Category: Grace Living (Christian Life)

Remember, the Lord Never Forgets!

Friday, March 11, 2016

“For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God” (1 Corinthians 4:4,5 KJV).

Rest assured, Christ will reward faithful Christian service!

Not long ago, a former deacon of a local church told me how, when they were without a pastor, he was one of the few faithful members who held the assembly together. He left the church once it became apostate with its new pastor, but I asked him to tell me what happened some 25 years ago.

The poor brother showed me a wrinkled, stained, typed paper… his “to-do” list from decades ago. On it were 53 (!) items/tasks he had to fulfill—print church bulletins, cut the lawn, see the church’s utilities were paid, duplicate cassette tapes of sermons, and dozens of other chores! The five other deacons evidently did nothing to help him. Only a handful of other church members assisted in maintaining the church building and grounds… they were all outcasts when the assembly later collapsed under false teaching. The people who did nothing remained in the church! I reminded the disheartened brother to remember that the Lord never forgets our service to Him (today’s Scripture).

Yes, it is often true. Twenty percent of the people in a local church do 80 percent of the work in the local church. The rest of the “members” just sit in the air-conditioning and nod their heads in agreement, raise their hands, and shout, “Praise Jesus!” Yet, they would not dare vacuum the auditorium, lift one finger to change a burnt light bulb, or even stand at the door to greet visitors! Beloved, what a horrible testimony… lost people are often more dedicated to their false religions than Christians are to Jesus Christ’s ministry!

Saints, the Lord sees and remembers what we do in His name, and why we do it. No boasting or acknowledgement by others is needed. In His own time, at the Judgment Seat of Christ, “shall every man have praise of God!” 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Do people become angels when they die?”

The Living God #10

Thursday, March 10, 2016

“For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?” (Deuteronomy 5:26 KJV).

Exactly why is the God of the Bible called “the living God?”

The God of the Bible is living. He can actually do something for you. Idols can do nothing for you. The “living God” has a Son, Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:16). As He gave us physical life in creation (Genesis 2:7), He offers us spiritual life. There is no life apart from Him (John 1:1-4). If you want life, you must find it in the God of the Bible. You can only find God the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).

Life is not in Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, mysticism, or any other religion. We must go beyond dead gods, false prophets, fake gods, and false religions, to find “the living and true God.” It is not we striving to find life in and of ourselves (religion), but rather Christianity, the living God offering us His life a free gift because we are spiritually dead.

While there was a dead goddess in Ephesus, Diana (today’s “Queen of Heaven,” Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary)—Acts chapter 19—there was also in Ephesus the Church the Body of Christ, “the church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:15). We become a member of it by simply trusting exclusively Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork. He died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again to give us His resurrection life (1 Corinthians 15:3,4).

In the future, Israel will learn that the living God must give her life. She will not find life in heathen religion. She will not find life in her works-religion (the Mosaic Law). She is spiritually dead, unable to do anything that God instructs. But, as she experienced the living God delivering her from Egyptian and bondage to idols, He can (and will) redeem her from Satanic captivity and hellfire as well. No idol can or will ever do it… for Israel… or for us! 🙂

The Living God #9

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

“For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?” (Deuteronomy 5:26 KJV).

Exactly why is the God of the Bible called “the living God?”

The term “the living God” elicits cross-references. Psalm 135:15-18, for example: “[15] The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. [16] They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; [17] They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. [18] They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them” (cf. Psalm 115:4-7).

Note, “neither is there any breath in their mouths” (verse 17)—opposite of “the living God.” In Scripture, we see JEHOVAH, Israel’s God, “the living God.” We also see Gentiles’ silver and gold idols—unable to speak, see, hear, and breathe. They are dead; they can do nothing for their worshippers. Those who worship them must carry them around, and yet, those who carry them around pray to these inanimate idols for help. (Ludicrous!)

Habakkuk chapter 2: “[18] What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? [19] Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.” “The living God” versus heathenism’s dead gods.

When Scripture mentions “the church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:15), or “turning to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9), this is monotheism. There is only one God, not hundreds, thousands, or millions. He, not dead idols, is the living God. He is powerful; idols are powerless. He can commune with us, and we with Him. Idols cannot. Remember, Genesis 2:7: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

Now, to conclude!

The Living God #7

Monday, March 7, 2016

“For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?” (Deuteronomy 5:26 KJV).

Exactly why is the God of the Bible called “the living God?”

The 21st through 25th instances appear in the Pauline epistles. They are associated with us, the Church the Body of Christ. Paul penned in 2 Corinthians 3:3: “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” And, 2 Corinthians 6:16: “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Referring to grace assemblies in Crete, Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 3:15: “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” And, 1 Timothy 4:10: “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” Finally, 1 Timothy 6:17: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;”

While we will discuss this more fully later, for now, suffice it to say “the living God” that was once exclusive to the nation Israel can now be the God of the nations (Gentiles). That is, the one true God who did not deal with non-Jews apart from the nation Israel, is now offering fellowship with all people (Gentiles). In Paul’s writings, the Gentiles are urged to “turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Let us look in the Bible to see where Israel is urged to do the same!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Why did Jesus select evil Judas Iscariot to be an apostle?”

A Leap Day to Redeem

Monday, February 29, 2016
Happy Leap Day!

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 KJV).

Share God’s Word with a child you know today!

Teaching the rightly-divided Bible to children is very enjoyable. While they do not always pay attention like (some) adults do, they have much less theological garbage cluttering their minds. You share the Gospel with someone who has lived nearly a century in false religion, and, my, how resistant they are! Their hearts and minds are buried deep beneath many layers of church tradition. But, you get God’s truth into those children at an early age, and it is guaranteed to bring results at one point in their lives (today’s Scripture). You may not live to see it, but you just rest assured that God’s Word always prospers wherever He sends it, and it never returns to Him void, empty (Isaiah 55:11).

Recently, while I was talking to an adult about Scripture, my 10-year-old niece, sitting next to me, said, “You taught me that!” Why, yes, some weeks earlier, I had taught her and her brother, my seven-year-old nephew, all about Bible versions, Bible manuscripts, inspiration and preservation. Those little children know more truth about the King James Bible than most preachers and theologians ever will. Why? Religious pride blinds adults to a much greater degree than it does children. Even works-religion children will listen to Bible truth to some extent—but their hearts will be set in error by adulthood, so reach them with God’s truth before they reach adulthood! Parents and grandparents of the grace persuasion must keep that in mind.

The Millennials (born 1980-early 2000s), my generation, are so pitifully ignorant of truth and values. Only the previous generations—their parents, the Baby Boomers (1946-1964) and Generation X (1965-1980)—are negligent. It is not too late to instill into the next generation, those born since the early 2000s, as little as one single verse. How sad that so many parents and grandparents today do not have five minutes to share God’s Word with their children and grandchildren! Frankly, they will have no reason to complain if these children wind up in juvenile hall… or prison… or an early grave… or hell!

Progression (Without Exhaustion)

Thursday, February 25, 2016

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which I also am apprehended of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12 KJV).

Let us progress, but not exhaust!

Someone recently emailed to explain that, although he was enjoying our studies, other ministries that taught dispensationalism had exasperated him with an “information overload.” Indeed, the Holy Bible is intense. It takes much thoughtful and prayerful study to master it. We must be “workmen” (2 Timothy 2:15). It takes much effort to mine the Bible’s deep truths. Most people never get there. Even the average preacher or theologian possesses a superficial grasp. They quote shallow verses, rave about Greek or Hebrew, and parrot their church creeds and doctrinal statements, but usually, they never strike a balance between clearly communicating the English Bible and not overwhelming audiences.

It is very tempting for people seeking Bible insight to grab commentaries, lexicons, and Greek or Hebrew or Latin grammars. Usually these tools are the products of unbelieving scholarship, human philosophy, and traditions of men. Friend, just take your King James Bible and start in Romans. That one Bible book gives a Gospel presentation, an exposition of grace living, the basics of dispensationalism, and detailed daily Christian living. The heart of dispensational Bible study is verse comparisons. We find verses to explain other verses—Scripture interprets itself.

Our teaching resources are always available to assist you. Primarily, this daily devotionals blog, and our Bible Q&A website. These daily devotionals are specially designed to condense Scriptural themes into two to three minutes. Topics not easily compressed are directed to our question-and-answer website. Our articles are “to the point,” without superfluous comments, “chit-chat,” and “rabbit trails”—succinctly written to facilitate quick learning.

You have the testimony of countless others worldwide, that, if you join us, you are sure to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Growth may be slow, for you must adjust to concentrated Bible teaching. Friend, you may be accustomed to entertainment in religious circles, but we are here to enlighten not entertain. Eventually, these verse comparisons will become “a breeze.” Every passing day, you will better understand and enjoy the Bible. (I know…. I had to start once, too…. No regrets!) 🙂

Free to Be Wrong

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever” (Psalm 119:160 KJV).

The LORD’S righteous judgments are where sole authority does belong; we are free to disagree with them, and thus we are also free to be eternally wrong!

Dear saint, once you study your King James Bible dispensationally, you want to share those truths with others. However, you will not encounter masses of people saying, “Oh, thank you for sharing the truth with us.” Most will not listen for long. In my own ministry, people respond with, “I don’t agree with you” or “You are wrong.” Very rarely do they quote verses to show themselves true. They usually have no such verses to quote, or they do not know any verses to quote anyway. Usually, they just have personal opinions and denominational doctrines to promote.

Having just heard or read me quote verses, they skip over all the Bible verses I quoted, and say, “No, I disagree.” They offer nothing to support themselves. Frankly, that is lazy. They have no interest in searching the Scriptures to see if what I said was so. Why? They have no interest in hearing God’s words. They are ungrateful that God’s Word has been preserved for them in English. While millions go without Bibles worldwide, these fools see the Bible and avoid it. That is not being mean; that is being honest. Only fools argue with Scripture. And, sad to say, but this just does not refer to lost people. So-called “Christians” and alleged “grace people” will not always address the verses you cite. They simply parrot their earlier comments as if Scriptures were never posted. Their loyalty is thus manifested to be in the “traditions” and “scholarship” of men. There is no desire to be “approved of God” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Now, please understand, they are free to believe whatever they like. But, they had better not say that it is “Bible” when they have no Bible verses to support them!! They cannot say they are “Bible believers” when they argue with the Bible. Ultimately, they have no business saying they are preaching “Christianity” when they are preaching everything but!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What does Romans 8:28 mean?”

“Hate Speech” #7

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

“Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt” (Jeremiah 38:4 KJV).

Who is “this man?” And, what words is he speaking to make him worthy of being “put to death?”

About 600 years after the Prophet Jeremiah preached to Israel, the Apostle Paul preached to heathen. Note chapter 17 of Acts, when Paul and his ministry companions preached Jesus Christ: “[6] And when they [the unbelieving Jews] found them [Paul and Silas] not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; [7] Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.”

At this point, Paul has been preaching for over 20 years. The Jesus Christ who he had been proclaiming had angered many people all over the Roman Empire. Apostate Jews had heard of this renegade Pharisaical scholar preaching about an imposter he himself had once rejected and hated. Observe how those lost Jews accused Paul, Silas, and their ministry coworkers of “turn[ing] the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). As someone once commented, “Oh no, Jesus Christ through Paul was turning the world right-side up!” Indeed, lost man and God never see eye-to-eye. This world that God had originally created “good” is now evil. Mankind is evil, so he sees nothing wrong with the world; man views any improvement of it as bad. God, holy and just, recognizes the world as corrupt, and He will fully reclaim it from Satan one day!

Brethren, we know there is an everlasting devil’s hell waiting for all who die without Jesus Christ. May we, in love, reach them quickly with the message of Christ crucified for their sins, His burial, and His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Let them falsely accuse us. One way or another, in heaven or in hell, they will realize just how important that message is! 🙂

“Hate Speech” #6

Monday, February 22, 2016

“Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt” (Jeremiah 38:4 KJV).

Who is “this man?” And, what words is he speaking to make him worthy of being “put to death?”

According to the verses previous to today’s Scripture, Jeremiah preached: “[2] Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live. [3] Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon’s army, which shall take it.”

In today’s Scripture, Judah’s princes complained to King Zedekiah that Jeremiah was discouraging the Jewish people from fighting and resisting the Babylonians. Unbelief at its very best! Jeremiah was preaching in the name of JEHOVAH—“thus saith the LORD”—and JEHOVAH God had already determined that the Babylonians would come in and defeat the Jews. That is, Jeremiah was telling Israel it was no use fighting the Babylonians, for God had already determined that judgment on the Jews. Israel’s God had given them centuries of warnings to reform or be punished, but the Jews never turned back to Him.

Of course, Jeremiah was portrayed as the evil one. Judah’s princes accused him of not seeking Judah’s wellbeing. In fact, it was they who were not seeking Judah’s wellbeing. They were the evil ones. To fight against JEHOVAH, as they were doing, was sure to lead to physical harm and death. Contrariwise, to obey JEHOVAH’S words through Jeremiah, and submit to Babylon, “he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.”

What another interesting parallel to today’s Scripture. Those who rebel against God, they are “innocent.” It is the Bible-believing Christian, speaking against injustice and unrighteousness, who is the evildoer!

“Hate Speech” #5

Sunday, February 21, 2016

“Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt” (Jeremiah 38:4 KJV).

Who is “this man?” And, what words is he speaking to make him worthy of being “put to death?”

The Prophet Jeremiah preached with authority, “Thus saith the LORD” (verse 2). This greatly upset the Jewish people, for they knew quite well that they had disobeyed the LORD and His impending judgment on them was just.

While they did not take Jeremiah’s life, verse 6 says that they threw him into a dungeon. The language indicates that it was an empty in-ground cistern or well. Instead of water, it had mire (slushy mud). In less than five years, Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar came in and destroyed Jerusalem (chapters 39 and 52; cf. 2 Chronicles chapter 36)—JEHOVAH’S word (through Moses and Jeremiah) was fulfilled. The Babylonian captain freed Jeremiah, who remained in Judah before moving to Egypt with the remnant of Jews not taken to Babylon (chapters 40-45). Jerusalem, actually, 2,600 years later, is still awaiting God’s restoration.

Today, brethren, we speak with authority when we say, “Thus saith the LORD.” When the Bible delineates specific actions as sins, they are sins. End of story. People can argue all they want but there is no room for argument. They can throw their tantrums but they need to grow up and face reality. There is such a thing as right and wrong, and God’s judgment is sure to fall on those who are outside of His Son Jesus Christ. Let us warn them in love, but let us warn them while there is still time. We Bible believers do not preach “hate speech.” We preach “love speech.” We preach God’s love on Calvary commended to sinners (Romans 5:8). May we point them to Calvary, lest they go to hell forever, something infinitesimally worse than invading Babylonian armies and Gentile captivity!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Is it ‘un-Christian’ for a country to have border walls?”