Purity or Compromise? #1

Friday, October 15, 2021

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8 KJV).

Will we be pure and thus purified? Or, will we compromise and thus be compromised?

No matter the dispensation, regardless of the age, it is ever so vital to a person’s soul to be firmly dependent on a clear understanding of God’s words applicable for that given time. Making decisions based on feelings, hunches, superstitions, opinions, emotions, and speculations is an absolute disaster! Billions of lives testify to that tragic fact—and a good many of them, regrettably, attend “Christian” services too.

It is human nature to be independent, for that is the sinful heart of us all: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). “Desperately wicked” means “extremely evil.” What makes the natural human soul this way? The best definition for “sin” is provided in the following Scripture: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way…” (Isaiah 53:6). Our heart is automatically inclined to devise its own course. “I want to do this! Here is where I will go! I will believe whatever I want! No one knows what is best for me except I!” However, as we all realize from personal experience, do we know what we are doing and where we are going most of the time?! It is a resounding NO!

Someone once lamented: “I am getting old. This thing called life is a mindblower. It seems by the time you get it all figured out, it is too late to do anything about it.” We can sense the writer’s dismay, can we not? After “doing our own thing” for decades, living selfishly, we are physically worn out and debilitated with age. Near life’s end, we cry out, “If only I did it all differently! Now, I am just too old to make things right!”

Before it is “too late,” may we set a proper course….

The Lord’s Ministers

Thursday, October 14, 2021

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:5-9 KJV).

As I write this, I am thinking of two particular brothers in Christ who have helped me to understand and enjoy the King James Bible. I have never met them, but I have read their books with great interest. They have contributed to my spiritual edification, and that of those I teach. Just as Paul and Apollos labored in the grace ministry, so we all work with God in bringing other believers in Christ to a greater awareness of spiritual truth.

Despite their denominationalism, they shared the spiritual light they had—even if it meant offending “scholarship” and being the object of ridicule. One of those saints was a bitter opponent of dispensational Bible study because it contradicted his religious traditions; therefore, his spiritual growth was stunted. The other Christian was quite deceived in seminary, so those shortfalls also prevented him from coming to a fuller understanding of Scripture than he had. Regardless, I can rejoice in the Lord those two brethren are in Heaven, one graduating to there long before I was born and the other moving to the Lord’s presence just a few years ago. However great their confusion was here, their Saviour has straightened them out there. They fight against their Lord no longer! When it comes my time to leave this world and relocate to Heaven, I will surely shake those two brothers by the hand and tell them what the Lord used them to do with me and all those our ministry reaches.

How we are ever thankful of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He not only works through men who believe, but also performs in us to build and expand on their understanding of His precious (and preserved) words.

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What is ‘the one needful thing’ in Luke 10:42?”

Placebo #7

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:” (Isaiah 30:9,10 KJV).

What is a “placebo?” Can we find it in the spiritual realm?

Does not Almighty God want us to have positive thoughts? Certainly, but we should function according to His viewpoint—not man’s trite religious clichés that gratify the creature to the point of a temporary emotional high void of any lasting spiritual truth (see today’s Scripture). Human nature never changes. Whether in Israel’s prophetic program thousands of years ago, or our mystery program today, sinful man always seeks to hear a message that will cause him to think higher of himself. Prosperity theology underscores the material world, ignoring spiritual truths and spiritual riches, to the extent of seeking God to remove our physical sicknesses, reverse our financial ruin, et cetera. Instead of resorting to spiritual sugar pills, junk food, and mere crumbs—the superficial, skimpy messages of Christendom that profit us nothing—we can feast on the riches of God’s wisdom as found in this the Dispensation of Grace.

Friends, would you like some uplifting verses, what the Lord spoke to you through your Apostle Paul? Try reading Romans 5:1-11, 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, 1 Corinthians 2:9-16, Titus 2:11-14, Colossians 4:2-6, Ephesians 1:3-23, Galatians 5:16-26, Philemon 6, 2 Timothy 4:8, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Colossians 1:9-14, 2 Timothy 2:1-3, Ephesians 2:1-10, Romans 8:1-39, Romans 6:1-23, Romans 5:12-21, 2 Timothy 1:7-14, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, 1 Thessalonians 2:10-13, Colossians 2:6-7, Galatians 2:20, 1 Timothy 6:6-12, 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, Ephesians 3:11-21, Romans 3:21-28, 1 Timothy 4:12-13, Philippians 2:12-16, 2 Thessalonians 3:13, Philippians 1:9-11, Romans 4:1-25, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, Colossians 3:1-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:11-26, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Philippians 3:7-21, Ephesians 6:10-20, Galatians 6:9-10, Ephesians 4:20-32, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, Titus 3:4-7, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, Romans 12:1-21.

Surely, we can find something positive in at least one of these verses, right?! Here are God’s words concerning Christian living today, not idle speculations of men seeking to stroke egos and fill their bank accounts with the money of gullible consumers of Christendom (Christendumb!).

Placebo #6

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:” (Isaiah 30:9,10 KJV).

What is a “placebo?” Can we find it in the spiritual realm?

Dear friends, if we study the Bible and actually recognize what God is doing today, and what He is not doing today, we can know exactly where to go in the canon of Scripture to find some absolutely breathtaking passages to motivate and deliver us from discouragement and disappointment. Scores upon scores of cheerful verses are in Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon—so we do not need to steal Israel’s passages (Deuteronomy 8:18; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Jeremiah 29:11; et cetera) and/or lift ideas from philosophy and psychology (“you are and have what you speak!,” “get more self-esteem!,” “it is a sin to be sick and poor!,” et cetera).

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9,10). “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:13). “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:…” (Ephesians 1:3).

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Placebo #5

Monday, October 11, 2021

“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:” (Isaiah 30:9,10 KJV).

What is a “placebo?” Can we find it in the spiritual realm?

Read 2 Timothy chapter 3: “[1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away….”

“[12] Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. [13] But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. [14] But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; [15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. [16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Proceed into chapter 4: “[1] I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”

In this the Age of Grace, by seeking “feel-good” sermons, the nations are repeating ancient Israel’s error….

Placebo #4

Sunday, October 10, 2021

“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:” (Isaiah 30:9,10 KJV).

What is a “placebo?” Can we find it in the spiritual realm?

In the Book of Daniel, the LORD God foretells the world’s governments while David’s throne is lost to Gentile political powers. During this “time of the heathen” (Ezekiel 30:3) or these “times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24), no son of David governs Israel from Jerusalem; see the curses of Leviticus 26:18-19 and 27-39. When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon progressively weakened Judah militarily and politically circa 606 B.C., the final three sons of David or kings of Jerusalem served (until Jerusalem’s fall in 586 B.C.). Messiah/Christ Jesus, the ultimate Son of David, sought to reclaim his throne from non-Jews (Ezekiel 21:25-27). Howbeit, Israel refused, for, in their unbelief and sin, they exclaimed, “We have no king but Caesar!” (John 19:15).

With Messiah rejected and heading to Calvary to die, a counterfeit king of Israel will sit on David’s throne (cf. John 5:43; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). “And in his estate [the political office of the king of Syria/Turkey that precedes him] shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries [halaqlaqqot]…. And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries [halaqa]: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” (Daniel 11:21,32).

On the “campaign trail,” the crafty Antichrist shares a “feel-good” message with Israel—particularly promising her peace with her enemies. Yet, most disastrously, once she is disarmed and unsuspecting, he authorizes these ancient Gentile foes to assault her, thus revealing himself to be the traitor he was all along: “He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. The words of his mouth were smoother [halaq] than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords” (Psalm 55:20,21).

Israel is now in receipt of her desire (!) of today’s Scripture….

Placebo #3

Saturday, October 9, 2021

“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:” (Isaiah 30:9,10 KJV).

What is a “placebo?” Can we find it in the spiritual realm?

Although Israel of old possessed the very words of Almighty God, they made a conscious choice not to hearken unto them. Instead of this Divine revelation, they preferred to hear “smooth things.” The Hebrew word translated “smooth” in today’s Scripture is “helqa,” also rendered “flattery” or “flattering.” For example, see Psalm 12:3,4: “The LORD shall cut off all flattering [helqa] lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?” Also, Proverbs 6:24: “To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery [helqa] of the tongue of a strange woman.”

One popular “feel-good” message in ancient Israel was described most succinctly and outright denounced in Jeremiah chapter 23: “[16] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. [17] They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.” While God’s (genuine) prophets were warning fellow Jews their habitual sin would result in horrific judgment, self-appointed (counterfeit) prophets were contradicting that by proclaiming a message comparable to today’s cheapened “Christianity:” “All is well, you are fine, God is happy with you, no wrath is coming, keep doing what you want to do!” Of course, such false teaching would not turn Israel away from sin; the “negative” true words of God that would lead to reformation had been shoved aside in favor of a “positive” message.

Since Israel wanted “smooth things,” and the LORD God of the Bible values free will, Israel is destined to hear even more “feel-good” words, even more outrageous lies….

Placebo #2

Friday, October 8, 2021

“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:” (Isaiah 30:9,10 KJV).

What is a “placebo?” Can we find it in the spiritual realm?

Today’s Scripture in context: “[8] Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: [9] That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: [10] Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: [11] Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.”

Verse 8 is the promise of Bible preservation. The LORD directed the Prophet Isaiah to write His words, so those words would be “for ever and ever.” (For us as English-speaking people, this is the King James Bible!) What is Isaiah’s message preserved even now? Ancient Israel was just like any other group of sinners, opposing God’s will for them and doing what they wanted to do: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way…” (Isaiah 53:6). “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:25).

Friend, draw your attention to today’s Scripture: “…rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD.” They were not interested in learning the LORD’S words, especially the Law of Moses, the covenant that laid out the conduct of their daily lives. “Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:….” They refused to hear from God’s messengers or spokesmen, for such words convicted them of their sin. Instead of “right things,” they wanted to hear “smooth things… deceits,” a pleasing or complimentary message….

Placebo #1

Thursday, October 7, 2021

“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:” (Isaiah 30:9,10 KJV).

What is a “placebo?” Can we find it in the spiritual realm?

A celebrated megachurch pastor just released his new book—a mere 130 pages. In it, three verses were clearly marked with a reference (“Psalm 139,” for example, along with two other verses from Psalms). Of course, these were shallow, basic passages even a Sunday School child knows. While the preacher alluded to or quoted additional verses throughout his book, no actual references were ever given (even in footnotes, marginal notes, or endnotes). It makes it difficult to double-check him. Is he quoting a verse correctly, and within its context? Maybe he is simply paraphrasing? Or, is it a mere fabrication he attributes to “God?”

Dear friends, if we are not quoting and citing Bible verses in our written studies or audible messages, we are doing nothing more than sharing our own opinions. The Christian life will not operate on the basis of human viewpoint, man’s speculations, but this is usually all believers ever have—and now we see why poor testimonies and even no testimonies abound! Just as long as it is inspirational, or motivational, that is all Christians have been trained to think about today. If it makes them feel good, and the name of “God” or “Jesus” is attached to it, then surely it is something reliable, right?! Unfortunately, the “Christian” publishing houses are running bu$ine$$e$ (what authors and topics can bring in the largest profit?) rather than teaching sound Bible doctrine (what does the God of Scripture want us to believe and do?).

In medical science, a “placebo” (from Latin, “I shall be acceptable or pleasing”) is “a harmless pill, medicine, or procedure prescribed more for the psychological benefit to the patient than for any physiological effect.” That is to say, the sick patient believes it is therapeutic, possessing healing properties, but there is no profit for the physical body in it! Such was the case with “feel-good” “Judaism” of old (today’s Scripture), and with “feel-good” “Christianity” of late….

To Rejoice in True Riches

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

“I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches” (Psalm 119:14 KJV).

God’s “testimonies”—solemn charges or laws—were designed to lay out a specific “way” or path the Israelites were to follow in life. The Psalmist, in today’s Scripture, expressed his gratitude for that spiritual light by delighting in it just as if he had “all riches.”

Now possessing a completed Bible, and having shared it with people throughout the years of our Christian life, we can agree with the Apostle Paul: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:9-14). (As we believers rejoice in the priceless truths of Scripture, so unbelievers dismiss them as worthless and foolishness.)

Divine wisdom given through Paul’s ministry, more spiritual riches, are indeed to be treasured: “For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:1-3).