Category: spiritual growth and maturity

To Be Seen and Heard #14

Monday, March 31, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

“Desperate” means “have a great need or desire for something.” People desperate for attention and relevance endeavor to be seen/heard and regarded as important. Such desperation includes repeatedly giving large sums of money to strangers and posting the videos online, delivering long-winded “intellectual” dissertations at “institutions of higher learning,” and wearing eccentric clothing and/or glitzy jewelry. Moreover, it flourishes in the realm of news media, which billions have failed to detect because they have been brainwashed. During the last decade, the expression “fake news” has become more widely used. The label denotes lies so-called “journalists” or “reporters” (activists!) publish in electronic, spoken, or print form. As always, someone wishes to be seen and heard—even resorting to embellishment or outright fabrication simply to get “likes,” views, high ratings, awards, and other recognition.

Many years ago, before I started internet ministry blogging, I worked for my local newspaper in drafting weekly Bible-study columns. Eventually, I learned the “Christian” city editor—who (laughably!) told me how he “answered to the Lord”—was deleting “offensive” portions of my column. If those Bible verses remained, he knew the local preachers and “religious” business owners who advertised in our newspaper (that is, financially supported it) would be insulted. Funding would be withdrawn! (Horrors!) $ub$cription$ would be cancelled! (Horrors!)

Indeed, contrary to popular belief, the United States’ press is not really “free.” It is severely biased; I know this personally. They are determined to invent and control the narrative, guaranteeing people hear only carefully selected information (opinions!). A truly free press would promote only the truth (facts), instead of being fettered to the lie. Always remember, people working for large “news” organizations are paid to look and sound good, saying just what their employers deem appropriate—which is generally nothing but propaganda, misleading information, half-truths, distractions, and sensational pieces. They cannot afford to lose the almighty dollar (financial donors, salaries/jobs, et cetera).

Howbeit, friends, there is a sneakier and more destructive agenda corrupting our world. The souls of men in religious circles are seeing and hearing only what their denominational leaders wish they see and hear….

To Be Seen and Heard #13

Sunday, March 30, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Egocentric Corinthian Christians fragmented their local church into little factions: “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying” (1 Corinthians 14:26). Harmony lacked because each was “doing his or her own thing.” They derived incalculable pleasure from their misuse of spiritual gifts, particularly the gifts of prophecy and tongues (see 1 Corinthians chapter 14). Similar to drug addiction, it felt so (!) unbelievably (!) good (!) to be seen and heard, to be regarded as “most spiritual” and “holiest of all.” Their loss of bodily control attracted many stares, and their unusual speech patterns (glossolalia, tongue-talking) appealed to countless ears. Of course, it was all for show, to compete with one another: “I am closer to God than you are! I have outdone you!”

Whether the formalism of the Galatians (the “fair shew in the flesh” of works-religion or self-righteousness), or the fanaticism of the Corinthians (the “to be seen and heard of men” courtesy of experiences and emotionalism), neither is Jesus Christ’s life. Both are man’s life (Adam’s life, sin). The creature is being worshipped and served instead of the Creator (Romans 1:25). This loops all the way back to the “I will… I will… I will… I will… I will…” plan of Lucifer or Satan in Isaiah 14:12-14. Such self-will carried over into Adam’s species (us) when he chose to align with that idea in Genesis chapter 3. Pride is called “the condemnation of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:6; cf. Ezekiel 28:2,5,17; Isaiah 14:12-14), but Christians should be humble (Philippians 2:5-11).

If members of the Church the Body of Christ are not walking by faith in Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, they will not mind the things of the Holy Spirit. Flesh-walking will therefore wreck their Christian lives. Attention will be drawn to individuals rather than the Lord whom the sound Bible doctrine portrays and glorifies….

To Be Seen and Heard #12

Saturday, March 29, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

The heart of the three-chapter unit of 1 Corinthians dealing with spiritual gifts is chapter 13—charity described, love in action or the labour of love defined. Love is seeking another’s highest good; therefore, “charity… seeketh not her own” (1 Corinthians 13:5). Yet, the only people the Corinthians loved were themselves. They were babes in Christ, mere spiritual kindergarteners. Children are obsessed with getting their way, deriving as much pleasure as possible from whatever achievable means. Similarly, the Corinthians treated spiritual gifts like toys or candy: “I want, I want, I want! Look at what I have, look at what I have, look at what I have! You cannot have, you cannot have, you cannot have!” Pouting, fussing, and fighting divided the Corinthian church.

Chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians is exceptionally shameful. God’s gift of tongues, speaking intelligent human languages without formally learning them, is being counterfeited. The Corinthians have returned to their babbling of heathen idolatry and are trying to pass off gibberish (unintelligible speech) as “the words of God.” “Hastala, shastala, habbala, gabbala!” Instead of legitimate language, it was imitation, and nothing but occasion for arrogance: “I can speak in a private tongue that you cannot!” Of course, like modern charismatics, it drew attention to individuals. In addition to strange sounds uttered, there was loss of bodily control (falling down, rolling on the floor, waving arms, jumping, running, spinning, trembling, fainting, et cetera). Fake spirituality was confused with genuine spirituality (see 1 Corinthians 14:37,38). People were speaking their opinions but pretending God the Holy Spirit was talking. They just aspired to be seen and heard, not worship or glorify God. Paul thus counseled, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).

Frankly, Corinthian living is trashy Christian living. It is a hybrid of the wild, loose conduct of charismatics and the depraved, darkened mind of humanistic intellectuals. Corinthian living is not real Christian living, but simulated: Christians struggling in futility in the energy of the flesh to copy Jesus Christ’s life. It is the “reality television” of Christianity….

To Be Seen and Heard #11

Friday, March 28, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Circa the year 2000, just before the advent of social media, society began gravitating toward so-called “reality television.” Contrary to its name, it is mainly not reality but illusory. Such scripted shows focus on trash talk and trashy living, “to be seen and heard” at levels unparalleled. Filth and foolishness are glorified for sake of high ratings and enormous paychecks. Topics once deemed improper—or “for mature audiences only”—were gradually introduced to viewers of all ages by means of exaggerated dialog and feigned conduct. People acting like complete fools on television became normalized, which spilled over into real life. An entire generation of children (including my own generation) grew up with the influence of such “rearing,” observing constant vulgar programming and assuming it was okay.

Social-networking platforms targeting pre-teens and teenagers are now raising the next generation. With technological advancements, today, they have, not merely screens to watch others engage in nonsense, but their own cameras and social-media to create and instantly share their personal folly with millions around the world! Narcissism—love of self—has exploded exponentially. We can only wonder the emotional and psychological damage inflicted. (Rest assured, it will become more apparent as the decades pass.) Yet, “reality television” and “social-networking” are the least of our problems.

Paul won the Corinthians to Christ back in Acts chapter 18. Several years passed by the time he penned our Bible Books of 1 and 2 Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians chapters 12–14, spiritual gifts are being abused. The Corinthians have replaced the Holy Spirit’s work in them with their own efforts, and this was absolutely disastrous. Chapter 12 is how the Holy Spirit imparted spiritual gifts to the members of the Body of Christ before the Bible canon was completed. As each body part of the physical body is necessary, so every spiritual gift was to be treated as important—though some were more obvious or seemed more significant than others. The Corinthians were egotistic, lovers of self who used their spiritual gifts to draw attention to themselves….

To Be Seen and Heard #10

Thursday, March 27, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Romans chapter 12 encourages proper thinking, the renewed mind. We should reason about ourselves as God the Holy Spirit would have us think: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another” (verses 1-5).

As is readily apparent from the Epistles of 1 and 2 Corinthians, aberrations (a multitude of sins and scandals) plagued the church of Corinth. Why? These saints had departed from the basic standard of grace living—the Epistle of Romans! In other words, they were not presenting their bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is their reasonable service. They have been conformed to this world, and they have not been transformed by the renewing of their mind. Being man-oriented, these Corinthians depend on human wisdom because they have spurned God’s wisdom.

Romans instructs believers “not to think of [themselves] more highly than [they] ought to think; but to think soberly….” Also, it admonishes them to think about spiritual gifts in a mature, correct way (see Romans 12:6-8). One of the several disgraces in the Corinthian church, as seen in 1 Corinthians chapters 12–14, involved the abuse of spiritual gifts. Yes, like those hypocrites in Judaism of today’s Scripture, the Corinthian Christians wanted to be seen and heard….

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #32

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

According to the Bible rightly divided, it is not God’s current will to directly intervene in the affairs of man to punish evil, deliver the righteous, and remove the curse of sin from creation. He is neither apathetic, nor cruel, nor nonexistent: instead, He is gracious, merciful, and peaceful toward our human species that has rejected His dear Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) for almost 20 centuries. We should not despise His goodness and/or moan about His plan simply because we do not understand what we ought and have not gotten our way. Far better if we considered the Holy Scriptures dispensationally, find out what He is doing today, by faith do that, and thereby do His will.

Jesus Christ is not where He should be, Satan is not where he should be, the Church the Body of Christ is not where it should be, and the nation Israel is not where it should be. In God’s due time, all will be set right. If we could say it as succinctly as possible: God’s purpose and plan in creation will truly be brought to pass one day, but that cannot happen until redeemed Israel (Earth) and the Church the Body of Christ (Heaven) rule in their respective realms, and this cannot happen until Christ Jesus Himself reigns, which cannot occur until Satan is removed, which cannot happen until Israel is complete, which cannot occur until prophecy resumes, which cannot occur until mystery ends, which cannot transpire until the Body of Christ is closed, which cannot happen until the Dispensation of Grace is rescinded, which cannot be until the Apostle Paul’s ministry is terminated.

“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him…” (2 Timothy 2:12a). We members of the Church the Body of Christ—who have trusted the Lord’s finished crosswork alone as sufficient payment for our sins—understand that this world is not our home. Though this life is rough and tough, God’s grace is sufficient for us to handle all of its problems… all the way up to our departure to be glorified in, and govern, the heavenly places with Christ Himself.

-FINIS!-

Saints, please remember this work of the ministry requires monthly financial support to operate (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those who prefer electronic giving can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Anyone who wishes to donate by regular mail can visit https://333wordsofgrace.org/contact-us-mailing-address-for-donations/ for details. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! Unfortunately, since our ministry audience is so large and our ministry staff is so small, I can no longer personally respond to everyone. Thanks so much for understanding in this regard. 🙂

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #29

Sunday, February 2, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

Philippians is one of Paul’s so-called “prison epistles”—although it was technically written in Rome under house-arrest (see Acts 28:30,31). While awaiting his trial with the Roman Emperor (Nero?), the Apostle was always chained to a soldier; yet, he was free to have people come and go from his own hired (rented) house. Despite his numerous tribulations (especially confinement), Paul often mentioned “joy” and “rejoicing” in Philippians (see 1:4,18,25,26; 2:2,16-18,28; 3:1,3; 4:1,4,10). Hence, Philippians is also known as the “joy” epistle.

See chapter 4: “[6] Be careful [full of care or anxiety] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. [9] Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me [Paul!], do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Thinking the Pauline way, praying the Pauline way, going about life the Pauline way, is mature and victorious Christian/grace living—even in the midst of tragedy!

Continue in chapter 4: “[11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Whether good or bad circumstances, Paul “learned” (!) to be “content” or thankful for His resources in Christ that would sustain him….

ATTENTION: Dear brethren, as touching our New Testament Survey Project, we have now begun studying 2 Corinthians verse-by-verse! See our playlist of videos by clicking here.

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #28

Saturday, February 1, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

Two men suffered the most in Scripture. Obviously, the Lord Jesus Christ endured the worst agony and pain—and we will never even partly grasp it. The other man who went through horrific mistreatment was the Apostle Paul. Study Acts chapters 9–28, during which time he wrote Romans 5:3-5: “And not only so, but we glory [find value] in tribulations [troubles] also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Later, in chapter 8, he penned: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (verses 35-39).

At this time, he also wrote 2 Corinthians: “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

Here is a spiritual man, not a child, talking….

Redeem the Year!

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17 KJV).

What great advice for 2025!

Despite 2,000 years of Bible schools and seminaries, 2,000 years of a completed Bible canon, 2,000 years of Bible reading in churches, several decades of “Christian” television and radio, and a decade-plus of widespread use of “Christian” websites, how sad that Bible ignorance is still quite extensive (it is as if God never gave His Word to start with!).

Frankly, the Church the Body of Christ needs to wake up! The verse previous to today’s Scripture says, “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (verse 14). Paul, loosely quoting Isaiah 60:1, reminded us that the spiritual ignorance that gripped Israel in Isaiah’s day seized Christians in his day—and it still grips Christians 20 centuries later. Feel-good sermons, enjoyable “worship” services, and rites, rituals, and ceremonies will NOT solve this problem—they exacerbate it!

“[God] will have all men to be saved…” (1 Timothy 2:4a). Do you want this New Year to count for God’s glory? First, you need to get saved from sins and hell! You need to become a Christian by trusting in and relying on Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for your sins (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). That is only part of God’s will for you, for 1 Timothy 2:4b continues, “[God] will have all men… to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” Now, God’s will for your Christian life is daily, personal Bible study to renew your mind, so your faith in those verses can cause God to work in your life—it will be His life, thus making you “perfect [spiritually mature], throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

Today’s Scripture urges us to buy back the time Satan has robbed from God (time created for God’s glory). By faith, we need to make that time glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by applying His Word, particularly Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon, to our lives. Have a good year in Christ! 🙂

You can download our free “One-Year Bible Reading Schedule.”

See our archived Bible Q&A: “What Scriptural advice can you give me for the New Year?”

The Person of the Year

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:9,10a KJV).

Let us praise the 2024 Person of the Year—our Lord Jesus Christ!

Society’s most stressful time of year, the Christmas Season, is winding down. The year 2024 is nearly over, and a new year, 2025, will dawn soon. At this time every year, various groups and publications feature their particular choice for “Person of the Year.” Whether a chief of state, a philanthropist, a religious leader, a distinguished author or scientist, a television or radio personality, or some other “professional” who impacted society in a negative or positive way the most during the past year, they are all still people with limitations and frailties. One can accomplish all sorts of praiseworthy, generous, and awe-inspiring feats. However, what carries the most weight is the attitude, the heart, underlying the action, not the action. Was it Jesus Christ, or simply the flesh?

The one single event in history that pleased God the Father most was when His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, went by faith in His Word, to an awful Roman cross to suffer the worst possible and most graphic death a human ever experienced, to pay for our sins. “Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11). It is through that finished crosswork of Jesus Christ that He is still doing mighty works, 20 centuries later. How our Lord Jesus Christ has saved countless souls from sins and hell this past year, and how He has saved innumerable Christian souls from false doctrine and spiritual ruin.

Jesus Christ, who in death defeated His greatest enemy (Satan), was raised by God the Father and is now the ascended and glorified Lord Jesus Christ (today’s Scripture). Saints, may we ever thank and praise our Saviour Jesus Christ for what He has done for us, what He has done with us, and what He will do with us next year… and all the countless ages thereafter….

NOTE: Saints, believe it or not, we close yet another year of grace ministry. Thank you for your continued prayer and encouragement these last 12 months. We surely needed it. While we have come so very far, we still have so much more ground to cover, so much more sound Bible doctrine to learn and believe, and we look forward to serving you here for at least another year (provided our Lord Jesus Christ wills it). So, with that, I sign off for 2024. See you in 2025! 🙂