

“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV).

Jesus Christ is the Saviour, not the Judge, today.

Recently, a Christian brother told me God was keeping certain leaders in power here in America to “judge us.” That is, God was using evil politicians to punish the wicked United States. He pointed out God judged Israel for sins in the “Old Testament.” America’s current difficulties, the brother claimed, are the divine wrath disobedient Israel endured. Today’s Scripture, a verse of tremendous dispensational significance, teaches something entirely different.

Paul is “the apostle of the Gentiles [all nations]” (Romans 11:13). As God’s spokesman to all nations, Paul was led on 13 occasions to write, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 3). Each of Paul’s epistles greets the world with “grace and peace” (opposite “wrath and war”). Again, today’s Scripture: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.” Because of Calvary, God is not angry at nations today. He is being kind to them!

Concerning “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2), God’s attitude toward all nations is “grace and peace.” There is no Law system operating today as in Israel’s program. Israel’s Law system was simply to prove that God would have to save mankind according to His grace, not man’s religious efforts. Now, He is manifesting His grace (unmerited favor) to mankind in a very special way today—the soul salvation found in Jesus Christ’s shed blood. In the Dispensation of Grace, God is freely and unconditionally offering the nations salvation through Jesus Christ. God is longsuffering, and has been for 2,000 years, for the people of the world to respond in faith. Once they trust His Son, He permanently reconciles with them individually.

As bad as it may seem in the United States or anywhere else, Earth is not facing God’s wrath… yet!

333’s Fifth Anniversary – God’s Mighty Working

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

“Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily” (Colossians 1:29 KJV).

Dear Grace Saints worldwide, only by God’s grace, “333 Words of Grace” has reached its greatest milestone yet!

Five years ago, our six-month-long local newspaper ministry ended very abruptly. Its cancellation was the result of extensive outcry of many local religious leaders. The King James Bible rightly divided had caused too much “trouble” for them. Our local newspaper editor—a “good Christian!”—eagerly forced me out. To replace our weekly newspaper Bible study columns, we launched this, our daily devotionals blog. While our critics tried to suppress us, Father God launched us worldwide. Had we stayed with the newspaper, we would not be reaching you right now here!

These past five years have flown by. They were quite an experience for us all. Until heaven, brethren, we will never ascertain just how many people around the world we reached with the Gospel of the Grace of God. Until heaven, we will never know just how many Christians around the world we reached with the Message of the Grace of God. During these past five years, we have made many contacts from various countries and all walks of life. Only by God’s grace, hundreds upon hundreds of Bible questions were answered, and over 2,000 Bible studies were disseminated.

During these past five years, we have also lost many dear saints, friends, due to various tragedies—illness, natural disaster, and (just recently) perhaps murder. During those last five years, we have also lost many dear saints due to infighting and apostasy. They have turned from us and returned to religion. However, we are ever so glad to have reached them with the precious words of God, during the short time we were able to minister to them. We have never forgotten them, we still love them in Christ, and we will see them all in heaven when God makes all right.

Brethren, thank you for praying for us and supporting us, inviting us into your life every day. For those who have been with us all five years, a special thanks for staying with us. By God’s grace, short of the Lord’s coming, we aim now for five more years! Onward in Christ we go! 🙂

All five years’ worth of our daily devotionals studies are linked here: https://333wordsofgrace.wordpress.com/master-list-of-devotionals-chronological.

Bible Q&A #270: “Is the Rapture in Matthew 24:40-41 and Luke 17:34-36?”

Put the Brethren in Remembrance

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained” (1 Timothy 4:6 KJV).

Never forget to remind the brethren!

Father God has much to say. He was so generous to give us a written record of what He wanted to tell us. May we be so thankful to Him that, when we have a King James Bible, we hold His inspired words preserved in English. No need for us to get lost in a maze of Hebrew and Greek, looking for hidden “nuggets” in a mine abounding with fools’ gold. It is unnecessary to enter a “prayer closet” and beg God to reveal His will to us. Rather, we need to get into His Bible and read it for ourselves!

Since the creation of Adam and Eve some 6,000 years ago, human life has become increasingly complicated and busier. In this age of entertainment, it is extremely easy for Christians to become sidetracked. They sit in front of their televisions, computers, and personal devices (including smartphones), and often go hours, days, weeks, months… even years!… without giving God’s Word even the slightest consideration. May they wake up!

Paul the Apostle exhorted young Pastor Timothy to remind his Christian brethren of the instructions laid out in the first epistle that bears his name. He was to especially bring to their attention Satan’s schemes and scams. In the verses preceding today’s Scripture, the Holy Spirit warned of Christians who would abandon sound Bible doctrine. They would embrace religion—“forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats” (verses 1-5).

However, Timothy could reduce Satan’s work by reminding his brethren of sound Bible doctrine (today’s Scripture). Those grace doctrines, constantly affirmed, would encourage the members of the Body of Christ to hold fast to God’s truth. As long as they held on to God’s Word rightly divided, being daily reminded of it, they would survive the apostasy.

Brethren, we trust we have fulfilled today’s Scripture here on a daily basis. Now, to our Lord Jesus Christ’s glory, we close five full years of “333 Words of Grace!” 🙂

The Greatest War Hero

Monday, May 30, 2016

“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.

Wealthy of Goods But Destitute of Truth

Sunday, May 29, 2016

“Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself” (1 Timothy 6:5 KJV).

Their pockets are full—their teachings are vain.

Recently flipping through a religious magazine, the following tidbit caught my attention: “When he requested early retirement due to reasons of health in late [year], Bishop [name] gratefully acknowledged that, despite difficult times, the last five years of his service to the people of [location] was marked by a 35 percent increase in offertory collections throughout the diocese.”

Friend, the above paragraph justifies people’s claims that religion is all about money. This bishop, who had served his parishioners for many years, “gratefully acknowledged” one accomplishment in particular. Notice it was not that he ensured that the Gospel of the Grace of God was clearly preached throughout the hundreds of churches that he oversaw. Notice it was not that he guided his people into the truths of God’s Word, the Holy Bible. Notice that it was not that his diocese had glorified Jesus Christ. Nay! He was most proud of the fact that the diocese’s income increased 35 percent with him as leader!

When instructing young Timothy how to operate a local grace church, Paul reminded him not to let materialism corrupt his ministry (today’s Scripture). God’s ministry needs funding, no doubt, and we should give to sound Bible ministries. But, ministers should exercise great caution that they not worship wealth (see 1 Timothy 3:3,8; Titus 1:7).

Remember, Israel’s religious leaders had made God’s religion of Judaism into a “lucrative business.” They were cheating people in the name of “JEHOVAH” and—adding insult to injury—they were doing it in His house, the Temple (Matthew 21:12,13)! Jesus fittingly called them “thieves.” He could easily say this about so many professing “Christian” churches and ministers today (go back to the “bishop’s” noteworthy accomplishment!). They focus on installing ornate woodwork, fine paintings, stained-glass windows, and “state-of-the-art” electronics. Meanwhile, they are less concerned about teaching sound Bible doctrine and handling God’s Word God’s way. Their church buildings appear nice and godly, but are full of unsaved, spiritually ignorant people. May we have enough Spiritual grounding to avoid them!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “‘Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated?’”

Malnourished Saints

Saturday, May 21, 2016

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (Hebrews 5:12 KJV).

Regrettably, today’s Scripture could be written to today’s average “Christian.”

It is rather sad to see someone in an adult body with a child’s mentality. Normally, this person should behave and make decisions like a mature person. However, due to various reasons, he or she cannot function like an adult. It is no exaggeration to claim that 90 to 95 percent of Christians (whether professing or legitimate) fit this category in the spiritual realm. They have such a shallow—or even no (!)—understanding of the Holy Bible.

In my short decade of ministry, speaking to and hearing from various people, I have grown more and more aware of the fact that many of the people who read the Bible have an extremely limited understanding of it. Even people who trusted Jesus Christ decades ago, who should have matured in God’s Word years back, know little Bible teaching.

Years ago, I sat with a Christian on his deathbed. He was so burdened about his lost friends. He told me that he did not know what to tell them about soul salvation. Another elderly Christian brother sought my help in understanding the Scriptures (and he had been studying the Bible two decades before me!). Or the Christian couple who went to an “evangelical” church for a decade and, in their words, “learned nothing.” What about the woman who learned more about the Bible in a few hours using dispensational Bible study, than what she learned 90 years in her denominational church?!

I have met all sorts of people who claim to read the Bible, and yet their beliefs match anything and everything but. The list goes on and on and on. I have seen it firsthand, and have spoken with others who have heard similar stories. Bible ignorance is the greatest within “Bible” circles. May we get into the meat of the Bible—Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon—and throw away our baby bottle!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Why do people grow angry when we share right division with them?”

A Higher Education: It Is Up to You!

Thursday, May 19, 2016

“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).

Ten 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.

He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease #5

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 KJV).

Beloved, may today’s Scripture be the cry of each and every Christian!

Sadly, so many Christians are miserable, defeated, and confused today. What happened to them? Despite having a Bible for so long, they still have not realized the truth in today’s Scripture. Christianity is NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT us striving to keep commandments and church ordinances so God can be happy with us. Jesus Christ has been pushed aside. Religious tradition has done an unparalleled job in making pure Christianity into a worthless system of dry theological verbiage and worthless dead works!

When we study how Jesus Christ lived His life on planet Earth, we can see exactly what God’s life looks like in human flesh. True Christian living is NEVER, NEVER, NEVER us serving, pleasing, or exalting self. What did Jesus say? “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him [the Father] that sent me” (John 6:38). Sinful living is just the opposite—me, me, me, me! Remember, sin is defined in Scripture as: “We have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). Doing whatever you want and gratifying yourself, focusing on yourself and your works (whether in religion or “in the world”). This “self-focus” caused Satan’s downfall. It caused man’s downfall in Genesis chapter 3.

Once, sin reigned as a king in our lives. Friends, that time is no more. Now that we have come to Jesus Christ—having trusted solely in His death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins—sin has no more dominion over us. Our striving and struggling must end, that grace may reign, and Father God is glorified. Jesus Christ’s work is enough! “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:21). Do we really believe that?

Dear friends, if we are led by God’s Holy Spirit, we will not be self-willed, adamant that our desires be fulfilled so we can praise ourselves. Rather, we will join John the Baptist and shout from our hearts: “He must increase, but I must decrease!” 🙂

Pray While It is Still Legal?

Friday, May 13, 2016

“Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the king…” (Nehemiah 2:4,5 KJV).

What can Nehemiah teach us in today’s Scripture?

Recently, I noticed a parked vehicle with the bumper sticker, “Pray while it’s still legal.” Even if prayer were completely outlawed in the United States, or anywhere else in the world, that would not at all intimidate the Bible believer. Outlawed prayer would most certainly be a problem for “traditional Christians,” however.

See, dearly beloved, religion has dumbed-down prayer to the point where it is rarely pleasing to Father God. Since denominational teaching has watered down prayer, most can think of nothing more than kneeling, bowed heads, closed eyes, folded hands, raised arms, prayer beads, prayer books, et cetera. They have missed the issue of prayer entirely. Prayer is repeating to God what His Word tells you; prayer is not repeating what others wrote about the Bible. Remember, they may have incorrectly interpreted Scripture to write that prayer you want to recite! Furthermore, prayer is not about the posture of the physical body; it is all about the attitude of the spiritual heart.

In today’s Scripture, Nehemiah was unhappily serving before Persian King Artaxerxes (verses 1-3). Far away was un-walled and ruined Jerusalem—Babylon had destroyed it 150 years earlier. Attempting to cheer him up, Artaxerxes asked Nehemiah what he desired. Certainly, Nehemiah, standing before the king, had no time to kneel, raise his hands, whip out a prayer card, or be excused to enter some “prayer closet.” So, Nehemiah prayed right there on the spot, silently. In that time of limited divine revelation, he sought God’s wisdom as to how to respond. The king never noticed Nehemiah praying!

So, friends, if prayer is ever outlawed here or elsewhere, that really will not hinder us Bible believers. Silent prayer in all circumstances is fine. Father God will certainly hear us, and that is all that matters. Just look at today’s Scripture. By the way, if you want to find out what happens with Nehemiah, read the rest of the chapter… or perhaps his whole book!