Category: Salvation

God’s Offer to the Nations

Thursday, September 11, 2025

“…[T]hat God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is God’s offer to all the nations of the world today.

September 11, 2001 was a day that changed our nation forever. It was the worst terrorist attack in our two-century national history. Afterward, many Americans began to talk about “God Bless America” and “God Save the United States.” These phrases are not as commonplace as they used to be.

In the 24 years that have passed since that awful day, it is a sad commentary that “God” is now the least of our nation’s concerns. With the redefining of marriage, controversial political arena, moral decay, skyrocketing national debt, and the uncertainty as to what constitutes a human life and what does not, obviously, the God of the Bible has been largely pushed out… until we need His help, and then we cry out to Him. Unless we need Him, we rather not think about anything He has to say.

While many argue that God is judging America today for its sins, the Bible does not support such an idea. Certainly, God dealt with Israel in that manner—“Do good and I will bless, but disobey and I will curse” (Leviticus chapter 26; Deuteronomy chapter 28)—but we have no relation to that Old Covenant of Law.

For the last 20 centuries, God has offered His grace to all the world’s nations, to have a right standing before Him by trusting Jesus Christ. People still die and go to hell, but today’s Scripture says that God is not judging nations for their sins. Through Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork, God offers reconciliation to sinners, whether here or around the world. However, that grace is exhaustible, and one day, it will be replaced with His wrath (Romans 2:1-16). Still, we believers are not appointed to God’s wrath; we are saved from all wrath through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9).

The only hope for America—yea, for any nation—is faith in Jesus Christ alone!

*You can also see our 2011 Bible study commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It can be watched here or read here.

You Builders! #6

Sunday, August 31, 2025

“This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner” (Acts 4:11 KJV).

Who are these “builders?” What have they done—and not done?

Jesus Christ is “the head of the corner,” the cornerstone, the foundation of everything Father God will do with the nation Israel in the ages to come. All prophecies and promises radiate from His crosswork (the basis or focal point).

First Peter chapter 2: “[4] To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed [rejected] indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, [5] Ye [Little Flock, believing Israel] also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. [6] Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. [7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed [rejected], the same is made the head of the corner, [8] And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. [9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: [10] Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

Likewise, everything God will do with us the Church the Body of Christ depends on Jesus Christ according to Paul’s mystery preaching of Him: “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:20-22). Romans to Philemon is to and about us, Christ as revealed in mystery being the foundation of God’s current dealings with man (1 Corinthians 3:9-17). Like Israel’s apostate spiritual leaders, however, our leaders for the last 2,000 years have corrupted us with garbage (non-dispensational) doctrine, mixing law and grace!

Peter’s Vision of the Unclean Animals #7

Friday, August 15, 2025

“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,…” (Acts 10:9,10 KJV).

What can we really learn from this Bible passage?

Cornelius was an uncircumcised Gentile who did not observe the Law of Moses, but he walked in the spiritual light he had by blessing Israel (verses 2,4,22,31). Based on what Peter heard about him from the trio and from Cornelius himself, Peter responded: “…Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (verses 34,35). (Cornelius parallels the Gentiles who will bless Israel during Daniel’s 70th Week; Matthew 25:31-40.) Yet, good works are insufficient, so Peter preaches to those Gentiles with Cornelius all about the Lord Jesus Christ and His earthly ministry to Israel (verses 36-43), closing with, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”

As if Peter has not been perplexed enough, something else unexpected takes place! Verses 44-48: “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed [six Jewish saints; Acts 10:23; Acts 11:12] were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”

In Acts 11:15-17, Peter recounts how those Gentiles were baptized with the Holy Ghost and spoke in intelligent human languages never formally learned—reminding him of what happened with believing Israel on Pentecost (chapter 2). Once more, the Gentiles have faith, but Israel is in unbelief. Peter sees more confirmation God is working with Cornelius and these other Gentiles in Caesarea, though he does not fully comprehend the scope of these events until several years later….

An Ambassador Turns 37!

Thursday, August 7, 2025 🎂

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

Only by God’s grace, I celebrate 37 years of earthly life today!

Statistically, I am slightly under middle age—yes, time is going by so fast. Still, I am 66 years younger than the oldest person I met (a 103-year-old cousin of mine who eventually went on to die at age 112!). Incidentally, one of my high school classmates recently perished in a head-on car collision, just a year older than I and not too far from my house. Another classmate died in an automobile accident under age 30. Yet another classmate perished by his own hand barely 20 years old. At least one of them knew Christ as his personal Saviour. Such lives tragically cut short prove we have not been guaranteed tomorrow, or old age. We are fortunate to have made it this far.

As I reflect on 37 years of life, I am reminded of the many adventures I have undertaken, both positive and negative. The trials of ministry these last 19 years, the people I met in school and grew up with, dear friends who have become my bitterest enemies, the things I have learned and had to forget because they were wrong, the wonderful fellowship of like-minded saints, the joy of teaching sound Bible doctrine and the English language (among other subjects), the reading and writing and researching, and so on. It was exactly 10 years ago today that I turned 27, coincidentally the very day I also graduated with a Master of Science in Geology (Earth science). Again, time is flying, and that seems like yesterday.

Look at today’s Scripture: “Wherewithal [With what, by means of which] shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” The young man cleanses his way—purifies his path, purges his conduct, or makes clear his manner of living—by paying attention to the Word of God rightly divided. I still have a long way to go here, as do we all. “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12).

If you want to read my devotional from 10 years ago, see this: https://333wordsofgrace.org/2015/08/07/a-man-of-27-a-master-of-geology-and-his-god-of-grace/.

Asset or Liability to the Establishment? #11

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

“[Our Lord Jesus Christ] Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:…” (Galatians 1:4 KJV).

Are we assets or liabilities to Satan’s Establishment?

God bestowed spiritual gifts upon the early Body of Christ, that believers grow up into strong spiritual adults (not remain Bible babies!), for only spiritual adults can do the work of the ministry: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:…” (Ephesians 4:11-13).

Now, with the completed Bible canon, the temporary spiritual gifts are unnecessary. All revelation from God has been given, written down in the Bible, preserved through history via a multiplicity of reliable manuscript copies, and translated for us into our language English (the King James Bible). “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

Doctrine is information or teaching worthy of our faith/trust, reproof is criticism for wrong conduct, correction is for improving poor thinking—all three are instruction in righteousness (the right path to walk!). Satan wants us to be ignorant, to not know what God wants us to know, for, if we knew what God wished we knew, we would be “perfect [spiritually mature], throughly furnished unto all good works [the very good works that are liabilities to Satan’s lie program!!!].”

We study all the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, for it is all God’s Word. Yet, we know Paul is our Apostle, Christ’s spokesman to us (Acts 26:17,18; Romans 11:13). Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, describe God’s current dealings with man. If we fail to see what God is doing in the “but now,” and/or try to go back to “time past” (Scripture prior to Paul), that is a heavenly way to do the Devil’s work (serve as his assets)!

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. 🙂

Asset or Liability to the Establishment? #10

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

“[Our Lord Jesus Christ] Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:…” (Galatians 1:4 KJV).

Are we assets or liabilities to Satan’s Establishment?

One Pauline “pastoral epistle” describes the work of the ministry as follows: “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26). “Those that oppose themselves” are people living contrary to whom they are in Christ—that is, believers who never abandoned what they thought (doctrine) and did (conduct) as lost people. They are “in the snare [trap!] of the devil… taken captive by him at his will.” Until they believe sound Bible doctrine to recover themselves, they will be no bother to Satan because they are functioning as his assets!

Paul prayed saints would be “strengthened with might by [God’s] Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16). “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;…” (Ephesians 5:18). To be “filled with the Spirit” is to “let the word of Christ dwell in [us] richly in all wisdom.” That Word of God’s Grace will “build [us] up [edify us], and… give [us] an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).

In short, the indwelling Holy Spirit takes that sound Bible doctrine and works in us as we trust it: “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” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Here is spiritual growth and development, maturing in the faith, Christ’s life being revealed in and through our life. This is how we are liabilities to Satan.

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Asset or Liability to the Establishment? #9

Monday, August 4, 2025

“[Our Lord Jesus Christ] Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:…” (Galatians 1:4 KJV).

Are we assets or liabilities to Satan’s Establishment?

Ephesians 4:17-21: “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:….”

When a Christian lives in the energy of the flesh, he or she is just as useful to God as a lost person (non-Christian) is. Why? Both people are separated from God’s life. An ignorant Christian is just as useful to God as a lost person (non-Christian) is. Why? Both people are isolated from God’s thoughts. The separations are positional for the lost person and practical for the Christian. Moreover, the Christian living “at Corinth” is no bother to Satan. The Christian living “at Galatia” is no bother to Satan either.

A Corinthian will readily see the error of the Galatian, but not his own faults. A Galatian will spot with ease the error of the Corinthian, but not his own faults. The mature Christian recognizes both. Living apart from Christ’s life, the Corinthian engages in human evil—idolatry, theft, fornication (habitual sexual misconduct, especially outside of marriage), coveting, reviling (insulting language), extortion, drunkenness, homosexual behavior, and so on (see 1 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Living apart from Christ’s life, the Galatian participates in human “goodness”—rites, rituals, ceremonies, self-righteousness, commandment-keeping, including holy meals, confession of sins, fasting, water baptism, physical circumcision, kosher food laws, prayer recitation, and so on (see Galatians 3:1-3; Galatians 5:1-3).

Neither Corinthian living nor Galatian living is Christian living—both are man living, Adam living, not Christ living. If it is not Christ living, it is no bother to Satan, for Adam living enhances and extends Satan’s work. Christ is set aside, and man gets all the attention. It is man’s efforts, man’s intellect… man, man, MAN….

Asset or Liability to the Establishment? #8

Sunday, August 3, 2025

“[Our Lord Jesus Christ] Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:…” (Galatians 1:4 KJV).

Are we assets or liabilities to Satan’s Establishment?

Indeed, we humans are “creatures of habit.” It is difficult (!!!!) to forsake former mindsets and old ways, no matter how incorrect or destructive they are. We believers in Christ can indeed live a lie by entertaining these erroneous thoughts: “The Christian life depends on me. I promise to ‘do better’ next time. I will make a deal with God to try harder to stop doing this or that. Oh no, I am just an old, poor, helpless, hopeless sinner who must sin!” This was exactly Paul’s dilemma in Romans chapter 7—a Christian positionally, but a spiritual loser practically.

Remember, Romans 6:6,7: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.” This “old man” is our identity in Adam, something God nailed to Calvary’s cross with Christ. We have been liberated from its power. Sin is not who we are anymore, but we lose the battle with it when we return to a performance-based acceptance system (Romans chapter 7). See Romans 6:14,15: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.”

Sin dominates us when we think Christian living involves our obedience to rules and regulations. Romans 6:18: “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Here is whom we are in Christ, what God made us in Christ. It is not something we make ourselves. We are simply living according to what God has done for us through Calvary (grace). Before we trusted Christ as our personal Saviour, we were living in the energy of the flesh because that is all we could do. We were alienated from the life of God. Now that we have trusted Christ, we have God’s life in us and should let the Holy Spirit have His way in us as we walk by faith in an intelligent understanding of God’s Word to and about us….

Attention: As touching our New Testament Survey Project, we have now started our Galatians studies. See the playlist of videos here.

Asset or Liability to the Establishment? #7

Saturday, August 2, 2025

“[Our Lord Jesus Christ] Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:…” (Galatians 1:4 KJV).

Are we assets or liabilities to Satan’s Establishment?

The Apostle John wrote, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17). Composing today’s Scripture, the Apostle Paul agrees. As God has delivered us from this present evil world (Satan’s influence positionally), so we should be separated from it practically. Unfortunately, the Galatians did not learn this, so Satan was thoroughly delighted when they kept hanging on to their “goodness” (rites, rituals, ceremonies, self-righteousness).

One day, God will overthrow this present evil world, this Satanic Establishment. It thus makes no sense for us members of the Church the Body of Christ to find value in what lost people do. Part of this present evil world is Satan’s religious system, in which we should not participate: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh [Corinth’s sinful conduct] and spirit [Galatia’s sinful doctrine], perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1).

There is more….

arC Ministries Is 18!

Thursday, July 31, 2025

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV).

To our Lord Jesus Christ’s glory, arC Ministries celebrates its 18th anniversary today!!!

Eighteen years ago, as a 19-year-old college student, I endeavored to use Facebook to create a Bible study group for teens and college students. Thus, “ambassadors for the risen Christ ministries” was born. As I grew more in God’s Word rightly divided, I grew increasingly aware of the need for additional ministry projects. The more I had been learning drove me to share those precious truths with others. That eventually led me to look for supplementary avenues of ministry.

During these past 18 years, God’s grace has enabled us to continue the original group on Facebook. In addition, we have branched out quite a bit in other areas. This devotionals blog has been operating for over 14 years now. For the last 13 years, we have focused on developing and drafting a grace study Bible (now in its fourteenth year). Other ministry projects include a 22-week newspaper ministry column (this devotionals blog’s predecessor), a YouTube channel with home Bible study videos, a Twitter feed, a full-length Bible studies blog, a college campus ministry, a nursing-home ministry, and our Bible-question-and-answer blog. Nine years ago, we launched our new main ministry website and now have a line of printed Bible study booklets available for sale there. Six years ago, we recorded and distributed our Old Testament Survey video series. Later that year, we launched our New Testament Survey video series (which will last a few years). We hear from people all over the world!

Our name says it all: we serve the risen Lord Jesus Christ, not some “dead Jew” and not ourselves. The original motto of our ministry was, “To equip ambassadors, and to encourage others to become ambassadors.” Our primary goal is to teach Christians, and our secondary goal is to evangelize the lost world. Eighteen years later, we still endeavor to uphold God’s Word (King James Bible) rightly divided, whether it be in edifying the Christian brethren or preaching the clear Gospel of the Grace of God to this lost and dying world. For those of you who have been with us from day 1, thank you for your prayer and encouragement. We pray for you upon every remembrance! There is still plenty more for the Lord Jesus Christ to do in and through us, so let us give Him all the praise and glory as we enter Year 19! 🙂