Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras 2010

February 13, 2010

Valentine’s Day 2010
by Shawn Brasseaux
[13 February 2010]

As with Halloween, Valentine’s Day is a pagan holiday supposedly “Christianized” by a Roman Catholic pope. Establishing the origin of Valentine’s Day is quite difficult because there were at least three “Christian” martyrs with the name Valentine. However, history tells us that, in A.D. 496, one Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 as a holy day, possibly to commemorate Valentine’s death in A.D. 270. In fact, the History Channel’s website (www.history.com) says some people attribute Valentine’s Day as a “Christianization” of the Lupercalia festival (a pagan fertility festival dedicated to the Roman god of agriculture, Faunus). Lupercalia is also related to the pagan celebrations Mardi Gras and Lent, which we will discuss shortly.

Roman priests, to initiate the celebration of Lupercalia, would sacrifice a goat (for fertility) and a dog (for purification). This blood was superstitiously rubbed on the women to grant them fertility in the coming year. Also in ancient Rome, the young single women’s names were placed into an urn. The bachelors of the city would pick names, and this “lottery” would determine who would be paired with whom for the next year. Modern-day Valentine’s Day reflects this practice of mating and couples. Valentine’s Day is simply a pagan holiday, courtesy of the Roman Catholic Church—neither this church nor this day is to be called “Christian.” This should not be taken casually, dear brethren.

Why do you need a pagan holiday to tell your husband or your wife (or your other loved ones) that you love them? Should you not be doing that all year round? Why not do special things for your spouse several times a year, rather than once? Ultimately, pagan celebrations rob us of our true identity in Christ. We are a sanctified people, a “set apart” entity called to be the ambassadors for the risen Christ. Our lives should be reflecting God’s grace, but there is nothing godly about Valentine’s Day. It smacks contrary to the Bible. Upon doing research, I no longer commemorate Valentine’s Day.

So, as a grace believer, what should you do? The Bible is quite clear that as members of the Church the Body of Christ, we are not bound by legalism. However, it is my conviction that Valentine’s Day is not to be commemorated by any grace believer. You are at liberty to do as you feel led, but at least you can now make an informed decision based on facts.

Read more about the history of Valentine’s Day from the following secular source: http://www.history.com/content/valentine/history-of-valentine-s-day

Mardi Gras 2010 – Mardi Gras Revelry is a Sin
by Shawn Brasseaux
Published in The (Opelousas, Louisiana) Daily World
[5 February 2010]

As you probably know, Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday.” Prior to Lenten fasting, people eat rich and fatty foods. Now, before you condemn me as being judgmental, do the research, and see if what I say is so. I never claim to be perfect, as I am no better than anyone else, but someone has got to stand up for what is right. Analyzing the Carnival Season in light of the Scriptures, one concludes that those activities are a disgrace to God. I challenge all Christians who stand against Mardi Gras to write to the Daily World and stand up for the Lord.

“Let the good times roll” perfectly sums up the Mardi Gras season. With all restraints removed, and “guaranteed forgiveness” at confession on Ash Wednesday, revelers become drunken and riotous on Fat Tuesday. Quite frankly, you sin all you want on Mardi Gras, and then you “repent” the next day. Is God pleased with this, especially when the cycle continues annually?

After every parade, our streets are filled with litter, and yet no one is fined? People who want to remain anonymous wear costumes and masks, yet God knows who they are. Some people wear practically nothing in all the excitement, yet very few people complain. Certainly, the Ten Commandments prove that man is sinful. Those who claim to keep the Law break it every Carnival Season, but there is never any shame. The festivities are broadcast on television as if it is something to be honored and condoned. And we wonder why our moral fabric is rotting?

There is nothing wrong with having fun, but “religious revelry” is an oxymoron. Christians promoting pagan practices just does not seem to make sense. God’s grace has tolerated Mardi Gras revelry all these years now. Everything rebellious mankind does has already been forgiven in the person and crosswork of the Lord Jesus Christ, but we are never to use grace as a license to sin (Romans 6:1,2,14,15). Should you participate in Mardi Gras activities? The choice is yours, but God has already made up His mind that revelry is a sin (Galatians 5:21). “Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good” (Romans 12:9b).

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Mardi Gras – Whom Shall We Serve? (by Nolan Guilbeau)

February 2, 2010

by Nolan Guilbeau – Published in The (Opelousas, Louisiana) Daily World
℅ Shawn Brasseaux

Many have misconceptions about the reality of good versus evil; that good and evil can co-exist without conflict or consequence. Apparently the masses have become so desensitized to intemperance, unleashing waves of unwholesome practices and activities permeating society and creating conditions to spiritual, moral meltdowns. The ungodly philosophy of existentialism—“if it feels good, do it”—flourishes in our modern world. Today’s standards intimidate Christians to be of this same mindset, to condone that which denigrates God’s dignity.

Case in point is the celebration of Mardi Gras. It has religious roots with its origins in Latin, Greek pagan rituals and Rome as Lupercalia for the fertility pagan god Luperus. It was “christianized,” sanctioned by the Roman church, and renamed Lent. Official Roman Catholic publication, Externals of the Catholic Church, states on page 156, “It is interesting to note how often ‘our’ church has availed herself of practices which were in common use among pagans.” “Writers of the fourth century were prone to describe many practices (i.e. The Lenten Fast of Forty Days) as Apostolic institutions which certainly had no claim to be so regarded” (Catholic Encyclopedia, III, page 484 & Externals of the Catholic Church, page 141). There was no such thing as “Lent” in the New Testament Church!

Amazingly many of the media sources are in the forefront with widespread support portraying this event as glorious. Promoting celebrations invoking imaginary characters, giving honorable status to Greek/Roman mythological false gods such as Bacchus, Dionysus, with a philosophy symbolizing drunkenness, revelry, debauchery, wine and orgies, as well as Hephaestus god of fire, Venus, Zeus, Jupiter and others, as deity and royalty is offensive to Christians.

Much of the media acclaims this garbage newsworthy and presents it with the deceptive pretense of a celebration of worth. What redeeming value does this spectacle contribute to society? Its origin is the spirit of antichrist carrying a sordid image. Mardi Gras isn’t an event for Christians. What travesty to continue degrading societal values for fun, excitement and that filthy lucre. Responsibility for boundaries of human behavior and values has collapsed.

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil, who put darkness for light, who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

The Faith of Christ

January 31, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux
*Based on a sermon by Pastor Mark Rumfello
(Grace Believers Bible Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana)

Every Christian has had days when he or she did not “feel” like having faith. Sometimes, we do not feel like opening God’s Word and studying it. On occasion, we stop and ask ourselves, “Is God really going to keep His promises to me? Am I wasting my time living for God?” When given the opportunity to do a good deed or not do it and sin, we debate, and contemplate more on sinning. These are all examples of our sin nature actively opposed to God’s Word. Christians are sometimes guilty of unbelief. We have trusted in Christ for salvation, but we sometimes doubt the Bible. We are not always faithful.

Recall that Christians have two natures: the Adamic sin nature, and the new nature we have in Christ. Whichever nature we allow will guide our day-to-day living. If we want to live fleshly, carnal, worldly lives, we let our “old man” rule us. On the other hand, giving room for the new nature in Christ to live will cause us to walk in the Spirit of God. In other words, in the strength imparted to us by the Holy Spirit, we can resist sin and walk in the Spirit. But remember, sometimes we fall into the trap of unbelief, and we lose faith in God’s promises to us. This is when we sin.

When we do not believe what God’s Word says, then we do not act in accordance with it—unbelief will cause disobedience, and both are sins. Our faith is not always reliable, but there is one faith that is far, far greater than our faith. This is the faith of Jesus Christ: it never waivers and fails.

Recently, when I was explaining this to someone, the person grew very upset. He had never heard such a thing before. Certainly, very few people are hearing God’s Word in church these days, but they are hearing God’s Word rightly divided even less. This information will contradict what your NIV and NASB says, and perhaps it may contradict what your pastor or church says. Whatever the case, it does not erase the fact that the King James Bible is God’s preserved Word in the English language. God’s Word is the final authority—Romans 3:4 KJV: “…let God be true, but every man a liar….”

Have you ever heard of “the faith of Christ?” Did you know such a thing existed? Let me show you the five references in which this term is found (only in Paul’s epistles in the King James Bible), and then we can discuss its significance.

First, turn to the book of Galatians. The Apostle Paul is writing to grace believers in the region of Galatia, present-day north-central and south-central Turkey. False teachers and legalism (Mosaic Law-keeping) are infiltrating Galatia. Paul tells them that they have forgotten their identity in Christ. They have abandoned grace, and preferred works-religion, so Paul admonishes them that they need to stop the circumcision, the Sabbath Day-keeping, and all the other facets of Law-keeping. After all, in the Body of Christ, we are free from the Law of Moses (it was crucified with Christ on the cross; Colossians 2:13-15; and we are under grace, not law; Romans 6:14,15).

Okay, so let us read Galatians 2:16-21 as it is found in the King James Bible:

“16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”

How are we justified? Verse 16 says that we are not justified by Law-keeping, which is what false teachers were telling the Galatians. By the way, false teachers today are still placing emphasize on Law-keeping for salvation! The Bible tells us, three times in this passage, that we are justified “by the faith of Jesus Christ.” I want you to notice how this verse reads in the King James Bible. Modern versions incorrectly read “by the faith IN Jesus Christ”—this is exalting man’s faith above Christ’s faith! There is most definitely a difference between Christ’s faith and our faith, just like there is a difference between Christ’s obedience to the Father and our obedience (or should I say, our disobedience). Christ was always faithful. We are not faithful, even as Christians.

Never can we brag about our working for salvation, for no good deeds of any sort can provide forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Now that we are saved, we are not living godly lives in our strength. It is Jesus Christ living His life in us, and His faith working in us. We are living by “the faith of God the Son,” verse 20 says. How do we have access to God? We can pray to God because of “the faith of Him [Jesus Christ]” (Ephesians 3:12 KJV). Read what Paul writes to the believers in Philippi, a city in present-day Greece. Consider Philippians 3:8-11 KJV:

“8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”

Again, whose faith? The faith OF Christ! Our faith is weak, and sometimes we doubt. Sometimes, we do not believe God’s Word, but the Lord Jesus Christ had faith in God’s Word. Let me explain. We understand that Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man. As God, He came to shed His perfect blood. As a man, He came to do the will of God the Father. The will of His Father was the Old Testament prophecies regarding Him. It is God the Son’s faith—His obedience to go through all the sufferings, to die the death of the cross, and His resurrection—that saves us! Observe what the Bible says in Philippians 2:5-8 KJV:

“5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Calvary was Christ’s faith. He went through all of that horrific pain because this is what God the Father demanded. It was the only way mankind could be redeemed. God the Son did not disappoint God the Father—everything the Father demanded, the Son was obedient. Christ was faithful. It was His faith that brought about Calvary!

For nearly 1,000 years, the Old Testament prophets wrote statements they never fully understood. Only God knew that they were being written in reference to the cross and suffering of Christ. Everything that Christ did His entire life was in complete agreement with the Old Testament. His death, His burial, and His resurrection were prophecy, and Jesus Christ was obedient: “I have come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God” (Hebrews 10:7 KJV; compare Psalm 40:7-8). “I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (Matthew 26:39; John 5:30).

When we place our faith in the Gospel of Grace (Christ’s death, bloodshed, burial, and resurrection), Christ’s righteousness is imputed (applied) to us. Romans 3:22 KJV: “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: [between Jew and Gentile.]” This is why sinful Christians are “blameless” in God’s sight, and God will never hold them accountable for their sin (1 Corinthians 1:8). Their sin was dealt with at the cross of Christ when He took their punishment. [This is not license to sin all you want, remember!]  The moment we believe Paul’s Gospel, something else happens: the faith of Jesus Christ is imputed to the believer. Look at Galatians 3:22 KJV: “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” God applies Christ’s righteousness to our account, thus making reconciliation between the newly saved Christian and God. There are no works added to believing.

Your believing that God exists is not enough to save you, for the devils believe God exists (James 2:19). The Old Testament prophetic Scriptures were looking toward Christ’s work on Calvary: the minor prophet Habakkuk wrote 600 B.C., “the just shall live by his faith” (2:4). In this Dispensation of Grace, on this side of the cross, Paul quotes Habakkuk, but changes the verse for a very special reason: “the just shall live by faith” (Galatians 3:11). Today, this is one faith that counts, and it is the faith of Christ (Ephesians 4:5). Christ’s faith never wavered, and He never doubted. Place your faith in Christ’s faith, and let Christ’s faith save you!

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Study the Pauline Epistles in 2010

January 24, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux
Published in The (Opelousas, Louisiana) Daily World

Back in the late 1880s, J. I. Patton, then-president of Princeton University, wrote: “Unless Christendom goes back, back, back, to the Pauline doctrines and the atoning blood, it is on, on, on to apostasy and despair.” I agree 100 percent. One of the greatest travesties in all of Christendom is a failure to recognize the distinction between Peter and the eleven apostles’ ministry to the nation Israel (Matthew 10:5-7), and Paul’s ministry as “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13 KJV); hence the enormous amount of confusion and Biblical illiteracy.

I want to challenge you in 2010 to start studying the Pauline epistles, because many church members are not being taught these doctrines revealed only to Paul. Multitudes are ignoring God’s Word (especially Paul’s epistles), and are placing way too much emphasis on emotions.

Paul the Apostle warned Timothy “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). All 66 books of the Bible are inspired and God-breathed, but not all of it is written to us. For instance, the Old Testament is profitable for basic Bible learning, but it does not contain salvation. Outside of Paul’s epistles, there is no plan of salvation for us today.

How many church members are expecting to go to heaven, but they totally ignore Paul! Start the year right spiritually: I would encourage you to get an AV King James Bible and start reading Romans chapter 3, and then read Romans 5:1-11. When you have a firm understanding of these passages, then read the entire book of Romans. Afterward, read through the rest of Paul’s epistles from the Corinthian letters to Philemon. Then read the New Testament. Finally, start in Genesis and read on to Revelation.

I wish you a good year, and I hope you will take the challenge. If you believe God’s Word, it will change your life forever (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

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Must YOU Be “Born Again?”

January 24, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux

For years, I flippantly used the term “born again,” but I never stopped to realize I had no idea what that word even meant. All around the world, missionaries, preachers, and evangelists today emphasize that people need to be “born again” if they are to see heaven. I know some people who claim to be “born again” Christians, and even some non-Christians who claim to be “born again” (whatever that means!).

“Born again” means much more than “saved.” “Born again” is a Bible term that is oftentimes used incorrectly. People, either deliberately or innocently, ignore the Bible context of that term. According to the Bible, what does “born again” mean? Does it apply to us? We want to answer those questions in this Bible study.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” If we want to learn the definition of “born again,” we need to study God’s Word using dispensational Bible study. Because people refuse to study the Bible God’s way, the Bible makes little to no sense to them. Vain religious tradition will always profit nothing in eternity because tradition does not have the power of God. Bible literacy and proper Bible study is rare these days, but I am glad you are reading this, showing an interest in learning something solid and trustworthy. Thank you.

We will now look at God’s Word, free from denominationalism and confusion. I hope we can be of help to you regarding this topic. The term in question is found in John chapter 3, a very familiar passage to many. In this chapter, the Lord Jesus is speaking to a Jewish religious leader, Nicodemus. The Bible says:

“1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

So, here we have the Lord Jesus telling Nicodemus that in order for a man to see the kingdom of God, he must be “born again.” Now, Nicodemus is thinking of the physical delivery of a child from the mother’s womb, but that is not what Jesus is speaking of: Christ is referring to a spiritual birth. Combine verses 3 and 5. Unless a Jew was born-again (born of water and of the Spirit, believing in Jesus as King and Messiah, and then water baptized), he would be purged out and destroyed in the Tribulation with all the other unbelieving Jews.

In the King James Bible, this word “ye” in verse 7 is the plural form of “you” (“thee” is a single person, such as in verse 3). Looking at the big picture, however, Christ is not talking about a specific individual being born again; “ye” is Israel, the entire nation—God wants every Jew to be born-again, so that the whole nation will be “born again,” and they can be the vessel God can use to minister to the lost Gentile world.

We never read of this term “born again” until the little book of 1 Peter, this being the last time it is used in the Bible. The Apostle Peter, writing to believing Jews from Christ’s earthly ministry 30 years before (1 Peter 1:23 KJV): “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” These believing Jews are “born again;” they have had a spiritual rebirth, unlike those unbelieving Jews who rejected Jesus Christ. How did they get a spiritual rebirth, though? What was the first birth, that enabled them to be “born again?”

Recall John the Baptist’s ministry and Christ’s earthly ministry. Those Jews who accepted Jesus as their Messiah and King were water baptized as the outward profession that God commanded (Matthew 3:2-11; Luke 7:29,30; John 1:30,31). If the Jews wanted to see that kingdom, they would have to be believers, ensuring they would survive the Tribulation. Their faith in Christ and obedience in that water baptism would bring them through the Tribulation (see 1 Peter 3:21). This remnant of believers in Israel was called the “little flock” in Luke 12:32, the portion of the nation Israel that would make it to the kingdom (the unbelieving Jews would be destroyed during the Tribulation and at Christ’s Second Coming; 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9; cf. Zechariah 13:8,9).

Why did those need to be “born again?” The first birth refers to a physical birth, being born a Jew, a physical descendent of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and one of his twelve sons. However, the problem is that Jews were also sons of Adam, and like the pagan Gentiles then, and us today, they had a sin nature. In order for God to use the nation Israel to fulfill His purposes, He had to set them apart from mankind with the first birth (the physical birth from Abraham), and then the spiritual birth (being born again, fit to serve Him and fellowship with Him in their promised kingdom spoken of in verse 5).

These believing Jews who Peter is addressing were born again because they had placed their faith in the Gospel of the Kingdom (Jesus is Israel’s King-Messiah, as Matthew 16:16 and John 11:27 say; this is “the word of God” of 1 Peter 1:23). They had first been set aside physically by virtue of the circumcision, but now they were set aside spiritually because of their salvation in Jesus as their Messiah. Let me emphasize it again. Those believing Jews were born twice—the physical circumcision was the sign of the first birth (Romans 4:11) and the water baptism was the visible sign that had been rejuvenated spiritually by the Holy Spirit (cf. John 3:5).

According to Jesus in John chapter 3, the person who was not born-again would not see the kingdom: Israel was promised a kingdom on earth, and “born again” is clearly a Jewish term that has no place in the Dispensation of Grace today. Paul is “the apostle of the Gentiles,” the spokesman through which God is speaking to us in the Dispensation of Grace (Romans 11:13), and never does Paul use that term “born again.” This leads us to conclude that the word cannot and does not apply to us as members of the Church the Body of Christ. We are not Jews, spiritually or physically. We are separate and distinct from the nation Israel of times past. The term “born again” applies to believing Israel, not to us. The “ye” in John 3 is the nation Israel; it has nothing to do with you, me, or anyone else reading this article because God has set Israel aside for a time period.

Now, keep in mind that just like unbelieving Jews went to hellfire, the unbelievers today are headed to the same place. Like Israel, we still need salvation from our sins, but it is impossible today for anyone to be “born again” as the Bible speaks of it. What must we be today, as opposed to being “born again?” Today, you must be “in Christ” (notice, Paul did not say, “if any man be born again…;” see 2 Corinthians 5:17). In our dispensation, God is not looking to make Israel “born again.” God is seeking out people to become a part of a new creature, the Church Body of Christ (something that has nothing to do with Israel).

How do you get “in Christ?” The Lord Jesus Christ went to a Roman cross, to shed His blood for your sins. He literally died, but rose again the third day in victory and majesty to give you justification (Romans 4:25). That is Paul’s Gospel of Grace, plain and simple, without works, free from the clutter of legalism. Your faith in this Gospel of Grace will cause the Holy Spirit to take you out of Adam, and place you into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Gospel of the Grace of God of 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV:

“1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

Remember, ye must be IN CHRIST if you want to see heaven!

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Was the Haitian Quake “God’s Judgment?”

January 16, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux

This past Tuesday, 12 January 2010, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocked the surrounding area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Recently, a Christian told me that he thought that God was judging Haiti for their wickedness. Is this true? Are catastrophic events such as this really God’s wrath on man’s sin? Or, is this church tradition? Let us look at the Bible to determine what to believe.

In time past, God certainly punished disobedient Israel. Look at the awful curses of Deuteronomy 28:15-68 and Jeremiah 44:1-14: meager harvests, invading Gentile armies overrunning, capturing, and killing them, scabs, boils, blindness, madness (insanity), and insects consuming their fields—that is just a sampling of problems!! Those pagan Gentiles who would invade Israel would also be overrun because of their idolatry and wickedness. Surely, these were the righteous punishments of the LORD, but should we conclude the same regarding the recent Haitian quake?

Haiti claims to be a “Christian” nation of Protestants and Catholics. Ironically, about 50 percent of Haitians practice voodoo (a Satanic and superstitious religion). It seems like God would judge the island because of their unbelief and idolatrous Satan worship, but we are overlooking one critical fact: we live in the Dispensation of the Grace of God. Writing off the Haitian quake as “God’s judgment” is simply a failure to understand the Bible “rightly divided.” Old Testament Israel did not live in the Dispensation of Grace like we do; they lived in the Dispensation of Law. If they did not do exactly what God mandated, He would judge them severely. That was God’s agreement with Israel, the Old Covenant (Law), a covenant they broke (see Hebrews 8:9). Because people do not understand what God is doing today, they try to force on us today in the “but now” God’s former dealings with Israel in “time past.”

While Satan worship is serious and blasphemous to God, it can be forgiven through Christ. “…Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20). Through Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork, God offers to forgive every person of his or her sins. Nevertheless, an individual cannot have that forgiveness imputed (applied) to his or her account until he or she relies exclusively on the Gospel of the Grace of God. A person who practices voodoo is being offered a chance to get right with God through Calvary, just like every other lost person. God has reconciled the world unto Himself, and the Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished everything needed to bring about every person’s salvation (2 Corinthians 5:14-21). God is offering His love and grace to everyone, whether saved or lost. Unfortunately, very few are willing to respond to God’s offer by faith, so they remain lost in their sins and under the impending wrath of God (Romans 2:3-11; Ephesians 2:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10; Revelation 20:11-15).

Today, God is not speaking to mankind in judgment and wrath…yet. For now, in the Dispensation of Grace, God is speaking to us in GRACE, MERCY, and LOVE. Thus, Paul always began his epistles with the greeting, “Grace and Peace.” God’s attitude toward the world is grace and peace, not judgment and wrath. Anyone and everyone can become a member of the Church the Body of Christ. All they have to do is place their faith in Paul’s Gospel of Grace: Jesus Christ died for our sins, His blood was shed, He was buried, and He rose again the third day for our justification (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Years ago, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. In 2004, a major tsunami slammed Indonesia and its neighboring countries. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 that rocked the United States. None of these are examples of God’s wrath. Rather, they are results of the curse of sin. Terrorists made bad decisions to take innocent lives. Violent weather was brought to our planet after Adam and mankind race fell into sin. Plate tectonics, the geologic activity associated with the Haitian quake and the Indonesian tsunami, was a natural process that is a result of the curse of sin. Although God permitted that quake, He did not direct it toward Haiti. Satan and wicked man, not God, caused 9/11. Sin is responsible for the suffering in the world today, not God.

God’s chastisement and wrath does not fit in this the Dispensation of Grace. As previously stated, God would chastise Israel when they would rebel and worship false idols, but God and Israel agreed to that—if they did not listen to God, they would get curses, while obedience to God was rewarded with blessings. We are under no covenant with God today, so the conditions of the Old Covenant (Law) do not apply to us. We are not under the “if, then” conditions of the Law—that is, if you listen then God will bless you; if you do not listen then God will curse you. Paul, our apostle, writes nothing like that for our dispensation. In fact, in Christ Jesus, “God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). God has given us all the blessings He can, and we did nothing to get them. We received these blessings through the merits of the crosswork of Christ, not because of anything we did.

Is God judging anyone for sins today? Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 KJV:

“18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 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.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

According to the above verses, today, in our dispensation, God is not imputing (holding) sin against anyone. If God were holding sin against nations today, there would be no countries today. All of Israel’s enemies would be gone. Even Israel would be wiped off the earth! God would have already destroyed America for all its sin. We would have all been annihilated long ago. Every country that forgot JEHOVAH (the LORD of the Bible), which would include all the nations of the world, would be destroyed for their pagan worship of false gods. But, see, God’s grace is holding back that wrath. One day, God’s wrath will come, during the seven-year Tribulation, after our dispensation closes at the rapture. Right now, God is willing that everyone come to the knowledge of salvation, and He wishes that no one goes to hell forever. The Apostle Peter writes, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). According to Peter, God is not pouring our His wrath today because He is pouring out His grace and mercy!

With the above said, do not get the impression that God is merely a God of love and grace. Every natural disaster in human history is only a sample of what is to come. No one has ever seen the undiluted wrath of God (Noah’s Flood was just a glimpse God’s wrath), but the day is soon coming when those who have rejected Jesus Christ as Saviour will have to face the righteous indignation of a holy God (Psalm 2:1-5; Psalm 37:13; Matthew 3:10-13; Luke 3:16,17; Romans 2:3-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9; Galatians 6:7; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:8; et al.).

In the future seven-year Tribulation, there will be wrath and vexation, such as the world has not seen, nor ever will see. Horrible plagues. A world dictator who kills those who oppose him. Armies of devilish creatures killing 1/3 of the world’s people. Famines and diseases. Events that will scare people to insanity and cause them to have mental breakdowns! Imagine the chaos in Haiti on a worldwide scale—something far, far worse than that is coming one day for this unbelieving world.

Pray for the poor Haitians. They are just as unworthy of receiving salvation as we once were when we were lost and following our own false gods. We are no better than they are. We are all children of Adam, sinners. The good news is that we can escape the wrath of God by having the blood of Jesus Christ applied to our account. For now, God is pouring out His grace on mankind, not His wrath. Still, remember, “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid [No!]” (Romans 6:1,2a). We should not live sinful lives to see just how far God’s grace goes.

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

Should We Worry About Mass Extinctions, Population Explosion, and “Global Warming?”

January 10, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux

We hear about it constantly in politics and in the media: the dreaded words “global warming.” (dun-dun-dun-DUN!) Some people, including scientists and United Nations officials, get so bent out of shape when they think of a prospective collapse of the delicately balanced systems of our planet. The increase in greenhouse gases, which they attribute to our burning of fossil fuels (coal, gas, et cetera) and deforestation, is making the average global temperature rise! It sells newspapers and gives politicians an opportunity to get elected, but is there a reason to be concerned, or is it blown out of proportion? Let us see what the Bible says!

It is my understanding that prior to the Great Flood of Noah’s day, there was a global tropical climate that was maintained by a thick water vapor belt somewhere in the atmosphere or above the atmosphere of Earth (Genesis 1:7). From Adam’s time in the Garden of Eden to Noah’s day, there was perfect weather due to that water vapor belt. Once the Great Flood came, a large portion of that water vapor belt was dumped onto the planet, in addition to groundwater coming up from beneath the earth’s surface: “In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened” (Genesis 7:11).

By the way, it seems to me like most of those floodwaters receded and were frozen away in the present-day ice caps and glaciers: “The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen” (Job 38:30). After the Great Flood, with most of that water vapor belt gone, the seasons and extreme weather-related phenomena began. Consider Genesis 8:20-22 KJV:

“20 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”

About two percent of Earth’s water is found in glaciers and the polar ice caps. If the global temperature of Earth would rise, then yes, the glaciers would melt and the sea levels would rise worldwide as much as 300 feet (91 meters). Indeed, it would be something to fret over. However, this does not worry me at all, for I know that God has promised never to flood the entire world again.

Notice God’s promise to Noah in Genesis 9:13-17:

“13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.
17 And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.”

The rainbow is the sign of God’s promise never to flood the world again. There will always be localized flooding, but never again will God destroy the entire world by means of a global flood. You can rest assured!

I recall a television series that speculated what our planet would be like after the human race was gone. The animals would once again rule the planet because the “mean old humans” would no longer be here to encroach on their habitats, to kill them for food and clothing, and to consume the resources that they need. I smile. As long as man can invent a fantasy and place his faith in it, he does not have to be concerned with placing his faith in God’s Word. The Bible says they: “changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 1:25b). How foolish and vain, to place your faith in your own notions and intellect, and ignore God’s Word!

According to the Bible, Israel’s earthly kingdom is still future. If the rapture happened today, there would still at least 1,007 years left of the human experience. Those believers who survive the seven years of Tribulation will be allowed to enter into the 1,000-year kingdom of Christ on earth. If the human race ever went extinct any time soon, the Bible would fall apart, and that would make God a liar. There will always be people on this planet; we do not have to speculate otherwise. Even during the New Heaven New Earth there will be people on Earth (Revelation 21:24)!

When God had Noah preach to the then-known world to turn to God, or face impending judgment of a global flood, mankind said, “No, God, we do not care what You say!” Still, for 120 years, plus an additional seven days, God gave man the opportunity to repent, to change their mind and obey Noah’s message. But mankind persisted in his ignorance and arrogance and the continued response was, “No thanks, God, and Noah, you are crazy! We do not need to board that ark, and because it has never rained, we doubt a flood will even come.” Mankind was not at all worried about a catastrophic, climate-altering flood then, so why are they worried about a global sea-level rise now, nearly 4500 years later? It makes no sense.

Today, when you share the plan of salvation with someone, they look at you strangely (as if dazed). You show them the Bible verses that speak of the coming judgment of God during the seven-year Tribulation and wrath, and they scoff: “A period of God’s wrath? I doubt it—God is not pouring out His wrath today, so why would He do it in the future?” They chuckle and call you a “fanatic” or “nut.”

But suppose you post a line graph exhibiting a trend of a major increase in global temperatures in recent years, and they would eagerly agree that this “global warming” and this increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is definitely worth our attention. Imagine how vain and silly that position appears to God! They fret about “global warming” because their fellow man speaks of it, but disregard the Bible because a righteous God speaks of “righteous indignation” and “eternal hellfire.” Believe me, our planet has far, far, far more to worry about that adapting to more violent weather and great climate change—man is ignoring things of eternal importance….

For 6,000 years now, sin has reigned over our planet. It has destroyed families and lives. It brought about disease and death, heartache and grief, pain and misery. Ultimately, it will one day bring about God’s wrath. The Lord Jesus said in regards to the Tribulation, especially the last three-and-a-half years of it: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).

Pandemics, large-scale famines, wars, armies of devilish creatures tormenting mankind, the sun turning black, the moon turning blood red—those left behind after the rapture are going to want to die, and death will not come! In fact, look at the “global warming” still to come in Revelation 16:8,9 KJV: “And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.” And look, everyone still disobeys God!

We often hear of the fear that, in the coming years, Earth may not be able to support the human race. In Christ’s time, there were between 200 million and 250 million people on the planet. Earth reached a population of one billion people in 1800; two billion (1930); three billion (1960); four billion (1975); five billion (1990); and six billion (2000). This year, 2010, we are likely to reach seven billion! The “doubling time,” or the time it takes a population to double, seems to be grower shorter for us. It took 130 years for us to double to two billion, 45 years to double to four billion, and it will take us less than four decades to double to eight billion. The question is being asked: can our planet carry us, as well as support other life forms?

Again, I am not worried, and you as a Christian should not be worried either. Although scientists will never admit it, our world is a very complex creation. Only an intelligent Creator God could manage such complicated systems, and everything is still highly organized, 6,000 years after creation—despite man’s rebellion and sin that has marred it. If there was no God, then yes we should be worried; nonetheless, I know God exists, and He can manage the world without losing sleep (unlike us)! There will still be animals on Earth in the kingdom, as Isaiah 11:6-9 prophesies. One-third of Israel will survive the Tribulation, and there will still be believing Gentiles who go into the kingdom too. We never have to worry about humans going completely extinct.

As ambassadors for the risen Christ, our main concern is not population explosion, global warming, and saving endangered species. This planet will one day be destroyed by fire (2 Peter 3:10-12). Earth will not last forever, no matter what we do. We should be living responsibly (such as not littering, and not misusing resources), but we have a mission laid out by God that bears far more responsibility. We cannot be sidetracked with minor issues.

Our mission involves us getting God’s Word out to a lost and dying world, which is caught up in everything but the important issues. Focus your time and energy on spreading the Gospel of Grace, how that Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and that He was raised again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Spend your time studying God’s Word dispensationally, and sharing it with other Christians. After all, only God’s Word lasts forever…

Our Lord Jesus Christ declared: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 22:33).

Isaiah 40:8 KJV says: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”

1 Peter 1:23-25 KJV affirms: “…the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

New Year’s 2010: Advice for a New Year

January 2, 2010

by Shawn Brasseaux

Greetings, 2010 is finally here, and we are that much closer to the Lord’s return! Every New Year’s Day comes with New Year’s resolutions. Most resolutions are made in the hype of the New Year, but are never actually followed through for very long. Why? As a pastor once said, “humans are creatures of habit.” Just like religious tradition, bad habits are extremely difficult to abandon. Our sinful human nature inclines us to perform those bad habits, but according to the Bible, all hope is not lost….

Browsing in a bookstore the other day, I scanned the bookshelves in the “inspirational” literature section; books on becoming a better you, how to find true happiness, living your best life now, and the other titles that promote humanistic, new age teaching, and watered-down Scripture. Let me tell you bluntly that you have NO need for those books whatsoever, so do not waste your time or your money on them. How can we follow through with keeping that New Year’s resolution? Where can we find the strength needed to improve our lives? Certainly, that strength is not found in our flesh, dear brethren!

The key to living a godly respectable life is not found in you living per se, but rather CHRIST living in and through you! Most of the 6.7 billion people in our world are lost and unsaved, and have no idea of this concept; it is for this reason that they are unable to follow through with their resolution. They do not have the indwelling Holy Spirit on whom to depend, so their only option is to rely on the flesh, their own strength, which eventually gives in to going back on the resolution.

If you recall the “Grace Lifer,” “Reflection” and “Psukhē” series from last year, we discussed the power of the Holy Spirit inside the believer. Those of us who have trusted completely in Paul’s Gospel of Grace—Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection—have the indwelling Holy Spirit. Without the indwelling Holy Spirit guiding us, we have to admit that we would be nothing but Hell-bound sinners. As 2 Corinthians 4:7 says in the King James Bible, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” We are weak, but God is so much stronger than us.

I love Galatians 2:20 KJV: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Compare that with Romans 12:1,2 KJV: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Remember what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:12? “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient” (productive, beneficial). Whether to watch less television, spend less time online, study our Bibles more, eat healthier, exercise more, or the like, we can all make improvements in our lives. This past year, we have all made mistakes, so I hope you have learned from yours, as I have learned from mine. If you would take the next few moments to think about areas in your life that need correction, this is the first step in the right direction for 2010.

How could you better serve the Lord? Do you need to pray more and witness more often than you have been doing? Do you need to stop living a life of carnality (worldly, fleshly actions)? Set a reasonable goal. Start working on one bad habit, and then worry about the others. Tell yourself, “As a member of the Body of Christ, I can draw on the power of God Almighty. Romans 6:6-11 says that I am dead to self, dead to my old sin nature. I am alive unto God through Christ Jesus my Lord. The Lord is going to help me improve my life, so that I can better represent Him and bring Him more glory to His name.” Prayer and faith in God’s Word to you will help you live a life reflecting God’s grace and righteousness.

With Lord’s help, I hope to make some changes in my own life in 2010. I have some bad habits I need to quit. I need to be bolder in sharing the Word of God, and I am hoping to teach God’s Word to more people this coming year. (I see 2010 as a very exciting year at arC Ministries, as we are going to delve into interesting topics!!!!). If you remember what I said last weekend, as we get closer and closer to the rapture and the Tribulation, it will become more difficult to live for the Lord, but keep pressing toward that mark (Philippians 3:14)!

If you still have not trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation, I hope and pray that you will contact me. For those of you who have the assurance of salvation, I hope you will make an effort to be a better “ambassador for the risen Christ,” as I am going to do with the Lord’s strength. Certainly, I have no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3)…. And I hope you do not either!

I wish you all the best this upcoming year!

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)

Religious Relics

December 27, 2009

Religious Relics

NOTE: On 5 November 2009, the relic of “Saint Mary Magdalene’s” tibia (shinbone) was displayed at my college’s Catholic student center in Lafayette, Louisiana. I went to see the exhibit in order to witness to some local Catholic onlookers. The following is a series of letters that I submitted to my local newspapers, a priest’s article on relics that was also published in our newspaper, a letter that a reader published in response to my letters, and my two rebuttals to his letter.

Relic is a Clear Religious Fallacy
by Shawn Brasseaux
Published in The (Opelousas, Louisiana) Daily World on 6 November 2009

Recently the purported tibia (shin bone) of Mary Magdalene was displayed here in Acadiana. In religion, relic fallacies are commonplace, and this is clearly one of them. Religious authorities concoct nonsensical stories that play on people’s emotions, thereby gaining gullible followers and funds. If we aren’t Berean Bible students actively studying God’s word, we too will be deceived and “tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine” (Acts. 17:10-11; Eph. 4:14)

The devil has had several millennia to plan it all The Bible says that the spiritual warfare between good and evil begins in the denominational leadership (Eph. 6:12). Many theologians and seminary graduates do not serve the Lord; rather, they use their degrees to impress people, mislead people and hinder God’s work. If Satan can pollute the seminaries, the heresy will then trickle down to common people in the churches. I must say, he’s deceived most people and intimidated many to the point of silence, but there are precious few who know the truth of the Bible and aren’t ashamed to stand up for the Lord.

There’s so much spiritual immaturity and confusion because many pastors and Bible teachers are neglecting their responsibility (Eph. 4:11-13). Very few people, even church members, are interested in seeking sound doctrine because they don’t know sound doctrine in the first place. People want emotional highs in worship service, but they have no interest in studying God’s word. What a sad state of affairs, even in the midst of professing Christian brethren! But all those people guilty of embracing lies and deceiving others to an eternal doom are not going to get off scot-free.

If you have access to an Authorized Version King James Bible, I encourage you to study it. Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation — relying exclusively on his bloodshed, death, burial and resurrection — and then study His Word. This is your only hope at not falling prey to the fallacies and heresies being promoted in most churches today.

Thanks Expressed to Community
The “Very Rev.” Msgr. J. Ruben Romero, V.E. Pastor of St. Landry Catholic Church Episcopal Vicar
North Region/Diocese of Lafayette
Published in The (Opelousas, Louisiana) Daily World on 11 November 2009

With the visit of the tibia bone (shin bone) of St. Mary Magdalene on Friday, I express appreciation to the many thousands (6,000-plus) who venerated this relic of St. Mary Magdalene at St. Landry Catholic Church. This is a great blessing for all of us. Young and old, black and white, Protestant and Catholic came. We who have come to Jesus as our Lord and Savior appreciate the witness of discipleship seen in the life of St. Mary Magdalene. The petitions left by visitors were placed at the foot of the altar. We prayed for all people who came and for their needs during Sunday’s masses.

We came with the attitude of St. Jerome [who died on Sept. 30, 420] tells us, “We do not worship, we do not adore, for fear that we should bow down to the creature rather than to the creator, but we venerate the relics of the martyrs in order the better to adore him whose martyrs they are.” Our coming to the relic of St. Mary Magdalene and to any relic of a saint is a time we focus on God himself who is seen in the life of the saint whose relic we venerate.

Let us follow St. Mary Magdalene in a greater discipleship of Jesus Christ by coming to Jesus (1) wanting to see and to attend to Jesus Christ, (2) experiencing the joy and surprise of witnessing Jesus Christ in our lives, and (3) responding to Jesus’ instruction to tell others of Jesus Christ.

Mr. Richard Borgman’s reflection is a good challenge for us, “This tibia knelt before the crucified and resurrected Christ. Imagine that your life is lived in such holiness that 2,000 years after your death your bones are still bringing people to the Lord Jesus Christ.” Our challenge is to be this holy so that God is seen in every detail of our life. Would not our world be a better place maybe a touch of heaven on earth!

Remember the Lord said to Mary Magdalene: “Go and tell my brothers that I shall ascend to my Father and your Father, to my God and to your God.” (John 20:17) Let us keep St. Mary Magdalene’s visit fresh in our hearts by praying the following prayer often: “Father, your Son first entrusted to Mary Magdalene the joyful news of his resurrection. By her prayers and examples may we proclaim Christ as our living Lord and one day see him in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Sprit, one God, for ever and even Amen.” [From the Roman Sacramentary, July 22nd] St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us!

Once again, thank you for your openness and your surrendering to God’s will.

“Do Some Research on Relics” (Version 1)
by Shawn Brasseaux
Submitted to The (Lafayette, Louisiana) Daily Advertiser on 12 November 2009

I’d like to address the most recent letter in regards to relics. Firstly, I went to see the supposed tibia of Mary Magdalene, for the sole purpose of trying to warn these desperate people in love.

These poor, sincere souls are confused, blinded by the devil. This charade had the form of godliness, but denied the power thereof (2 Tim. 3:5). It upsets me that people were taken advantage of, spiritually and financially. In a time when people are struggling in life, someone plays on their emotions with false hope.

We have God’s Word, preserved in the King James Bible, as our sole authority. These modern relic fallacies are the devil’s counterfeit version of God’s miracles in time past with Israel. Paul never received physical healing, despite praying three times (2 Cor. 12:7-10). There was no healing for Trophimus or Timothy (1 Tim. 5:23; 2 Tim. 4:20). Israel has been set aside nationally, while God deals with the Gentiles, so the Israeli signs and wonders program has been set aside too.

We don’t need intercession from saints or relics. We can receive God’s grace through Christ, without sacraments, relics, or prayers. Christ is our sole mediator to God.

Catholics don’t see relics as ‘magical’
by E. Comeaux
Published in The (Lafayette, Louisiana) Daily Advertiser on 12 November 2009

In response to a letter regarding relics, Catholics do not see relics as some sort of “magic item,” but we do recognize that sometimes God chooses to join the spiritual with the material.

The use of the bones of Elisha brought a dead man to life (2 Kings 13:20-21). This is an unequivocal biblical example of a miracle being performed by God through contact with the relics of a saint!

Similar are the cases of the woman cured of a hemorrhage by touching the hem of Christ’s cloak (Matthew 9:20-22) and the sick who were healed when Peter’s shadow passed over them (Acts 5:14-16), or the use of handkerchiefs touched by Paul to cure disease and cast out evil spirits (Acts 19:11-12).

If these aren’t examples of the use of relics, what are? In the case of Elisha, a Lazarus-like return from the dead was brought about through the prophet’s bones. In the New Testament cases, physical things (the cloak, the shadow, and handkerchiefs) were used to affect cures. There is a perfect congruity between present-day Catholic practice and ancient practice. If you reject all Catholic relics today as frauds, you also should reject these biblical accounts as frauds.

My Reply to Mr. Comeaux
by Shawn Brasseaux
Published in The (Lafayette, Louisiana) Daily Advertiser on 15 November 2009

Recently, Mr. E. Comeaux’s letter appeared in the Daily Advertiser (Nov. 13). Mr. Comeaux, I’m appalled that you plagiarized http://www.catholic.com’s article on relics. Copy and paste writing is unacceptable.

I’d like to comment on relics. Relic fallacies are common in religion; people are confusing God’s legitimate miracles in the Scriptures given to the nation Israel with present-day, man-made stories used to generate funds. I was there when the relic was displayed at UL Lafayette’s Catholic Student Center; these poor souls were so desperate. I could hear in their voices as I spoke to them. I urge you to be careful; don’t be deceived by religion or tradition (Col. 2:8; 2 Tim. 3:5; 2 Pet. 2:1-3).

Today, in the Dispensation of Grace, God’s doing something different. Paul lost his apostolic ability to heal; the signs and wonders program has ceased in the Body of Christ. We don’t need relics or sacraments to be catalysts for God’s grace; grace has already been given to us via the Lord Jesus Christ and His crosswork.

“Do Some Research on Relics” (Version 2)
by Shawn Brasseaux
Published in The (Lafayette, Louisiana) Daily Advertiser on 27 December 2009

Regarding the recent relic controversy, I can confidently write that all religious relics are phony, including that supposed tibia of Mary Magdalene, and the Shroud of Turin that the Vatican hides in a vault, never commenting on its authenticity.

I’d like to inform those reading to research a book entitled Catholicism Against Itself, written by O. C. Lambert. In it, the author quotes directly from official (and self-condemning) Roman Catholic documents. Look at The Spirit of Catholicism with the imprimatur of the late Cardinal Hayes; also see Catholic Facts, 27.

“She” doesn’t want you to know those things, but I’d rather let you see the truth for yourself. Don’t take my word for it; research the matter. She is just as phony as the relics she promotes.

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2009 Reflection | 2010 Projection

December 27, 2009

by Shawn Brasseaux

For some Christians, the close of a year and the beginning of a new one can be extremely depressing. We tend to say, “Well, the Lord still never came, so I am stuck here another year!” We get the nasty feeling of wanting to give up “fighting the good fight of faith”—cast that thought aside, because our work in the Lord is not done in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58)! Be ye not weary, for our beloved brother Paul sitting in prison wrote 18 times about his “rejoicing” and “joy,” in the four chapters of Philippians.

We should be looking for that Blessed Hope, when the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ will appear and rapture us, the Church that is His Body (Titus 2:13). However, we also need to remember that the rapture cannot happen “until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:25). Once that last believer is placed into the Body of Christ, the Dispensation of Grace is completed, and then God can deal with the unbelieving world and Israel in Daniel’s 70th week, the seven-year Tribulation. Until that last person gets saved, the Lord is tarrying, deliberately waiting; we cannot rush it.

Although the prophetic program is inactive today, we can see our world preparing for the day when it will resume. The day when the man of sin, the antichrist, will come in Satan’s power to set up his global empire. The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 2:6,7 KJV: “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”

For the true Christian, it can be quite discouraging to see the corruption, greed, scandals, and violence in our world (especially in America). As Paul wrote, the present world is “evil” (Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 5:16)—but how much worse off the planet will be after the Body of Christ is raptured! Still, notice what 2 Thessalonians 2:7 says: “the mystery of iniquity doth already work.” Under God’s sovereign authority, Satan has been granted permission to carry out his own work, preparing the world for the coming Tribulation.

Today, in the mystery program, the Holy Spirit is holding back the prophetic program by means of the Body of Christ. The Tribulation will begin when the antichrist is revealed, but this cannot happen until after the rapture. Once the Body of Christ is “taken out of the way,” or raptured, then the antichrist’s (and the devil’s) global regime can be established. Right now, we are simply seeing the “stage being set.”

In this past year’s news, we have seen more evidence of the “mystery of iniquity” working. Many changes have occurred these past twelve months; and most of these changes in the world (and in America) have been for the worst, and not for the better. The devil has been active in the realms of religion, politics, economics, and society these past 6,000 years, but especially these last 2,000 years in the Dispensation of the Grace of God. As we approach the time of the rapture, we come closer to the Tribulation, and finally the Millennial Kingdom (the 1000 years when Satan is confined to the bottomless pit; Revelation 20:1-3). Because Satan knows his time is short, he is seeking to confuse as many people as he can, especially the Church Body of Christ.

The whole scenario of the “mystery of iniquity” is this: Satan has devised and distributed corrupt Bible translations to confuse even the Christians (hence, making it more difficult to establish what is and what is not God’s Word). Using the pre-existing false teaching, new false teachers are promoting their own useless philosophical and traditional nonsense. Whenever the antichrist will come with his flattering lies, the world will gobble it all up!! Like the Bible says, “the mystery of iniquity [crookedness, evil] doth already work!”

The devil uses the widespread violence to discourage the true Christians: intimidation, which may eventually come identical to the torture used during the Inquisition. While the Body of Christ will never go through the Tribulation, we will experience persecution when serving the Lord. Paul wrote, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12 KJV). The world already hates the Christian voice—especially the voice of the King James Bible Pauline dispensationalist! Who knows what 2010 will be like for the world… or even what the Christian will face this upcoming year (jail? death?).

Remember the great apostasy prophesied in 2 Timothy 3:13, when “evil men shall wax [or grow] worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived,” and 2 Timothy 4:3,4 when it says that people will turn from the truth to embrace fables and foolishness: “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; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” We have been living in these days for several years, and it will only grow worse….

As your brother in the Lord, I strongly encourage you to get ready for the coming year. Know what the Bible says, and to whom does its various passages address, so you will not be misled with all the false teaching that will be coming upon the world in the next twelve months. Pray for the Lord’s soon return; pray for the Christian brethren, that they be not deceived. Stand fast in the sound doctrine of grace, and waver not. The Lord will be with us, fellow ambassadors, so let us contend for the faith in 2010! If you want a New Year’s resolution, try this one: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)!

The Lord may have not come in 2009, and He may not come in 2010… that is not to say He has forgotten His promise. The Lord Jesus Christ is coming one day, and never forget that!

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Posted by Christian ambassador (Shawn Brasseaux)