To Serve My Own Generation

Sunday, August 7, 2016

“For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:” (Acts 13:36 KJV).

Today, to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, I mark Milestone #28!

Weeks shy of age seven, a little boy asked his mother how to be saved and go to heaven. She told him he needed to trust Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour—He died for his sins, He was buried, and He was raised again the third day. That little boy trusted Christ right there. That was 21 years ago this summer, and that little boy… was I!

Now, 21 years old in Christ and 28 years old in the flesh, I still have a lot more to learn about life. There is still much more growing to do! Hopefully, I have grown a tad wiser and a bit more knowledgeable in these nearly three decades living. It has been (mostly) fun thus far. I cannot wait to see what else life has in store (on Earth and in Heaven)!

Today’s Scripture says David “served his own generation by the will of God.” A king of Israel, and a mighty military commander, most people do not know David was also a prophet (Acts 2:29,30). He wrote over 70 divinely-inspired psalms—half of the book of Psalms! Throughout his life, David guided God’s people into His ways. While certainly not sinless, the Bible says David was “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). David was a man of faith. He honored and believed God’s Word to him. Second Samuel chapter 23 summarizes David’s life: “[1] Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, [2] The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.”

Friends, at the end of our lives, may God say of us what He said of King David. “He had served his own generation by the will of God.” No matter our age, let us not waste our remaining time on Earth!

No Fear of God

Saturday, August 6, 2016

“There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:18 KJV).

Today’s Scripture was true 30 centuries ago—it is still spot-on today!

In recent years, especially here in the United States, dozens of news items have featured so-called “police brutality.” Allegedly, law enforcement officers are targeting “minorities” and being particularly cruel simply because of their ethnicity. Unfortunately, news outlets have their own (warped) political-social agendas, so reporting is often skewed to portray lawbreakers as innocent and police officers as bigots. While racism exists to some degree in the heart of every sinful human being, there is one underlying factor that rarely, if ever, receives notice. Mankind has a problem with authority—his chief problem is with his Creator! (Of course, as with the police officer arresting the suspect, God is blameworthy and the sinner is innocent!)

No sinner reveres the God who brought him or her into this world. Sin has so calloused man’s heart that he is totally numb to God’s control. “I want to be my own god, my own authority! I have rights! I can be who I want to be and do what I want to do! Leave me alone!” This is the rotten flesh of every person, Christian and non-Christian alike. No wonder Father God refuses to accept anything and everything our flesh offers (including religious works)!

Friend, when you have the time, search online for videos that document what police officers experience on a daily basis. They endure some very dangerous situations. While there are no doubt some uncivil and evil police officers, most I have seen were very professional and courteous. They really try to calm and help those struggling with drug problems, domestic violence, and other issues. However, many suspects wield knives and wave guns, curse and scream in officers’ faces, and kick and punch officers! In those cases, police have no choice but to use deadly force. Suspects have never been taught to respect authority (at home growing up, or now as adults).

Paul quoted Psalm 36:1 to form today’s Scripture: “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.” That was true 3,000 years ago (David’s time)—how much more today!

Critiquing the Critics

Friday, August 5, 2016

“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him” (Proverbs 18:13 KJV).

In today’s Scripture, the Bible critiques its critics!

Friend, have you ever heard someone refer to the Bible as a “book of fairytales and mythological stories?” Compared to their other words, this seems to be their “strongest” point. Actually, it is a very lame charge because they probably know little to nothing about the Bible anyway! (They are repeating hearsay—what they heard others say about Scripture.)

Of all the people that I have heard and read who have criticized the Bible, they have all done a cursory examination of it. They have not really studied the Bible to learn why it says what it does and where it does. No, they are dishonest—but they flaunt themselves as “rational, unbiased, open-minded, objective” individuals! (HA!) They have no real curiosity in learning Scripture, no genuine interest in the truth. They have predetermined within themselves that the Bible is a fabrication, and thus have discounted all possibility that the Bible may be true. What is silliest of all? They never even thoughtfully investigated the Bible anyway! They formed an uninformed assumption and parade their ignorance! All the education in the world will never give them insight into the Holy Bible!

Jesus’ critics, when cross-examined, were asked: “Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?” (John 7:51). Of course, those critics were completely clueless concerning their own Old Testament Scriptures! The lost world is just as eager today to (unfairly) condemn the Written Word of God (Holy Bible) as was is in (unfairly) condemning the Living Word of God (Jesus Christ)! Neither will ever get a just trial in lost man’s mind.

Through the years, when dealing with Bible critics and rejecters (especially those of a scientific background such as myself), I have learned that I have usually spent more time considering their viewpoint than they have considering mine! If they want to celebrate their limited understanding of the universe and of life itself, may they enjoy themselves! (Folly and shame, indeed!) At least I can honestly say that I have thoughtfully considered my viewpoint and thoughtfully rejected theirs!

When the Brethren Need

Thursday, August 4, 2016

“If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” (James 2:15,16 KJV).

How can Israel’s Scripture during the seven-year Tribulation help us understand how to serve our Christian brethren?

We should help other Christians as often as possible. Remember, Christ lived His earthly life serving others (Philippians 2:3-8). He did not live selfishly, demanding others serve Him. Matthew 20:28 declares, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” The Lord Jesus told His Father, “Not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39). Christ came firstly to save the nation Israel, His covenant people, from their sins (Matthew 1:21). From Paul’s epistles, we learn that not only did Jesus’ crosswork apply to Israel, but that it is now available to all people by grace through faith without works (1 Timothy 2:4-7).

Believing Israelites living during the (future) seven-year Tribulation are exhorted to help their fellow Messianic Jews (today’s Scripture). When they see them suffering privation—no food, shelter, or clothes—they should be considerate and support them in their time of great need. After all, their attitude towards God’s people is their attitude toward God. What would they do if Jesus Himself stood at their door hungry, wearing rags, and homeless?

Sadly, there is far too much selfish living today—even among professing Christians! They live only for self and only for the here and now. They are not being taught any sound Bible doctrine so they have no reason to act in accordance with it. They need to heed Galatians 6:8-10: “[8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. [9] And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. [10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

Life-Verse

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is my “life-verse.” Christian friend, what is yours?

A “life-verse” is simply a Bible verse that briefly describes and plays an important role in your Christian life and ministry on a daily basis. It should be a verse that is dispensationally-handled (that is, one not ripped out of context). You can memorize it and summarize your life with it whenever someone asks.

I started using Isaiah 55:11 years ago as part of my email signature. That verse has constantly reminded me that, every time I send out a ministry email, a Bible study, or a word of counsel to an inquisitive mind, God’s Word is going forth and I need not worry about it being a waste of time. God’s Word will always prosper wherever He sends it. It will accomplish what He wants. I have done all I can in getting it out. His Word will take care of itself!

Some Christians have picked 1 Corinthians 15:58 as their life-verse: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” Others have chosen Philippians 1:21: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Still others have decided to take Titus 2:13: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Joshua 24:15 is another popular life-verse: “…[A]s for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Other life-verses include—Romans 12:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Proverbs 3:5-6, Acts 26:18, Isaiah 40:8, Hebrews 13:6, Psalm 118:8, and Psalm 27:1. (You can always choose Isaiah 55:11, too!)

Christian friend, with your life-verse in mind, you can conduct your Christian life with God’s insight in sight. It will encourage you immensely and serve as a reminder that with the power of God’s Word working in you who believe, your Christian walk will be pleasing to our Lord Jesus Christ! 🙂

arC Ministries Is 9!

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

“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 celebrated its ninth anniversary this past Sunday!

Nine years ago, as an 18-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 nine 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 five years now. For the last four years, we have focused on developing and drafting a grace study Bible (now in its fifth 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. Earlier this year, we launched our new main ministry website and now have a line of printed Bible study booklets available for sale there. 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. Nine 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 10! 🙂

Please note that you can support our ministry financially by securely giving here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Thanks!

A Grace Study Bible

Monday, August 1, 2016

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2 KJV).

Today, we reflect on four full years of the arC Ministries’ Grace Study Bible Project!

Nearly 100 years ago, the Scofield Study Bible was published. It was a work that popularized—not invented—dispensational Bible study. For a century, the Church the Body of Christ has used this monumental aid to edify itself. It was (and still is) useful in recovering precious Bible truths that had been lost for centuries, doctrines still pushed aside by denominational hierarchies that prefer to be the “authority” with their “tradition of men.”

Four years ago today, after much prayer and consideration, I began the formation of a new grace study Bible. Using the King James Bible, my goal in this project is to build on Dr. Scofield’s foundation laid long ago. We are (and will always be) indebted to that brother for his faithful service, his submission to the Holy Spirit to produce a profitable study Bible. (Incidentally, Dr. Scofield led a missionary to Christ, that missionary led a preacher to Christ, that preacher led a woman to Christ, that woman led Mom to Christ, and Mom led me to Christ.) What took Dr. Scofield decades to learn, we can acquire in a fraction of that time. Brother Scofield did not live long enough to progress any further in Bible understanding, but in the century since he has gone to heaven, a faithful remnant within the Body of Christ has expanded upon Dr. Scofield’s insightful notes. We recognize where he was wrong in certain areas, and we can improve those areas in our understanding and study.

In brief, some stats about our grace study Bible. We seem to be roughly 40 to 45 percent completed with it. How many more years it will take remains to be seen, but rest assured, what cannot be condensed into marginal notes or footnotes, will be, Lord willing, expanded into a full-Bible commentary book series! Stay tuned in the coming years and thank you for your prayer in this regard! 🙂

* You can read more about our Grace Study Bible Project here.

Bible Q&A #290: “Is Luke 16:19-31 a parable?”

A Baptism You Cannot Fake

Sunday, July 31, 2016

“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV).

Water baptism can be feigned; today’s Scripture cannot!

Once, a lady was looking through some old documents she had stored at home. She came across the water baptism certificate of her then eight-year-old son. Yet, as it turned out, he never actually trusted Christ Jesus as his personal Saviour until age 21! Friends, we can only wonder how people leading the church allowed a lost person to get water baptized. They evidently never asked him what the Gospel was, or even if he knew why he was getting water baptized in the first place!

Many people in religion have gotten wet at some point. Whether immersion, sprinkling, or pouring; whether as an infant or an adult; almost every professing Christian has experienced some water ceremony—some several! While people, preachers, and denominations continue their centuries-old arguments about which mode is correct, which words should be said, and who should be baptized, they ignore a major fact. Most of the people getting water baptized have not got a clue concerning the biblical meaning of water baptism. They have gotten so hung up on water baptism that 99.999% of the time they never realize the “baptism” in today’s Scripture is the ONLY baptism that really counts for eternity (Ephesians 4:5). Oftentimes, they refuse to see it!

Friends, our “one baptism” does not come by a preacher or priest, but by the power of the Holy Spirit placing the believer into the Church the Body of Christ. The exact moment a person trusts exclusively the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her personal Saviour, the Holy Spirit takes that person and makes him or her one with Jesus Christ forever. That individual is united not only with Father God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit—but with other believers as well.

Unlike water baptism, this baptism by the Spirit of God into the Body of Christ can never be faked! Only God Himself sees it, and He is the only witness necessary to make it valid forever and ever! 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Are Matthew 17:1, Mark 9:2, and Luke 9:28 contradictory?”

Eyes on Christ, Not on Me(n)!

Saturday, July 30, 2016

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV).

A lady with whom I recently dealt just learned that one of her former pastors has lately turned himself in to the police. He did some inappropriate things many years ago, and he has finally admitted his guilt. Understandably, she was heartbroken. My words to her were loud and clear, “Keep your eyes on Christ, not on men!”

It is not uncommon for church members to exalt the apostles, or even today’s church leaders, as though they were/are super-humans or even gods. (Friend, I certainly hope that you do not worship me or consider me as anything special! I give all praise and glory to my Lord Jesus Christ! He alone is to be worshipped and considered special!)

Today’s Scripture summarizes the warnings previously listed in verses 1-12. Just as Israel started off well but later abandoned God’s promises to her and ended up deceived, so we can start off well in Christ and end up deceived by that same evil world system. Do not say it will not happen to you; it just may!

Verse 14 follows today’s Scripture: “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” The Corinthians had already fallen into the trap of idolatry (false religion). Paul instructed them to return to the truth. Lest anyone think they cannot repeat Israel’s apostasy and the Corinthians’ apostasy (departure from the truth), verse 12 sternly warns: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

Brethren, we should certainly not look down upon Christians who have fallen into sin. Pray for them and help them if you can (Galatians 6:1-5). Today’s Scripture says we may fall into those same sins ourselves. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, who will never fail us, who is always, always, always faithful. Let us not focus on men—they have failed us before and will doubtless fail us again and again!

Saved, Saved, Saved #4

Friday, July 29, 2016

“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 KJV).

The chorus of Jack P. Scholfield’s classic 1911 hymn, “Saved, Saved, Saved,” highlights today’s Scripture.

“Saved by His power divine,
Saved to new life sublime!
Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,
For I’m saved, saved, saved!”

As the songwriter knew, God’s power, not our power, saved us. Today’s Scripture plainly declares: “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.” Some Bible commentators, hating these verses, have said the following to keep their works-religion: “What these verses ‘really’ mean is we are not saved by works alone. We need Jesus too.” Alas, a lie! If Jesus is enough to save us into Heaven, and the Bible says He is, then we need not introduce our measly religious works!

Friend, the Bible versions issue is a most serious matter. Did you know that, where the King James Bible says five times “saved” (past tense), modern versions use “being saved” (as in “being saved” today but not necessarily tomorrow)? Check Acts 2:47, 1 Corinthians 1:18, and 2 Corinthians 2:15. The King James has “saved” while the NIV, Amplified Bible, NKJV, Jehovah’s Witness New World Translation, and New American (Roman Catholic) Bible agree, “those who are being saved.” Luke 13:23 in King James Bible—“Lord, are there few that be saved?”—is now in the NIV, NASB, and HCSB—“Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” The NRSV, NKJV, and Jehovah’s Witness New World Translation are unique with “are being saved” in 1 Corinthians 15:2 (“are saved” in KJV). It gets worse! They even pervert today’s Scripture—“are saved” is now “have been saved!”

Modern English versions are spiritually dangerous. They teach the erroneous idea that salvation unto eternal life is uncertain. (Remember the “mortal sin of presumption” in Roman Catholicism? See, such “scholarship” has dominated modern English manuscripts and versions!) However, our trusty Protestant Bible (King James) says we ARE “Saved, Saved, Saved!” (It is a done deal in Christ!) 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What does 2 Peter 3:8 mean?”