Category: King James Bible Authority

Treasures in Heaven

Thursday, October 26, 2017

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21 KJV).

In Heaven, not upon the Earth!

One of the most tragic, devastating life events is the loss of one’s property (especially a house) to some misfortune—natural disaster, health hazard, robbery, arson, bombing, and so on. Irreplaceable family heirlooms… gone forever. Vehicles… a total loss. Photo albums… permanently ruined. Important documents… marred. Memories remain… the structure severely damaged or destroyed. How distressing!

Dear friends and brethren, we never, ever want to grow too attached to this world. Certainly, we hold jobs, marry, purchase houses, settle down, and raise families. Nevertheless, we can be misled to believe this life is all there is or will ever be. Satan’s evil world system is very tempting… but it is also very temporary (1 John 2:15-17)! We can start seeking and idolizing wealth, material possessions, physical beauty, fame, and so on. Summarized, “Quickly get as much as you can, and quickly can as much as you can quickly get!”

The Lord Jesus knew all about the enticements of Satan’s evil world system. He thus warned His disciples not to grow too fond of this world. It was headed for the Tribulation (and still is!), and once those final seven years conclude, Satan’s reign will be terminated forever. This world and its elements are temporary. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). Why are material riches “uncertain?” Jesus told us in today’s Scripture—moth, rust, and thief could always take them anytime!

For those of us who have trusted Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins, and are continuing in the principles of grace, we are treasuring up some wonderful things in Heaven. We do not see them today, but thankfully, they can never be lost so we are guaranteed to see them one day! 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “How could Paul write that he ‘heard’ of the Ephesians’ faith?”

Preachers of Little Faith

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17 KJV).

Over 50 years ago, a Christian minister lamented: “Great faith can be acquired only by hearing the Word of God. The reason most preachers have so little faith is because they spend more time around the television and on the golf course than they spend alone with God studying His Word.” Yes, whether five decades ago, or 20 centuries ago, “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God!”

Today’s Scripture is actually a scolding of unbelieving Israel in the Acts period. Whether during the ministry of the 12 Apostles (early to mid-Acts), or that of the Apostle Paul (mid- to late Acts), the nation Israel overwhelmingly refused to believe on Jesus Christ. Paul wrote: “[1] Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. [2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. [3] For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Too caught up in self-righteousness (religious works), they did not see that righteousness was only in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Sound familiar?)

Verses 16 and 17: “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Paul here is actually quoting Isaiah 53:1. Some 700 years before Christ, the Prophet Isaiah had great difficulty convincing his Jewish audience to believe God’s Word that he preached to them. The same was true in the ministries of Peter and the 11, and Paul. Israel had and heard God’s Word, but few Jews had trusted it!

Today, we have the completed Holy Bible, but how many—even preachers—actually read, study, and believe it? Usually, they read commentaries, watch religious television, sing hymns, and recite confessionals and creeds. There are so many distractions, especially in religion, vying for our attention. We had better pay attention to God’s Book, for it is the only way to have faith! Let us not repeat Israel’s mistake!

Filled with the Fruits of Righteousness

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11 KJV).

“Fruits” are “the results of work or activity.” Who exactly is working?

Works-religion parading as “Christianity” has led us to believe that Christian living involves us making ourselves holy by working to keep rules and regulations. However, the Bible says Christian living is “being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ.” This is not self-righteousness, what religion produces. It is not artificial or superficial righteousness, what religion generates.

Nay, it is true righteousness, a new (righteous) nature in Christ and its resultant actions. First Corinthians chapter 1, verse 30: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:….” If we have trusted Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, we share His identity—He is our wisdom, He is our righteousness, He is our sanctification (holiness), and He is our redemption (freedom from sin). From Him springs forth our righteousness. From Him working in us through the indwelling Holy Spirit, righteousness abounds in our hearts and lives.

First Thessalonians 2:13: “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” Ephesians 3:16 says: “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;….” Finally, Galatians chapter 5: “[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” There is the life of Christ, friend, in its fullness, available by daily faith in Him… something religion can never produce!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Is ‘excellent’ a ‘mistranslation’ in Philippians 1:10 in the King James Bible?”

Of God’s Own, We Give

Monday, October 23, 2017

“Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee” (1 Chronicles 29:13,14 KJV).

What can King David teach us here?

In chapter 28, dying David assembled all the rulers of Israel for to deliver a speech; among them is Solomon his son and successor (verse 9). David purposed to build the LORD God a temple, but He forbad him because he was a “man of war” (verse 3). God has determined that Solomon will build the Temple, so David encourages Solomon and gives him the pattern God revealed to him (verses 5-13). Moreover, David has stockpiled building materials—the very best (verses 14-21)!

Chapter 29 is a continuation of David’s charges to Solomon. David has prepared silver, gold, brass, iron, wood, onyx stones, precious stones, and marble stones in abundance (verses 1-5). Moreover, “the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy” (verse 9).

Beginning in verse 10 and on into verse 19 (including today’s Scripture), David offers a humble prayer. Have they really done anything special for God in giving these supplies? No. As the Creator, He spoke those natural resources into existence… they were already His anyway! Yea, when He gave Israel victory over their enemies, the Jews gained such spoils/riches. Verse 16 says: “O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.”

Today, how sad it is that sin causes many professing “Christians” to not give so much as one penny to the Lord’s work and ministry! This should not be, friends. If the Jews of old “with perfect heart… offered willingly”—with such joy—how much more we should gladly give today! “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Prophecy, Peter, Paul, Postponement, and Preservation

Sunday, October 22, 2017

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance…. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:9,15,16 KJV).

The prophetic program has been paused for nearly 20 centuries. Why?

Romans chapter 11 says: “[25] For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery [secret], lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. [26] And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:….”

After our Dispensation of Grace ends with the Rapture—the Church the Body of Christ completed and caught up into Heaven—Israel’s prophetic program will resume where it stopped in early Acts. Israel’s spiritual blindness will finally be lifted and she will return to her preeminent national status in the Earth. Her Little Flock of believers will read today’s Scripture and the Pauline epistles. Where has their kingdom program been for the last 2,000 years?

Today’s Scripture demonstrates the preservation of the Holy Bible. Not only will Peter’s inspired writings exist beyond our dispensation, but even Paul’s epistles will be read in the end-times. Israel’s believing remnant will look back on us—God’s work amongst the Gentiles apart from the kingdom program—and know just why their believing ancestors in Acts never saw Christ returning to judge His enemies and bring that literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic kingdom!

Exercising prudence, the Holy Spirit penned today’s Scripture not merely to answer scoffers (whether A.D. first century, or beyond our dispensation). He also purposed to enlighten curious believers in the Jewish program (whether A.D. first century, or beyond our dispensation).

Growing, Multiplying, and Prevailing

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31 KJV).

Despite the persecution, the Word of God will be proclaimed, it will grow, it will multiply, and it will prevail!

In chapter 3, Apostles Peter and John heal the lame man who has sat at the Temple gate for many years. Peter begins to deliver his second sermon in Jerusalem, urging apostate Israel to repent and prepare for (resurrected) Jesus Christ’s return. As chapter 4 opens, the nation’s religious leaders are very displeased to hear about the Lord Jesus. They imprison Peter and John, releasing them after threatening them and telling them not to preach at all in Jesus’ name. Today’s Scripture is believing Israel’s prayer to God that they might speak His Word with confidence in the midst of mistreatment.

We read in Acts 6:7, several months later: “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” Once chapter 12 begins, King Herod kills the Apostle James brother of John. He is trying to silence God’s message by slaying God’s messenger. As prideful Herod gives a speech, “immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten with worms, and gave up the ghost” (verse 23). In contrast to its now-deceased opponent, “But the word of God grew and multiplied” (verse 24). Describing the Apostle Paul’s Gentile ministry out in modern Turkey, far from Jerusalem, Acts 19:20 says: “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” These pagans gave up their witchcraft and other occult practices, and they embraced sound Bible doctrine!

While Satan throughout the Book of Acts tried his absolute best to stamp out God’s Word, to prevent it from spreading, he failed. It “prevailed.” However, he is active today, 20 centuries later, still tirelessly opposing it via governmental oppression and corrupting it through religious tradition. As Acts demonstrates, however, he is fighting a losing battle! Praise the Lord! Like before, “so mightily grew the word of God and prevailed!”

Inside Not Outside

Monday, October 9, 2017

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 KJV).

Whether 3,000 years ago or right now, today’s Scripture is one still worth memorizing!

A dear Christian lady once entered a church building. Having very little money, she wore the best outfit she owned. After the services, the pastor and his wife approached her. They informed her that she was not welcome to return because her clothes were not good enough! Deeply offended, she wanted nothing to do with Christianity or the Bible for a long time. (I recently ministered to her.)

I explained to the lady that that denominational church was too focused on externalism, formalism, outward appearances. While we should definitely dress modestly and sensibly, our financial situation may not permit us to buy expensive clothing. Furthermore, it is most unbecoming of a pastor to ban people from church services simply because they cannot afford nicer clothes. What if this physically poor person was really a spiritually poor person interested in coming to know Jesus Christ as his or her personal Saviour? Is God going to bar from Heaven one who cannot afford formal attire? No, the people kept out of Heaven are those depending on their self-righteousness, those who wear spiritual “fig-leaf” garments! Never forget, dear friends, that outward beauty does not make null and void ugly hearts of unbelief!

Thankfully, the God of the Bible looks beyond social standings, nationalities, physical sizes and shapes, ethnicities, wardrobes, financial statuses, romantic lives, faces, and external behaviors. Today’s Scripture says He looks on the inside—specifically the heart. The heart is part of our soul, the innermost region of our spiritual makeup where we make decisions (exercise faith or unbelief). Romans 10:10a says: “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness….” Hebrews 11:6 reminds us: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Can you explain Genesis 4:7?”

The Common Man Needs to Hear

Sunday, October 8, 2017

“Therefore go thou, and read in the roll [scroll/volume/book], which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD’S house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities” (Jeremiah 36:6 KJV).

All should hear the LORD God’s words!

Early English Bible translator William Tyndale penned (early 1500s): “I have perceived by experience how it is impossible to establish the lay people in any truth, except the Scriptures were plainly laid before their eyes in their mother tongue, that they might see the process, order, and meaning of the text.”

Mark 12:37 says, “…And the common people heard him gladly.” Scripture says the lay people “heard [the Lord Jesus Christ] gladly.” Their religious leaders, who should have taught them God’s Word, withheld it. The ordinary Jews had been so thoroughly starved of truth for so many decades. Consequently, the nation as a whole was unable to recognize Jesus as Messiah/Christ. Now that salvation has “come unto the Gentiles” through the Apostle Paul’s ministry (Romans 11:11-13), God wants the “common people” of “all nations” to hear His Word plainly in their native language. Brother Tyndale thus labored so tirelessly to give us our English Bible rendered from the original Hebrew and Greek. In fact, we “common people” can be grateful that 75% to 85% of our King James Bible is actually Tyndale’s translation.

Bible translation is ever so important, as it gives we “common people” of the world the opportunity to have God’s words in our native tongue. Romans 1:5: “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:….” Romans chapter 16: “[25] 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, [26] 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:….”

Brethren, may we faithfully translate God’s words into the languages of the “common people” of “all nations.”

Love in Discipline

Saturday, October 7, 2017

“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Proverbs 13:24 KJV).

People ages 20 to 40 years old—“the Millennials”—are tremendously misguided. Today’s Scripture makes it unmistakably clear who is partly responsible for such an unfortunate dilemma that permeates our society.

Friend, if you listen to, read, and/or watch the Millennials (especially on their online, social-media platforms), you will recognize very few have a healthy worldview. Usually, they are emotionally-driven, naïve, indoctrinated individuals. As a Millennial myself, I see most of my peers holding to an extremely perverted sense of reality. They have been so thoroughly educated in colleges and universities to share their professors’ philosophies. In fact, they believe the world revolves around them—that they are entitled to have their way every time. It takes little to make them protest, rail, scream, vandalize, riot, and even weep and literally throw tantrums like spoiled brats!

Once, an older Christian complained about today’s foolish young people. When I asked him if he educated his own children in the Scriptures during their upbringing, he had nothing to say! Make no mistake, dear friends: we make our own decisions, and God holds us responsible for them. However, there is more than enough blame to fall on the parents. What, oh what, did the Millennials learn at home? Their parents grumble they were misled at institutions of “higher learning,” but what morals and values did they teach those children before they attended school? Why grow upset with people who taught your children what they believed and deemed important, when you did not think your beliefs were worth passing on to those children before college?

Were the Millennials ever taught right and wrong at home? Concerning most, the answer is a resounding NO! Today’s Scripture, dear friends, says that a parent disciplining a child with corporal punishment—spanking—is an act of love. To forbear (avoid) such punishment is really hatred. Furthermore, that correction is to start “betimes” (early), not when the children are too advanced in years and “set in their ways.” “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture [encouragement] and admonition [warning/advice] of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

The Things to Think About

Friday, October 6, 2017

“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” (Philippians 4:8 KJV).

Behold, the things to think about!

Recently, a dear Christian brother phoned me. As our conversation progressed, he told me how he had been suffering major anxiety. We began to talk about the Scriptures. Near the end, he told me how he had become calmer. I explained to him that our minds are designed to only think about one subject at a time. If the Scriptures can “distract” us during our anxiety, then our worries melt into peace. Of course, our mind will wander from the Bible. Therefore, we will have to remember and repeat today’s Scripture.

When the new generation of Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land under Joshua, the LORD said: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate [think/ponder/consider] therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8). As long as the Jews were mindful “day and night” of the Mosaic Law, God’s Word to them, Satan’s false doctrine could not sidetrack or deceive them. God’s Word not only educates, but also furnishes us with something about which to think.

Just prior to today’s Scripture, the Holy Spirit said: “[6] Be careful [anxious, worrisome] 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.” The verse following today’s Scripture says: “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.”

Dear readers, when we think on God’s Word rightly divided, praying in accordance with it, then the Devil’s efforts to disorient and terrify us will be greatly hindered. “Think on these things!” 🙂