Category: Grace Living (Christian Life)

Father: A Godly Man

Sunday, June 18, 2023

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4 KJV).

Since today is Father’s Day, we dedicate today’s devotional to the godly (Christian) fathers.

What is a godly father? Oftentimes, fathers are either too authoritative (very strict) or too carefree (little to no concern for their children). According to the Bible (today’s Scripture in particular), fathers must have a balance between setting boundaries and enforcing them, and refraining from being a heartless tyrant.

  • On one hand, the Christian father is to “bring [his children] up in the nurture of the Lord.” “Nurture” is simply defined as “caring for and encouraging their growth or development.” All too often, fathers (sadly) ignore this, usually being too rough, or even, apathetic (unconcerned).
  • On the other hand, the Christian father is to “bring [his children] up in the admonition of the Lord.” “Admonition” is simply defined as “authoritative counsel or warning.” He is to lovingly guide them in life, instructing them from God’s Word rightly divided.

A father is not simply one who procreates. God’s Word makes it very clear that they should serve a lifelong, active role in their children’s lives. A Christian man, especially a father, should be a godly man in beliefs as well as in deed. He needs to set an example for his children (especially his sons): it is his duty as an older Christian man to set an example for younger men.

He should be a hard worker, he should meditate on the things of God (the Bible), his speech should conform to sound Bible doctrine, he should be hospitable and caring, kind and loving, he should respect and love his wife, he should love his children, and he should be reserved and cautious in his actions.

Are you a Christian man or Christian father who desires to be the man God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest! Then, you will become the godly man described on the pages of Scripture.

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

ARCHIVED: “What does the Bible say about fatherhood?”

333’s 4400th – Clarifying to Edify, Edifying to Clarify

Saturday, June 17, 2023

“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:…” (Romans 16:25,26 KJV).

Saints, we celebrate another ministry milestone today—devotional #4400!

For just over 12 years now (has it really been that long?!), we have daily followed the Pauline design for the edification of the believer as laid out in today’s Scripture. Indeed, if we want stability, firm or strong footing, in the Holy Bible; if we wish to better grasp what God has done, is doing, and will do; if we desire to know and undertake His will; if we aspire to grow up into mature believers in Christ; we should pay attention to this Pauline design instead of patterning our thoughts and lives after denominational systems and theological speculations.

As evidenced in today’s Scripture, Father God will develop us using a three-fold process. Firstly, it will be according to Paul’s Gospel: “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Countless souls talk about “the Gospel,” yet they never actually define it as Paul would. Secondly, it will be according to “the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery [secret], which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest:” Paul’s presentation of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Books of Romans through Philemon. Thirdly, it will be according to “the scriptures of the prophets,” or the rest of the Bible as interpreted in light of Pauline doctrine.

By using this procedure of dispensational Bible study, “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), submitting to the Holy Spirit’s words, we have not only clarified misunderstood and troubling verses, we have been edified (strengthened) to the point of being able to clarify those same passages for others. Here is the perfecting of the saints, here is the work of the ministry, and here is the edifying of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). Onward by God’s grace to devotional #4500!

Remember, all our studies are archived here: https://333wordsofgrace.org/master-list-of-devotionals-chronological/.

The Understanding Darkened #5

Friday, June 16, 2023

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:…” (Ephesians 4:17,18 KJV).

How can today’s Scripture aid in our understanding of the wild world around us?

With Israel’s temporary fall and God’s salvation and blessing coming to us Gentiles via the Apostle Paul’s ministry (Romans 11:11-14), the “Dispensation of the Grace of God” has been given to us in the 13 Pauline Books of Romans through Philemon (see Ephesians 3:1-11). This information is designed to bring us out of the darkness of our ancestors (Acts 17:30,31). See also Colossians 1:25-29, Colossians 3:1-17, Philippians 1:9-11, Philippians 2:14-16, and even the context of today’s Scripture (Ephesians 4:11-24).

Titus 2:11-14: “[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; [13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; [14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

As suggested in today’s Scripture, and Romans 1:19-32, the dear people of our world languish in a gigantic spiritual trap. Wherever the Lord’s ministry through Paul has penetrated these last 20 centuries, the response has been overwhelmingly negative (as in, refusing to believe the Word of God’s Grace—or, if initially receiving it, failing to keep it pure and continue with it uncorrupted). Even lost souls acknowledge human society is increasingly deteriorating each and every day. Though they struggle mightily to identify the causes and try to correct the situation with additional manmade solutions (works-religion, philosophy, science, politics, and so on), they are wasting their time without the renewed mind we have in Christ. Their only hope of making sense of this sinful world and escaping it, is if we who know the truth then share it with them (2 Timothy 2:2,24-26). Life apart from the God of the Bible is certain ruin… the understanding darkened.

Lawful Advice from Asa’s Life #10

Sunday, June 11, 2023

“And [King Asa] commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment” (2 Chronicles 14:4 KJV).

What lawful advice can be gleaned from King Asa’s life?

Attending to the management of the local church or ministry, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul guided young Pastor Timothy (and thus, us!): “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…. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Timothy 2:2,24-26).

Timothy should take what Paul taught him, and pass on that exact same information to other men, men who could then repeat the cycle. In no way was the doctrine to be changed. Someone who serves the Lord will not be combative or contentious, but calm and willing to humbly tolerate a great deal of senselessness as he tries to share the Word of God’s Grace with people who will probably reject it anyway. Regardless, the minister endeavors to supply those people with the sound doctrine Bible that they can then (hopefully!) believe and ultimately use to deliver themselves from Satan’s snare or trap (Bible ignorance).

In today’s Scripture, Asa had pointed ancient wayward Judah in the right direction—get back to the Law of Moses, or face the dire consequences! Today, we are under the Dispensation of the Grace of God given to Paul (Ephesians 3:1,2). Our options are clear: get back to the Grace of God, or reap an even worse harvest than we have already have! Romans through Philemon will facilitate us, first and foremost, in having a clear Gospel message (1 Corinthians 15:3,4), and, secondly, possessing the grace life resulting from that finished crosswork of Jesus Christ. In the end, even righteous Asa succumbed to the evil world system he fought against, so let us be careful not to depart from Pauline doctrine upon receiving it!

333 Turns 12!

Thursday, June 1, 2023

“And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches” (Acts 15:40,41 KJV).

Dear saints and readers, “333 Words of Grace” is 12 years old today!

For nearly 4,400 consecutive days now, we have gathered here around the Word of God rightly divided for the purpose of studying and better understanding our Creator’s will and our role in it. Some of us have graduated to Heaven, others have departed into apostasy, but we remain to mark this special ministry milestone. For 12 years now, the Message of God’s Grace has gone throughout the world via these devotionals, bearing fruit we will one day see when we assemble with those saints at our gathering together unto Christ.

As his second apostolic—not missionary, but apostolic (!)—journey gets underway, Paul takes along the Prophet Silas (see verse 32). They minister in Syria and Cilicia, including southern present Turkey, and today’s Scripture says Paul is “confirming the churches.” He is revisiting the believers he had converted years earlier in chapter 9, verse 30 (see Galatians 1:21). “Confirming” is “strengthening,” for in Acts 18:23 it is the same Greek word: “And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.” This starts Paul’s third apostolic (not missionary, but apostolic!) journey.

We do not endeavor to please men, or build our faith on their backs, so our eyes should be fixed solely on the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us on Calvary’s cruel cross. Yet, why did God save us from Hell, sin, death, and the Lake of Fire? What does He have in store for us? Our goal is to fine-tune what sound Bible doctrine we know, and, whether we are crawling in grace, hobbling in grace, or walking steadfastly in grace, we must keep moving along and growing by God’s grace. How many have just given up, for the evil world system has lured them away and they care not to come back to the faith! Our studies are designed to “strengthen” us, “confirm” us, make us firmer or stronger in grace principles, Romans through Philemon. Perhaps the Lord will give us another 12 years to do it!

Please remember all our devotionals are archived and linked here: 333wordsofgrace.org/master-list-of-devotionals-chronological/.

Without or Within?

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:27,28 KJV).

Which matters most—outward or inward?

He had worn his conspicuous, elegant robe to the funeral home. My family members huddled to greet this religious leader in the lobby. Having just arrived, he was ready to perform the “services” for a dearly departed relative of mine. After they had shaken his hand, I watched how he proceeded to break away from the crowd and stroll to a table whereon was a bowl of delicious mints. He selected a candy, popped it into his mouth, tossed the wrapper onto the tabletop, and passed on by. Someone else would have to throw away his trash!

Later, during the “services,” he bellowed a long series of prayers in a book, stumbling over the simplest words and having to correct himself numerous times. It was as if he were racing to see how much he could get through so he could depart quicker. He seemed bored, like it was mindless repetition, something he needed to endure because he had to “play the part” for all the devout souls observing him. While only the Lord knows his heart, it looked like it was done out of religious duty rather than genuine worship of God. If the man was too lazy to discard his own garbage, whatever he believed made no positive difference in his life, so the impression was given it cannot improve anyone else’s condition either.

Remember, dear friends, we can fool some people some of the time, but we cannot fool all people all of the time, and we can fool God none of the time. Dispensational Bible study will empower us to avoid religious hypocrisy, for we know the life of Jesus Christ is manifested in us as we walk by faith in God’s Word to us, Romans through Philemon. What matters most is on the inside (heart faith), not outside (“fair shew in the flesh;” Galatians 6:12,13). Here is genuine, not artificial, Christianity.

*NOTE: Dear Saints, we now close 12 full years of “333 Words of Grace!” 🙂

Wishful Thinking

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation” (Matthew 23:14 KJV).

Beware, there are scammers everywhere!

Desperate to reduce his monthly electric bill, a friend shared with me his intention of purchasing two devices that would allegedly save him money. Their advertisement had convinced him, but I replied quite bluntly: “That sounds like a clever scam, so do not bother with it.” However, refusing to listen to reason, he continued justifying why he would buy them. Though expensive, one celebrity supposedly endorsed it and the online reviews were positive. He stubbornly told me he wished to give the product a try.

Later, after he bought them, and as he awaited the package by mail, he and I conversed again. I cautioned him, urging him to return the items upon arrival, so he could obtain a refund. Yet, in order to test the devices and see if they actually saved him any money, he would have to wait a month for his next electric bill. Unfortunately, the products had to be returned within 30 days for a refund. To make a long story short, he received the parcel, the devices were junk (surprise!), and he ended up being stuck with his same monthly electric bill plus the unreasonable price of the gadgets. After all that disappointment and permanent loss of money, he told me, “It is a scam!” (Of course!)

There is an old saying: “If it is too good to be true, it probably is.” We would save ourselves a great deal of misfortune, money, and harm if we just used this type of simple common sense. Our sinful, cruel world is filled with frauds and thieves—especially in religion. Wishful thinking and desperate souls go hand in hand. In today’s Scripture, the Lord Jesus pronounced harsh condemnation for spiritual leaders who preyed on and robbed widows. These men charged excessive fees with the promise of arduously praying for dead spouses to escape some nonexistent place (a Jewish purgatory, actually!).

Dear friends, we had better believe our King James Bible rightly divided, or wishful thinking will become our thinking.

The Greatest War Hero

Monday, May 29, 2023

“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.

The Case for Right Division #9

Sunday, May 28, 2023

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).

Can today’s Scripture deliver someone from absolute stupidity before he or she literally perishes in it? (Yes!)

Ephesians 3:1,2 relays the following: “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:…” The “dispensation” (Greek, “oikonomia,” “house rules”) the Lord has in effect today was given to the Apostle Paul (cf. Colossians 1:25-28). This is the body of truth applicable to us, and it is located in the 13 Pauline epistles, Romans through Philemon. Through Paul’s ministry, the mystery program, God is manifesting His grace—His unmerited favor—to mankind in a new way. By faith in Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins, we as Gentiles outside of Israel and her prophetic program can be made righteous in God’s sight. God the Holy Spirit is taking us believers in Christ and forming the Church the Body of Christ, separate and distinct from the nation Israel (see Ephesians 2:13–3:12).

Alas, denominationally-minded people are either unintentionally or deliberately blind to dispensational truth. To exclusively follow the Lord’s heavenly ministry through Paul means they must forsake their denominational system (built on Christ’s earthly ministry!). They would have to admit their preacher or teacher lied to them. In fact, those who wish to keep their church traditions have resorted to disparaging dispensational Bible study as a “cult,” “heresy,” and so on. That is their choice. If they are determined to stay in their chaos, we respect their free will and let them remain in that ignorance. They can continue claiming their physical healing, dying because they refuse to visit doctors and receive medication. They can keep their starvation by fasting, holding out and holding on for “answers” from God as to why this or that never came to pass.

Dear friends, in the wake of non-dispensational Bible study, billions are left perplexed, hopeless, and even spiritually, doctrinally, and physically dead. Here is the heavy price that must be paid for failing to apply today’s Scripture. Above all, here is the case for right division!

The Case for Right Division #8

Saturday, May 27, 2023

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).

Can today’s Scripture deliver someone from absolute stupidity before he or she literally perishes in it? (Yes!)

When the Apostle Paul addressed his second epistle to young Timothy (from which today’s Scripture was extracted), two particular false teachers had combined the prophetic program with the mystery program. They ultimately implied the Lord Jesus had already come and taken away the Church the Body of Christ to Heaven (an event we commonly call “the Rapture”). Hearing this misinformation, Christians still on Earth erroneously concluded they were not Christians at all, for Christ would have also removed them to Heaven via the resurrection of 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Today’s Scripture in context: “[14] Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. [15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. [17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; [18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.”

Such non-dispensational Bible study spreads like a cancer, growing into more and more apostasy (leaving the truth). The “faith” of some is overthrown, overturned, toppled, abolished. We observe this widespread confusion and discouragement in denominational churches—and how disgruntled church members finally turned to atheism, agnosticism, Satanism, or some other “ism.” They always pray for God’s will, but never discover it. Whereas they never cease to quote verses, they have yet to obtain any spiritual stability or lasting peace. All they can do is wallow in utter impotency and crushing dissatisfaction, worried about Bible contradictions and unanswered prayer. No pastor or teacher has anything meaningful to contribute either, for these church leaders are also victims of Satan’s policy of evil. Here is the case for right division, the absolute necessity for it….