Category: thankfulness

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #151

Saturday, October 24, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19) is the first evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit in this the Dispensation of the Grace of God (verse 18); the other two proofs are thankfulness (verse 20) and submission (verse 21). All three are “the will of the Lord” (verse 17). We are “filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) when “the word of Christ dwell[s] in [us] richly in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). If our Christian life is to operate as Father God planned, we must know what Christ has told us through our Apostle Paul. The Holy Spirit leads us to no other conclusion.

In “time past,” Israel’s standard was the Law (Hebrew Bible): “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:19,20). Whatever we see and hear in “but now” must align with the doctrinal standard God the Holy Spirit has preserved in His rightly divided Word. Our guidelines are Paul’s 13 epistles, Romans to Philemon: “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 14:37,38).

Few comprehend that many of our popular “Christian” hymns came from writers whose denominational systems are combinations of superstition, heathenism, Judaism, and Christianity. They combine prophecy and mystery, confusing Israel and the Body of Christ, Law and Grace. When church members sing them, the ignorance is reinforced. The songwriters’ poor understanding of spiritual matters is transferred to everyone else. In certain cases, this process has spanned centuries—and, being so widespread, it is almost impossible to correct it. However, the damage inflicted is seldom detected, as the attendant entertainment seems to “justify” the singing (in the minds of the simple, anyway).

Dear friends, we had better grow up concerning music, and that right soon….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #118

Sunday, September 20, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Read Philippians 4:10-18: “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 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. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.”

At the end of the Acts period, when Paul was awaiting a hearing before Emperor Caesar, the Apostle stayed for two years in his own hired house (house-arrest) at Rome (Acts 28:30,31). During this time, the Philippian Christians sent a material gift (“things”) to him through a messenger named Epaphroditus—money, food, clothing, and/or other essential possessions (inferred from the context). Paul expressed gladness and thankfulness to receive it. He in no way desired a gift or felt greedy, but he desired fruit that would abound to their account (Philippians 4:17). That is, by participating in his ministry in this manner, they were accumulating a spiritual reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ (see “…he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” in 2 Corinthians 9:6). Giving under grace is a portion of their—and of our—Christian service, and we can rest assured God will not forget to pay us back in the spiritual realm….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #111

Sunday, September 13, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Doubtless, tithing is Scriptural—but is it dispensational? To wit, is it God’s Word to and about us? No! Even if we wanted to, it is impossible to give a biblical tithe today. There is no functioning Levitical priesthood, no Jerusalem Temple, no Mosaic Law, and no Israel in God’s current relations with man. Furthermore, no biblical tithe would ever fund manmade denominations!

Israel’s tithing was to prove God’s faithfulness to bless in response to obedience (or, His faithfulness to curse in reaction to disobedience!). However, giving under Grace (God’s present dealings with us) is to prove our gratitude to God for Him blessing us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Tithing is driven by fear and guilt, but giving under Grace originates from love and thankfulness. Mark it well: God’s grace is not against giving; it is against tithing!

The Bible is clear that local churches should financially support their pastors and teachers as much as they are able, for those leaders do the work of the ministry (1 Corinthians 9:1-18; 2 Corinthians 11:9; Galatians 6:6,10; Philippians 4:10-18; 1 Timothy 5:17,18). Alas, there is so much abuse, as staggering sums of money have been taken—and are still being taken—under fraudulent pretenses. For centuries upon centuries, denominational people have been giving out of guilt and fear (Law, not Grace), thinking they will receive material riches from God in return (“prosperity theology”). Such extortion has proliferated substantially since the advent of telecommunications (radio, television, and internet). The Scriptures foretold in 1 Timothy 6:3-19 about multimillionaire preachers and multimillionaire teachers—and those who lacked enough spiritual sense to avoid being scammed have no one to blame but themselves.

After a brother came to understand the Bible dispensationally, learning how we are not obligated to tithe but are free to give under Grace, he told me, “All these denominational churches are about is money!” Sure! It took him only 60 years to figure that out. Unfortunately, before he graduated to Heaven, he wound up back at a church of his former denomination! (His case is not isolated.)

Let us see if we can drive out even more Bible ignorance….

The Greatest War Hero

Monday, May 25, 2026

“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.

Heir by Position, Pauper by Practice #17

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

“Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7 KJV).

Saints, we in Christ are spiritual winners and heirs by position, but we can choose to be spiritual losers and paupers by practice!

Despite the (hopefully) underlying sincerity, it is vain church tradition to urge unbelievers and new believers to begin reading the Holy Bible in the Book of John. Yea, it is more preferable for them to start in the Book of Romans. After all, Paul’s epistle (formal doctrinal letter) to the Romans is actually divided into four “grace pillars” which constitute the foundation of the Christian life. How does the Christian life commence? Read Romans! How does the Christian life work? Read Romans!

Romans chapters 1–5 is justification, having a right standing before God by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Chapters 6–8 is sanctification, being set apart unto God’s purposes (chapter 6 is how we are dead to sin, chapter 7 is how we are dead to the Law, and chapter 8 is how we are alive unto God by the indwelling Holy Spirit). Romans chapters 9–11 is dispensation, how we are not Israel and how we have not replaced Israel (chapter 9 is Israel’s past, chapter 10 is Israel’s present, and chapter 11 is Israel’s future). Chapters 12–16 is application of grace principles to specific daily situations and circumstances (renewed mind, living with fellow Christians and unbelievers, human government, weaker brethren, unity among members of the local church, et cetera).

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6,7). Our “walk” is our Christian conduct or service—and it works by faith in Christ just as we received Him by faith (see verse 5). “Rooted in Him” suggests life (like a plant), whereas “built up in Him” implies firmness (like a structure). “Stablished in the faith” is stabilized according to sound/healthy Bible doctrine which we must first be “taught,” for our Christian life will not operate on the basis of Bible ignorance. We should be immensely grateful to God for what He has done for us. Yet, Colossians 2:8 issues a warning….

In Every Thing Give Thanks

Thursday, November 27, 2025

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV).

Dear saints, take a moment this Thanksgiving to learn a valuable lesson from the Holy Scriptures!

God wants “all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4). To be “saved” here means you have been rescued from the penalty of sin (hell and the lake of fire), and that you have a home in heaven, because you have trusted the death, shed blood, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as sufficient payment for your sins. To “come unto the knowledge of the truth” is when a person who has trusted Christ, begins to understand why God saved him or her, and how God will use him or her for His glory. Although soul salvation is instantaneous, spiritual maturity is a life-long process (that is especially true regarding handling difficulties, the grace way!).

It is human nature to avoid difficulties and stress, to flee them, rather than confront them. This self-preservation is advantageous, particularly in “life or death” situations. However, running from troubling circumstances is not the way God has designed our life in Christ to function. Today’s Scripture says, “In every thing give thanks,” not “For every thing give thanks.” We do not thank God for our troubles; we thank God while we are enduring those troubles. This is tough, I know, but it takes time for us to learn it. Even the Apostle Paul had to learn this.

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 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. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:11-13).

Be thankful in every thing. God’s grace is sufficient for you, dear saint, in all of life’s circumstances. When you learn this, you are “[coming] unto the knowledge of the truth.”

*Excerpted from our Thanksgiving 2012 Bible study with the same name. That study can be read here or watched here.

You may also see, “What are our spiritual blessings in Christ?”

Your Right to Eat Meat

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

“For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:4,5 KJV).

Before we advocate animal rights, let us understand that we have a God-given right to eat them!

An animal rights activist once appeared on television to complain about the consumption of turkeys on Thanksgiving. He argued that turkeys “feel pain” when they are slaughtered, and thus we should not eat them. His line of reasoning was, “If we would not eat our pet dog, then we should not eat turkey.” Such people, despite their sincerity, are ignorant of today’s Scripture.

Originally, all people and animals were herbivores; they only ate vegetation. “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so” (Genesis 1:29,30).

Then, sin entered, and God incorporated meat into the human diet: “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat” (Genesis 9:3,4).

When we ignore the fact that God gave us animals to eat, and we demand that others must also abstain from meat for religious (nature-worshipping) purposes, that is a “doctrine of devils” in this dispensation (1 Timothy 4:1-5). The creature should not be worshipped; only the Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, should be worshipped (Romans 1:25). As long as we thank the Lord for whatever creatures we eat, consuming animal flesh is acceptable and godly. It does not sit well with the pantheists—who exalt nature as God—but it is approved of the living God, and that alone ultimately matters.

The Greatest War Hero

Monday, May 26, 2025

“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.

333’s 5100th – To Perfect Holiness

Saturday, May 17, 2025

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV).

Saints, by God’s grace, special-edition devotional #5100 is here!

Assembling around the King James Bible rightly divided every day all these years (two weeks shy of 14 years, actually!) has been quite the learning experience, has it not? It is only appropriate—yea, exceedingly critical—that we thank Father God for our growth. We ought to keep walking in this spiritual light we have, lest we return to the darkness of spiritual kindergarten where we have been.

We “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit” (today’s Scripture) by receiving our Apostle Paul (verse 2). All evil conduct (Corinth) and all evil doctrine (Galatia) should be put out of our lives—this is not sinlessness but purity according to grace thinking and living. Unfortunately, the Corinthians had been foolish enough to accept false apostles and false teachers, so those Christians had no room for Paul in their heart: “O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged” (2 Corinthians 6:11-13).

Multitudes of professing Christians find themselves in that very passage. They have little to no time for Paul, Jesus Christ’s messenger or spokesman to them, because false teachers have distracted them! This is definitely not God’s fault. If we are unthankful for the spiritual understanding we have, we will inevitably end up where they are. This is not fun and games—entertainment. It is a matter of having victory over sin versus being conquered by sin. This is important. It does matter. It absolutely should concern us. We should take this seriously.

We have yet to “perfect [complete, see to the end] holiness in the sight of God” (today’s Scripture). Our sanctified, or set-apart, position in Christ has not taken over our thoughts and lives completely. Wherefore, until we reach Heaven, there is always opportunity for more growth and development, that our thinking better match sound Bible doctrine and our walk better match our wealth. Therefore, we continue these daily dispensational Bible studies.

Onward by God’s grace to devotional #5200! Praise our Lord Jesus Christ!

Note: All our previous devotionals are archived here.

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #30

Monday, February 3, 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….

Again, 2 Corinthians is Paul’s book of “suffering and comfort.” See chapter 1, verses 3-5,8-10: “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ…. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;….”

Problems remind us not to depend on ourselves, but to lean on “the God of all comfort”—a role of God we could never appreciate unless we realized just how limited we are and how fallen our world really is. According to 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul suffered a mysterious “thorn in the flesh” (an undesirable situation or condition—possibly a collection of upsetting situations or conditions). He initially saw it as a hindrance to his ministry, and thus thrice asked the Lord to remove it. Yet, his mind was changed when he heard the Lord’s answer: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s renewed mind led him to reply, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory [find value] 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.” Paul stopped asking for the problem’s removal, for he learned he could bear it (yea, all problems!) in Christ!

Again, we banish the Bible ignorance….