Category: Bible study

What Does God Want Me to Do? #3

Saturday, March 31, 2012

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).

To find God’s will for your life, you need not “endure” Hebrew and Greek. If you can read sixth-grade English (the King James Bible), then you can discover (and thereby appreciate) God’s overall plan for creation, thus learning God’s will for you.

The Bible says that God’s “eternal purpose”—His overall will for creation—is to exalt Jesus Christ in the heaven and in the earth (Ephesians 1:9,10; Ephesians 3:9-11; Colossians 1:16-20). While we are on earth, our lives should bring Jesus Christ glory and honor: it is God’s “good pleasure” to work in us to accomplish this (today’s Scripture). However, we are members of the Church the Body of Christ, so God’s primary goal is to one day take us to heaven and bring Him glory there (Ephesians 2:6,7).

People have utilized religious tradition to greatly confuse and complicate God’s will. Sadly, the average Christian never grasps exactly what God expects of them; what they are to believe and how their daily lives are to operate. No wonder the Body of Christ is so ineffective in reaching the lost!

God’s will is not as specific as religion teaches. Rather than trying to “discern” God’s will for your life through subjective means (hunches, weather, actions of others, religion, et cetera), you need to discover God’s will using objective means—the written, permanent, inerrant Word of God (the King James Bible).

What would God have you to do, fellow Christian? God’s Word points us to salvation in Christ and educates us regarding life’s situations. Paul is our apostle (Romans 11:13; Romans 15:16; 2 Timothy 1:11); consult his epistles first regarding all matters/situations. If Romans through Philemon are silent about the matter, then, and ONLY THEN, seek counsel from the remaining Bible books. In the event these books are silent about the issue, then, and ONLY THEN, should you seek outside (extra-Biblical) advice, bearing in mind that this extra-Biblical advice should not contradict the Bible (especially Paul’s epistles).

What Does God Want Me to Do?

Thursday, March 29, 2012

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).

Someone recently asked, “What does God want me to do in life?” Well, what would God want us to do?

God wants to use us for His glory, but sin interferes: “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). So, in order to use us, God must first save us from ourselves (sin, death, and ultimately hell). This is why God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, to shed His innocent blood for our forgiveness (to wash away our sins), and to resurrect the third day for our justification (to give us a right standing before God). That is Paul’s Gospel, the Gospel of the Grace of God (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

God’s will is to have “all men saved” (1 Timothy 2:4a); God wants no one to go to hell forever (2 Peter 3:9). Do you want to do God’s will? Get saved! Trust Christ Jesus alone as your personal Saviour (Paul’s Gospel) and receive eternal life in heaven. God the Holy Spirit will then take you and place you into the Church the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). Salvation is that simple!

But, God’s will is to also have “all men… come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4b). Once a person is saved, God then wants him or her to learn why He saved them. God wants to teach us His overall goal for creation and our role in accomplishing that purpose (we learn this by studying His Word, the Bible). Do you want to do God’s will as a Christian? Follow the Apostle Paul as he follows Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1)! Learn about God’s will for you in this Dispensation of Grace by focusing on Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon.

As today’s Scripture teaches, God wants to accomplish a magnificent work in us, a work that will literally reverberate throughout the ages to come (eternity future). He wants to save us forever so He can use us forever.

333’s 300th: Studies Find Religious Tradition Linked to Spiritual Malnutrition

Monday, March 26, 2012

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4 KJV).

(Bible) Studies find religious tradition is linked to spiritual malnutrition. Religion is spiritual “junk food:” it tastes good to our flesh, but it stunts our Christian growth.

God desires spiritually healthy and mature (“perfected”) saints, for only they have learned His will (via proper, daily Bible study), and they alone can cooperate with Him by faith (Ephesians 4:12-16). Most Christians with whom I have spoken have attended church for decades; disturbingly, they know almost nothing about God’s current program (the Dispensation of Grace). Why?

Satan has sabotaged their Christian growth with spiritual junk food! Church never taught them proper (dispensational) Bible study; like me, they were simply taught vain religious tradition (mimicking Israel’s program, for instance). They heard very little from Paul’s epistles (God’s message to us in this Dispensation of Grace). Shame—yea, SHAME—on their pastors!!!!

Sound Bible teaching (dispensational Bible study) is the only way we will grow spiritually; Satan knows that, so he distracts us using religious tradition that deceives, confuses, and troubles us, ultimately “overthrowing” our faith (2 Timothy 2:17,18; cf. Ephesians 4:14; Colossians 2:4,8; 2 Thessalonians 2:2). We do not want spiritual destruction for you!!!!! According to Jesus Christ, just as your physical body needs food for sustenance, your spiritual body (soul) needs a daily intake of God’s Word (today’s Scripture). Devotionals greatly help in that regard.

We have purposed these past 300 days to provide clear and concise daily studies from the King James Bible rightly divided, hoping to reduce the abounding Bible confusion and grow you spiritually. God’s will is to have lost people come to salvation in Christ alone, and to spiritually enlighten the saints (1 Timothy 2:3,4). Rejoice with us—the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ accomplished both here!

We are eternally thankful to Thee, O Lord, Who hast rightfully warned us that religious tradition is linked to spiritual malnutrition. We took heed to Thy Word rightly divided, and shall never regret doing so….

Saints, as we reach another milestone, we are reminded to give thanks to and for you; your fellowship in the gospel has been uplifting, and your prayers have been greatly appreciated. We ask for your continued prayer if we are to make #400! 🙂

Read the King James Bible on Your Own #3

March, 25, 2012

“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Ephesians 3:3,4 KJV).

God encourages us to read His preserved Word in English, the King James Bible, on our own. Notice how Paul, in today’s Scripture, instructed the Ephesians (and us) to read what the Holy Ghost moved him to write. God gave His written Word, the Bible, to mankind so we could read it and learn His will, especially so we could discover what He is doing today in this the Dispensation of God (“the mystery of Christ”). Alas, wicked man has other plans!

Church hierarchies often restrict pure King James Bible reading. Other times they forbid you from reading any “Bible.” If they do allow you to do any Bible reading on your own, they offer a modern, “more scholastic” (read that “corrupt”) “bible.”

Also, they offer “denominational eyeglasses” which cause you see the Bible according to their view (not according to God’s view; dispensationally). Many churches do not use God’s Word, God’s way. They ignore Paul’s special ministry to us; instead, they instruct you to “follow Jesus” in the Four Gospel Records. They cause you to follow God’s program for Israel—you thereby completely miss the program God is operating today (grace/non-works religion)!

How many billions of sincere church members blindly follow the teachings of their church leaders… leading either to spiritual immaturity or eternal damnation (Matthew 15:14)! Precious lost souls, upon departing this world, finally realize that their church lied to them. By following their church in ignoring the sufficiency of Christ’s crosswork, they now face an eternity of isolation, wrath, and punishment in hellfire. Sadly, instead of relying on God’s Word, they believed their clergy’s admonition, “Rely on the church for your salvation!”

In addition, many Christians will be disappointed when they learn their denomination misled them with religious tradition. Heed the warning! Beloved, read and believe the King James Bible, God’s Word, rightly divided (dispensationally), on your own. NEVER base your eternal destiny (salvation) and spiritual health on the teachings of fallible man.

Read the King James Bible on Your Own #2

Saturday, March 24, 2012

“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)”  (Ephesians 3:3,4 KJV).

The most dangerous spiritual mistake is to rely on the mere claims of pastors, priests, theologians, and teachers. Many appear “spiritual” and sound “godly,” but did God’s Word really say what they claim it says? Or, did they simply make something up to further their preconceived (denominational) conclusion? Check church leaders against the King James Bible rightly divided. You will find most of them flunk doctrinally!! They are not God’s servants.

Recently, a minister quoted six Bible verses; however, his message was bogus and unscriptural. Despite his allusions (illusions!) to the Scripture, he taught pagan idolatry and superstition. Sadly, most of his readers will never know that because they took his word for it (they will never consult the Bible). “Why should I question him? He attended seminary (Bible cemetery)—he must know his Bible!” Israel’s religious leaders studied the Old Testament, yet Jesus told them: “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures” (Matthew 22:29). These “seminarians” knew nothing about God’s Word.

Ignoring a church’s “interpretation” and reading and believing the Bible as is is not a sin; Paul in today’s Scripture encouraged the Ephesians to read the Bible and learn God’s Word (without a church teaching body or seminary degree!). Isaiah 34:16; John 5:39; Acts 17:10,11; 2 Timothy 2:7,15; 2 Timothy 3:15-17 say people read the Bible.

Eventually, everyone will appear before Jesus Christ. The lost (unsaved) world will stand before Him at the Great White Throne Judgment to receive their punishment for rejecting God’s Word, the everlasting lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). Members of the Church the Body of Christ, however, will stand before Him at the Judgment Seat of Christ to give account of their Christian lives (the quality of the Bible doctrine they believed, practiced, et cetera; Romans 14:10,11; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

In those days, “My pastor/priest told me…” will not be a valid excuse for Bible ignorance.

Read the King James Bible on Your Own #1

Friday, March 23, 2012

“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Ephesians 3:3,4 KJV).

Does your local church forbid you to read the Bible on your own? Some groups (cults) want to keep their members in spiritual darkness, so they forbid them to read the Scriptures. These dear members are told they cannot understand the Bible on their own. They are reassured to rely on the “education” of the pastor/priest/pope and trust in his (or her!!) interpretation of the Bible. My, oh my, this is the most dangerous spiritual mistake of all!!!

The Apostle Paul, led by the Holy Ghost, instructed the Ephesians in today’s Scripture. If they would read God’s Word, the Bible, they would gain just as much knowledge about God and His will for this Dispensation of Grace as much as he (Paul) had: “when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.” They were not to depend on Paul the man; they were to depend on God’s Word. Never, EVER rely on the word of someone—including me—without consulting God’s Word and studying it yourself.

Scripture does not say much about Berea, but it does say this town was the home of saints who “searched the scriptures daily, whether these things [the things Paul preached] were so” (Acts 17:10,11). They were reading and understanding the Bible without a priest or preacher’s “interpretation.”

You need not a decade of seminary (the Bible “cemetery!”) to understand God’s Word. Trust in Christ Jesus alone as your personal Saviour and then allow God the Holy Ghost to teach you His Word (1 Corinthians 2:9-16). Get a King James Bible (God’s preserved Word and words), and study and believe it dispensationally: Paul’s epistles (Romans through Philemon) are God’s Word to us, the rest of the Bible concerns Israel. Never take anyone else’s word or mine regarding the Bible. Take God’s Word and read it on your own to see if what was said or written is so!

I Will Hear What God the LORD Will Speak

Friday, March 16, 2012

“I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly” (Psalm 85:8 KJV).

There are many voices and sounds in our world. They all compete for audience. Obviously, we cannot listen to all of them. There are many books in our world, and they all vie for readership. Obviously, we cannot read all of them. To which voice should we hearken? Which book should we trust?

The psalmist who wrote today’s Scripture made a choice: “I will hear what God the LORD will speak.” He wanted “every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4). This is the definition of inspiration (notice, “inspiration,” with “spir” meaning “air/breath”). “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16a). That means that the King James Bible does not merely contain God’s Word; it is God’s Word. Moreover, it contains His very “words” (not simply His thoughts).

In Romans 3:1,2, the Apostle Paul refers to the Bible as the “oracles of God” (“oracle” means “an authority that was spoken,” etymologically related to “orator”/speaker; cf. 2 Peter 1:21). The prophet Stephen referred to the Ten Commandments and the Mosaic Law as “the lively oracles” (Acts 7:38)—infallible, authoritative, living words because God spoke them.

As the future prophet Samuel said to the LORD, “Speak; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:10). God wants to “speak peace unto his people, and to his saints.” Do you want to hear what He has to say to us Christians? God’s Word comes not in the form of an audible voice, but in a Book—the King James Bible (notice “scripture” in 2 Timothy 3:16 refers to something written [a book], not an audible voice). Open up that Book, begin in the book of Romans, and read what God has to say to you! Once we learn from God’s Word, “let [us] not turn again to folly” (that is, continue in God’s wisdom; return not to your previous thoughts of folly/foolishness).

Unknown by Face (For Now, Anyway)

Monday, March 12, 2012

“Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; and was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: but they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me” (Galatians 1:21-24 KJV).

Today’s Scripture says Jewish believers in Judaea (surrounding Jerusalem) merely heard of Paul’s conversion. They had not seen him in person. Nevertheless, these saints rejoiced because Paul, the very man who once murdered God’s people, was now God’s apostle of the Gentiles! Paul wrote “they glorified God in me.”

The Church the Body of Christ spans some 2,000 years. Its members, scattered worldwide, lived during various centuries, all having never met face-to-face (I have never met most of you in person). Paul never met the saints of Colossians 2:1… in this life, anyway. When the Body of Christ is complete, at the rapture, we will see—in person—our brethren, the Christians of the past 20 centuries (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Get excited!!!

Several weeks ago, I received an email from a young grace believer and college student who discovered our devotionals blog (he will be reading this too!). Yesterday, we were finally able to fellowship via telephone… spanning the 1,000-mile distance between us. We know not each other in person—we are both “unknown by face”—but we “glorified God in [each other].” We rejoiced in the Lord, how by His grace, we stood for the grace message (the Gospel of the Grace of God), the King James Bible, young earth creationism, and Pauline dispensationalism. How we were both encouraged by each other’s dedication to sound doctrine, even as our “higher education” systems consider us “outcasts.” Our fervor for upholding God’s Word rightly divided, even in the midst of persecution, encouraged him, and vice versa (1 Thessalonians 3:7,8).

Brethren, when we read or hear about other grace believers proclaiming and defending sound Bible doctrine (Gospel of Grace, King James Bible, Paul’s apostleship, et cetera), let us “glorify God in [them],” even if they are “unknown by face [for now, anyway]!”

Peter’s Sick Mother-in-Law

Saturday, March 10, 2012

“And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them” (Luke 4:38,39 KJV).

Today’s Scripture exposes religion’s modern-day heretics and charlatans. By simply reading the Bible, we realize the difference between what religion claims the Bible teaches and what the Bible actually teaches. “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalm 119:130).

Notice what the Bible said in today’s Scripture. Firstly, the Apostle Peter—often (wrongly) assumed to the “first pope”—is not celibate as popes are. According to God’s Word, Peter was married, for Jesus went into Simon Peter’s house, where Peter’s “wife’s mother” is sick. Secondly, this healing miracle was instant, unlike the shams and scams we hear about and see in religious circles today. According to the Bible, God’s healing miracles were immediate. (Jesus never charged her for the healing either!)

Lest someone dismiss this as being supported by a “scanty” number of Bible verses, we find that Matthew and Mark both substantiate Luke’s account. Matthew 8:14,15 and Mark 1:29-31 both confirm that Peter did have a mother-in-law (therefore, a wife) and Jesus did heal her instantly. Mark 1:30 says, “immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.” Not only was she instantly well, but physically able to get up and serve them! Please notice that unlike the “miracle” scams on religious television today, this was immediate healing (she did not need a long recuperation period of days or weeks).

Interestingly, there is nothing in these passages about “she had enough faith,” which modern-day “faith healers” demand you have in order to receive physical healing. Furthermore, the passage never said she desired healing—it was something Jesus did in response to the apostles’ request (Mark 1:30; Luke 4:38). Unlike today’s “miraculous” shams, this was a genuine miracle, for many ill people came to Christ afterward, and they too were healed (Matthew 8:16; Mark 1:32-34; Luke 4:40).

Avoid Them

Monday, March 5, 2012

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17,18 KJV).

When a believer in Christ Jesus comes to understand dispensational Bible study—that is, Pauline dispensationalism—he or she comes to a crossroads in the Christian life. They struggle between two choices: Do I continue attending my local denominational church, where my friends and family go? OR Do I find and attend a local grace church where sound doctrine (right division) is taught? For some time, my family and I struggled with that issue. What would God have us to do?

What makes this situation most difficult is that a local grace church is hard-to-find (my “local” grace church is over an hour’s drive away!). There are scores of denominational churches that are much closer to my house, but I would rather an hour-long drive to hear God’s truth (the King James Bible rightly divided) than drive five minutes and hear Satan’s error (denominationalism, church tradition, human viewpoint, et cetera).

In today’s Scripture, the Apostle Paul gives the Roman believers a strong admonition: the teachers and preachers who depart from or ignore the doctrine that the ascended Lord Jesus Christ committed unto Paul’s trust (Romans through Philemon) are to be “marked” (identified, singled out) and they are to be avoided. We should only attend a local church where sound, King James Bible Pauline dispensationalism is believed, preached, and taught. Paul wrote, “If any man thinketh himself to a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37).

Paul is our apostle (Romans 11:13); we find our doctrine, duty, walk and destiny for this the Dispensation of Grace in Paul’s epistles alone. Those who do not teach the Bible rightly divided teach religious tradition, and they “serve not our Lord Jesus Christ.” Beloved, the Bible says avoid them (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 Timothy 6:3-5).

*Adapted from a larger Bible study titled “Be Ye Separate.” The Bible study can be read here or watched here.