God’s Offer to the Nations

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

“…[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 23 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.

Brother’s Keeper? #8

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

“And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9 KJV).

Let us learn the import of Cain’s reply….

Dear brethren, we never, ever want to forget that the first homicide in the Bible was in the context of works-religion, an unbeliever (Cain) who was too arrogant to admit his sin problem and ready and willing to do anything and everything (even kill his believing brother, Abel) to make sure he did not have God’s messenger around to bother him with any “inconvenient” or “offensive” words from the LORD!

Only God knows how many millions of His people have lost their lives because of the work of the ministry throughout human history. Abel was the first martyr in that ancient battle, and this bitter religious war is still being waged today between God’s people (saints) and Satan’s people (sinners). Of course, there is still much more of this to come! “And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration” (Revelation 17:6). This is the culmination of the false religious system that started with Adam, Eve, and Cain. It links to Nimrod and the Tower of Babel, gives rise to apostate Judaism during Matthew to Acts, continues even now in world religions and denominations, and will go all the way through Daniel’s 70th Week up until Christ’s Second Coming when the Lord of Glory makes all things right.

Brethren, never, ever should it surprise or discourage us when people—even professing believers and lifelong church members—are uninterested in listening to us share Bible verses with them. Perhaps they will become so belligerent that violence against us will transpire. If we do happen to lose our physical lives along the way, so what, for we are indeed willing “to be with Christ; which is far better” (Philippians 1:23). Until they do away with us as Cain did Abel, though, let us be our brother’s keeper—looking out for them who lack spiritual sense to know just how dire their situation is.

Brother’s Keeper? #7

Monday, September 9, 2024

“And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9 KJV).

Let us learn the import of Cain’s reply….

Now, read the verses that follow today’s Scripture: “[10] And he [the LORD God] said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. [11] And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; [12] When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. [13] And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. [14] Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.” Behold, after learning his punishment, Cain had more pity on himself than he had on his own poor brother whom he so viciously murdered! (With Cain, it is still about self, self, self, and there is still no accountability or admission of guilt!)

Keep reading: “[15] And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. [16] And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. [17] And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.” God ordered Cain to be a wanderer (quite a strict penalty for a farmer, by the way). Nevertheless, Cain settled down in one place and founded a city (the first one in Scripture)—more defiance or rebellion, more sin, more selfishness! He continued to set a poor example for those around him.

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Brother’s Keeper? #6

Sunday, September 8, 2024

“And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9 KJV).

Let us learn the import of Cain’s reply….

By studying how the three members of the Godhead interact with each other, we can learn how our Creator designed our life to be. God the Son (Jesus Christ) glorifies, or brings praise to, God the Father: “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). Not only does God the Son glorify the Father, God the Father glorifies God the Son: “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:…” (John 17:1). God the Holy Ghost glorifies God the Son: “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16:14).

Each of the three members of the Godhead do not glorify each other. Instead, they seek the benefit, wellbeing, or profit of the other two. Selfless living is indeed God’s life—and that is exactly how Christian living works because Christian living is literally Christ living! “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification [building up]” (Romans 15:1,2). “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient [profitable, advantageous, beneficial]: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (1 Corinthians 10:23,24). “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Philippians 2:4).

Cain, however, was sinful and selfish. Read today’s Scripture again. Not only did he not tell the truth about knowing where his brother Abel was (he knew Abel was dead!), Cain was unconcerned about Abel’s disappearance when questioned. He tried to rationalize his actions with these coldblooded words: “Am I my brother’s keeper [guardian, protector, caretaker]?” As in, “How should I know where he is? Is his vanishing any worry of mine?”

Actually, Cain was his brother’s keeper….

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. 🙂

Brother’s Keeper? #5

Saturday, September 7, 2024

“And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9 KJV).

Let us learn the import of Cain’s reply….

Abel was a prophet, a messenger of the LORD God (Luke 11:50,51). Doubtless, he preached to his brother Cain how Cain’s “good works” were not enough to please the LORD. Of course, self-righteous Cain hated to hear that, for he had absolutely no interest in obeying God or believing anything He said. Cain therefore silenced Abel—just as Zacharias, Jesus, and members of the Little Flock throughout Matthew through John and Acts (namely, Stephen) all died at the hands of their works-religionist brethren.

By preaching the Word of God, Abel was looking out for his brother Cain. Cain’s spiritual wellbeing was at stake, and while he had no concern, his brother did. When God asked Cain regarding Abel’s whereabouts (today’s Scripture), Cain lied by stating he did not know—but not only that. Cain was actually callous enough to ask God a question: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” This was nothing more than a mockery of what family is supposed to be about. Essentially, Cain argued he was not his brother’s guardian or protector. “How am I responsible for knowing my brother’s location? I am not his babysitter!”

In the ages to come, we recognize how false religion will divide families and cause unbelievers to persecute the saints—even turning these their believing brethren over to the Antichrist’s government to face execution! Matthew chapter 10: “[21] And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. [22] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. [23] But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another…. [35] For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. [36] And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” See also John 15:17-25, James 2:14-26, 1 John 2:9-11, and 1 John 3:10-17.

We can gather even more data….

Brother’s Keeper? #4

Friday, September 6, 2024

“And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9 KJV).

Let us learn the import of Cain’s reply….

Observe Matthew chapter 23: “[34] Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: [35] That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. [36] Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. [37] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”

The analogous passage is in Luke chapter 11: “[49] Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: [50] That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; [51] From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.”

Abel was both righteous (a believer—Matthew 23:35) and a prophet (one who spoke for God—Luke 11:50,51). Genesis to Malachi, our Old Testament, are rearranged in the Hebrew Bible as Genesis (Abel’s death—Genesis 4:1-8) to 2 Chronicles (Zacharias’ death—2 Chronicles 24:17-22). The evil world system to which Abel’s murderer (Cain) belonged, was the same evil world system of which Zacharias’ murderers were a part… and it was the same evil world system to which apostate Israel (Jesus’ murderers, Little Flock’s murderers) belonged. Obsession with works-religion and blindness in false doctrine caused them all—this generation or issue of Satan’s tools—to do away with God’s people in the most inhumane, devious ways….

Brother’s Keeper? #3

Thursday, September 5, 2024

“And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9 KJV).

Let us learn the import of Cain’s reply….

Four references toward the end of the Bible canon loop back to the beginning of the Bible canon (Genesis). We would do well to look at them now. Firstly, “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11:4). Secondly, “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24). Thirdly, “Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core” (Jude 11).

Lastly, “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death” (1 John 3:10-14). Cain was an unbeliever, a spiritual child of the Devil. It was this fact that drove him to mercilessly take the life of his brother, Abel, a believer or spiritual child of God. This is not “dead history,” but has profound prophetic significance that will be realized only later.

Howbeit, before we address what lies ahead in the ages to come as touching Cain and Abel, we ought to note how the Lord Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry interpreted those events in Genesis. Cain and Abel set a precedent or pattern, foreshadowing how Satan and his people would interact with God and His people….

Brother’s Keeper? #2

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

“And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9 KJV).

Let us learn the import of Cain’s reply….

“And the eyes of them [Adam and Eve] both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons” (Genesis 3:7). However, this was the Law-based acceptance system—and Adam and Eve’s performance in religion was insufficient to address their sin problem. Here now is the Grace-based acceptance system, what God did for them to pay for their sin: “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (verse 21). Like his parents who tried in vain to cover up their own sin with fig leaves instead of asking the LORD to offer a blood sacrifice in their behalf, so Cain was a works-religionist: he offered whatever he wanted to the LORD God instead of what the LORD God commanded him to offer.

Genesis chapter 4, verses 1-5: “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.”

Abel offered the blood sacrifice (aligning with Genesis 3:21), but Cain brought the fruit of his own hands (matching Genesis 3:7)—what he worked hard to produce in his garden. God accepted Abel and his offering, but He refused Cain and his offering. This controversy disappointed and angered Cain to the point of giving rise to the Bible’s first homicide, the first fratricide, with Abel losing his life in that bitter works-religion war of so long ago….

Brother’s Keeper? #1

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

“And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9 KJV).

Let us learn the import of Cain’s reply….

Read the context of today’s Scripture, Genesis 4:1-8: “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”

Never should we take a negative view of the LORD asking questions. Skeptics are so desperate to rid themselves of the Bible’s authority that they will grab anything they possibly can to find fault with it. In today’s Scripture, why would omniscient (all-knowing) God pose a question to Cain? “Where is Abel thy brother?” Did not God know where Abel was? Then, why was God asking Cain? A rhetorical question is something to which the answer is already known. The asker is prompting the listener to think and formulate a response. For instance, if the parent finds the child misbehaving, the parent asks, “What are you doing?” Of course, the parent already knows the answer—but the question is designed to prompt the child to think and reply!

God is trying to lead Cain to accepting responsibility. “Where is your brother, Cain? (Have you murdered him?)” Let us see if Cain will admit his guilt….

The Thing Which is Good

Monday, September 2, 2024

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28 KJV).

On this Labor Day, we talk about work, “the thing which is good.”

In this day and age of increasing “government assistance,” people are becoming less and less aware of our hard work being the Lord Jesus’ preferred method of the source of our incomes. While the physically and mentally disabled are obvious exceptions, the God of the Bible expects all of us to contribute labor in order to provide for ourselves. For children and young adults, even being a student in school is work enough!

Observe the doctrine being communicated in today’s Scripture. The grace life does not merely teach us to quit doing bad things, but it also instructs us to start doing good things (Titus 2:11,12). Once a thief trusts the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished crosswork as sufficient payment for his sins, then God expects that thief to quit stealing and find a job so he can provide for his needs!

The God of creation calls work “the thing which is good” (today’s Scripture). Work is not something to be avoided; it is something to be embraced for the Lord’s glory!

When the Lord Jesus Christ put the first man, Adam, on earth, that man had a divine commission. Adam was not to simply loaf around and do nothing: “And the LORD God took the man, and put him in the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15). Adam was to protect that garden, to till its ground, to prepare it for Jesus Christ to come down and dwell in with he and Eve (because of sin, that earthly kingdom over which Jesus Christ will rule is still awaiting fulfillment!).

Saints, may we work to provide for our families (1 Timothy 5:8), and may we work to help those who truly are needy (today’s Scripture). In the words of God the Holy Spirit, that is “good!” 🙂