My Bible Study Book Marker # 7

“An unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For we [Christians] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ [at the time of the Rapture], that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad [worthless]” (2 Corinthians 5:10). 

This judgment will not be to determine our entrance into heaven or not. It will be to evaluate the quality of the Christian’s works done in this life.  Some will be burned up and others will be rewarded (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).  “So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).

Do you know where you can find the responsibilities that God has God given to New Testament Christians? (See our “Dispensations Chart.”) Are you actively engaged in doing the things God planned for you to do (Ephesians 2:10) for His glory and the good of others (1 Corinthians 10:31; Galatians 6:10)? Are you doing these things with God’s strength or independently of Him? (See John 15:5; Philippians 4:13).

Here are “Eight Responsibilities / Tests,” to start our self examination (1 Corinthians 11:28).

Click to access 08892a_ce5bb78881fa4f50a6c866dd9ab0adfe.pdf

If you’re a Christian who is out of fellowship with God, what known sins (sin = lawlessness – 1 John 3:4) need to be confessed to God the Father (1 John 1:9)? What might happen if we fail to promptly confess them to Him (1 Corinthians 11:30; Acts 5:1ff; James 5:19, 20; 1 John 5:16)?

Note: Confession of our sins doesn’t automatically release us from the natural consequences of our sins. When we confess our sins to God, He forgives us and doesn’t hold it against us. But, being omniscient, He doesn’t forget what we’ve done (Ezekiel 33:16). Sometime in the future, he usually will allow us to be tempted again in the same area to give us another opportunity to either yield to sin or resist it to show our love for Him (John 14:15; 1 John 2:15-17).

Memorize This Quote

“Sin will take you farther than you want to go; it will keep you longer than you want to stay; and it will cost you more than you want to pay.” – Source unknown.

We all need to know that God has made it possible for Christians so that we don’t have to keep on yielding to sinful temptations (Romans 6:14; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 John 2:1 ff).

“Our Spiritual Enemies”

“Our Perverted Sin Nature”

“Our Adversary The Devil”

“Lusts – Good & Bad”

https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2017/12/01/when-we-sin-what/

https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2019/03/22/tested-and-tried-daily/

God’s Desirous Will For Christians

“God’s Will For Believers” (4 in 1)

An Unexamined Life

“An Unexamined Life?”

Help. We’re here to assist those who are teachable, and willing to change, and who want to grow spiritually for the glory of God and the good of others. If you have questions and/or comments, we can be reached through our website: www.kelseypeach.com or through our FB page (Messenger).

If you can, join us on our Facebook video presentations for additional information. To receive future articles as they come out, click on “Follow.” Please SHARE this with others who may need spiritual help.

The Gospel Mandate

   Friend, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ alone, Who died for all our sins (once and for all) …and rose again bodily on the third day, and you will be saved from hell to heaven (Acts 16:31; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4).

   If you’ve never done this before, do it NOW! Once you’ve done this, contact us for more information so we can help you grow spiritually.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  

Used by Permission. All rights reserved.

My Bible Study Book Marker # 4

Each of the seven dispensations found in the Scriptures has different “Rules for Living” from God our Creator, to test those under them as to whether they will obey them or not. Sadly, every dispensation ends up in failure because most people have a desire to act independently of God, thinking that they can do what is good without God’s help (humanism). Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). And yet mankind, including many Christians, keep trying unsuccessfully to please God on their own and earn their way to heaven.

However, if we avail ourselves of God’s resurrection power, to do the things He wants us to do, according to His will, and His way, with the right motives, we will be well pleasing to Him (Philippians 3:10; 4:13; 2 Corinthians 5:9).

Please notice the Responsibility (+), the Failure (-), and the Judgement (~) of each dispensation as found on our “Dispensations Chart.” (Print one out for yourself on light colored paper and a few more copies for others who are interested in spiritual things.)

Click to access 08892a_ce5bb78881fa4f50a6c866dd9ab0adfe.pdf

Even during the last dispensation (Christ’s Millennial Kingdom), when He Himself is reigning over a refurbished, Paradise like earth, when the devil and demons are bound, and the present, diabolical world system is not in operation, man still has a sinful nature that keeps on rebelling against God. It proves that “The heart [of man] is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9; See Romans 3:10-23)? This is why we all need to new heart/nature from above (John 3:3-7).

Sadly, the “Dispensation of Grace” (in which we now live) will end with most Christians failing the responsibilities/tests that were given to us through the Apostle Paul, who was the steward of the “Dispensation of Grace” (Ephesians 3:1-13). Peter, John, James, and Jude provide supplemental information for believers today. (See the Dispensations Chart.)

At the “Bema Seat Judgment” for Christians, which happens after the Rapture, each believer’s works will be evaluated to determine which works will be burned up, and which ones will be rewarded (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

Thankfully, after God saves a person today, He waits for him/her to do some praiseworthy works which He can/will reward (1 Corinthians 4:5). Then He will return for “His Church-The Spiritual Body Of Christ” and make it “His Bride.” If you’re saved, are you doing the good works that God pre-planned for you to do (Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 4:10)? Several things are listed in Scripture that are called “God’s desirous will” for Christians. We have a choice to make. (See the link below.)

Before a believer participates in the observance of the “Lord’s Supper” (1 Corinthians 11:23-32), he/she should pause to evaluate his/her life by looking upward, backward, inward, outward, and forward to the Lord’s imminent return. “And [every believer] who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3). Known sins (lawlessness) need to be confessed promptly lest disciplinary measures from our heavenly Father follow (1 John 1:9; 3:4; 5:16). We have “potential years” and “actual years.”

God has provided everything we need to live victorious Christian lives (2 Peter 1:3, 4; 1Corinthians 10:13). One of our biggest problems is that we don’t study His Word diligently (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17; Titus 1:9) to learn how to overcome the temptations that come from the devil, our own sin nature, and the present, diabolical world system.

We can/should show our love for God by resisting sinful temptations that bring us momentary pleasure but bitter results (John 14:15; 1 John 2:15-17; Hebrews 11:25; Proverbs 5:1-23).

Think about this: “Sin will take you farther than you want to go. It will keep you longer than you want to stay. It will cost you more than you want to pay.” But God has made a way of escape for His children (1 Corinthians 10:13). Want to learn more? Check these links:

Our Spiritual Enemies –

“Tested And Tried Daily”

“Lusts – Good & Bad”

“When We Sin, What?”

God’s Desirous Will For Christians – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2023/06/22/gods-will-for-believers-4-in-1/

Evolution: Fact or Fiction? – Adrian Rogers

Help? We’re here to assist those who are faithful, available, teachable, and willing to change and grow spiritually for the glory of God and the good of others. If you have questions and/or comments, we can be reached through our website: www.kelseypeach.com or through our FB page (Messenger).

To receive future articles as they come out, click on “Follow.” https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/our-perverted-sin-nature/

Watch, if you can, our Facebook videos that correspond to this and other articles.

If you are being helped spiritually by this and our other articles, please Share them with others.https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2017/03/17/our-adversary-the-devil/

The Gospel Mandate

   Friend, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ alone, Who died for all our sins (once and for all) …and rose again bodily on the third day, and you will be saved from hell to heaven (Acts 16:31; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4).

   If you’ve never done this before, do it NOW! Once you’ve done this, contact us for more information so we can help you grow spiritually.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  

Used by Permission. All rights reserved.

We’re Being Influenced & Influencing Others

Attitude + Aptitude = Altitude [1]

Influencer: “a person who inspires or guides the actions of others.” – Merriam-Webster

Whether we realize it or not, “We affect those around us by how we live, whether purposefully or passively, for good or for evil…A godly influence is someone who helps people understand the gospel [1 Corinthians 15:3, 4], grow in their knowledge of Scripture [2 Peter 3:18], walk in righteousness [Galatians 5:16, 25], serve and follow Christ [Galatians 5:13], support His work [2 Corinthians 9:7], and spread the message of His salvation [Mark 16:15]…Influence is both a privilege and a responsibility.” – Dr. Charles Stanley [2]

An evil influencer does just the opposite. He stirs up strife and contention which can lead to his and others’ destruction. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1). “My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent” (Proverbs 1:10). “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Question. Who or what has influenced us or is influencing us for good and/or for evil? Who’s our friend and who’s our enemy? Can a person be both? Do spirit beings (angels & demons) influence us and others? If so, how?

Let’s Think About Some Good Influencers In The Bible –

“Joseph: He was sold by his jealous brothers and taken down to Egypt where he suffered for many years in prison after being falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife for a crime he didn’t commit. But after interpreting Pharaoh’s dream one day, he was put at his right hand in the court of Egypt. It was through Joseph that food, in a time of famine, was supplied for the [Jewish people] and others to keep them alive. Who but God would have thought of that? 

“Esther: God sovereignly put this young Jewish girl in the court of King Ahasuerus. It’s hard to imagine the pressures she must have been under as she thought about the possibility of her fellow Jews being annihilated if she was unwilling to risk her own life to save their lives. But it was through her, that the Jewish people were delivered from a holocaust. 

“Daniel: As a young man, he was taken as a captive to Babylon because of the sins of the Jewish people. Several years later, after he interpreted the king’s dream, God put him in a high position in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. Imagine how difficult this may have been as he was surrounded by pagan idol worshippers. Yet it was all in the good purpose of God to reveal to this king and to the rest of us what would happen in the future under the world empires.

“Expect to be troubled and misunderstood. But trust God to keep you.” [3]

Andrew: He introduced his brother Peter to the Lord (John 1:41, 42). But a few years later, when Jesus was being tried unjustly, Peter denied that he knew the Lord (Matthew 26:34; 75). Thankfully, after he got turned around, he was instrumental in influencing thousands of Jews to believe in Christ on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 3:11 ff).

Paul. He once was a persecutor of Christians and consented to Stephen’s death (Acts 7:58; 8:1-3). He (not Peter) became the steward of the “Dispensation of Grace” in which we now live (Ephesians 3:1 ff). He started many churches in Asia Minor and in Europe and influenced many people to become Christians (1 Corinthians 3:5).

Jesus – The greatest influencer of others was the Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). “For to this [suffering] you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps…” (1 Peter 2:21). All believers who desire to live godly lives can/should expect to be persecuted for the cause of Christ (2 Timothy 3:12; See Romans 8:18).

God The Holy Spirit – Today He indwells all true Christians (John 14:17). He is the One Who energizes and enables us to do the things God desires for us to do (Philippians 2:13; 4:13). However, we can and often do resist Him to our own detriment (2 Timothy 2:12). No one can resist His determinative will (Romans 9:19; Ephesians 1:11).

Some Bad Influencers

The Devil & Demons – From time to time they are permitted to put evil thoughts in a believer’s mind and in the minds of unbelievers (Acts 5:3; See 1 Kings 22:19-23). When tempted, a Christian must be sober and vigilant (1 Peter 5:8), submit to God (James 4:8), put on the whole armor of God, and then resist the devil/demons to overcome their 14 solicitations to trespass and then sin (Ephesians 2:1; 1 John 3:4; James 1:12-15). This causes him/them to leave us for a season (Ephesians 6:12-17; 2 Corinthians10:3-6). Once we’ve overcome the devil/demons, we must “pray” for other believers in their time of need (Ephesians 6:18). The devil also has mature sons of disobedience who love to do what he wants them to do (Ephesians 2:2; John 8:44; 1 John 3:10).

Religious Leaders. The devil has many religious leaders proclaiming a false gospel (2 Corinthians 11:3, 4, 12-15) and other ways of salvation (Ephesians 2:8, 9). He blinds the minds of unsaved people to keep them from seeing and believing the true Gospel so they can be saved (2 Corinthians 4:4). Only God the Holy Spirit can convict unbelievers of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11). The devil lulls most of his children to sleep spiritually so they aren’t aware of the impending danger (1 John 5:19; Revelation 21:8). [4]

Wicked People. Unsaved people and carnal Christians often have a negative influence on others. Their vile language and lifestyle can rub off on us. We need to have contact with them, but we aren’t to be contaminated by them. They might be our relatives, fellow workers, neighbors, or the people we watch and listen to on television or on the radio.

The Present Diabolical World System. It was devised by the devil in the days of Cain in an effort to control certain aspects of man’s sin nature (Luke 11:51, 52; Genesis 4:16-24; Galatians 5:19-21). As Christians, we can/must use the world system (1 Corinthians 7:31), but we are not to misuse it and “agape” love it (1 John 2:15-17). It appeals to the the lust [strong desires] of the flesh [sin nature], the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life [the vainglory of ownership]. It also is passing away and will be destroyed (2 Peter 3:11). [5]

The Coming Man Of Sin (Antichrist) & The False Prophet – After the true Church has been removed from the earth and taken to heaven (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-10), the debonair, charismatic “Man of Sin / Antichrist” will be elevated to power by the 10 kings from the Revived Roman Empire, and the Apostate Harlot Church. He will deceive the nations by performing the same kind of miracles that Jesus and the Apostles did in the early days of the church (Act 2:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10). After the “Man of Sin – Antichrist” is killed in the middle to the Tribulation, and brought back to life, he will demand that everyone, including the Jews worship him and take his mark (666) in order for them and all others to buy and sell things (Revelation 13:11-18). When the Jews refuse, he will pursue them with a vengeance but he won’t be able to exterminate all of them. Two thirds of the Jews who rebel against the Lord while they are being protected in Sela (Petra) will die during the last half of the Tribulation (Zechariah 13:8, 9; Isaiah 16:1 ff; Jeremiah 30:7). [6]

Back To Some Good Examples

The Hall Of Faith Believers – Some were delivered; others weren’t (Hebrews 11).

Christian Martyrs – They will receive the “Crown of Life” (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10). [7]

Christian Biographies – Dedicated servants of the Lord. [8]

Thank Them. If you have had some good influencers, mentors, motivators, exhorters, comforters, and encouragers who have helped you in life, take time to thank them if you can. If you had bad ones, learn from them what not to do (1 Corinthians 10:1-13).

Think About This. God caused you and me to be alive at this time in human history. He has a purpose and a plan for each believer. Jesus said, “You [disciples] did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you” (John 15:16). “For we [Christians] are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). “As each [Christian] has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10; Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4:11-16).

The Rapture. Christ won’t return for the true Church / the spiritual “Body of Christ” to make us “His Bride” until all whom the Father has given to the Son have come to Him, through the proclamation of the Gospel, and been saved and done some praiseworthy works (John 6:37; 1 Corinthians 4:5). Every Christian can/should have a part in this by sharing the clear Gospel message with the lost (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4).

To Be A Godly Influencer And To Be A Blessing To Others, We Are Admonished To –

“Walk by means of the Holy Spirit, and be filled by Him so He can produce His “Fruit” (Christ likeness) in our lives (Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 5:18). We then become responsible to direct it properly toward the right objects, at the right time, for God’s glory and the good of others (1 Corinthians 10:31; Galatians 6:10). We are to look for other faithful believers to whom we can pass on what was given to us (2 Timothy 2:2). Are you doing this?

As believers, we are told to “[Put] away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another.  ‘Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:25-32).

Summing It Up

If we, as Christians, want to have a positive and godly influence on others, we need to be humble, sacrificial, strategic, and do what we do for the glory of God and the good of others. [9] As Dr. Stanley pointed out, we need to share the clear Gospel with unbelievers [1 Corinthians 15:3, 4]. Once they’re saved, we need to help them grow in their knowledge of the Scriptures [2 Peter 3:18], show them how to walk in righteousness [Galatians 5:16, 25], serve and follow Christ [Galatians 5:13], support His work [2 Corinthians 9:7], and spread the message of His salvation to the lost [Mark 16:15]? We should consider the fact that being an “influencer” for Christ to be both a privilege and a responsibility. Are you having a positive, godly influence on others? If not, why?

The Gospel Mandate For Unbelievers [10]

Friend, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ alone, Who died for all our sins (once and for all) …and rose again bodily on the third day, and you will be saved from hell to heaven (Acts 16:31; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4).

If you’ve never done this before, do it NOW! Once you’ve done this, contact us for more information so we can help you grow spiritually.

Help

We’re here to assist those who are teachable, willing to change, and who want to grow spiritually and reproduce themselves. We can be reached through our website: www.kelseypeach.com or through our FB page. If you’d like to receive future articles as they come out, click on “Follow.” If this has helped you, please LIKE & SHARE it with others.

**********************************

[1] Attitude – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2019/05/17/attitude/

[2] Dr. Charles Stanley, Requirements Of A Godly Influence

https://www.intouch.org/watch/sermons/the-requirements-of-a-godly-influence#:~:text=Godly%20influence%20helps%20people%20understand,the%20message%20of%20His%20salvation.

file:///Users/kelseypietsch/Downloads/The-Requirements-of-a-Godly-Influence.pdf

[3] Colin Smith – https://openthebible.org/article/what-every-christian-influencer-should-know/

[4] The Devil – Facts & Fallacies – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2014/06/20/the-devil-fallacies-facts/

[5] Lusts – Good And Bad – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2021/08/03/lusts-good-bad/

[6] The Order Of Coming Events – And the influence of the “Man of Sin / Antichrist” https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2016/02/20/the-order-of-coming-events-2/

[7] Christian Martyrs – https://www.ccel.org/ccel/foxe/martyrs/files/martyrs.html

[8] Christian Biographies – https://wholesomewords.org/biography/index.html

[9] Kelly Needham – https://kellyneedham.com/posts/2015/03/20/women-are-influencers

[10] Gospel Presentations – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2022/02/16/gospel-presentations/

Scripture taken from the New King James Version

Copyright c. 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by Permission. All rights reserved

Misleading Leading Questions*

After Jesus died for our sins, and rose again bodily from the dead, He ascended publicly, gradually, and literally into heaven and sat down at the Father’s right hand (Acts 1:9-11; Hebrews 10:12). Then He gave spiritual gifts to the church. [1]

Gifts. Among these gifts were Evangelists, and Pastor-teachers to build up the church numerically and spiritually (Ephesians 4:11-16). While the spiritual “Body Of Christ – the Church” (1 Corinthians 12:12, 13) consists only of true believers, most local churches have believers (Christians) and unbelievers (non-Christians) in them. “Carnal Christians” (1 Corinthians 3:1 ff; Galatians 5:19-21) act just like unsaved people do and it is hard to know if they are truly saved or not. They cause many problems in local churches.

Church growth (both numerically and spiritually) is important. But too often churches accept the testimonies of candidates for church membership that are an eternity away from the gospel of Christ. Here are some of the answers given to the question “Why should God let you into His heaven?”

Answers. “I asked Jesus to come into my heart.” “I prayed the sinner’s prayer, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner.'” “I accepted Christ as my Savior.” “I love Jesus.” “I prayed to be saved.” “I repented of my sins.” “I confessed Jesus as Lord.” “I was born into a Christian family.” “I have attended church all my life.” “I opened my heart’s door and let Jesus come in.” “I walked the aisle. …” “I raised my hand. …” “I saw Jesus.” “I worked for God.” “I was baptized.” “I cried out to God to save me.” “I cried when I heard about Jesus.” “My mother taught me to pray at her knee.” “I prayed for salvation.” “I have been a church member.”

Response. Pastor Spurbeck writes,* “The number of the bogus testimonies given for membership would fill volumes. Not one of these is a part of the gospel by which a person is saved. [See Romans 1:16, 17.] Many times a person’s testimony is ignored for the sake of the addition of a new member to the roll. It makes the additions report look better.” [4]

With testimonies like the above, leading questions can be asked to justify a “yes” vote. Up comes the “Are you a Christian?” question. Most Americans can answer that with a “yes.” After all, isn’t this a Christian nation? A “yes” answer hides the reality that a person is not saved.

Some Good Questions

We do have some perfectly good questions that aren’t leading questions. “How do you know that you are saved?” This question gives the candidate a perfect opportunity to say that he has believed the gospel concerning Christ and to identify the gospel by which one is saved. [2]

In response to the “I believed in Jesus Christ” answer, one might ask, “What did you believe about Christ to be saved?” This is a perfect question that encourages a person to give the gospel accurately. Again, if the person believed the gospel, he should be able to give the essential facts — Christ died for my sins, was buried, and rose again. [1 Corinthians 15:3, 4]

Three other important questions also need to be asked. “What did you do to be saved?” It is very encouraging to have the candidate hesitate, think and then say, “Nothing!” Such an answer indicates that the person is not relying on his good works for salvation. We must remind ourselves that faith is not a work (Rom. 4:5) so that we can answer “I believed.”

Another question is: “Where did you get the faith to believe?” True Christians know that they didn’t have enough faith or the right kind of faith within themselves to believe in Christ but that it had to come from God — the gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Philippians 1:29; 1 Corinthians 3:5).

The third question is: “What happens if you sin?” The answer to this question accomplishes two things. First, it can give a view of whether the person believes that salvation can be lost or not – i.e., eternal security (the perseverance of the Savior). Secondly, it can give an understanding of what the person knows about the rudiments of the spiritual life. [3]

None of these questions are leading questions. They test the reality of Bible salvation and divine intervention in one’s life. They provide a measure of protection from unbelievers becoming members of the local church.

Misleading leading questions bring in tares — unbelievers — into local churches. A clear, accurate knowledge of the gospel by which one is saved is absolutely necessary. If a person omits parts of the gospel, it is highly questionable whether he or she is saved. If he or she adds to the gospel (2 Corinthians 11:3, 4, 13-15), that person is not saved. No gospel! No salvation! No church membership! [4]

Members. Local churches should try to do their best to insure that those who become members are true believers. “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

Help. If you have questions and/or comments about this article, or are not sure of your salvation, we’re here to assist those who are teachable, willing to study, and grow spiritually (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 3:18). We can be reached through our website: www.kelseypeach.com or through our FB page. To receive future articles as they come out, click on “Follow.”

[1] Spiritual Gifts – https://www.kelseypeach.com/bible-basics

[2] Gospel Presentations – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2022/02/16/gospel-presentations/

[3] Spiritual Growth –

FREE Bible Study Book Marker with Dispensations Chart

 https://www.kelseypeach.com/_files/ugd/08892a_ce5bb78881fa4f50a6c866dd9ab0adfe.pdf

Maturing In Christ, by Dr. H. L. Schafer – http://gracelifebaptistchurch.us/books.html

[4] * This article was adapted from Pastor David Spurbeck, Sr., Misleading Leading Questions, Monograph #3 – To read the entire article, go to – http://bartimaeus.us/pub_dom/monographs.html

Which Jesus Saves? – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2015/01/07/which-jesus-saves/

How To Overcome Our Three Spiritual Enemies

“Tested And Tried Daily”

God’s Will For Believers –

“God’s Will For Believers” (4 in 1)

The Gospel Mandate

Friend, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ alone, Who died for all our sins (once and for all) …and rose again bodily on the third day, and you will be saved from hell to heaven (Acts 16:31; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4).

If you’ve never done this before, do it NOW! Once you’ve done this, contact us for more information so we can help you grow spiritually.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version

Copyright c. 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by Permission. All rights reserved

My Personal Testimony – Wm. Kelsey Pietsch

I’m a sinner who has been saved by God’s grace alone, (I don’t deserve it), through faith alone, (not by faith plus my good works), in the Christ of the Scriptures alone, (not in the Christ of the cults).

I believe the Gospel that He died for all my sins, was buried for three days and nights, and rose again bodily on the third day (Acts 16:31; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5). Note: Merely knowing and believing the facts of the Gospel didn’t save me (James 2:18, 19). I had to transfer my faith and trust from myself and my good works over to the Lord Jesus Christ alone to be saved.

My eternal security and deliverance from hell to heaven is based on the promises of God Who cannot lie (John 3:16, 18, 36; 5:24; 10:28, 29; Ephesians 4:30; Romans 8:16; Titus 1:2; 1 John 5:13).

My assurance of salvation has faltered from time to time when I’ve sinned (acted lawlessly) and when I got out of fellowship with God (1 John 3:4).

The Scriptures tell us that “It is a fearful thing [for rebellious Christians] to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). If I fail to confess my sins to God the Father quickly, I could be disciplined severely by Him as an expression of His love for me (Hebrews 12:5 ff; 1 Corinthians 11:27-32).

When I confess my sins (lawless behavior) to Him, He forgives me (1 John 1:9), but He doesn’t forget what I have done. Usually He will give me another opportunity to be tempted again in the same area so that I can demonstrate my love for Him rather than my love for the sinful, momentary pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11:25).

After I was saved, I was baptized by immersion to identify myself with Christ in His death, burial, and bodily resurrection on my behalf (Romans 6:3, 4; Galatians 2:20). I did this to be obedient to His command (Matthew 28:19, 20), to have a good conscience before God (1 Peter 3:21), and to be a testimony to others of my faith in Christ (Acts 8:36-38).

I’ve also dedicated by body to God as a living sacrifice and want Him to use me for His glory and the good of others (Romans 12:1, 2; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Galatians 5:13; 6:10).

I enjoy using my spiritual gift with love (1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 4:10; Ephesians 4:11-16). I want to earn all five crowns so I can give them back to Jesus after He evaluates my works at the “Bema Seat Judgment” at the time of the Rapture (1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20; 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 4:10).

* * * *

I was raised in a Christian home as a missionary kid. I was born in California during World War II. I went with my parents and my siblings to Japan right after the war when I was 4 years old and lived there for the next 14 years straight before coming back to the States to go to Pillsbury Bible College in Minnesota during the early 1960s. It was there that I met my wife to be, Janet.

As a boy, I went to the Japanese Peers’ School for two years with my younger brother to learn Japanese. Then we went to the Christian Academy in Japan. It was an interdenominational Christian school. When we had chapel services, some of the speakers gave me the impression that if I sinned, or hadn’t prayed to receive Christ, or hadn’t walked the isle, or hadn’t made Christ the Master of my life, etc, I probably wasn’t saved. I knew that I didn’t want to go to hell, and so I made many professions of faith.

It wasn’t until my second year in college, that I came to have assurance of my salvation based on 1 John 5:13. But I still didn’t know how to live the “victorious Christian life.” Like the Apostle Paul, I wanted to do what was right but I often ended up yielding to the temptations from my sinful nature (Romans 7:15-25; Philippians 2:13; Galatians 5:16, 25).

It wasn’t until I was in seminary that I learned about my three spiritual enemies: the devil, my own sin nature, and the present world system and how they temped me to sin, and what I needed to do to keep from yielding to sinful temptations.

I learned that, with God’s help, I don’t have to keep on sinning (1 John 2:1; 3:4, 9) even though I still sin from time to time. God made a way of escape for every Christian, including me (1 Corinthians 10:13). I’m thankful that God is not finished with me yet (Philippians 1:6).

I want to keep growing in the sphere of grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). I love to read, listen to, memorize, and study God’s Word and share what I have learned with others.

I’ve pastored local churches in California, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Kansas. I retired from the Pastorate in 2017 when I was 75 years old. But I’m still engaged in supply preaching from time to time, and I also have a website to try to help unsaved people hear the clear Gospel so they can be saved, and then help Christians grow spiritually, serve effectively, and reproduce themselves.

My wife and I have four children. One was taken from us in 2016 when he was living in Japan. He was 38 years old. We’re thankful that our children have accepted the Lord as their Savior and that we can have a part in their lives and in the lives of our 7 grandchildren whom we hope will be saved at an early age.

I have a Youtube presentation of “My Life In Japan” in which I talk about my Christian heritage and other things.

I want to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31) by doing my best to help those who are teachable (2 Timothy 2:2, 15), willing to change (Romans 12:1, 2), and who want to grow spiritually (2 Peter 3:18).

My Website: www.kelseypeach.com

Gospel Presentations – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2022/02/16/gospel-presentations/

The Death Of Our Son – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/the-death-of-our-son/

My Life In Japan – Family History

https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/about/

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX8JXf0QKfw&t=2s

How To Overcome Our Three Spiritual Enemies – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2019/03/22/tested-and-tried-daily/

“Because He Lives” Part 2

It is a well documented fact of history that Jesus Christ died on a cross as predicted in the Scriptures (Psalm 22; Philippians 2:8; Matthew 27:40-42). But why? To pay the penalty for all of our sins once and for all (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 10:10).

But thankfully He rose again bodily from the grave after being in the tomb for three days and nights. His resurrected body was different in that it had flesh and bones but no blood (Luke 24:33-43; 1 Corinthians 15:50).

It’s possible that many people who attend church and celebrate His resurrection haven’t been born again from above (John 3:3-6; 1 Peter 1:23).

But sadder still, many people “believe in vain.” They’re trusting in a false Christ or another way of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:2; 2 Corinthians 11:4; Ephesians 2:8, 9).

Many benefits are extended to true believers. They include –

A N_____ Life In Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13).

The unsaved person’s condition – helpless, hopeless, hell bound. Romans 5:6; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1, 12

The believer’s eternal life. – A free gift from God. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8, 9

Application – Do others see any change in your life? James 2:18

New Potentials

A Vi___________________ Life. (1 John 2:1; Romans 6:14)

Three spiritual enemies – Devil, our sin nature, present world system. 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 1:8; 2:15-17

The provision – a way of escape. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Application: Are you living a defeated or a victorious Christian life? ____

An Ab______________ Life. (John 10:10; 15:1-8)

The works of the flesh – perversions of good things. Galatians 5:19-21

The “Fruit of the Spirit” – Christlikeness. Galatians 5:22, 23; John. 15:8

Application: Are you displaying this fruit toward the right objects? _____

A Us__________ Life. (1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Timothy 2:21)

Serving and loving self. 2 Timothy 3:2; John 3:19

Glorifying and serving God and others. Galatians 5:13; 6:10; 1 Peter 4:10

Application: Do you find joy in serving God and others? ____

Conclusion – If you’ve never placed your faith and trust in Christ alone, Who died for your sins…and rose again bodily for the dead, why not now?

If you have been saved, but aren’t living out your new life in Christ, or aren’t living a victorious, abundant, and useful life, why not confess your sins to the Father, claim His forgiveness, and begin a new chapter of your life for the glory of God and the good of others?

Help We’re here to assist those who are teachable, willing to change, and grow spiritually (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 3:18). For additional help, we invite you to visit our website: www.kelseypeach.com

“The Bad News & The Good News”

God And His Word Are All That We Need

Most people fail to realize the treasure they have if they own a Bible or have access to the Scriptures, which most of us do in this country. Sadly, many people around the world know little or nothing about the true and living God, and don’t have a Bible to read. Some people can’t read.

Within the 66 books of the Bible, that make up the Old and New Testaments, we have all that we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3, 4). We don’t need to turn to the philosophies of sinful men to learn how to be saved or how to live a victorious Christian life (Colossians 2:8). God’s Word is “theocentric.” This means that it’s centered around God. By contrast, an anthropocentric life puts man at the center. “Unfortunately, living for the moment often leads to misery in the form of addiction, unwanted pregnancies, broken relationships, and other regrets. Living for humanistic, anthropocentric goals also has its problems—if the advancement of man is the highest good, ambitious leaders can justify almost anything to ensure the progress of humanity—even, ironically, genocide and ethnic cleansing.” [1]

The Scriptures teach us the truth about God (John 17:17), our sinful condition (Romans 3:10-23; Jeremiah 17:9), how to be saved from the lake of fire and enter into heaven to spend eternity with the One Who laid down His life to save us sinners (1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Acts 16:31). Such love should prompt us to live a life that pleases Him at all times (John 15:1-8; 2 Corinthians 5:9). Ten major themes include: The Bible, God, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, Man, Sin, Salvation, The Church, and Future Things. How familiar are you with these topics?

All Scripture is God breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the man / woman of God (a believer) may be complete / thoroughly equipped to do the work God pre-planned for us to do (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; See Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 4:10). Question: If you’re saved, do you know what your spiritual gift is, and are you using it with love for the benefit of others (1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:13)? [2]

While all the Bible is for us, not all of it is addressed to us as New Testament believers. All the doctrines (teachings) of the Bible are to be believed, but not all of it is to be believed and practiced (Titus 1:9). God has given different rules for different people at different times known as “Dispensations – Rules for Living.” (They are NOT separate ways of salvation.) Three major ones are Law, Grace, and Kingdom. (See our Bible Study Book Marker with a Dispensations Chart on our website.) [3]

The devil [4] doesn’t want people to have access to the Scriptures and/or to read it. During the Middle Ages it was virtually inaccessible to the common man. But thanks to the printing press and the Protestant Reformation that began around A.D. 1500, mankind has had access to God’s Word in many languages of the world.

“Natural Revelation” (i.e., the things we can learn from nature) tells us that there is a God Who is powerful (Romans 1:20). But we need “Special Revelation” from God to learn other vital information including how we can be saved / delivered from everlasting condemnation to spend eternity with God.

God’s purpose is to glorify Himself (John 17:1-8). He wants to make Himself known to His creatures – human beings and spirit beings. His attributes include: goodness, righteousness, omnipotence, omniscience, truthfulness, holiness, and love. Man’s purpose is/should be to glorify God by making Him know to those around us (1 Corinthians 10:31). Question: What are others learning about God by your life and lip?

In the end every creature will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is LORD (i.e., that He is the God-man, Who died for our sins…and rose again bodily from the dead. See Philippians 2:11; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4.) He is the One in Whom our faith and trust must rest if we are to be saved. We are NOT saved by our good works, or by our faith PLUS our good works lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5). The Scriptures do not teach the “universal salvation” of all men and fallen angels.

We’re here to assist those who would like to be assured of spending eternity in heaven with God rather than in hell with the devil and his angels/demons (1 John 5:13; Romans 8:16; Matthew 25:41, 46). We also want to help believers grow spiritually, serve God joyfully, and reproduce themselves (2 Peter 3:18; Matthew 28:19, 20).

We can be reached here or through our website: www.kelseypeach.com. To receive future articles as they come out, click on “Follow.”

[1] “Theocentric vs Anthropocentric” https://www.gotquestions.org/theocentric.html

[2] Spiritual Gifts – https://www.kelseypeach.com/bible-basics

[3] Bible Study Book Marker and Dispensations Chart –

Click to access 08892a_ce5bb78881fa4f50a6c866dd9ab0adfe.pdf

[4] The Devil – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2014/06/20/the-devil-fallacies-facts/

The Conflict Of The Ages – God vs The Devil

The devil (God’s adversary) was created as Lucifer, the anointed cherub (Ezekiel 28:14). But he became dissatisfied with the role that God had given to him. He had been placed over all the other myriads of spirit beings: other cherubs, seraphs, and angels.

It’s been suggested that there are as many of them as there are stars in the second heaven where they make their residence (Ephesians 6:12). He ruled over all of them from the mineral garden in Eden on earth (Ezekiel 28:13).

But he wanted to be like God. This may sound good, but it really meant that he didn’t want to be accountable to God any longer. He wanted to raise his throne above God’s throne. In defiance toward God, he said five times, “I will…” (Isaiah 14:12-14).

Lawlessness is sin (1 John 3:4). It is defiance against God and the rules He has given to us for our own good. (All of the seven, separate, and distinct “Dispensations / Rules for Living” given to mankind will end up in failure. See our “Dispensations Chart” on our website.)

The devil convinced 1/3 of the lower two categories of angels to join him in his rebellion against God (Revelation 12:4; Ephesians 6:12). These angels became “fallen angels” known also as “demons.”

As a result of his rebellion against God, some theologians and Bible teachers believe that his residence on earth was flooded for an indefinite period of time (Genesis 1:2; 2:9-13; Isaiah 45:18) before God created man, an inferior being, to have dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26, 28).

Adam, the forefather of us all (Acts 17:26; Luke 3:38), was given the task of tending the garden, eastward in Eden, which once may have been a part of Lucifer’s mineral garden (Genesis 2:8). This probably irked the devil greatly. Adam also was instructed not to eat the fruit from the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” lest he die (Genesis 2:17). We know what happened. Eve and then Adam yielded to the devil’s temptation and ate it and eventually died physically (Genesis 3:1 ff; 5:5).

This is why we die too (Romans 5:12; Hebrews 9:27). But someday, all the dead will be raised, in different orders, to spend eternity either with God or apart from Him in the lake of fire (1 Corinthians 15:20-24; Revelation 20:11-15).

So God cursed the serpent, the woman, and the ground for Adam’s sake. But God also promised to give them One who would crush the serpent’s (the devil’s) head (Genesis 3:15; See Revelation 12:9).

Many years later, during the days of Noah, some of the fallen angels took on humanoid forms and cohabited with human women and produced giants in the earth (Genesis 6:4; Jude 1:6). For this sin, these fallen angels/demons were/are chained in darkness in Tartarus (hell – KJV) which is in the heart of the earth (2 Peter 2:4).

The other fallen angels/demons still reside in the second heaven and are the ones who tempt Christians from time to time if God permits them to do so (Ephesians 6:12, 13; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Job 1:12; 2:6). Do you know how to overcome their temptations to sin? [1]

All but Noah, his three sons, and their wives apparently were polluted by this genetic human modification. Thus God had to destroy the rest of the human race with a universal flood (Genesis 7, 8). “The Deliverer” had to come from humans, not someone who was ½ human and ½ fallen angel / demon (Genesis 3:15). This is known as transhumanism. It may sound good, but it is an attempt to perfect humans without the help of God.

Today we are learning more and more about evil people who are trying, once again, to genetically modify humans and make them like gods. Some religions and cults also teach that men can become gods. Do you know about any of them?

“Top World Economic Forum adviser Yuval Noah Harari has declared in a recent interview that the ‘vast majority’ of the world’s 7.5 billion people are simply no longer needed due to technological advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning and bioengineering.’” He also is quoted as saying, “Now humans are developing even bigger powers than ever before. We are really acquiring divine powers of creation and destruction. We are really upgrading humans into gods. We are acquiring, for example, the power to re-engineer life.” [2]

“… transhumanism contradicts the Bible when it assumes that humanity is completely sovereign and capable of self-directed change without the need for God (Jeremiah 17:9). Taken to an extreme, though, [transhumanism] can become a pursuit of immortality, an escape from moral boundaries, or a form of religion in and of itself. The ultimate redemption of mankind is something that will be accomplished by God alone (Revelation 21:1), not by technology.” [3]

God will allow sinful men to only go so far before He puts down their rebellion. He did this at the “Tower of Babel” and changed their languages so they couldn’t work together. This is when the ethnic groups came into existence and when the continental shift began to take place (Genesis 10, 11). In His time God will crush the rebels with His rod of iron (Psalm 2:9; Revelation 2:27; 12:5; 19:15) before He destroys this entire universe and creates a new heavens and earth where righteousness will finally settle down and feel at home (2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1 ff).

Are you in rebellion against God? Are you ignoring His invitation to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ alone, Who died for your sins…and rose again bodily on the third day, so you can be saved? (See Acts 16:31; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; John 3:16, 18).

If you are an unbeliever, you are in serious danger. If you die without the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you will spend eternity in the lake of fire with the devil and his angels/demons (Matthew 25:30, 41, 46). Why not place your faith and trust in Him right now and be saved? You can’t be saved by your good works, or by your faith plus your good works (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5).

We’re here to assist those who are teachable, willing to change and grow. If you need/want additional spiritual help, contact us. We can be reached here or through our website: www.kelseypeach.com.

If this article has helped you, please let us know. SHARE it with others who might benefit from this information. To receive future articles as they come out, click on “Follow.”

[1] Spiritual Enemies – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2021/07/08/the-blame-game/

“Tested And Tried Daily”

[2] WEF’s Yuval Noah Harari quotes – https://leohohmann.com/2022/08/15/yuval-noah-harari-spills-the-beans-we-just-dont-need-the-vast-majority-of-the-population/

https://www.nowtheendbegins.com/yuval-noah-harari-world-economic-forum-antichrist-minion/

[3] Transhumanism – https://www.gotquestions.org/transhumanism.html

Know Your Enemy – The Devil #3

Disappointment, discouragement, and doubt are not strangers to Christians. But we’re also tempted by the devil and/or demons to act independently of God, to be timid, proud, bitter, or to have an unforgiving spirit. The strong lusts / desires to steal, to lie, to be spiritually lazy, to gossip, to be a tale bearer, and to use filthy language all come as temptations from the devil too?

What should Christians do when we face them? God wants us to put on the “whole armor of God” each time we’re tempted in these areas so we stay standing rather than falling into sin (lawless behavior). Temptation isn’t sin; yielding to sinful temptations is sin.

We invite you to read and study carefully the following information found in the two links below, to help you in your walk with God so you can live victoriously over your spiritual enemy the devil.

If you haven’t read the two previous articles about “Know Your Enemy – The Devil” (Parts #1, 2) please refer to them too.

Contact us if you have questions and/or comments, or if you aren’t absolutely sure that you will go to heaven the moment you die. “The Bad News & Good News” is on our website. You may find other articles on our Blog to be helpful too.

“The Armor Of God”

“The Armor Of God” Part 2

Know Your Enemy – The Devil #2

The devil and demons don’t want unsaved people to hear and believe the clear Gospel message which could lead to their deliverance from hell to heaven (1 Corinthians 15:3,4; 2 Corinthians 4:4).

They lull most unsaved people to sleep so they don’t sense impending danger (1 John 5:19). They also energize their devoted and mature sons of disobedience into action (Ephesians 2:2). Examples: Judas (John 13:27), false prophets and teachers (2 Corinthians 11:4, 13-15; 2 Peter 2:1), the Beast and False Prophet (Revelation 13).

They also want to keep believers from fulfilling God’s desirous will for their lives (Romans 12:1,2). They have at their disposal “fourteen fiery darts” to attack a believer’s mind if God allows them to do so (1 Corinthians 10:13; Ephesians 6:13). When attacked, Christians need to put on the “full armor of God” on each time we’re attacked by their lusts /strong desires (Ephesians 6:10-17) so we can live victorious Christian lives for the glory of God and the good of others (1 Corinthians 10:31; Galatians 6:10).

As time moves on Satanic and demonic activity and doctrines will increase and many will believe their lies (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1– 4:5). Therefore, Christians need to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8, 9; See James 4:7).

To learn more about the devil and his tactics, we invite you to read and carefully study (2 Timothy 2:15) the following information. If you have questions and/or comments, or need more informaiton, contact us.

Click here: https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2016/02/12/spiritual-warfare/