Category: sin

The Nations That Forget God

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17 KJV).

Beloved, today’s Scripture will always hold true: those who ignore God’s Word will experience apostasy, temporal misery, and eventually, everlasting hellfire. We would do well if we considered and believed today’s Scripture.

The Apostle Paul spent a large portion of his apostolic journeys around the Mediterranean Sea (Greece, Italy, Turkey [“Asia”], et cetera). Travel to these areas today, and you will find mere remnants of the Gospel of Grace and God’s doctrines for this dispensation. What was a hotbed for sound doctrine is now a hotbed for ungodliness. Pagan religion and sins of the flesh have just engulfed those regions. You could never tell God’s Word was even preached there! (Sadly, this even applies to our beloved America.)

Overall, no nation remembers God today. You can even go to the land of Israel today, and see God’s (former) earthly people so confused and spiritually blind (Romans 11:25). They have so departed from the Bible, which God originally entrusted to them (Romans 3:1,2)!!

During the yet future seven-year Tribulation, after our dispensation closes, every nation will turn upon Israel. Our Lord Jesus warned, “And ye [Israel] shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake” (Matthew 24:9b). All Gentile nations will forget God (by turning on His people Israel), and they will gather in battle against Israel at the end of the seven years (Revelation 16:14-16). Because of their hatred of Israel (which at that time will be God’s people), God will be just in pouring His wrath out on every Gentile nation. Jesus Christ at His Second Coming will destroy these pagan Gentiles (Revelation 19:11-21), as well as purge out the unbelieving Jews in Israel (Matthew 24:38-41).

When Jesus Christ sets up His kingdom, He will declare to the Gentiles that hated Israel during the Tribulation: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire…” (Matthew 25:41). Indeed, “the wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God….”

Those who have forgotten God need to wake up before God’s judgment comes!!!

How to Lead Someone to the Lord Jesus Christ

Sunday, May 6, 2012

“And brought [Paul and Silas] out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:30,31 KJV).

We dedicate this devotional to sharing the verses that are critical to leading someone to salvation in Christ Jesus.

Christians often have great difficulty in witnessing to the lost. Why? They have not grasped Bible basics; they are unsure of what to say. Many are confused because they have been taught anything and everything but the King James Bible rightly divided. For example, I once asked a Christian if she could show me our Gospel in the Bible. Her answer was swift in coming, “The Gospel of John” (NO!). The poor lady repeated what her church said.

Notice God’s plan of salvation for our Dispensation of Grace:

  1. Someone must first understand his/her need for salvation. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). Without salvation, our sin will cause physical and spiritual death: ultimately, eternal separation from God in hellfire.
  2. Second, the person must understand that he/she can do nothing to save himself/herself. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9). You may also show them Romans 3:28, Romans 4:1-8, Galatians 2:16-21, and Titus 3:5-7.
  3. Finally, the person must understand that the Lord Jesus Christ “died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day for our justification.” This is the Gospel of Grace of 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: this is the only way we are saved from hell today. “… the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23b). The person must trust exclusively in Christ’s finished crosswork on Calvary as sufficient payment for their sins in order to receive God’s forgiveness and eternal salvation.

Have the person read these Scriptures from your King James Bible. You may also refer them to Ephesians 1:13,14, Romans 3:19-30, Romans 4:25-5:11, and Colossians 1:12-15.

A Double Promise, A Triple Failure, A Second Chance

Friday, May 4, 2012

“And Peter went out, and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62 KJV).

Why is Peter weeping bitterly in today’s Scripture?

Moments from His arrest, trial, and ultimate crucifixion, our Lord Jesus tells His eleven apostles: “All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written [Zechariah 13:7], I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee” (Matthew 26:31,32).

Jesus knows that He is about to be arrested. He explains to His apostles that they will be ashamed of Him and they will abandon Him when the soldiers come to capture Him. “Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended” (verse 33).

The Lord Jesus then replies, “Verily, I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice [three times]” (verse 34). Peter argues, “Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee” (verse 35). In fact, all of the disciples agree they will not abandon Jesus Christ (verse 35).

Once Jesus is arrested, Peter goes to the palace to watch Jesus’ trial from a distance. On three separate occasions, Peter is recognized as a follower of Jesus, and all three times he denies he is a disciple of Christ (Matthew 27:69-74; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:16-18,25-27); then, the rooster crows.

What a heartbreaking verse: “And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice” (Luke 22:61). Then today’s Scripture says, “And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”

Peter miserably failed the Lord—thrice—despite his double promise not to. We too are sinners: oftentimes, we miserably fail the Lord, even when we doubly promise not to. But, just as Jesus Christ forgave Peter and gave him another chance (John 21:15-17), we are thankful that our gracious God has forgiven us in Christ (Colossians 2:13) and that He gives us second chances too! 🙂

Man’s Intellectual Descent #2

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

“And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah” (Genesis 4:21,22 KJV).

Man, “armed” with evolutionary theory, “thinks” he is getting smarter and smarter… how dumb!

Before sin, Adam enjoyed perfect fellowship with his wife, Eve, and with their Creator, Jesus Christ. Adam and Eve had God’s wisdom, for God had daily Bible studies with them. Sadly, that paradise only lasted a few days.

Once Satan approached Adam and Eve, Satan successfully distracted Eve from God’s Word by inquiring, “Yea, hath God said…?” (Genesis 3:1). Satan deceived Eve and she ate the forbidden fruit, but Adam was not deceived (1 Timothy 2:14). Adam knew he would be disobeying God by eating that fruit with Eve, but Adam ate anyway, and plunged humanity into sin. What a foolish action!

After mankind’s fall, he became increasingly rebellious, until God finally sent the Great Deluge to destroy all but eight people (Genesis 6:5-22; cf. 2 Peter 2:5). Nevertheless, mankind grew worse: the nations, by gathering around the Tower of Babel in empty pagan religion, challenged God’s instruction to scatter (Genesis 9:1,7; Genesis 11:1-11).

Today’s Scripture shows early mankind—just 500 years after creation—was musically inclined and worked with iron and brass. This is just a glimpse of man’s early technological advances. Although mankind’s machines have improved, he is more ignorant of God’s Word than ever.

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations [empty, worthless thoughts!], and their foolish heart was darkened [ignorance!]. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,… And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate [degenerate] mind, to do those things which are not convenient;…” (Romans 1:21-32; notice the sins caused by man’s foolish thoughts).

Contrary to evolutionary theory, the Bible says mankind started “at the top,” but is now spiraling downward, mentally, socially, and spiritually.

Man’s Intellectual Descent #1

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

“And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah” (Genesis 4:21,22 KJV).

Evolutionary theory suggests that man has progressed from grunting, lurching great apes to modern-day, “civilized” brilliant Homo sapiens sapiens. Considering the recent technological explosion within the last few decades, mankind is advancing to a higher state of intellectualism… or so he “thinks.”

Did you know that Adam, only a few hours old, was speaking and giving names to the creatures (Genesis 2:19-23)? Less than one week after creation, Adam and Eve were communicating intelligently with one another, with God, and with Satan (Genesis 3:2-13). It did not take millions of years for human language to “evolve;” God created man with fully functional mental capacities and a complex language system.

Although you are probably unfamiliar with today’s Scripture, these two verses describe some of Cain’s descendants. Notice that Tubalcain, who was the seventh generation from Adam, was a teacher of craftsmen who worked with iron and brass. His half-brother Jubal fathered musicians who played the harp and organ.

Later, just 1600 years after Adam, Noah built a massive boat, 450 feet (137 meters) long, 45 feet (13.7 meters) high, and 75 feet (23 meters) wide (Genesis 6:15)! Can you imagine what technology Noah used in order to obey God’s instructions? Just think of the size of those wooden beams and what equipment was used to lift them…. Surely, the Great Flood destroyed that antediluvian technology.

Before sin, mankind enjoyed the pinnacle of his mental faculties. But, once sin entered, sin slowly corrupted the human genome. The curse gradually set in. Slowly, but surely, mankind would grow less and less intelligent. He would drift further and further away from God’s Word, becoming more savage and irrational.

Today, as in those early days, man still struggles with sin and has extensive ignorance about the things of God. He still is rebellious. Despite his intellect, man is a “fool” in God’s eyes, for he rejects God’s wisdom, the Bible.

The Temporal State and the Eternal State

Monday, April 30, 2012

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19 KJV).

Today marks the 200th anniversary of the State of Louisiana officially joining the Union (becoming the 18th state of the United States). While I am proud of my Cajun (French-Canadian) heritage, being a part of God’s family is more important. Louisiana is only my temporal state. I anticipate my eternal state… the third heaven.

May I never grow attached to the things of this life, for they will pass away. “[I am] risen with Christ, [and I] seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [I] set [my] affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1,2). While I am conscious of my life here on earth, I live it in accordance with the eternal Word of God, remembering that this state is temporary (2 Corinthians 4:18).

One day, I will cease to be a Louisianian. I will bid this state farewell, never to set foot on it again. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, I shall be caught up in rapture to arrive in glory on high (1 Corinthians 15:51). Heaven, my new home shall be, and there shall I reign with Christ, throughout all eternity (2 Timothy 2:12).

I shall leave this state, where I have lived for all my life, and enter a new state, one free from sin, death, pain, and strife. I shall enter a state of unfathomable creatures and landscapes, expansive realms of unspeakable beauty to roam. And, there I shall see my Saviour, the great God and my Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory, finally shaking His hand as He exclaims, “Welcome home!”

Once, I was a hell-bound Gentile, but since I have trusted Christ Jesus alone as my personal Saviour, I am part of God’s household, “a fellow-citizen with the saints” (today’s Scripture). I will not always be a Louisianian, but I will always be a saint of the most High God. Louisiana is my state… only for now….

Give Us A Free Meal!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

“Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because did eat of the loaves, and were filled” (John 6:26 KJV).

Israel, like all (sinful) sons of Adam, wanted only that which was temporary. Instead of seeking eternal life through their Messiah Jesus, they sought Him only to gain a free meal!

In the context of today’s Scripture, Jesus has just fed at least 5,000 individuals with two small fishes and five barley loaves (verse 7). Verse 15 says Jesus understood the people wanted to make Him king because He fed them!

In Acts 2:22, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Peter explained: “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves know:” Jesus Christ performed miracles in order to demonstrate that He had God the Father’s approval. However, Israel did not care about that; their hunger distracted them!

Mankind is naturally selfish: he wants to be his own god and do his own thing. Israel, although they were God’s earthly people, was no different. The Jews wanted nothing to do with God unless He could do something for them. (How many prayers still go, “Hey God, yes, it has been a long time, but I want you to give me…”?)

God offered Israel His only begotten Son, the God-Man who could save them from their sins, but they just wanted someone to rescue them from hunger pains and the Roman government! Jesus rebuked them, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth [physical food], but for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God sealed” (John 6:27).

For the rest of the chapter (John 6), Jesus taught them that He did not come to save their physical bodies from hunger, but to give Himself to save their spiritual bodies from hell!

Jesus came not to give us free meals, but free access to Father God.

Are We Bibliolators? #6

Sunday, April 22, 2012

“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name” (Psalm 138:2 KJV).

Why do we “King James-only” Christians have such a zeal for this one Bible translation? Because all Bible translations are not created equal!

Those who claim all Bible translations are equal are dishonest with respect to the irrefutable evidence. These people have either never intelligently examined the evidence themselves (they are just repeating what others say), or they have examined the evidence and willingly ignore it (especially the prideful theologians who will never subject themselves to a perfect King James Bible, and the money-hungry modern “bible” translators and publishers who “revise” God’s Word every six months for “economic purposes”).

Lest we be misunderstood, the heart of the Bible versions issue is not translation, but the source texts (the texts being translated). We are not opposed to modern English “bibles” because they are translations; we reject them because they prove themselves and their source texts to be untrustworthy.

Satan knoweth that he cannot destroy God’s Word, for God’s words “shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33). But, Satan hath been allowed to corrupt God’s Word, to produce counterfeit books that resemble the Bible. Sinful mankind—apostate Bible translators and publishers—is willing to help Satan achieve that purpose!

We hold to the King James Bible (that which speaketh on behalf of God) and reject counterfeit modern “bibles” (they which claimeth to be of God, but “privily” [secretly] bringeth in “damnable heresies;” 2 Peter 2:1-3). If our critics are justified in labeling us “Bibliolaters” (Bible worshippers), we must also accuse Israel AND GOD of “bibliolatry” when God told Israel to reject false teaching (Deuteronomy 13:1-5).

Why did God want Israel to reject false prophets? Because of what they taught! So, why doth God want us to reject corrupt modern “bibles?” Because of what they teach!

We are people of faith, so rather than “correcting” the King James Bible, we “magnify” it as highly as God hath (today’s Scripture), and we let it correct us!

The Fire That Wood and Talebearers Kindle!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth” (Proverbs 26:20 KJV).

What do wood and talebearers have in common? Today’s Scripture gives us the answer.

The King James Bible uses the term “talebearer” six times. Let us look at those remaining instances. What is a “talebearer” exactly? Proverbs 11:13 explains, “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.” Compare Proverbs 20:19: “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.” Talebearers learn the private matters of others, and then maliciously broadcast and publicize the information without permission, usually with the intention of destroying or defaming the parties involved.

Consider Proverbs 26:22: “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Compare Proverbs 18:8: “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” These wounds strike the most sensitive areas of the human heart (soul), and causes great damage. The emotional and spiritual scars brought on by gossiping can literally be permanent.

As we know, wood is a fuel, so it can be used to start a fire. Obviously, without fuel such as wood, a fire cannot begin (today’s Scripture). But, by the same token, today’s Scripture says that talebearers can be viewed as fuel, for people who reveal secrets and gossip will generate strife (fighting). Clearly, without gossipers, there is peace—literally, no heated debates for lack of “wood.”

This is why God, in Leviticus 19:16, charged Israel, “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people….” God did not want talebearers hindering His will for Israel, and He does not want talebearers disrupting His will for us, the Church the Body of Christ! Saints and brethren, the time we have been given on earth is extremely precious, so let us be about the Christian ambassadorship, and let us not be guilty of the foolishness of tale bearing.

Behold, God’s Abounding Longsuffering!

Monday, April 9, 2012

“Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” (1 Timothy 1:16 KJV).

Imagine seeing the entire universe. Zooming in, we see the Local Group, a massive coalescence of dozens of galaxies. In the Local Group, we find the Milky Way, and in the Milky Way, we find our Solar System, eight bodies and their natural satellites orbiting Sun. One of these eight bodies is Earth. Earth, the “blue and green marble,” appears very peaceful and hospitable. Beware!! The chief occupants are sinners!

Our holy and righteous Creator, Jesus Christ, is currently looking down from heaven, and He sees us humans, some of the most wretched, miserable, and selfish creatures. Mankind’s sin has so complicated His simple and “very good” creation (Genesis 1:31). Earth, viewed from outer space, seems so appealing… until you consider its residents—the wicked human race. We (mankind) have caused God such indescribable grief. Once, God was so “grieved” by man’s sin that He literally sent a global flood to destroy the earth and most of the human race (Genesis 6:5-7).

We may never fully understand it, but God had such pity on us that He came to rescue from our sins. He became a Man, Jesus Christ, to save us from ourselves, to die for our sins. God even knew most of mankind would totally disregard His sacrificial death, but He had such longsuffering, mercy, and grace that He still went to Calvary’s cross to purchase our salvation. God in His abounding grace, mercy, and longsuffering is still tolerating wicked mankind.

The Apostle Paul, before salvation, was anti-God. Saul had God’s people imprisoned and/or put to death; he hated Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 26:9-11; Galatians 1:13,14; 1 Timothy 1:13). And yet, as today’s Scripture teaches, God saved Saul, “shewing forth all longsuffering.” If God could save His chief enemy, Saul, and make him Paul our Apostle, and if He could save us wretched infidels who still enjoy sin, we exclaim, having eternally thankful hearts, “Behold, God’s abounding longsuffering!”