FISH Ministry

05/16/2026

WHO PREPARES YOUR SPIRITUAL TABLE

Elisha was a mighty prophet of God in ancient Israel; the successor of Elijah, and a worker of miracles among the people of his time. Some of his mighty works are recorded in 2 Kings 4. A dearth prevailed in Gilgal (rolling hill country) when Elijah visited the sons of the prophets there. At his command a huge pot was prepared for pottage sufficient to feed all the people. One of the food preparation workers went into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine from which he gathered many gourds and shredded them into the pot. When served, the people could not eat. The gourds were poisonous and doubtless very bitter. They cried out that there was death in the pot. Elisha commanded that meal be cast into the pot then the pottage served. And so it was that the food was good and all the people ate with no harm.

What a wonderful story! But why is it in the Bible, and does it have meaning for this generation? In a world of sin and degradation, there is almost always a spiritual dearth. Too many times, what is gathered to satisfy spiritual hunger is nothing more than certain religious garbage (Iniquity) that can only produce eternal harm because it is not of God, but of man, or worse, from Satan’s recipe book. It may look good, sound good, and offered as good, but in spiritual affairs nothing is good but that which comes from God. That which is unknown and wild is not to be trusted as a remedy and guide to satisfy spiritual hunger, and to direct the lives of men toward eternal reward.

So, Elijah ordered that meal (flour) be added to the pot, and the people served. It was then that they found no harm at all in the pottage. Now flour is the substance of bread. Jesus said “I am that bread of life,” John 6:48. One may eat of the bread that Jesus gives, and find his hunger satisfied. In fact, He stated that those who do not eat of that bread of life have no part with Him. Truly, there is death in the pottage of this world, but Jesus, the bread of life negates the effects of sin and of death by His own eternal righteousness which is imparted to all those who hear Him and follow His directions.

Surely, the tables of life are laden for many banquets, but what is being served? On the other hand, there is a banquet provided by the Lord Jesus that a man may eat thereof and live forever. Whose table are you feeding from? Are you confident that yours’ is a banquet of life, or is it a banquet of death from the delicacies of the devil?

Jesus said, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.” Matt. 5:6. David said, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:8. At the Lord’s banquet there is no death in the pot, only life, and that everlasting!

05/06/2026

UNDERSTANDING ANTICHRIST

The apostle John uses the term “Antichrist” four different times in his epistles; three times in I John 2, and one time in 2 John 1. He affirms that in his day, there were many already by which the last time is made known. In the other references, he describes the spirit, attitude, and nature of antichrist, identifying Characteristics instead of outright personages. Such are appropriate and in total harmony with other bible references. Of course, over the passage of time and through national crises, many actions have been referred to as antichrist. Some of these include Social Security numbers; rationing stamps for sugar, gasoline, and auto supplies during WWII etc.

Perhaps a more concentrated focus on the subject will be helpful. The term “Anti” is a prefix to many words. It means “Against” or the opposite to the meaning of the word to which it is attached. “Christ” to the dismay of some, is not the sir name of Jesus, rather it is His title. He is Jesus the Christ. The meaning of this Greek term which is transliterated into English is “Anointed.”

Anointing has its roots in the heart of Hebrew history. Kings and high priests were anointed with oil, symbolic of the Holy Spirit which did indeed accompany the official anointing with oil. It was the enabling power for the anointed person to fulfill the duties of his office. Only two entities have been anointed in the New Testament. The first was Jesus at His baptism as He embarked upon His ministry of ultimate High Priest, Prophet, King, and Head of the spiritual body. The second was the anointing of the spiritual body at Pentecost. Hence, the Head and the body are Holy Spirit anointed as one as Jesus emphatically prayed in His recorded prayer in John 17. Additionally, John wrote in his epistle, I John 4:17, “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”

So, to be antichrist is to be anti-Jesus, in the form of being “Anti” the teachings of Jesus; hence, “Anti” the Holy Spirit empowered body of the Anointed One, even the church which is the house of God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And who is more “Anti” the true church of our Lord, and its teachings than the bulk of what is called “Christianity?” It is a chilling thought that some of the Lord’s churches that are allowing themselves to be aligned with “Christianity” as defined by the Catholic and Protestant theologies may unwittingly find themselves in the camp of Antichrist, whose lamps are extinguished at the midnight cry!

Is the church of your membership swallowing the antichrist theology of universal church and believer’s baptism?

04/30/2026

ANNOUNCING A PERU PROJECT FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION.

Missionary Doug Clements is starting a work in a needful area in Peru. He has asked FISH Ministry if we could supply 50 additional solar-powered audio Bibles in Spanish for advancing this work. I told him we would be thrilled to help. If you or your church would like to get in on this opportunity, we will receive offerings for the Peru Project until the 15th of June to allow time for procurement of the units and shipping.

Clements will be in Peru in July to personally place the units in the most effective areas. We are excited to help get this one done. Designated offerings will be the main source of funding the project, and Undesignated offerings to FISH Ministry will be used to help underwrite the project. Funds should be sent to FISH Ministry, P. O. Box 1023, Bryant, AR 72089 no later than June 10th. Funds may also be received on our website,

FellowHelper is the first part of our corporate name of FellowHelpers To The Truth, Inc. Shortly after the start of this ministry a hard copy newspaper named “The FellowHelper” was sent out four times a year to over 8,000 recipients. It contained information on all the works and ministry being d...

04/25/2026

WINNING THROUGH LOSING

“And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear” Rev. 13:7-9

In the letters to the seven churches of Asia, recorded in Revelation Chapters Two and Three, much is said to encourage God’s people of covenant to be overcomers of the sins that threaten their well-being. and that of the churches. However, as the world nears the end of the present age, it is prophesied that the beast will be given power to make war with the saints and to overcome them. This appears to be escalating at the present time.

Modern Christians who long have lived in unparalleled luxuries of life are softened to the point of recoiling in horror at the thoughts of any adversity. Doctrinal compromise is not new. Their preference is to shun Revelation and the dreadful apocalypse envisioned as the age closes. But, we dare to ask just what does it mean that the beast will make war with the saints and overcome them?

Certainly, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ has sailed through bloody seas, suffering horribly in the flesh in the dark ages, and the inquisitions of the sixteenth century. Is that what is referenced in Revelation 13? Perhaps there is understanding of these scriptures that escapes those whose occupation it is to make sensational books on religion for monetary gain. Think with me.
Several Greek words are translated “war” in the New Testament. Some specifically denote armies of soldiers, while others lend themselves to more figurative scenarios. In Revelation 13:7, the word is “Polemos” from which the English language also gets” polarize, polemics”, etc. The dark ages proved that blood baths did not stop the testimony of churches. Moreover, our adversaries are truly not flesh and blood, but principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places, according to the apostle, Paul. Eph. 6:12

It is a point of logic then that the war the beast will wage against the saints will be a war of influence, a war of polarizing the minds of godless beast worshippers against the witness of Christ Jesus, overcoming saints to a point of near complete marginalization. When we understand that “beast” in prophetical terms means government, then we look for governmental powers and personnel to implement words, ways, and means to negate the meaning of the faith, and the power of evangelism. The effectiveness of such governmental actions will engulf all whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. God’s people have no trouble identifying measures currently in place which are directly aimed at this goal. Others, more strenuous will follow. Indeed the saints will lose this war, but will have the final, great, eternal victory in Christ that will follow. Hence, in the war of the beast with the saints, we lose the battle, but we win the war in the power of Christ Jesus ... big time!!!

04/22/2026

TO WHAT (WHERE) WE ARE COME

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn,
which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.” Heb 12:22-24.

These few lines center on the contrast between the law and the church, as expressed by “church of the firstborn.” The Old Testament world of shadows and symbols and the New Testament world of realities match in a most thrilling way.

It begins in the Hebrews’ exodus from Egypt. God purchased to Himself the firstborn by the blood of the Passover Lamb. This act emphatically proclaimed to the Hebrews that the first fruits of man, beast, the field, etc. belonged to Him, and such must be yielded to Him or redeemed with fair price. A census was taken, and the tribe of Levi almost perfectly matched in number the total of firstborn saved from death by the blood; whereupon, God traded the firstborn back to the Hebrews for the entire tribe of Levi, who would produce the priests and minister about holy things. It is important to connect the dots here. The Old Testament priests became representative of the firstborn ones whom God redeemed for Himself and symbolic of the New Testament church to which we have come.

The Levitical priesthood was destined to cease; however, another high priest, after the order of Melchizedek would serve the covenant people of God without end. This priest, of course, is Jesus, Who is THE FIRST BORN from the dead among many brethren.

When the new high priest fulfilled every jot and title of the Mosaic Law, He redeemed his people of covenant out from under the old and into the new, the expression of the New Covenant among men is the New Testament church, the pillar and ground of the truth,
purchased with His own blood. Soon after Pentecost, gentiles were added. The church grew by leaps and bounds under its missionary efforts. People of this New Covenant are called the “Israel of God,” Gal. 6:16. Moreover, Peter calls them “a royal priesthood.” I Peter 2:9.

Consequently, the emphasis is that we are no longer under the law. We have not come to Mt. Sinai, but to Mt. Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem . . . to the church of the firstborn . . . while we have this blessed status and enjoy the understanding and spiritual maturity it affords us, there is much greater personal responsibility regarding submission to the instructions of Christ Jesus, our eternal high priest. We must not turn away from Him who has spoken to us.
We must learn to worship and serve God acceptably. While it is sweet to enjoy our relationship with Him as our Loving Heavenly Father, we must hear the other verses as well, and know that
our God is indeed a consuming fire.

The church of the firstborn! A lofty position, place, covenant, to which we have been elevated in Christ Jesus.

FOR THOUGHT: What is the contrast under consideration in Hebrews 12:22-24? Who, and what, was under a death sentence in Egypt if the Passover blood was not applied? How does the ancient order of the Aaronic priesthood foreshadow us today? Who is our eternal high priest?

04/18/2026

STRANGE FIRE, INSTANT DEATH,
AND A DRUNKEN WORLD

From the pages of the Old Testament comes the divine record of the cost of attempting to serve God man’s way instead of strictly God’s way. The incident is referenced three different places to underscore its notice: Leviticus 10:1; Number 3:4 and 26:61. Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded. Immediately, God caused them both to die instantly. Now, let us examine this unusual incident a little closer.

Were the priests to use fire in the service of the tabernacle? Yes, they were. They must use fire at the altar of sacrifice. They also used fire at the altar of incense. However, for specific didactic purposes, explicit instructions were given as to how this was to be done. Obedience to the instruction sanctified the Lord in the sight of all Israel, but disregard for the instructions did just the opposite. Nadab and Abihu were one up on God: they had a better idea than what they were told to do. It cost their life.

But wait a minute! Modern man says. fire is fire, so what difference does it make? It seems the Old Testament God is harsh and cruel. Well, that is indeed the mindset of most modern religionists. Perverting God’s instructions to do things man’s way is called “iniquity” in the Bible. God will not have it. But, it seemed so nice and certainly more palatable to the general populace to make things nicer; put in a little incense. . . make a little more show. But, it is not what God commands, neither is it what God will accept.

Well, that certainly would not happen today, thanks to the grace of God. Yes, the teaching period of the Law is done. The adult period of Grace is ours. But does not one’s actions as an adult have weightier consequences? If one spends any time at all with Jesus’ sermon on the mount, Matt. 5-7, he will know the answer is a definite yes.

It is for this reason that the oft New Testament call to God’s people is to be vigilant, to be sober. The incident of Nadab and Abihu forever testifies that man must not, cannot, serve God man’s way, but strictly God’s way. Too much is made of a supposed liberty to interpret scriptures differently. After all, many claim a right to their opinion. But the truth is that no one has a right to an opinion on God’s Word. It is not of any private interpretation, and means what it says. It may seem nice to exclude the blood of Jesus, or the supposed radical burial in water for baptism by substituting sprinkling or a ritual outside the church, and then being added to a church roll. But as drunken as the world may be on man-made religion and the enticement of materialism, the God everyone must face is indeed the very God Who took the life of Nadab and Abihu who dared to defy explicit instructions of God in favor of doing what seemed “nicer” to them.

04/15/2026

AND THEY KNEW NOT. . .

“ For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matt. 24:38, 39.

The Divine description of life in the antediluvian world may cause one to ask, “Just what is wrong with what they were doing? It is not still just fine to eat, and to drink, and to marry and give in marriage?” It depends on what is understood by the statement. If those things were done in moderation, and in accord with the will of the Heavenly Father, then there was indeed no wrong done by those deeds. On the other hand if these were the driving forces of life, they speak of a sensual, epicurean society that did not eat to live, but lived to eat, drink, and gratify wanton lusts, the deciding clue comes from the rest of that description, “….And knew not until the flood came and took them all away…” This underscores the driving force of life then as sensual continuously. They had neither regard for God nor any sense of accountability to Him.

When people persist in debauchery, they exclude God from their thinking. Life then degenerates to the lowest level of “me only.” When that determination persists, God gives people over to a reprobate mind to do those things that and not convenient, but rotten, filthy, and without compassion. So, they continued on in a degenerate lifestyle which they must have thought would never end. And the flood came and took them all away, except the righteous man Noah and his family.

Jesus’ description of that time was given as a warning sign that the world would degenerate into that same condition as the time of His coming approached. Let the reader pause and read again the first chapter of the book of Romans. Certainly, this is a description of the dark side of civilization in Paul’s day. But that was nearly 2000 years ago. The kind of folks he described were the same kind as those before the flood. Moreover, this type of humanity has multiplied exponentially during the last two millenniums. On the American scene, at least, this has become considered normal and acceptable. It is not that warnings have escaped the scope of their knowledge; rather it is that they refuse to believe them and so discount them altogether.

What can be done? Keep sounding the alarm! This evil world system is going down, and all with it who love it. But there may be one here or there who will hear. Still, for the most part it shall be repeated, “And they knew not . . . “

So soon shall the Lord appear and the corrupters of men will cry for the rocks and mountains to fall upon them to hide them from the face of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.” Rev. 6:16

03/25/2026

PARKED BY THE MASTER DRIVER
(THROWBACK FIVE YEARS)

The formula for parallel parking was the most valuable lesson received from the high school driver education course so long ago. It serves me well each time I need to park in a parallel position especially when the parking space is between other cars with just enough room. It is an exercise that is often a lifelong problem for some. Maybe their acquiring the skill was not a high priority, and as a result they never learned to back into a parking spot or dared to park parallel unless there was room enough for six cars to fit into the space.

Related to that idea is another struggle for some Christians. It is how to deal with some ingrained saying from childhood. “God can’t steer a parked car.” That saying is often taken as a challenge to shift life into motion, to get up and get going, prepared or not. That would assume that God would guide the busy person in the right direction. It is like saying, “A setting hen lays no eggs!” Well that is true, but at the same time, “A rolling stone gathers no moss!” Of course, God’s people are not sitting hens or rolling stones. These are interesting thoughts, but most often far afield from the ways of God’s direction.

More often than not, God wants us to “stay parked,” but busy ourselves with discipleship where He has parked us. When Moses lead in the wilderness, God kept the Israelites in one place. He led them by a cloud, and when it stayed still for many days, “the children of Israel . . . did not journey” (Num. 9:19). Waiting isn’t always easy, but sometimes God wants us to stay right where He has put us.

The Bible appears as a beehive of activity when viewed as a whole, but can you think of important Bible characters that led rather dismal, but peaceable and important lives? We know much about a few apostles, but what about all the others that made up the twelve? Their lives counted though not underscored but in inscribed in the records of God where it is most important. Isaac is the indispensable link between Abraham and Jacob, but what did he ever do other than father a set of twins and unstop some old water wells?

So many scriptures admonish us to “Park it” for a little while. Note Psalm 40:1 and 27:14. My favorite verse of this stripe is Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

If you feel that you’re stuck and just spinning your wheels in your service for God, keep your heart open to God’s leading. Often the best work for Him is done after many years of patient preparation. It is a blessing to understand that the God Who orders our steps is also the God who wants us to stay parked. He directs our stops as well as our steps.

03/11/2026

HEADQUARTERS OF TRUTH

In the sphere of religion, the Lord’s churches have no earthly headquarters. Comprehending that is difficult for some folks. Churches of the Catholic, Protestant, and some Neo-protestant persuasions do create their earthly headquarters which is often the home of upper echelons of an episcopal (preacher) hierarchy. Yet, there is a spiritual headquarters of a sort on earth to which all scriptural churches are inexorably attached.

First, notice the words of the apostle Paul as he wrote to young Timothy, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the Living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” I Tim. 3:15.

Next, the basic meaning of key terms in that verse is determined. The term “behave” is from the ancient Greek “anastrepho” meaning “to turn about” that is, how to conduct oneself in every turn of life or situation he may face. The term “Pillar” is from “stulos” a prop or support. The term “ground” is from the word, “hedraioma” a stay or support. This word comes from the base word meaning to sit or “seat.”

Two graphic ideas are in play by the usage of the two terms. The idea of “seat” indicates location or place, but apart from any geographical site. It is the centralized and concentrated center. In modern times one may refer to a certain city as the county seat. The city is not so called because of its location, streets, shops, institutions, etc. Rather, it is so known because the centralized concentration of governmental authority with its necessary trappings are there. The second idea is that of a pylon, a main support of a structure.

Finally, the specific ideas conveyed by those terms are taken into account. The something or someone identified in I Timothy 3:15 as being the seat and supporting pillar of truth is the church of the Living God. Consider that it is the special object of love, protection, and pre-destination in Christ Jesus. It is the Pearl of Great Price, the Treasure Hidden in a Field, the branches of the True Vine; His flock; His commissioned agency among men; His bride, His anointed body. Its purpose is not primarily social or financial, but spiritual. It has a commission to win, baptize, and teach the truth rather than build buildings, little personal kingdoms or serve as springboards for episcopal (preacher, pastor) popularity. It is the seat and pylon of truth as presented in Holy Writ. One looking for truth must look to the preserved Word that came to men from heaven. One looking for the seat and pylon of that Word among men find it in a true church of the Living God that is a legitimate successor of the apostolic church standing for and subjugated to the Word it supports!

03/04/2026

BATTLING THE BEAST OF DISCOURGEMENT

“And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” Rev. 13:7

Often, an overcome saint is the result of the war with the beast (evil esp. in government). An interesting consideration is: has this happened before? Is there a precedent that could possibly prepare one for that possibility? Consider the following.

The terms “discourage” or “discouraged” appears only a few times in the Bible. Most of the appearances are in the Old Testament with one in the New Testament. They are all directed to or about God’s people. It is also interesting to note that usage is few, but employs several words to cover the idea’s spectrum. The Hebrew terms so translated are: “Qatsar,” in Numbers 21:4. The word means primarily “to be short; hence, impatient, vexed and or grievous.” Here it depicts the reaction to hardships in the way of the Hebrew journey from Egypt. They were not discouraged because of the way, but in the way due to so many obstacles as well as the absence of the few conveniences of life afforded them in Egypt.

“Nuw,” in Numbers 32:7, 9; this term is primarily meaning “to hinder, forbid, disallow, refrain, or frustrate.” It depicts the state of the Hebrews after the evil report of the spies, turning them away from entering the Promised Land.

“Macac” is translated “discouraged” in Deut. 1:28 and means “Dissolve, melt, drop off.” It describes the heart of the Hebrews upon the report of the giants being in the Land of Promise.

“Chathath,” in Deuteronomy 1:21. This means “shattered, dismayed, broken, afraid.” It was used here in the negative as an admonition of encouragement for the Hebrews to take the Land of Promise.
Collecting the meaning of all these words, one finds that the Bible warns God’s people to NOT be impatient, vexed or grieved; to NOT accept hindrance, forbiddance, frustration or restraint from doing God’s Will; to NOT be shattered, dismayed, broken or afraid in heart and spirit; to NOT dissolve, melt or drop off in service and faith in Him.

Does the going get a little rough sometimes? You bet it does! Does Satan use the above named tactics to discourage, dissuade, and negate one’s discipleship? You bet he does! But to Israel, the Promised Land was still there and God’s victory was theirs for the claiming. To those who are standing for the Lord and His Word today, the reward of faithful service is still there and the Captain of the Host of the Lord is still present to give the victory.

So, let us all be aware of Satan’s tools of discouragement, and in the words of the beloved apostle Paul, “Let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal. 6:9. The battle with the beast, and its outcome is every Christian’s war, and there are tremendous blessings for the Christian victor. In Christ you will be such a victor!