Category: counsel

A Higher Education: It Is Up to You!

Thursday, May 19, 2016

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12 KJV).

Ten years ago today, I graduated high school. Consequently, we dedicate this devotional to high school students who are nearing graduation.

Are you about to graduate high school? What would God have you do afterward? Go to college? Trade school? Something else? What career should you pursue? If you do plan on education after high school, where should you attend school? These are tough questions, and while God’s Word does not answer them, you can make decisions that conform to sound Bible doctrine—that is God’s will.

In today’s Scripture, Paul encourages downcast Timothy. Timothy was considerably younger than the Apostle Paul. Older people who are teaching false doctrine are intimidating young Timothy: “Tim, you are too young to teach God’s Word. Let us handle it.” Young Timothy conceded, became silent, and allowed the (“older and wiser”) false teachers to continue teaching their damnable heresies (cf. 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 2 Timothy 1:5-8). Paul replied, “Timothy, Speak up! Let no man despise thy youth!”

Christian youth can be just as effectual in their station in life as Christian adults. The lost world is watching us Christians, and we need to be sure that our actions are in accordance with the sound Bible doctrine we claim to believe (lest we be guilty of confusing the already-puzzled unbelievers). Whether “young or old,” our speech, our lifestyle, our acts of love, our determination, our belief in sound Bible doctrine, and our separation from that which God hates, is the way we communicate to the lost world God’s Word and its preeminence in our lives and hearts (today’s Scripture).

Above all, dear graduates, whatever you do post-graduation, “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). After all, it really is not your life—it is Christ’s life in you (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:4), so He alone deserves the glory! 🙂

*Based on a Bible study by the same name, which can be read here. Also, see the study “The Spirit-Filled Student.”

By the way, you may also be interested in reading this archived special-edition study about my own college experience.

He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease #5

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 KJV).

Beloved, may today’s Scripture be the cry of each and every Christian!

Sadly, so many Christians are miserable, defeated, and confused today. What happened to them? Despite having a Bible for so long, they still have not realized the truth in today’s Scripture. Christianity is NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT us striving to keep commandments and church ordinances so God can be happy with us. Jesus Christ has been pushed aside. Religious tradition has done an unparalleled job in making pure Christianity into a worthless system of dry theological verbiage and worthless dead works!

When we study how Jesus Christ lived His life on planet Earth, we can see exactly what God’s life looks like in human flesh. True Christian living is NEVER, NEVER, NEVER us serving, pleasing, or exalting self. What did Jesus say? “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him [the Father] that sent me” (John 6:38). Sinful living is just the opposite—me, me, me, me! Remember, sin is defined in Scripture as: “We have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). Doing whatever you want and gratifying yourself, focusing on yourself and your works (whether in religion or “in the world”). This “self-focus” caused Satan’s downfall. It caused man’s downfall in Genesis chapter 3.

Once, sin reigned as a king in our lives. Friends, that time is no more. Now that we have come to Jesus Christ—having trusted solely in His death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins—sin has no more dominion over us. Our striving and struggling must end, that grace may reign, and Father God is glorified. Jesus Christ’s work is enough! “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:21). Do we really believe that?

Dear friends, if we are led by God’s Holy Spirit, we will not be self-willed, adamant that our desires be fulfilled so we can praise ourselves. Rather, we will join John the Baptist and shout from our hearts: “He must increase, but I must decrease!” 🙂

Estate Sales and the Eternal State

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

“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 KJV).

Friend, have you ever been to an “estate sale?” It is a sale of many items in the home of a recently deceased individual. Whether treasures or trash, the individual could not and did not take these items with him or her.

The deceased left possessions that others can now browse through, purchase, use, and appreciate. For those who think that this life is all there is to our existence, they do everything in their power to hang on to as much material goods as possible. Today’s Scripture calls material goods “uncertain riches”—you will certainly lose them, but when is the uncertainty!

Please understand. There is nothing wrong with saving your money and spending it wisely. Remember, “our” money is actually God’s money. We need to be good managers of that with which God has entrusted us. But, the Bible believer should not be a miser, someone who saves and saves and then, despite the acquired fortune, begs others for freebies. This is silly, but even Christian people do it.

When you pass through the home of someone who has departed this life, you can see his or her life on display—pictures, clothes, books, furniture, kitchen appliances, and so on. Whether his or her soul is enjoying the glories of heaven, or being tormented in the flames of hell, he or she has no need for such items. Those possessions are of no use in eternity. Dear friend, you will take two things with you when you die physically. Firstly, you will take your soul. Secondly, you will take God’s Word. Those things will last forever. The eternal Word of God stored into your eternal soul should be (is?) the primary goal in your life.

Surely, you will leave this world one day. People will go through your possessions and use them. However, they will never be able to take your soul, and they will never be able to take away the Word of God you built into your soul. Of that, we can be certain! 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Can you explain, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner?’”

I Can Read!

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

“Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Ephesians 3:4 KJV).

How can you understand Paul’s knowledge in the mystery of Christ? Read Romans through Philemon!

I have a dear pastor friend in the ministry who, while teaching the Bible, often asks the rhetorical question, “How do I know this is true? Because I can read!” There are verses in the Bible that lead him to conclusions. He is not guessing, using philosophy, or looking to church tradition for insight into spiritual matters.

There are so many people today in Christendom who are not reading the Bible at all. They go to church and let the pastor or priest speak about a few shallow verses that just about everybody knows. That is their “Bible study” for the week… or maybe even for the month or year! They assume that they have done their “Christian” duty. What mindless activity, beloved! No wonder there is so much parroting and deception in the professing church. The vast majority is just repeating what others have claimed the Bible says, and the Bible, more often than not, never said what they claimed it did. Whenever someone offers you a denominational handbook instead of a Bible, he or she is demonstrating to you exactly where his or her heart is. You will be able to see whether God’s Word is being exalted in that group or being ignored by that group.

The chief goal of our early English Bible translators—beginning with John Wycliffe in the late 1300s and culminating with the King James Bible translators in the early 1600s—was to make God’s Word available to the laypeople. For centuries, the “educated” clergy had interpreted the Bible through the lens of tradition. The common people, having little to no training, simply believed whatever the church leadership taught. How sad to learn this is still ongoing—over 400 years after the Holy Spirit gave us the final English Bible! Saints literally died to give it to us, and we often put it on a shelf to collect dust. We open it only in “difficult” times. What a travesty! (And we wonder why the Body of Christ is so pathetically ignorant!)

Dear friend, read your Bible for yourself! 🙂

Mother: A Virtuous Woman

Sunday, May 8, 2016

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10 KJV).

Today is Mother’s Day, so we dedicate this devotional to godly women (specifically mothers). I especially dedicate this to the virtuous woman who has been in my life for almost 28 years… my mom!

Today’s Scripture is the first verse of the Bible’s “Virtuous Woman” passage (Proverbs 31:10-31). King Solomon explained that the virtuous woman:

  • has a husband who safely trusts in her (verses 11,12).
  • is not lazy, but is strong because she works to feed and clothe her family and herself (verses 13-19,21,22,24,25,27).
  • pities the poor and needy (verse 20).
  • has a husband who is well-known because of her godly lifestyle (verse 23).
  • opens her mouth with wisdom, and speaks kindly and lovingly (verse 26).
  • has children and a husband who praise her (verse 28).
  • excels in what she does (verse 29).
  • has works that praise her (verse 31).

Verse 30 explains the virtuous woman is “a woman that feareth the LORD.”

The Apostle Paul wrote that godly women should: not slander/gossip, not be controlled by alcohol and emotions (sober minded), be teachers of good things, love their husbands and children, be cautious and modest, maintain the home, be “good,” and should obey (respect) their husbands… “that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5). A Christian woman, especially a mother, should be a virtuous woman in beliefs as well as in deed. She needs to set an example for her children (especially her daughters).

A Christian woman and/or Christian mother places her faith in this sound Bible doctrine, the indwelling Holy Spirit will then take that doctrine and transform her for God’s glory (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Her mind will be renewed by sound Bible doctrine, and that will transform her outward activity (Romans 12:1,2).

Are you a Christian woman or Christian mother who desires to be the woman God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest!

 HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO OUR READERS WHO ARE MOTHERS!

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

Prating Versus Profiting

Saturday, May 7, 2016

“The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall…. He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall” (Proverbs 10:8,10 KJV).

What does “prating” mean?

The word “prating” appears thrice in our King James Bible—twice in today’s Scripture and once in 3 John 10. Third John 10, the Apostle John describing an apostate named Diotrephes, says: “Wherefore if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.”

According to the book of Proverbs (today’s Scripture), “prating” characterizes a fool. Fools talk excessively and pointlessly. They like to babble, and enjoy hearing themselves speak, but the talk is empty and foolish, simple-mindedness expressed in words. While fools may exercise great oratorical skills, employ a large and impressive vocabulary, and receive great praise of men, the value of their utterances is “0.” There is nothing substantial. They need to be using their tongues more wisely! For, Jesus Christ warned: “That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36).

In 3 John 10 (quoted above), “prating” is used not only to describe excessive and foolish talking, but specifically critical remarks made about someone, which remarks are careless because they have no merit. The Bible says that Diotrephes was guilty of “prating against” the apostolic leadership of Israel’s little flock. He was prattling (same as “prating”)—maligning, ranting—about men in and through whom the Holy Spirit was operating. Satan greatly used this to his advantage, to hinder the local Jewish assembly.

Dear friends, there is much “prating” today, even in religious circles, including many so-called “Christian” ones. There are “Diotrepheses” out there. May we not be them. If we are using God’s Word rightly divided, the King James Bible dispensationally-delivered and believed, we will be using profitable, substantive words, terms and concepts that will count for eternity. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

A Prayer According to God’s Will

Thursday, May 5, 2016

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” (1 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV).

On this United States’ National Day of Prayer, we pray you pray according to the Lord Jesus Christ’s will for today!

Today, religious people—the general public, clergy, and government officials—will assemble nationwide, like they do every year, and pray for spiritual and moral revival of the “Christian” (?) United States of America. We commend their noble efforts, but God’s Word says there will be no godly revival of any of the world’s Gentile nations until Jesus Christ returns to earth at His Second Coming (Isaiah 11:9; Isaiah 59:20–60:3; Zechariah 8:20-23; Revelation 11:15; et cetera).

The LORD’s words to King Solomon are often quoted on this day: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Friends, this is certainly God’s Word, but has nothing to do with Gentiles in the United States in the Dispensation of Grace. This verse has a context often overlooked—the nation Israel under the Mosaic Law, praying in relation to God’s Temple in Jerusalem (verses 15,16). Actually, that Temple was destroyed over 19 centuries ago! Unlike Israel, the United States was never a divinely-founded nation. The American people as a whole are not God’s people like Israel was.

Rather than praying 2 Chronicles 7:14, remember today’s Scripture (God’s Word to us Gentiles). The verse following today’s Scripture says, “[God] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Pray for those in authority, that they would trust Jesus Christ alone as their personal Saviour, and then grow in His Word to them so they can make wise decisions on behalf of the people they govern.

333’s 1800th – The Word of God, Quick and Powerful

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 KJV).

Dear brethren worldwide, by God’s grace, “333 Words of Grace” marks devotional #1800 today!

Had God left us (mankind) to ourselves, we truly would be hopeless and helpless, spiritually blind, unable to know anything about Him or His original intention for us. While so many people are ignorant of Scripture—even with several Bibles at home—the Bible is not an impossible Book. If we truly have an eye to see, if we truly have an ear to hear, and if we truly have a heart to believe, we have God’s personal guarantee that we will know what He wants us to know. Jesus Himself said, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17). By the same token, if we prefer to stay “in the dark,” He will grant us that wish!

Today’s Scripture says God’s Word is “quick” (living and life-giving). Jesus Christ said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). The Word of God has the ability to impart spiritual life to its hearers. Today’s Scripture says that God’s Word is also “powerful” (mighty, potent). Paul wrote that God’s Word “effectually worketh also in you that believeth” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). The Word of God has the ability to impart spiritual power to its hearers. The key is to believe/trust that divine Word!

For 1800 days straight now, just a month short of five years (!), we have daily delivered you the Word of God rightly divided. You have been exposed to more Bible doctrine these last 59 months than most will ever get in a lifetime. Friends, we have all learned much from the world’s greatest Book. Yet, there is so much more to learn! Our hope and prayer is that you have believed the thousands of verses we have discussed thus far. After all, there are thousands more to discuss and believe! 🙂 Onward and upward in Christ!

Enjoy our daily devotionals? You can always donate securely to us by visiting https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Thanks!

Time Management

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

“And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee” (Luke 4:43,44 KJV).

Our Lord teaches us to manage our time wisely!

“And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them” (verse 42). The people of Capernaum had delayed our Lord, but He told them He could not remain in their town indefinitely. He had to preach to other cities in Galilee (today’s Scripture). Only a few weeks into His earthly ministry, there was more traveling and preaching to do! He had just over three years to teach God’s Word to all Israel. From northern Israel (Galilee) to southern Israel (Judaea), He had much territory to cover and many words to speak. Hence, He made wise use of His time and energy.

Friends, through the years, I have learned one of the greatest challenges in the ministry is determining how long to spend with one person. You could sit for hours discussing the Bible with some people. It would be very beneficial for you both. With others, however, those hours would be a complete waste of time. They only want to argue. As you mature, you will gain a better understanding of what signs indicate a person is receptive and what signs indicate someone who is not worth dealing with. Remember, you have just a short time on earth, and you must reach as many receptive people with God’s Word as you can. You must make time for as many new people as you can. Furthermore, you should continue dealing with those interested who have been listening to you for some time.

Like in our Lord Jesus’ earthly ministry, there will be physical exhaustion, disruptions, and oppositions. Jesus had to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom—“I am Christ/Messiah/Son of God”—to many cities and towns. Likewise, let us be faithful in preaching the Gospel of the Grace of God—“Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)—to as many people as we can!

The Awareness of a Temporary Earth

 Friday, April 22, 2016

“And, Thou, O Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: they shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail” (Hebrews 1:10-12 KJV).

On this Earth Day, let us not confuse the creation with the Creator!

Today, people worldwide celebrate “environmental awareness.” According to the secular, naturalistic worldview, our planet and its sun could last many more billions of years. They claim that we have done so much damage to our planet—climate change, overpopulation, deforestation, pollution, et cetera—that we must change our attitude toward “mother earth” and change our lifestyles before we destroy her and civilization as we know it! You can sense the zeal in their message, can you not? While these people are sincere, they are wasting all of their time, energy, and resources on a temporary planet.

Let us be very clear that the Lord Jesus Christ placed man on the earth, especially the Garden of Eden, to “dress it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). Adam was to take care of the Earth: he was God’s representative, God’s king, who had a divine commission to rule this planet for God’s glory (Genesis 1:26-28).

It was not long, however, before Satan distracted mankind from understanding God’s purpose for him. Adam began to focus on himself: like Satan, he began to “worship and serve the creature more than the Creator” (Romans 1:25). Thus began man’s continual downward spiral into spiritual ignorance. He would continually worship himself, as we well know today.

Today’s Scripture reminds us that, because of sin, this creation will pass away. The Lord Jesus Christ, however, will live forever. Why worship that which is temporary? It makes no sense! The Lord Jesus Christ gave you life, not the pagan goddess “mother earth.” Environmental awareness? Indeed, be aware that our world is temporary, as God will one day create “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1).

Bible Q&A #255: “Can you explain Colossians 3:3-4?”