Category: Tabernacle and Temple

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #115

Thursday, September 17, 2026

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

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Micah 3:11, circa 700 B.C.: “The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.” Ancient Israel’s political and religious leaders were more concerned with receiving bribes and monetary gain than upholding and preaching the truth. Roughly 1100 B.C., the Scriptures relate: “And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre [money, profit], and took bribes, and perverted judgment” (1 Samuel 8:1-3).

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily [sneakily] shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious [destructive] ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned [insincere] words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” (2 Peter 2:1-3). The sense of “make merchandise of you” is “use you to make a profit” (gaining your money, attention, trust, and so on—having first “coveted” [2 Peter 2:14]); it is the Greek “emporeuomai,” from whence English derived “emporium.”

In Acts 8:9-25, Simon the sorcerer had so captivated the Samaritans with “miracles” that they assumed this servant of Satan was a servant of God! (His “witchcraft ministry” actually previews the Antichrist.) When Simon noticed how Apostles Peter and John imparted the Holy Ghost via the laying on of hands, he offered them money to “buy” that power from them. It is a reasonable inference that Simon had extorted much wealth from the Samaritans, so he had plenty to give Peter and John (who nevertheless declined)!

Again, let us be wise about money matters….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #114

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

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

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

God’s ministry needs funding, so we can and should give of our resources (money, time, energy) to support it as we are able. Yet, this is not tithing! If the Word of God’s Grace works in us, if His Holy Spirit fills us, then we will give cheerfully—exactly as in 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 (never once does the word “tithe” appear in those passages). Regrettably, leaders tend to steal those supplies simply to build manmade denominational systems on the backs of ignorant, gullible people. They teach false doctrine and extort money from spiritual children. Religion is big bu$ine$$—and this should not surprise us in the least because it was big bu$ine$$ over 2,000 years ago in New Testament times. Judaism, God’s religion, had been corrupted, transformed into a money-making scheme: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses [cheating widows out of everything they own by offering to pray for their dead husbands at a steep price!!], and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation” (Matthew 23:14; cf. Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47).

“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:12,13; cf. Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45,46). As Jews from other nations came to worship for the feasts of Judaism, they brought foreign currencies to the Jerusalem Temple. These heathen monies would be converted to the Jewish shekel, and, in the process, the visitors were given less than what they were owed while the (corrupt) moneychangers took more than what they were owed. Jesus cleansing the Temple infuriated those religious leaders to the point they wanted to kill Him, for He had eliminated their source of (dishonest) income (Mark 11:18; Luke 19:47,48)!!

Of course, it should not astonish us when religionists and denominationalists violently react as we share sound Bible doctrine now….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #107

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

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

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Under the Law of Moses, Israel’s yearly tax rate was 23.3% (two 10% [Levitical and festival] tithes given annually, and one 10% [welfare] tithe exacted triennially). These were fruits, vegetables, and animals whose value supported the tribe of Levi (priests), funded three yearly trips to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover and Pentecost and Tabernacles, and sustained the welfare system. Endeavoring to appear “spiritual,” denominationalists today give a measly “10% tithe” (ignorant of how there are really three biblical tithes!). Moreover, a select few brag about donating “reverse tithes” (“I make so much money as a feel-good preacher that I can afford to ‘tithe’ 90% of my income!”). This too is Bible ignorance. Who among them is willing to give away 100% of their income? The reason why we ask this is simple: though there is not one command in the New Testament to give a “ten-percent” tithe, there is 100% giving in Matthew to John and early Acts!

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” (Matthew 19:21). “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me” (Mark 10:21). “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth” (Luke 12:33). “Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all [!] that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22). In early Acts, it was indeed 100% giving: “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need” (Acts 2:44,45; cf. Acts 4:32–5:11).

Let us study why this 100% giving was necessary….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #106

Sunday, September 6, 2026

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

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Under the Law of Moses, there were really three tithes. The first tithe was national, a gross federal income tax on Israel’s agricultural production—each tribe giving 10% to the tribe of Levi. Israel was a theocracy, God governing them by the Levites (the priestly tribe); these Levites served in the Tabernacle, and later, the Jerusalem Temple. See Leviticus 27:30-34 and Deuteronomy 14:27.

The second tithe, a net income tax (also 10%), was the “festival/vacation” tithe. All male Jews set aside resources to fund their personal trips to Jerusalem three times a year—Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:16; cf. Exodus 23:14-17). “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always” (Deuteronomy 14:22,23). You can keep reading into verses 24-26.

The third tithe—an additional net tax of 10%, given every three years—supported the welfare system: “At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest” (Deuteronomy 14:28,29). Also see Deuteronomy 26:12,13.

Annual tithing in Israel under the Law thus averaged 23.3% (two 10% tithes [Levitical and festival] every year, plus one 10% [welfare] tithe every three years). Those bragging about giving “biblical tithes” today are likely not giving this much! In addition, they seldom show interest in giving the amount that replaced the tithe in Matthew to John….

NOTE: In order to bring you a special study tomorrow, we will temporarily break away from this devotionals arc….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #105

Saturday, September 5, 2026

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

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Frankly, we could not care less how denominations define tithing. What we are interested in is what the Word of God teaches. Under the Law of Moses, this is tithing: “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD…. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD” (Leviticus 27:30,32). A 20% interest penalty was paid if this tithe was converted to currency: “And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof” (verse 31). Notice how the tithe pertained to “seed… fruit” (plants) and “herd… flock” (animals). See also Deuteronomy 12:17; 2 Chronicles 31:5,6; Nehemiah 10:37; Nehemiah 12:44; Nehemiah 13:5,12; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42. Each tribe of Israel gave a tenth of their yearly income (agricultural production) to their national government, the Levites or priestly tribe (Nehemiah 10:37,38; Nehemiah 13:5; Hebrews 7:5,8,9).

These tithes were to be deposited at the Tabernacle (later, the Jerusalem Temple), where there was a storehouse/granary/barn/warehouse/silo or chambers: “Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:…” (Deuteronomy 12:11). See also Deuteronomy 12:5,6; Deuteronomy 26:12; 2 Chronicles 31:11,12; Nehemiah 10:38,39; Nehemiah 12:44; Nehemiah 13:12; Malachi 3:10.

While at a denominational church building, I noticed a large metal box bolted to the wall. Below the narrow slot in the top was a sign: “Tithes & Offerings.” How could they place fruits, vegetables, and livestock in such a tiny opening? After all, a biblical tithe is not money or personal checks in envelopes but food for the Levites! See, religion does not make sense, and it is not supposed to make sense. It originated with mindlessness, and is preserved only by ignorance….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #99

Sunday, August 30, 2026

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

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

While certain parties currently measure spirituality based on whether one’s church attendance is Saturday or Sunday, Paul worried about believers adhering to a religious calendar that combined Judaism, Christianity, and heathenism (Galatians 4:9-11; Colossians 2:16,17). In Scripture, the Sabbath has always been Saturday, so Sunday-church attendees are wrong if they claim to “keep the Sabbath.” Yet, Saturday church attendees are not Sabbath-keepers either, for they do not put to death by stoning those who so much as pick up sticks on that day of rest (Numbers 15:32-36). In fact, Mosaic Sabbath worship also includes special sacrifices and offerings (Numbers 28:9,10): Sabbath-keeping is now impossible, for there is no Tabernacle or Jerusalem Temple anymore!

Yet, there is additional confusion. Those in Christendom who recognize we are not obligated to keep the Saturday Sabbath have cleverly substituted it with a manmade holiday—the supposed “Lord’s Day,” a title derived from a misunderstanding of Revelation 1:10. The Day of the Lord (Daniel’s 70th Week, Christ’s Second Coming, and God’s earthly kingdom) is that context; Sunday has absolutely no relation whatsoever to the prophetic events of the Book of the Revelation! Notice how “Lord’s Day” never appears in 1 Corinthians 16:2, or Acts 20:7, or any other verse as touching believers assembling.

Alas, when religious men are mindlessly zealous, they grab any verse they can and use it to formulate a practice of their design. Hebrews 10:25 is then mentioned to bully people to come to church: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Unsurprisingly, simply to teach and do as they please, denominationalists have lifted yet another verse from its context! This “assembling of ourselves” is Israel’s believing remnant separating from their apostate (unbelieving) nation to prepare for the coming day of Divine wrath and war (see Hebrews 13:12-14; cf. Matthew 3:5,6; Luke 1:16,17). Unbelieving Israel (“as the manner of some is;” Hebrews 10:25) is described in Hebrews 10:26-31. Hebrews 10:25 has nothing to do with Gentiles going to church on Saturday, Sunday, or any other day….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #97

Friday, August 28, 2026

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

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Synagogues or Jewish places of worship arose circa six centuries before Christ, when the Babylonians destroyed Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem. Exactly as the Lord Jesus did during His earthly ministry (Matthew 4:23; Matthew 9:35; Matthew 12:9-15; Mark 1:21-29,39-45; Mark 3:1-7; Mark 6:1-6; Luke 4:14-38,44; Luke 6:6-12; Luke 13:10-22; John 6:59; John 18:20), Paul habitually visited such synagogues to address the Jewish people who had assembled on the Saturday Sabbath (Acts 13:13,14,42,44; Acts 17:2; Acts 18:4). Note how, according to Acts 17:2, this was the Apostle’s “manner” or regular practice! (Although there were not enough Jewish men to have a synagogue in Philippi, a group of women worshipped on the Sabbath there in Acts 16:13; similarly, Paul ministered to them.)

Part of Israel’s Sabbath religious services was gathering at synagogues to read and hear the Hebrew (Old Testament) Bible manuscripts (Luke 4:16-21; Acts 13:15,27; Acts 15:21). Being the time of the week when the Israelites were most interested in spiritual matters, Christ and Paul frequented those synagogues to teach and preach the pure Word of God that had been overwhelmingly ignored. Whereas Christ concentrated exclusively on the synagogues in the land of Canaan, Paul went abroad to those of Asia and Europe; God sought to save some of these exiled Jews through Paul’s apostleship (Romans 11:14; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; 1 Corinthians 10:32,33). If they responded negatively to Paul’s preaching, God lumped them together in unbelief with their Jewish brethren in the Promised Land who had rejected Christ and demanded His crucifixion years prior.

The Bible employs this language when Christians of Paul’s ministry gathered for church services: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight” (Acts 20:7). Surely, “the first day of the week” here is not the Saturday Sabbath, but rather Sunday; however, the Sabbath is the seventh, or last, day of the week (Genesis 2:1-3)! The only people under Paul’s ministry who “kept the Sabbath” did so in unbelief rather than faith….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #20

Sunday, June 7, 2026

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

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

“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.” When 1 John 2:16 here refers to “the lust of the flesh,” “the lust of the eyes,” and “the pride of life,” it stresses how temptation under Satan’s evil world system falls under three categories. Firstly, the “lust [desire] of the flesh” can be summarized as, “It feels good!” Secondly, the “lust [desire] of the eyes” is described with, “It looks good!” Thirdly, the “pride of life” can be summarized as, “I deserve it!”

Matching the aforementioned pattern, the tree of the forbidden fruit was “good for food,” it was “pleasant to the eyes,” and it was “to be desired to make one wise” (Genesis 3:6). Adam and Eve failed in all three areas of temptation! Thousands of years later, Satan tried to persuade the Lord Jesus to turn stones into bread (“the lust of the flesh”—which would have satisfied fasting Christ in Matthew 4:1-4 and Luke 4:1-4), to throw Himself off the Jerusalem Temple (“the lust of the eyes”—such a performance would have generated quite a spectacle in Matthew 4:5-7 and Luke 4:9-13), and to worship him to gain the kingdoms of this world (“the pride of life”—which would have stirred up egotism in Matthew 4:8-11 and Luke 4:5-8). Christ, however, prevailed in all three spheres!

Our world is replete with people who are thinking and doing whatever they want because it feels good to them. Furthermore, they are thinking and doing whatever they wish because it looks good to them. Lastly, they are thinking and doing whatever they want because it is something they suppose they deserve. Hebrews 11:25 thus mentions how one can “enjoy the pleasures of sin,” and Romans 1:32 speaks of sinners who “have pleasure in them [other sinners] that do them [the sinful deeds listed in verses 18-32].”  

Nevertheless, Father God’s will for us believers is something else entirely….

A Prayer According to God’s Will

Thursday, May 7, 2026

“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.

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. 🙂

To Kneel or Not to Kneel in Prayer? #3

Saturday, April 25, 2026

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,…” (Ephesians 3:14 KJV).

Does today’s Scripture insinuate the “proper posture of prayer” is kneeling?

If one argues that kneeling to pray is somehow “more spiritual” than standing to pray, he or she encounters difficulties in the Bible. For instance, Hannah, the mother of Prophet-Priest-Judge Samuel, stated this to Priest Eli: “Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD” (1 Samuel 1:26). She prayed while standing—and, if you read the context, she was anything but arrogant.

Luke chapter 18, verses 9-14, poses another obstacle for someone who insists prayer should be done kneeling: “And he [Jesus Christ] spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased [lowered]; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

Both Pharisee (self-righteous religious snob) and publican (humble tax-collector) stood as they prayed in the Jerusalem Temple. Jesus never made any critical remark about physical posture. Instead, He pinpointed how the attitude of both men was the significant issue. The Pharisee bragged about his works and how he was “superior” to others, whereas the publican confessed his sin problem and recognized his entrance into God’s presence was only because of the animal blood applied on the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant. Christ declared the publican “justified,” right in God’s sight, even though the man stood to pray! What mattered was the posture of the inner man, and only the publican met God’s standard of righteousness there….